Mosin-Nagant as a first rifle?

Do it. I got a Mosin as my first rifle just a couple months ago, and tested it recently. Couldn't be happier. Just pour steaming hot water down the barrel right after firing corrosive ammo and your fine.

" minute of watermellon" Haven`t heard/seen that one before. Good one.

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Agreed. I'm going to come up with a new fruit-based accuracy scale.

Most accurate: Minute of Cherry
Least accurate: Minute of Watermelon.

mortablunt said:

Agreed. I'm going to come up with a new fruit-based accuracy scale.

Most accurate: Minute of Cherry
Least accurate: Minute of Watermelon.

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new Least Accurate: Minute of 1500lb pumpkin.

"Ignorance is bliss. Andrew Wyatt would you care to enlighten us on your thoughts of the mosin or are you just trolling?"

I thought I was pretty clear, actually, but i'll clarify further.

There are three lines of reasoning that in my mind make a Mosin a poor choice for a first gun.


1. A New shooter is learning gun handling and marksmanship skills that will stand them in good stead for life. A mosin has sights and safety that are inadequate, and this makes learning marksmanship and good gunhandling more difficult than necessary.

2. A new shooter's first rifle should be something they should be able to use for a protracted period of time. As such, the ammunition should be something that's available and easy to get not just at the time you give them the rifle, but twenty or thirty years hence, when they want to hand it down to their kids. 7.62X54R is in the same position 8mm mauser was in the seventies and eighties. It's not easy to get now, and 7.62X54R won't be twenty years from now.

3. A First Centerfire Rifle may end up being a kid's only centerfire rifle. as such, it should be as solid, dependable, and possess a useful level of consistent accuracy. Mosins can be made to shoot, but not as consistently as a modern rifle with a synthetic stock and bedding block.


With these things taken into account, If i were suggesting a new rifle, i'd suggest a one of the youth model Rugers (or the GSR) or Remingtons in .308. If i were suggesting a milsurp, i'd suggest an FR-8, Israeli Mauser, or a 1903A3.

If we're not limited to .30 caliber Bolt guns, I think it's hard to go wrong with an Ar-15.

My son is 12. I bought him a 10/22 2 years ago and we both started shooting. We have a few more guns and recently picked up a Mosin 91/30. He loves it! It kicked his shoulder to pieces the first time out, but he figured out how to handle that. He hit the 200 yard steel target on his 2nd shot.

It's cheap. You will spend more than the rifle's value in ammo in a couple of outings. How do you pass that up? I think the fact that it's historical is also an interesting aspect for a child to gain more respect for firearms etc.

We're having a blast. It's our first higher powered rifle. I just picked up a Yugo Mauser M48 I can't wait to shoot now that I just cleaned it up.

By the way: That's a video link above.

First Centerfire Rifle may end up being a kid's only centerfire rifle. as such, it should be as solid, dependable, and possess a useful level of consistent accuracy. Mosins can be made to shoot, but not as consistently as a modern rifle with a synthetic stock and bedding block..

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well to each his own, I dont agree. A mosin may not be high tech, but it will do more than most can. It is perfect for a 1st rifle and will be functioning I am sure for another 100 years. Will 7.62x54r be available in 30 years? Probably considering the 1000's of mosins sold in the past few years it would behoove ammo companies to keep some around. Ultra cheap surplus? maybe not, but ammo will be available. Also I have no problem finding 8mm. For 100 dollars and change he can have a rifle that is tough and durable, and plenty accurate for white tail or black bear.

Then you say get him an AR15? Lowest price 500, for a major manufacture more like 800. Ammo 5.56 currently isn't cheap. so why is an ar15 so much better than a mosin for a 1st? And as far hunting is concerned unless you buy an exotic AR your not shooting much more than varmints.

And so what if ammo isnt widely available in 20 years it will look nice on the wall and he will be able to use the heck out of it before then.

That's a great first rifle. I don't understand people who say they have too much recoil for a 6 foot tall boy. Aimsurplus.com sells them cheaper than Bud's. Most likely the same condition.

Andrew Wyatt said:

"Ignorance is bliss. Andrew Wyatt would you care to enlighten us on your thoughts of the mosin or are you just trolling?"

I thought I was pretty clear, actually, but i'll clarify further.

There are three lines of reasoning that in my mind make a Mosin a poor choice for a first gun.


1. A New shooter is learning gun handling and marksmanship skills that will stand them in good stead for life. A mosin has sights and safety that are inadequate, and this makes learning marksmanship and good gunhandling more difficult than necessary.

2. A new shooter's first rifle should be something they should be able to use for a protracted period of time. As such, the ammunition should be something that's available and easy to get not just at the time you give them the rifle, but twenty or thirty years hence, when they want to hand it down to their kids. 7.62X54R is in the same position 8mm mauser was in the seventies and eighties. It's not easy to get now, and 7.62X54R won't be twenty years from now.

