Anybody else over old Russian/ComBloc Rifles?

[Caliper_Mi]

I talked to him a bit later, as we were packing up to leave, he admitted that the Mosin was so loud, that he had decided to take a break.

I keep meaning to bring my M38 or M44 to an indoor range near me that allows rifles (I would use lead core ammo, not steel core surplus tho). Just want to see if it gets more reaction than my g/f's .44 mag...

 

[MrWesson]

Pieces of history that give insight to the design and what our past enemies are capable of and maybe remind ourselves that we weren't/aren't the only innovative country in the world.

Would you own a walther p38 luger, ppk, Mauser, or Mp44? I certainly would.

 

[Stumpknocker]

My Remington-made MN probably never even saw combat. I bought it back in 1995, along with another made by Westinghouse. These are Russian designs but American-made, and I enjoy getting the old boomer out to the range about once a year and putting a hurt on my shoulder. Up until a few years ago, if I mentioned I owned an MN, or someone saw me with it at the range, it was an oddity and they were amazed at how well such an old gun could shoot. As someone else said, I don't remember being "under" it, so I don't know if I'm "over" it or not, but I'd buy another if I got a good deal, same as an SKS. Same as an AR, same as an AK, same as a 1911, same as a ... well, anything that goes "BANG!".

 

[kozak6]

I don't think it's really so much a "Combloc/Russian phase" as much as it is a "super cheap and fun" phase.

Add to that the fact that these were the guns pointed at us for quite some time there and sometime I sort of feel a little weird about it these days.

I don't know about that. I don't get that at all. That seems strange to me, like a WWII vet being upset about his grandson's Mitsubishi. Except, there are more degrees of separation.

Not many Russian M91/30's were pointed at Americans and there aren't exactly racks of T53's at Big 5 sporting goods.

 

[Sam1911]

[Mod Talk: This isn't a car forum or a study on Japanese culture. Let's stick to the question at hand.]

 

[Davek1977]

Don't own a Mosin, but have an SKS. The idea these guns were once used against us holds absolutely no regard to me. A gun is a tool like any other, its the man behind it that counts

 

[CornCod]

Mosins aren't the best rifles in the world. Handling the bolt is a little awkward. However, its a great way to go of you want to shoot a full-sized thirty caliber cartridge without breaking the bank. Since the surplus 30-06 has mostly dried up, the Mosin remains an option, as does the Yugo Mauser.

 

[Maverick223]

I never have been real big on the fmr. USSR (and most com. bloc) rifles/carbines. Sure they're robust and work, but there is absolutely no refinement whatsoever. I tend to squander my fortune on US/European firearms that pretty much do the same thing, but are a bit more refined and thereby enjoyable (for me anyway).

 

[jpwilly]

While personal tastes and budgets do change over the years the Mosin Nagant is what it is and that's not going to change. To me it represents an affordable piece of history and a solid serviceable bolt action rifle. IMO the best rifle from WWII is the M1 Garand and a Mosin doesn't hold a candle to it except for the fact that millions were made under the stress of wartime production. Still fun to shoot and collect.

The SKS is also a fun plinker too but at current prices they can keep em bring back $150 SKS's and I'd have a couple sitting around (again).

 

[Frozen North]

I don't ever get over a gun, I just become more interested in other ones for a while. It always seems I come back full circle.

I am either dreaming of walnut stocks, polished blue, and high quality optics, or I am blasting "stuff" with milsurp rifles. I can't say I ever completely loose total interest in either. Mosin Nagant rifles are the best time you can have with $75 without breaking the law. Shoot, I can't even fill the gas tank of my pickup for that price anymore. How can you get over good clean cheap fun?

 

[CHEVELLE427]

Mosin m44 is a hoot to shoot.

big bang
big fire ball
big limb buster

 

[mljdeckard]

I don't have a fascination so much with com-block milsurps as I do with milsurps in general for the historical value. I would like to eventually own say, the ten rifles most used during the 20th century.

 

[rocinante]

The American M-16 was a direct descendant of the Sturmgewehr 44 in many ways.

Maybe philosophically but my new favorite combloc rifles, vz58, is design wide the 44 descendant.

Apples and oranges, tea or coffee. I had a 91/30 and a yugo SKS. I still have AKs. Liked them both well enough and was especially impressed with the quality and accuracy of the SKS. The short piston system of the SKS and overall bolt design are so similar to my FN49 and vz58 it is almost funny. reasonably accurate and dependable and form follows function. Yeah I am so tired of combloc stuff.

