Antique or Post-War M39?

[Cal-gun Fan]

Hey,
I've been looking at M39s recently after I saw one at the range. I love 7.62x54r and the Mosin I have is a bit of a lemon.

Now, I have seen antique M39s built on 1985 Tula receivers with all Finnish other parts with 100% blueing, just gorgeous looking for about 400 bucks. Then, I have seen some M39s built in 1970 for about the same price with finnish receivers.

Which one would you guys personally take? I like the idea of the antique one, but would it be as accurate do you think?

 

[_N4Z_]

I have two antique receivered M39's. Reload for both and use them both in "as issued" mil bolt rifle competitions. One was unissued new bore, the other well used. They are both very accurate, but if given the choice I would opt for new bore.

Bore condition trumps receiver made on date, imo. Those mosin receivers are very, very stout, regardless date.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Sorry-should have mentioned that, it says it has a new bore.

 

[_N4Z_]

The ones built in the 70's are still made with Russian receivers. Finns did not forge any to my knowledge.

www.7.62x54r.net

That site is a wealth of information on these rifles. Check it out.

If the one your eyeing has a new bore, I would bet it is good to go.

 

[wrench]

I prefer the WWII or older rifles to the newer ones, just more history there.
But, if you're buying primarily for a shooter, bore condition trumps all.

 

[caribou]

Dosent matter at all.

The favorite shooters of mine are my 42 "B" Barrels VTK and a 1969 barrel'd post war.

I do all my hunting with my '42 Sako, though, midwar and all.


Do tell...what kind of Mosin do you have now, and whats the problem?? Maby we can help......

 

[Cosmoline]

N4Z is correct. There are no Finnish receivers, they just kept using the old ones. My 1970 M39 was built on an antique receiver. There's no difference. The Finns tested the steel before they used it. You can see the pips from the testing sometimes. And the Mosin receiver is a real work horse. I have never heard of one busting apart. I've heard of burst barrels but never burst receivers.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Dosent matter at all.

The favorite shooters of mine are my 42 "B" Barrels VTK and a 1969 barrel'd post war.

I do all my hunting with my '42 Sako, though, midwar and all.


Do tell...what kind of Mosin do you have now, and whats the problem?? Maby we can help......

I really can't decide what to do about the current Mosin I have. I have polished the chamber numerous times, yet it still occasionally gets sticky bolts to the point of having to lever the bolt against the stone bench to get it to open. The other thing is that with the sights set at 100m it shoots 8-12 inches high quite reliably. It seems to be pretty accurate, but Ive tried grinding down the bottom of the rear sight base and that doesn't appear to help lower the point of impact.


Thank you very much for the help guys. And thanks for the info about the receivers, wasn't quite sure bout that.

 

[Cosmoline]

Drop that Dremel! There's a high sight that fits right on 91/30's :

http://smith-sights.yolasite.com/