3. A First Centerfire Rifle may end up being a kid's only centerfire rifle. as such, it should be as solid, dependable, and possess a useful level of consistent accuracy. Mosins can be made to shoot, but not as consistently as a modern rifle with a synthetic stock and bedding block.


With these things taken into account, If i were suggesting a new rifle, i'd suggest a one of the youth model Rugers (or the GSR) or Remingtons in .308. If i were suggesting a milsurp, i'd suggest an FR-8, Israeli Mauser, or a 1903A3.

If we're not limited to .30 caliber Bolt guns, I think it's hard to go wrong with an Ar-15.

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Sorry but I have to disagree all the way around here....before we get to your points you have to go back to what and where this kid is. He has shot centerfire before, a 308 was talked about early on. He also has access to a .22 that he now finds dull....to me that means he is hitting peach pits with ease and is looking for something a little more. Then we get to this person is a history buff.

The shooter sounds like he knows how to be safe around guns, and knows his marksmen ship, remember the comments on the .22, as far as the mosin being inadequate...I don't have problems hitting paper plates at 100+yards.

With everything that shoots this cartridge from the shorter carbines, to the long 91/30, to things like the PSL...there are quite a few guns out there that shoot the cartridge. Add to that we now have several eastern countries making ammo for this....and 8mm as well now that the iron curtain has come down ammo is not the issue that it was in the 70's and 80's....this stuff will be around for a LONG time to come....surplus may not be, but factory ammo will. There are just too many of the rifles out there. I was across from a table that had two crates of the things and the first crate was gone by 2pm on the first day. Too many customers out there and the ammo companies will want to sell to those customers.

Your third point is the only one that I can give some support for, yes these are surplus weapons and you don't know the history on how ivan took care of it. Some will have a barrel like a sewer pipe, others look like they have never been shot....it is a crap shoot, if you can look first hand that is best. The rest about consistently these are pretty thin rifles and when they do get hot they will string a bit. But take your time and pick out a good rifle you will be rewarded with pretty darn good accuracy, are very dependable and carry history with it.

Suggesting a youth model Ruger to a kid that is 6 feet tall is just short sited, and if your looking at things like an A3 open up your pocket...this is his uncle doing something nice...there is a big difference between a mosin and a 1903 in price.

And then we get into the good ole AR...the everything rifle....not everyone wants a soul bit of plastic. And I think if this kid is a history nut the choice the uncle made is a great one.

If it was a troll...I took the bait hook line and sinker....but I did have fun with my comments.

So, you're saying that because you can hit paper plates on a square range in daylight, the mosin has good sights, and because there's available ammunition now there will always be readily available ammunition?

Centerfire has Polish Mosin look-alike training rifles in 22lr for the moment. Would make a great companion to an M44 or something.

Also, Steyr M95 carbines are $100 right now. PPU makes commercial ammo for relatively cheap (compared to other commercial center fire ammo).

As far as iron sights go, the Mosin is pretty run of the mill. Not the best, by far, but certainly usable for anyone who knows basic marksmanship.

Andrew Wyatt said:

"Ignorance is bliss. Andrew Wyatt would you care to enlighten us on your thoughts of the mosin or are you just trolling?"

I thought I was pretty clear, actually, but i'll clarify further.

There are three lines of reasoning that in my mind make a Mosin a poor choice for a first gun.


1. A New shooter is learning gun handling and marksmanship skills that will stand them in good stead for life. A mosin has sights and safety that are inadequate, and this makes learning marksmanship and good gunhandling more difficult than necessary.

2. A new shooter's first rifle should be something they should be able to use for a protracted period of time. As such, the ammunition should be something that's available and easy to get not just at the time you give them the rifle, but twenty or thirty years hence, when they want to hand it down to their kids. 7.62X54R is in the same position 8mm mauser was in the seventies and eighties. It's not easy to get now, and 7.62X54R won't be twenty years from now.

3. A First Centerfire Rifle may end up being a kid's only centerfire rifle. as such, it should be as solid, dependable, and possess a useful level of consistent accuracy. Mosins can be made to shoot, but not as consistently as a modern rifle with a synthetic stock and bedding block.


With these things taken into account, If i were suggesting a new rifle, i'd suggest a one of the youth model Rugers (or the GSR) or Remingtons in .308. If i were suggesting a milsurp, i'd suggest an FR-8, Israeli Mauser, or a 1903A3.

If we're not limited to .30 caliber Bolt guns, I think it's hard to go wrong with an Ar-15.

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In the hands of conscripted illiterate Russian hillbillies, it was used to drive the Nazi's out of Russia. I'm pretty sure some kid who has some firearms experience can handle it. Ammo is cheap in bulk right now (I just bought a case without any real effort to find it)and there are so many of these things in the hands of gun show enthusiasts and cheap hunters that when the milsurp dries up, there will be a perfectly good commercial market for ammo. There were 17 million of these things made. Sorry you're not a fan, but it's just as viable a rifle to start on as any Ruger or Winchester, and 10 times cheaper.

