1895 Nagant revolver

[MilsurpShooter]

I usually don't venture into the Revolver section, I usually don't look at handguns, have enough trouble buying the rifles I want, but I was at a new gun store and think I might have found a deal. It was an 1895 Russian Nagant Revolver, with cleaning rod and holster for just under $200. I'm not sure if it's of a single or double action. I looked at it, didn't ask too many questions... Yet. I'm going today to start the process for my pistol Permit. I figure once I get the permit to own a handgun I can start actually looking at them in a better "buying" light.

I've a few questions about it though from the research I've done. The ammo. Do you need to use the manufactured, recessed bullet type of ammo? I've looked around online and it seems kind of hard to find, there anyway you can get some of this and reload it or is it a lost cause?

Quirks? Anything I should be ont he lookout for when I inspect this gun, anything I should watch for or be aware of?

Worthwhile? Is it worth it to buy it or would I be better off saving and buying the Uberti Single Action I was looking at? lol

Thanks for any helps guys

 

[News Shooter]

You can use .32 S & W ammo

It's still expensive. Also you should be able to find one a lot closer to $100 than $200.

They are fun guns...not sure it would be my choice for the first pistol though

 

[Snowdog]

I have to agree that the price doesn't seem right.
I paid $79 for mine from SOG not too long ago. Of course I saved money by using my C&R, but if the 1895 Nagant strikes your interest, you'll probably fancy other C&R handguns and rifles in the future so you might as well obtain your C&R.

These revolvers are great for the collection, but no so great for the range unless plinking is your thing and you don't mind the slim ammunition availability. I believe your only 7.62x38mm options remain Fiocchi, Russian target ammunition and Hotshot costing anywhere between $15/40 to $35/50. As pointed out above, you can use .32 long and most agree .32H&R magnum is acceptable though reloaders might take issue with the occasional bulged cases.
I've put 150 rounds of G-A 100gr JHPs through mine without issue, but I don't reload for the .32 magnum, so that might be why it doesn't pain me any.

The 1895 nagant is a fun single-action plinker and worth the $80 - $100 IMHO. Just don't expect to use the double-action feature often unless you're David Banner and plan to "get angry" with the trigger pull while shooting since that's about what it'll take to use it comfortably.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

I might have to look into what it takes to do a C&R pistol in this state. I've allready got the paperwork for the C&R, waiting on them to get back to me about it , it's the pistol permit that would be an issue in this state. But I've always had wierd tastes in firearms. 22 and I like Mausers, Mosins, Springfields more then what my friends like... Read that as Sig/Glock and Baby Desert Eagles. I did some price checks, admittedly, should have done that sooner, so I'm going to hold off, save my pennys. Thought it was a good deal, but I can find better online it looks.

Thanks guys, especially for the information regarding the .32 caliber. I ever get my hands on one I'd probably go that route

 

[News Shooter]

Jay

The C & R is a federal firearms license that allows you to collect old firearms without having to go through background checks each time. The state has nothing to do with it except that you have to follow whatever state laws you might have regarding registration.

You can download the application from the ATF site I believe. It doesn't cost much and takes less than a month

 

[phoglund]

Get yourself a C&R to start with. Savings on C&R guns and on many online purchases for gun related items make them one of the best values around. I picked up a very nice 1895 Nagant for $80 from AIM recently. It's a unique firearm with an extensive history. I don't know that I would recommend it as a first revolver either but it is inexpensive and a cool piece. Ammo is somewhat expensive however. I picked up some Russian surplus from SOG for $15/40rnds that shoots pretty accurately and drops nicely out of the cylinder without having to use the awkward ejector rod. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Yeah, I understand the C&R, I've allready applied for that and am waiting to get it back from the BATF. When I mention pistol permit it's due to the place where I live. In Westchester and many of the outlying counties that are near NYC, in order to possess a handgun you first need a Pistol Permit. I can go buy the gun right now, but until I get the permit paperwork, get fingerprinted/mug shot, and go to court to tell the judge why I want the permit, I can't take the hand gun from the gun store. As far as I've interpreted the law (they don't make it easy here, hard to get a laymens term on the reading of the law) any type of fire-arm that falls into the handgun variety must be shipped to a dealer, gun store what have you, they then ammend it to your permit. I have to do more digging on it, typing it out has me second guessing myself now. I'll probably ask them when I go after work, doubt any of them will know though.

 

[tinygnat219]

If you are paying 200 bucks for a Nagant, it's probably a SA pistol. If it's a DA, you are getting ripped off. Don't pay more than 120 for a DA pistol. The dealer prices are between 80-100 bucks. Great guns, I have 4 of them.

Heartily recommend the .32 S&W Long, it's a fun cartridge to shoot out of the gun, but mind the flakes of lead coming out. DON'T fire the .32 H&R Magnum out of this revolver, you will get "bitten" by the flecks of lead hitting the forcing cone. The SA versions of this revolver are also legal for CAS competitions and is a great way to get in "on the cheap"

If you do shoot .32 S&W Long, keep that forcing cone clean! It gums up awful quick!

