$100+ Conundrum

[jacketsfanatic]

While perusing the local gun store's monthly flyer I found myself with a dilemma. They have Russian 91/30's for $60. I figure with some ammo I can walk out the door for a little over $100. I have also been looking at AR lowers to start my first build. This would also cost just a bit over $100. As far as I can tell both have their pro's and con's. Currently I own neither version of these rifles. Any thoughts on why you might do one over the other? Do I go for the complete rifle now or go with the potential for a nicer rifle down the road in the AR. Do AR politics (potential future assault ban)play any part in this decision?

Thanks!

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

1. The Mosin and Ammo is by far the better deal.

2. One you can do something with, the other gathers dust.

3. Not for me.

 

[rfurtkamp]

Which do you want, immediate gratification or to build something you want that's potentially better?

If you *want* a 91/30, buy the 91/30. If you're buying a 91/30 because it's $60, buy the lower and start on something you actually want vs an impulse buy.

And I say this owning several Mosins and liking them. They're cheap, they're fun, they make a big boom. I even have one that there's pride of ownership in - it's an extremely nice model in well-preserved conditions and shoots very well.

But you're not talking like you *want* the 91/30 - more like it's an impulse buy.

 

[jacketsfanatic]

Neither would be an impulse buy. I have been looking at both for a while not and just haven't pulled the proverbial trigger on either yet. My goal is to eventually have both in my collection.

 

[Tarvis]

I say go with the lower, but realize you are going to spend $700+ to get your rifle together if you use mediocre parts or skimp on the upper. MN's are cool and all, but mine kicks me like an angry mule and has a corroded bore. The cheap bullets are a bad choice for hunting and are corrosive. The AR on the other hand, can fire a plethora of cartridges ranging from 22lr to 50bmg and has a wide range of parts available.

 

[takhtakaal]

I'd buy the AR lower, because it's more likely that you'll still be able to get an inexpensive military surplus rifle in the not-too-distant future. After January 2009, anything associated with a rifle like an AR (or an AK, for that matter) is going to be a crap shoot.

 

[Mr_Pale_Horse]

I lived through the GCA68 Ban (1968 to 1986), the wide sweeping ban that kept 1898 and newer milsurps out of the import market from 1968 to 1986.

Don't assume the AW will be the only targets of regulation.

 

[rfurtkamp]

Don't assume the AW will be the only targets of regulation.

Realistic shortterm prices on Mosins isn't going up very far very fast if one is looking for the chainstore $60 special in service-grade mixmaster shape, even if importation was cut off tomorrow.

There are a *lot* of these rifles out there. I can't imagine prices going above $150 regularly any time soon, a rise of 150% from current.

I saw what the AWB prices were like last time, or even pre-2004 election, on AR stuff.

Panic buyers were everywhere, I traded up almost across the board in '04 on EBR stuff. I expect the same this time.

 

[Picard]

Get the AR. Owning a Mosin or not is not going to break you, but if AR's are banned, you won't be able to forgive yourself.

 

[kfranz]

If you can't swing both right now due to financial reasons, I'd say buy the Nagant. It will require no further investment other than a bit of time, and for the same initial investment it will get you some ammo to start. Should bad stuff happen in Washington or your home state, you could pick up an AR on credit. I don't suggest that in ordinary times, but it's the better of two choices when the other choice is not being able to have one.

 

[Gord]

If a ban is enacted, chances are you won't be able to build up your lowers as time allows, so realize that if you want to beat the ban, you need to be looking at completing that AR now. If you're not going to have the money to do that (about $700, minimum) in a timely manner then you may as well go ahead and get the Mosin. They're fun, ammo is still relatively cheap and it's a lot of gun for sixty bucks.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

Why not get both since it only a couple hundred bucks?

It seems like a decent deal if you have really been wanting one, I doubt you will find one any cheaper in the near future.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[ColinthePilot]

I love my Mosins, but they'll be around for a while and won't likely find their way onto any AWB. If another ABW is a concern for you, get the AR, because it WILL be listed on a new AWB. I bought a lower a few months ago, and my problem is I haven't been able to the buy the rest of the parts because I keep buying mosins.