Sorry you're not a fan, but it's just as viable a rifle to start on as any Ruger or Winchester

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exactly. My opinion is that 7.62x54r will be available for long time. 10 years for sure, 20 years i'd say, 50 i dunno 100 who cares we wont be here to find out! but if well taken for it will still be in the family. buy a couple spam cans to keep in the closet incase 2012 does happen.

Hi,

Just wondering if 1943 Mosins would be in better quality than 1942 since the tide of war had begun to change towards the Soviet's advantage so they weren't as hard pressed at Ishvesk to produce rifles hastily? From what I see, it looks like the finish and fit is better than 1942, obviously not as good as pre-war though.

Well, I doubt they can afford to buy the kid a $2000.00 AR15. For about $160.00 he can get a Mosin and a can of ammo to keep him busy for quite a while. You can't do better than that, even with a .22. Throw a recoil pad in the stocking, and I don't see how any young shooter could be unhappy. I would loved to have gotten one of those when I was younger.

Andrew Wyatt said:

So, you're saying that because you can hit paper plates on a square range in daylight, the mosin has good sights, and because there's available ammunition now there will always be readily available ammunition?

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Yes I am saying that the sights are adequate for the job that needs to be done when the rifle was made, adequate for shooting just about any game in north america, adequate for target shooting....some are better then others, but we are dealing with things that can be over 100 years old, and are battle rifles.

Will the ammo always be available....always is a very long time, but I would say it will be available just as long as common american calibers like 3006. We can still buy factory 30-40 Krag ammo why not 7.62x54r....heck of a lot more of them made and a lot more in the the hands of the people then something like a Krag ever would be.

Again your falling short....if you don't like them just say so...don't try to come up with hollow arguments against the rifle.

I think this would be a good rifle. Simple to clean, and simple to operate. Open, adjustable sights that work good for someone starting out. The safety may not be the best for him, but otherwise its a good rifle. I own one and love it. The gun is cheap and reliable. I would however clean it for him first (you being the expert) because the cosmoline can cause issues with the empty shell sticking in the chamber after fire if you dont, and plus cosmoline is just messy. I would go with the mosin though.

I would loved to have gotten one of those when I was younger.

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It would put a smile on myface still!

Recoil is relitive. Much of it has to do with the mass of the shooter. A slim teenager will "go with the flow" whereas a heavy middle age adult will soak up much of the energy before his big body moves. I learned this when my 6' 3" 300 pound father would get a blue shoulder after a day in the dove field but at 14 I only weighed about 130 and it did not bother me at all.

Maybe so-if ammo prices are an important factor and a .22 just won't do.

If not, and maybe they know how to reload fairly cheaply, an Enfield #4/Mk. 1.
This thought popped up just before I saw the same Enfield idea by dprice3844444.
He might prefer the aperture sights over a MN's open sights.

Willard94 said:

I think this would be a good rifle. Simple to clean, and simple to operate. Open, adjustable sights that work good for someone starting out. The safety may not be the best for him, but otherwise its a good rifle. I own one and love it. The gun is cheap and reliable. I would however clean it for him first (you being the expert) because the cosmoline can cause issues with the empty shell sticking in the chamber after fire if you dont, and plus cosmoline is just messy. I would go with the mosin though.

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That is a great project for them all to do together...hang around with some mineral spirits or a good steamer (don't let the wife find out) and just have a good old time after christmas dinner.

Ignition Override said:

Maybe so-if ammo prices are an important factor and a .22 just won't do.

If not, and maybe they know how to reload fairly cheaply, an Enfield #4/Mk. 1.
This thought popped up just before I saw the same Enfield idea by dprice3844444.
He might prefer the aperture sights over a MN's open sights.

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If the kid does take to military collecting in general reloading is a very good idea. It keeps the price way down. I just got into reloading after the last box of 30-40 Krag cost me about $2 per bang. Then toss in 7.5 French, 7.7 Jap, 6.5 Carcano...and the other "not so common"ammo types that are out there....but oddly enough can still be bought as there are places that make factory loads for them, but they do get a little spendy. That Krag has gone from about $2 per shot to under $1 per shot, same with the japanese and french ammo....plus it is really great fun.

Buy a Mosin if you can get it dirt cheap & it's not a shot out piece of junk.

He can strip off the redundant hardware like the bayonet apparatus and buy cheap third party restocking kits to "sporterize" his rifle and trim the weight down.

Customizing his first gun will develop gunsmithing knowledge & skills and self confidence that will stand him in good stead throughout his shooting & hunting life.

CON: If you're not a hand loader there is not much as regards hunting ammo selection in 7.62 x 54.

The funny part about this to me, is he already said what he is getting, yet folks continue to argue about it.

Solid choice, he will love it and have plenty of fun. I certainly wouldn't worry about recoil either, especially given his experience shooting.