 

[piste]

Keep in mind that with a C&R I believe all handguns have to go overnight so add in that cost...also not sure about NY but some states require ALL handguns go thru a dealer so the C&R becomes kinda useless for a handgun. That $80 toy could double in price by the time you are done. And oh yeah...a C&R is your open invitation for the govt to knock on your door any time to come audit your collection and records. Things to think about.

 

[tinygnat219]

Piste,

Your assumption about the C&R is incorrect. They have to notify me and give me 24 hours notice. I can even setup an appointment at their office and all I have to bring is my bound book.

It's that simple. It does NOT give them carte blanche to enter my residence at any time.

 

[MilsurpShooter]

Couldn't go get the paperwork yesterday, roads were too flooded, so I'll be going today after work.

No one knows if it's possible to reload this round in the recessed fashion do they? I know it's probably more hassle then it's worth, but I like to know these things for useless trivia

 

[Jim K]

In New York and some other states, the Federal C&R license is worthless for handguns and, sometimes, "assault rifles." So if you are thinking of the C&R license to buy handguns, forget it. You would probably be OK to buy milsurp rifles with it, though.

Now on the Nagant. First, the price you mention is too high. Second, the Nagant is an interesting revolver for a collector but difficult to shoot (horrible trigger pull, SA and DA, bad sights, etc.). I would seriously consider something else for a first handgun; a good .22 or a .38/.357 revolver might be a better bet.

You can buy a newly made cylinder for the Nagant in .32 ACP. I got one and reamed it to .32 H&R Magnum, so I can fire .32 ACP, .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long and .32 Magnum, plus several Nagant cartridges from the original cylinder.

There are really no cartridges that will work right in the Nagant other than the original. .32 S&W Long is too small and the cases will bulge badly or even split. Accuracy is poor, but with a Nagant, who can tell?

Jim

 

[piste]

Piste,

Your assumption about the C&R is incorrect. They have to notify me and give me 24 hours notice. I can even setup an appointment at their office and all I have to bring is my bound book.

It's that simple. It does NOT give them carte blanche to enter my residence at any time.

Thanks for clarifying. I'm not an expert on these matters but I know enough that it's not always simple and a C&R is not for me. I was not clear in that I did not mean "knock on your door at any time" literally...more figuratively. I realize there is "some" notice requirement and flexibility in location...but I also believe they have the right to inspect the weapons...and my milsurpitis is so bad I would dread the notion of lugging them all to their office. And as for notice...it would stink if they notified me at a time that was not too convenient for me...say the day before my 2 week vacation in Hawaii.

I was mostly trying to provide a balanced set of info about the potential downsides of a C&R as many folks post the benefits but not the responsibilities. I often see posts that folks got a Nagant online for $70 or $80 bucks. I'd be shocked if the true and complete cost was not well over $100...but I've been wrong before. I gladly paid $150 for mine...PLUS taxes...PLUS fees making it closer to $200. A bit more that I would have liked to pay...but gladly paid it particularly as I could fully examine it prior to purchase....and several others they had in the shop and pick which I wanted.

 

[tinygnat219]

Piste,

No problem, I checked with the ATF when I was getting into the C&R process because I was under the same assumption and they stated I would get 24 hours notice and could even come down to their office with my bound book and receipts. I think it's possible to reschedule with them, I don't think C&R FFL holders are really their highest priority.

Downsides of having one of these: You have more wants than cash flow. It's a good deal 3 years for 30 bucks. Your shipping costs point is right on the money. There are overnight shipping costs for handguns as required by Common Carriers like UPS and FEDEX. You also can't mail handguns with a C&R FFL like an 01 FFL holder can, so shipping costs can be a concern. However, if you win something off of Gunbroker, or something like that, you will have to pay shipping anyway in addition to the FFL transfer fee. I consider it a cost of the gun and typically, tack on 30-40 bucks in addition to shipping. Now, when ordering two handguns or something like that it's useful to combine the orders and then shipping costs are reduced dramatically.

Seriously, there are more upsides than down.
* You save on FFL transfer fees for things you want,
* At gunshows a lot of dealers will take them thus saving you the background check,
*You get discounts on certain things at Midway,
* You can get firearms dropped off at the front door of your abode (depending on state and local laws of course)
* You get to see the wholesale prices that 01 dealers get at places like AIM Surplus and Southern Ohio Gun, not to mention Century Arms.
* I have ordered guns over the Internet without even talking to a person at the other end of the line. I just go online and order with a credit card and boom, two days later, I have my firearm.
* A REAL plus, I got to go to Shot Show on my C&R. To get in, you have to have an FFL, or be "in the business". My C&R got me in the door.
* My feet are still sore from that event.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I wouldn't stress too much on an ATF inspection. I don't know of any C&R who's ever had one. I'm sure it's happened, but I've never heard of it.