Finnish M39 w/ pre 1898 rcvr

[student]

Anyone know if the pre 1898 receiver Finnish M39's are any good. Are they the same quality as the 'newer' ones. I found a place that still sells the Finnish M39, but they are all pre 1898.

 

[Cosmoline]

Are you talking about WGA? I've ordered several M-39's from them and they're very good.

As a general matter, the antique M-39's are just as good as the post '98 receivers. You will see little pips at various points where the Finnish gunsmiths tested the steel quality. Any receivers found wanting were discarded. M-39's generally did not see as much combat as the Winter War models, so most of them are still in great shape. Some did get into the action, but even these should be sound. The Mosin receiver design incorporates an enormous amount of chamber steel and the steel itself is high grade case hardened from French or Russian arsenals.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

I've got one made with an 1894 receiver. It shoots just as well as my other one, and has held up just fine after over 500 rounds. As Cosmoline noted, the Finns proof tested everything before they used it for the rebuilds. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with a pre-1898 receiver if I were looking for another M39.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, there's no safety difference between 1894 and 1915 or 1930 when it comes to these recievers. The Finns actually seem to prefered these older recievers, as there are a large number of M39's built on them, and the M39 is considered one of the very best Mosins made. Heck, even their M85 Sniper rifle from the 1980's was made on these same recievers (some were pre 1898).

The point to remember is that the Mosin was never made for black powder. So, the recievers are all made to smokeless powder pressures. I have two M39's with antique recievers, a SAKO and a VKT. Both are perfectly sound.

Ash

 

[Cacique500]

I've purchased many of them from WGA. The one I shoot the most is a 1944 VKT on a 1897 receiver. Two weeks ago at my new range I was able to shoot 300 yards for the first time.

Using Polish 147 gr ammo from 1972 I was hitting (as in 5 out of 5 shots) a 2 foot diameter steel plate at 300 yards with iron sights. M39's are unbelievable!

 

[ball3006]

The safety on a Mosin Nagant....

it between your ears. On all models of Mosin Nagant rifles, you can pull the cocking piece to the rear and rotate to decock the rifle. That is the only safety like device on. It is a PITA to do. Just keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot......Yes, all years of Mosin Nagant rifles are good to go, unless they have been severely abused. Remember, these rifles were made for uneducated conscript troops. The Finns took the Russian rifles and made a better mousetrap with them.......chris3

 

[Third_Rail]

Link to WGA for the uninformed?

 

[M.E.Eldridge]

http://www.gunsnammo.com/

Here ya go.

 

[Cosmoline]

The safety device is actually very easy to use. You just have to learn how.

 

[49hudson]

The old hex recievers were actually stronger than the later round recievers, at least the Finn's thought so. That, I would guess, is because they are heavier than the round ones. I would surmise that there was more steel used in the hex recievers.
I was lucky enough to buy a "B" barrel from WGA a few years ago for $150.00, including original sling and shipping.
After adjusting for windage, I was getting 1" or less 3 shot groups from a rest at 100 yds. Not bad for a rifle made from a 100+ year old reciever.
I don't think you can go wrong buying an M39 that is in good condition.

 

[student]

Is there an accuracy difference between different manufacturers?

 

[Ash]

As a general rule, the VKT's and SAKO's should shoot the same, with one rifle as good as another. There will be some VKT's that shoot better than some SAKO's and vice versa. The Tikka and B barrelled M39's should shoot as well, but they are built from cut down 91 barrels (new condition, of course) and that could make a difference. Ultimately, the rifle's condition would be the ultimate determining factor in accuracy.

Ash

 

[Cosmoline]

I've owned many many M-39's. The biggest single factor in their accuracy is STOCK FIT. Unlike other Mosins they have very heavy Birch stocks and if the barrel is getting interference those things can really throw off accuracy. Unlike the M28/30 the M-39's do not have the barrel sleeve to keep the stock from tweaking the barrel.