Cheaper Surplus Rifles...Which for me?

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Dynasty

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I have some reading to do about these surplus rifles. Which would be fun to plink around with at the range (shooting paper) and cheap to shoot? I want something easy to clean and reliable too.

$69.95- M44Russ Russian Model 1944 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Carbine- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_M44.html

$149.95- Mosin59 Russian Mosin Nagant Model 91/59 7.62x54R Rifle- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Mosin_Nagant_Model_91_59_7.62x54R_Rifle.html

$79.95- M44Laminate Russian Model 1944 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Laminated Stock Carbine- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Laminated_M44_Mosin_Nagant_7.62x54R_Rifle.html

$69.95- Mosin91/30Spec Russian Model 91/30 7.62x54R Mosin Nagant Package- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Model_91_30_7_62x54R_Mosin_Nagant.html

$79.95- Mosin-1938 Russian M1938 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Rifle Package- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_Model_1938_7_62x54R_Mosin_Nagant_Package.html

$69.95- M44Russ Russian Model 1944 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Carbine- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_M44.html

$119.95- M95 Austro-Hungarian M95 "Stutzen" 8x56R Mannlicher Carbine- http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Austro-Hungarian_M95__Stutzen__8x56R_Mannlicher_Carbine.html

In the meantime, I will be searching these boards for as much info as I can.
 
I'd suggest the M38 (which combines the best attibutes of the M44 and 91/30; good length, no bayo, longer sight radius). The Mosin rifles are as simple/cheap as they come, and AIM still has surplus ammo. Find a Finnish M38 if you want to pony up some more cash.
 
'Plink' and 'Mosin' don't go together. Even with a Limbsaver you'll be done shooting the monster after 20 rounds.

My friend sporterized his 91/30. Works decently enough with the pistol scope, bent bolt handle and rifle stock. After a few rounds though he was done.

Might want to look for something in a smaller caliber if you truly want to put more than a few downrange.
 
AIM advertises their M38s as "Refinished in Very-good Condition."
So are you right or are they? Or are you talking about another seller?
I've purchased from AIM before and never had a problem with them.
 
He should get a surplus Romanian .22 trainer if he wants that.
But, as for the rifles he posted, I'd go with the M38. Certainly less kick than an M44!
 
Well, I have a .22LR for 90% of plinking because of the cheap ammo and lack of recoil. I figured at the price these are going for I could bring one along with the .22LR.
 
Any of the Mosin Nagants would be a good choice. Just stay away from the Manlicher... kicks like a mule, the sights aren't much good for a 100 yard range, and the ammo is expensive.
 
AIM advertises their M38s as "Refinished in Very-good Condition."
So are you right or are they? Or are you talking about another seller?
I've purchased from AIM before and never had a problem with them.
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Im sorry i should have said more, I am speaking to the M38's from century in the past 2-3 'lots' as i have not seen what they are mailing right now i cannot speak exactly as to their current stock that they are sending out vs what they say on their site. All of the guns listed are strait from century, and i know that for a fact. Every one of those that AIM and J&G has sent me have still had their tags from centurys inventory controll/barcode deal on them.
 
I'd go with the M38. Certainly less kick than an M44!
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Huh? My 38 is lighter than the 44. You'd think mass would cut down on recoil some.

Hey, maybe you should check into an SKS. They can be had for less than $200 and recoil is mild but still has punch downrange. Or $300 for a Saiga, but that's probably out of your 'cheap' parameter.
 
Mosins are definitely good values, and the ammo is still pretty cheap. But, like Chris in VA said, "fun plinking" they are not.

For a fun plinker, I'd try to stretch your budget a bit and go with an SKS or maybe a Saiga in 5.56 or 7.62x39. You can probably get an SKS easily for the top end of your price range.
 
I've looked into SKS's and Saiga's, but just today found these surplus rifles and decided to start cheap and gradually get into more expensive rifles. I should be satisfied with the .22 and one of these for the time being.
 
For pure fun it's hard to beat a .22 in any configuration. It's fun to expermint with different kinds of ammo too and it's as cheap as it gets. You can till shoot until you get tired or reloading, your ears won't ring and most require little maintaince/cleaning.
 
As shooters the laminated stock 91/30's and M-44's tend to be pretty nice because they were spruced up before being put in the new stocks. They're not stellar, but they're usually solid. You're less likely to find one with a mealy old oil-soaked stock or serious feeding problems.

If you have the scratch, pass on the Soviet mosins for now and go for the K-31's. They're starting to run out, which won't happen for most of the Soviet Mosins in our lifetimes.

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Swiss_1931_Carbin_Scmidt_Rubin_K31_7_5Swiss_Cal_.html


Huh? My 38 is lighter than the 44. You'd think mass would cut down on recoil some
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I think it's a typo. The M38 has the most recoil of any Mosin. The M44 adds several pounds of steel.
 
