1895 Nagant: Worth It?

[Proinsias]

Yes I also considered this. Do you suspect very few troops were issued handguns? It seems all Military issues officer sidearms. But the "Grunt's" handguns are more closely rationed?

The officer's revolver is a statement piece, sure. An a rifle is more effective against the enemy but maybe especially during WWII it was more a threat against the Russian soldier that he'd face it if he fled.

It is also perfectly Stalinist: Whether you like it or not, Comrade. They churned out millions of a pistol no one could shoot, which is a cameo of what is wrong with a command-driven economy. Da, efficient, no gap in barrel! Approve it at once!

The Nagant predates Communist Russia by 23 years.

Gunbroker is not the best place to save money on anything that has become rare or prized. Local gun stores (around here at least) still go by book value, or by what they remember something being worth. In 2012 I bought a Smith & Wesson 1006 for $375 (comparable guns on Gunbroker at the time were around $850). A few months ago I bought, from another local spot, an East German Makarov for $200.

My point is, if you want something odd ball that used to be cheap, keep an eye on the local shops.

I don't use GB or eBay much anymore, but from what I remember the latter has an option to only search completed auctions. This gives a better idea of what people are actually willing to pay instead of the one guy who repeatedly tries to sell the same item for 500% markup in the hopes that one sucker exists.

 

[Kendal Black]

The Nagant predates Communist Russia by 23 years.

Yes, but they retained it in inventory and made lots more of them. I think blaming the Communist system for that is fair game.

 

[entropy]

I don't. They developed the TT33 after an effective industrial base was re-established. Life in Russia from 1918 until the late 30's was barbaric and primitive. Ayn Rand's We the Living is a much better representation of that than Dr. Zhivago. And since the tooling and supplies to build the Nagant were already in place in Tula and Ishvesk, they continued to use them because, as has been pointed out, the pistol was seen as more of a badge of authority than a combat weapon in that part of the world at that time. The TT33 was part of Stalin's attempting to prove to the world Russia was modern, as well as giving the NKVD a more efficient execution pistol. When the General Staff saw war looming (even if Stalin didn't), they ramped up production of both pistols because they had to be able to arm massive amounts of officers, NCO's, and zampolits for war. Those of us who collect MIlsurps had studied the production numbers of most WWII arms, and the pre-exsisting ones always had a jump in production about 1938 or so. The Nagant is no exception. They kept it in the inventory because; It was cheap, and easy to make, (machinery and trained people already in place) it (sort of) worked, and Historically, The Russians don't throw away anything useful.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

To those who own or have shot Nagant revolvers, would you pay $400-$500 for one these days if you didn't have yours when you got it cheap? They seem like neat guns but I hear they have awful triggers.
Thanks!

Hell no.
I don't own one but have shot my father in law's and messed with it quite a bit. He got his for $200 at a pawn shop and I think he overpaid.

Now that being said, if you're buying it for historical purposes or to fill a gap in a collection, then it is something to consider.
But if it's to be used, you can get a Ruger Blackhawk for that price. No brainer.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Okay, it's an "underpowered" 19th Century 7.62mm European service revolver with a complex mechanism. What does it have that most other centerfire revolvers don't have? It holds 7 rounds and will probably never wear out. Put in context, most European countries didn't issue anything more powerful with .32 ACP pocket pistols being very popular.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks for the input, all.

I posted a "WTB" in the handguns for sale section. I'm looking to possibly do a trade on a nice S&W Model 64 as well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've been pondering them too for a few years. I feel they are over priced.

 

[tark]

Just tried shooting 32 S&W Long in my Nagant. It worked beautifully, Better accuracy than the nagant ammo and at least it will reliably penetrate a 2X4. The Nagant has a tapered chamber, and near the rim, the S&W round is almost .018 thousands undersized but near the mouth it is a perfect fit. The pressures are so low, most of the cases don't even expand and they fall out of their own weight!! I have fired an entire box through the gun and I have yet to use the ejector rod! I'm not gonna try any 32 magnum. Might be a bit too hot.

 

[Navy_Guns]

Cooldill - Too bad you live in Kansas or I'd meet you for FTF. I bought two when they were $80 and a friend bought one, too. I was able to find a .32 ACP cylinder and it worked fine in one of my two guns so I keep one "stock" and the other with the bastard cylinder. Man, those .32 ACP chambers are really, really oversized... Anyway, my friend had buyers remorse and was pestering me to buy his off of him. I told him I wasn't interested in a 3rd revolver but that I'd give him the $20 he spent for the box of ammo. Eventually he sold me the ammo AND the revolver for $20! He did NOT want to own that gun, apparently. And since I still did not need a 3rd revolver, I gave it to my assistant Cub Scout leader as a gift. Now that I see the prices are so high, I'd have no problem selling my "stock" revolver for a fair price.

 

[viking72]

Thanks for the input, all.

I posted a "WTB" in the handguns for sale section. I'm looking to possibly do a trade on a nice S&W Model 64 as well.

I will trade. I think I still have some non cor. ammo too.
Later,
Doug

 

[il_10]

I think I paid around $125 for mine, it's a re-arsenaled 1929 Tula. I'd probably buy another at that price, but not at the prices they're going for now.

It has a couple things going for it; ammo interchangeability with other .32 revolvers if you're not shooting the native cartridge, it can be suppressed, and it holds 7 rounds.

But the trigger is atrocious, the gas seal system isn't really necessary, loading and ejecting is painfully slow. Realistically, these revolvers were obsolete when they were introduced, and 121 years of further development has not been kind to them.

That having been said, I like Russian and Soviet guns quite a bit myself, so I'm also not inclined to sell at current prices. Take that for what it's worth, because it would basically complete your 20th century Soviet sidearm collection until you get into the deep end of 'particular' models.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Guys, I got my Nagant:

There is a member here who made this possible... VERY special thanks to member AZAndy who allowed me to complete my collection of Soviet sidearms. I am so happy!! The trigger pull in double action is indeed stuff, but it isn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. Single action isn't bad at all. I plan to hit the range tomorrow and will be sure to post a range review!

Thanks so much for the input and help everyone. I really like this little revolver!!

 

[Clark]

I have a couple Nagant revolvers.
1941 and 1944, they each cost $80 +$25 FFL and tax 9-27-2004.
I shot them once 11-8-2004.
I don't like them at all.
So buy them to collect them.... that is all