Barreled receivers for Mosins

[theriflespeaks1863]

Hey all,

I was perusing the AIM surplus site the other day and discovered that they have 'orphaned' stocks and handguards for Mosins, among other things. I also discovered that buymilsurp.com has collections of parts for Mosins, and between the two, you could almost build a complete Mosin from spare parts. Given that these guns are 'stupid simple' in the best possible sense, and the fact that I am constantly looking for projects, I got it in my head that maybe I would build a 'new' MN 91/30 from spare parts, using the best ones I could get- TULA, Remingtion, Finn spares, and so on.

My question, though, is where do I find barreled receivers? I did a cursory search and didn't find any off the bat. Are there any to be had? Given there are so many other spare parts, you'd figure a guy could find a decent barreled receiver...

Also, has anybody here done this before? How did it turn out? Pics appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Chris

PS: I realize this is not the most economical of projects, but I figure since most of the Mosins available in my area are mixmasters anyway, I might as well build one from scratch with my choice of the best parts, just as a constructive, fun exercise.

 

[bainter1212]

I bought a barreled action last year from.......dang I can't remember the name. It was online. They also have K98 marreled actions. I will post when I find them.

 

[bainter1212]

Got it! It was rguns.com. Not sure if they still have Mosin barreled actions, they were $60 last year. They were pretty typical condition, ie everything clean with some frosting in the grooves. Not counterbored. They took forever to ship it and communication was poor.

I am pretty sure they still have the k98 barreled actions in stock.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Hey bainter,

Thanks for the info. I checked rguns just now, and it looks like they struck out. Nothing as far as mosin parts goes. Must be the panic buying...

Can anybody think of anywhere else? Still looking for examples of 'parts Mosins' that people have built.

Thanks,

-Chris

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Just a friendly bump!

-Chris

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

not that it matters if your doing it for fun.... but I'll bet that if you do find all the pieces it will cost more than getting a mosin, already assembled. Good luck and let us know if you pull it off.

You might go on local gun sale boards and see if you can get a bubba's mosin for 50 or less and then replace the stock....

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

not that it matters if your doing it for fun.... but I'll bet that if you do find all the pieces it will cost more than getting a mosin, already assembled. Good luck and let us know if you pull it off.

You might go on local gun sale boards and see if you can get a bubba's mosin for 50 or less and then replace the stock....

True, but I've already got one 'store-bought' Mosin- my '42 Izzy 91/30. Great shooter, and fun to tinker with, but I didn't 'create' it. I merely "improved" it. Part of the fun for me has always been the build, the making of. That's why I very rarely buy new guns. I always work on old ones, or in this case, build my own. Yeah, they are tools, but they are MY tools!
For that matter, though, a Mosin is a LOT less expensive to assemble than, say, a Mauser or AR. I could build two completely 'custom-restored' "sleeper" (target rifles in milsurp clothes) for the same price or less as an entry-level, good quality AR.
I have been looking for a poorly-altered Mosin to work off of, but the problem is finding one that hasn't been chopped half way down the barrel with the sights ripped off. Now, I'm fine with people sporterizing their guns, but some of this stuff even I could do a better job at... But, if I do pull it off, this board will be the first to know.

 

[backbencher]

I've bought 3 bbl actions, all @ gun shows, for a song. Bought 2 @ Tulsa for $15/ea, seller claimed he'd purchased 2 bbls in the mail, & they came w/ actions attached. His "tame" dealer waived the usual NICS check fee, put 'em in his book & called the FBI. I've sold all 3 actions, 2 in spare stocks I had for the price of the parts, just to get my Mosin action collection down to 4 from 7.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

How were the bores? Bore condition means a lot to me. I can have guns re-crowned, but I'm not sure my local gunsmiths have the tools to rebarrel a Mosin receiver...

Thanks everyone,

-Chris

 

[backbencher]

Don't remember. Is it that hard to rebarrel one? It's designed for pre-1900 Czarist Imperial labor to put it together, & the Soviets simplified it in the '30's. Given the sheer # of actions the Finns & the Soviets rebarreled it can't be too difficult. Besides, @ $15 for a barrel and an action, just buy a few 'til you find one that works, & sell the rest.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

I've heard that a lot of people have an exceptionally difficult time with it- getting it off requires a sturdy action wrench and a LOT of force (those were some strong peasants, after all), well beyond the norm. Probably because it froze in place over the years. I'd love it if I were wrong and it was easy, because then I could build a Mosin around a new barrel profiled after an original- something from Lothar Walther or the like...

But if they were only 15$ a pop for you, then I will look at gun shows.

-Chris

 

[Clark]

I have collected a lot of Mosin Nagant parts and done experiments. Most of my youtube views are my MN gunsmithing videos.

This receiver cost me $5 at a gunshow.

As much fun as it has been, I would make some warnings.
1) MN rebarrelling is not easy. Some rifles ARE easy, like a Mauser, Rem700, Savage 110 etc.
An MN needs extractor cuts on the breech that are hard to do, like a Sav99, 1903 Springfield, 1885 Win, etc.
2) Not many other cartridges will work in the Mosin Nagant. I have done 30-30 and 45/70 in single shot.
3) Many of the MN rifles have been shot with corrosive ammo and have sewer pipe bores.

What does it all mean?
Don't sporterize a Mosin Nagant until you have done something easier, like a Mauser.

 

[theriflespeaks1863]

Wow, Clark... Quite the little Mosin factory you've got! If there was an emoticon for envy, I would insert it here.

Of course, I'm not trying to "sporterize" a Mosin so much as to build an original from parts. Just a run-of-the-mill 91/30 (or an 1891- that would be nice) with the parts that I want on it.

I have but one requirement: the bore must be equal to or better than the bore on my current Mosin.

Thanks,

-Chris

 

[bainter1212]

I would just add.....find a barrel that has a bare minimum of corrosion present. I personally have inspected a couple hundred Mosins, and have never seen ONE that had a perfect bore. At the very minimum there is frosting in the grooves. When someone posts that their Mosin has a perfect, (or even funnier) "unfired" bore, I shrug it off as foolishness. Sure, take that cursury look, everything looks nice and shiny, right?? Look closer. Let your eyes adjust. Get a PROPER bore light. Move the light beam around. I can almost guarantee that corrosion is there. There may be "perfect" bores out there, but they would almost certainly have to be TRULY UNFIRED. Even if it was fired 20 times and soaked in cosmoline, that stuff won't stop the corrosion.
Ok rant over (had to get that off my chest). Thanks for your patience. And good luck with your parts build. Please post pics if and when you complete it. I am in the process of a build now, and will post when it is done.

 

[PixelBender]

Build your own mosin? Before December they were less than $100