I would agree with Cosmoline and get a K31. The ammo isn't nearly as cheap as 54R, but they rifles are starting to dry up. I got mine about 2 weeks ago, haven't shot it yet.

Then again, I have a 91/30 and a M38. Haven't shot the M38 yet (I'm a little nervous about the recoil) but I absolutely looove my 91/30, bad accuracy and all (although I think a lot of it has to do with me not the rifle).
 
Then again, I have a 91/30 and a M38. Haven't shot the M38 yet (I'm a little nervous about the recoil)
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I wouldn't be worried about the recoil. And with a limbsaver, or something like a towel, and if you have light ball ammo (I think) the gun kicked less than my 30-30.
 
'Plink' and 'Mosin' don't go together. Even with a Limbsaver you'll be done shooting the monster after 20 rounds.
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Hmmmmm, poppycock I say. It's gonna depend on the person what they think is too much. If your dainty start out slow and build up your hide.

Usual range trip for me I can run thru 40 to 60+ rounds of either light or heavy ball x54r shooting gongs with my m39's. If I'm cheating on a table I'll put a rubber boot over the butt cuz it do leave bruises otherwise, but I typically fire sitting, kneeling, or standing - no buggy bumper required. Have also put 40 rounds of Czech ST thru a T53 (Chinese M44) in one session, and it wasn't that bad. Have fired many rounds through a friends 91/30 too.

To be fair I have been playing with these things for awhile now and have gotten used to the abuse. There are occasionally marks, but you know what? That just means your alive and havin fun! :D Hey, sometimes I'll drape a towel over the shoulder if I'm feeling delicate. No biggy.

Buy a Mosin and enjoy it! I think they're a hoot. Buy the K31 too. I still need to do that.
 
+1 on K-31. Mosins are getting more expensive to shoot now. The cheap milsurp ammo days ended early this year. One day it will be down to commercial and handloaded ammo only. K-31 has more options bullet-wise and cheaper to handload because it uses .308 bullets. This will also take care of the "easy to clean" part since you are most probably going to use non-corrosive primer.
But if you must get something that uses rimmed cartridge, get Finnish M-39 with "new bore" and don't look back.
 
'Plink' and 'Mosin' don't go together. Even with a Limbsaver you'll be done shooting the monster after 20 rounds.
Click to expand...

Hmmmmm, poppycock I say. It's gonna depend on the person what they think is too much. If your dainty start out slow and build up your hide.

Usual range trip for me I can run thru 40 to 60+ rounds of either light or heavy ball x54r shooting gongs with my m39's. If I'm cheating on a table I'll put a rubber boot over the butt cuz it do leave bruises otherwise, but I typically fire sitting, kneeling, or standing - no buggy bumper required. Have also put 40 rounds of Czech ST thru a T53 (Chinese M44) in one session, and it wasn't that bad. Have fired many rounds through a friends 91/30 too.

To be fair I have been playing with these things for awhile now and have gotten used to the abuse. There are occasionally marks, but you know what? That just means your alive and havin fun! :D Hey, sometimes I'll drape a towel over the shoulder if I'm feeling delicate. No biggy.

Buy a Mosin and enjoy it! I think they're a hoot. Buy the K31 too. I still need to do that.
 
Skip the mosins and go directly up the evolutionary ladder and get a K-31.;)

If you have to get a mosin, get the 91/59 or 91/30. The M38s are usually completely worn out and the M44s are questionable shooters unless you get a good one.

But, as for the rifles he posted, I'd go with the M38. Certainly less kick than an M44!
Click to expand...
egads, you are either kidding or haven't shot both rifles. The M38 carbine recoils a lot harder than a M44 because it weighs a couple of pounds less.

AIM advertises their M38s as "Refinished in Very-good Condition."
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FWIW, mosins that have been 'refinished' have been through an arsenal where the stock has been refinished or replaced, and maybe the muzzle has been counterbored. The bore condition will still be typical of a used russian Mosin- it will look like the back side of the moon. If it can hit a man across the street, its good enough for the Russians.
 
That M95 will kill your shoulder, easily the most kick out of any gun I own. Also, the enblocs that are required to shoot are hard to find.

What about a Czech mauser? Still can be had for about $120, and probably in better shape than any of those.

Oh Yugo SKS's are tremendious fun, use a current ammo, and can be had for like $160
 
'Plink' and 'Mosin' don't go together. Even with a Limbsaver you'll be done shooting the monster after 20 rounds.
Click to expand...

The Mosin's the perfect plinker with the right ammo. Try to find some Czech short range practice ammo. It's 45 gr round nose hollow core at about 3400-3600 fps. It's all the flash and noise, but without the shoulder busting recoil. Plus the velocity drops like a rock so it doesn't fly 3 miles. Just my 2 cents.
RT
 
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