In general I like milsurp because sometimes quality so outstrips price it isn't even funny what a bargain they are. I LOVE my fn49 and will put that belgium beauty against any hi end semi automatic made today. Impressed with my yugo 24/47 too. All matching numbers, nicely finished metal, pristine bore for 100 dollars? Works for me. While the 91/30 was ok I really like 8mm and it is not that much more to shoot.

 

[Maverick223]

BTW I disagree with the Soviet rifles not being refined Mav. I remember when they first made a splash here in the late 80's - early 90's everyone thought they were pretty accurate rifles. Now it seems they get less accurate every year for some reason.

I wasn't specifically talking about the accuracy, they can fine (even exceptional) in that regard if you find one with a good bore and do a little trigger work. I was referring to the poor quality finish and rough action that is typical of fmr. USSR/Com. Bloc firearms. Even WRT mil.-surp. the Euro/US typically exhibit a better fit and finish, as well as a smoother action (look at a K-31 or M-1, amongst others).

Maybe philosophically but my new favorite combloc rifles, vz58, is design wide the 44 descendant.

I agree; furthermore, it is one of the few Com. Bloc rifles that I really like.

 

[Maverick223]

Rough action? An action that works is what I like and the commie guns certainly do that.

No argument there...just not my cup-o-tea.

 

[GD]

It can't get much better than a Finnish M39 getting 1.5 MOA with 16 cent per round surplus ammo. The Finns knew how to make a mosin top notch.

 

[Vaarok]

I kinda lost interest in both Mosins and Turk Mausers, but I think that was because I OD'ed. I still pick one up now and then, but after thirty or so, that's just being choosier, not any loss of love for the design.

 

[smithman 10]

Model 91/59

I bought a Model 91/59 Mosin Nagant from an older gentleman who was selling his collection some years back for $100. That's a Model 91/30 that was chopped to carbine length in 1959. For years I thought it was a Model 38carbine.

Anyway, it has a decent trigger, it always fires, it's light weight and the ammo is cheap. Plus it's a hoot to shoot.

One of the best gun purchases I ever made, even though I like my 1903A3 Springfield and my Garand a lot better.

I'll be keeping my Mosin Nagant.

 

[skyhorse]

The Nagant does not fit me well. I should spend the $69.99 and throw it up in the attic. Someday it will be '55 Chevy popular and worth $5X

I currently have a 1953 Russian Tula SKS going through the Dros.
It was re-arsonaled, but it is in excellent shape, numbers matching and the original stock. The history is there, the engineering is there and it is legal in my state. I got a good deal in today's market and expect it to gain in value.

I have learned a lessons from my friends who have been around longer than me. I have heard about the 55 gal. drums full of '03's ans 1917's for $15.00 ea. or two for $25.00.
Just becouse they are abundant today,I dont expect that to continue.

I guess im not 'over' them, I expect them to take the path of other rifles in history.

 

[Ignition Override]

How about the nice Finnish MNs which were used to beat the much larger Soviet Army in the brutally cold 1940 Winter War?

As for having MNs, I only tried 50's and 70's surplus Bulgarian in my common Russian MN 44s, and after seeing groups at 50 yards over 5" across (bayonets extended And folded), I sold them a year ago.
Maybe some Czech, Polish or Russian ammo types, along with having some sand bags (plus more shooting skill) would have helped?

Bought a nice Yugo 48A Mauser as a substitute (cheap ammo is big major asset), but hate its iron sights more than any other type and almost never touch it. Might sell it FTF near Memphis.

My interest in the SKS (a Norinco) has never stopped after acquiring my first in spring '08.

 

[Cosmoline]

I didn't get tired of Mosins, I just graduated to Finns. The M39 are a shooter's rifle. Great for practicing your stances!

 

[rogertc1]

I got about one of ever Commie Block rifle and converted to semi guns out there so yup I am over getting more.

 

[BigG]

My love affair was so brief it never got started. No Moisins or 9mm Makarov handguns. I do have a Russkie Dragunov and a 223 Valmet, but that is Finnish, not Com-bloc.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

i like my old stuff

 

[ol' scratch]

Yeah, that idea gets tossed around here occasionally. "These were the guns of the enemy!" or "These guns were used to KILL!" or "These guns were used as boat oars!" or whatever the sort of anthropomorphized characteristic assigned may be. The general feeling though seems to be: these guns are just guns. A piece of history, an effective tool, a cost-effective tool, etc. They didn't commit any atrocities themselves so assigning some sentimentalist dogma to them is wholly without legitimacy.

I use my SP 10 to kill ducks; does that count? I also used it as a boat oar when the motor broke on the duck boat last year.