First large bore rifle(Nagant)

[Bowlcut]

Well I finaly got a large bore rifle. Actualy techincaly first rifle of my own. Have some .22's waiting on me at dads whenever I go get them. But last weekend I stoped at the gun store to pick me up some ammo(ASP in Joleton) and they had a rack of "new" stuff. Had a line of Mosin-Nagants in various shape, then a few odditites like an 8mm Mauser and a few other things I dont remember. They had a 1954 Romainain M44 Mosin-Nagan with matching serial numbers(unlike the rest) for 99 bucks. In pretty dang good shape, missing the cleaning rod but other than that clean. The rest were 79 dollars a piece....i tried a little talking but he definaly wasnt making much on them. So went to shoot, came back and pulled out the check book. Figure why not take a chance, as I dont have a rifle.

Not knowing what I bought, other than the guy i was shooting with said he had one and liked it before he sold it....I proceded home. After a few mins of searching I found out that its a dang interesting rifle. I soooo cant wait to shoot it tho.

Its given me some direction for the gun collection too. Go for old service arms of various sorts. Should be a somewhat cheap collection that still is fun and interesting.

 

[Redlg155]

Congrats!

They are a lot of fun to shoot. If you haven't already found these sites, Parallax's Curio and Relic Firearms Forums
Russian Mosin Nagant .Com
Mosin-Nagant.net, then you definitely need to pay them a visit.

During a recent shoot I took an SKS, AK, 9mm AR, FAL and a couple of Russian M44s. Know what choice everyone made for the most fun shooting?...yep, the M44. Everyones favorite.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Okiecruffler]

Of all my rifles, it's my M44s that get the most attention at the range. Not sure if it's the fireball, or the foot and a half of nasty spike at the business end, but they sure is fun. Used my Hungarian for this month's mail in match, and it made a really pretty grouping, too bad it was over the targets head.

 

[Bowlcut]

I keep hearing about this fireball affect of the carbine. Im really thinking about once the range opens back up on non hunting time, sticking around the range till it starts getting a little dark to make sure mine does it . That "screw driver" on the end is really cool looking to say the least ... Dang it, need to quit talking about it....im debating going to the range "on lunch" tomorrow as it is....so shhhhhh

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Yeah, but watch out..Mosins can get addictive. Bought my wife one that she (yes, she picked it) wanted a couple of months ago. Polish, 1955. Like absolutely golly gee-whiz new. Today I was loose (slipped my chain, you see) and looked at about 8 of them at one shop I dropped in at. M44's, M38's, and M91's...you name it, they had it. Started to go ahead and get myself my own M44 but I'm going to go to the gun show this weekend in Dallas to see if I can find one just a little nicer with the dog collars and maybe some trinkets like a cleaning kit and bolt wrench.

Enjoy the ride.

Regards,
Rabbit.

The only time I'll turn the other cheek is when I moon the corpse.

 

[foghornl]

I have an M-44 carbine that is (dare I say it) a 'blast' to shoot, particularly with the 180-Gr "Heavy Ball" when approaching dusk.

The 'heavy ball' stuff was made for the full-length barrels, so it probably has a slower-burn rate powder.

As an added benny, the fold-out bayo always attracts a lot of attention when extended.

With the bayo folded, my M-44 has a POI about 4" left at 100 Yds vs dead-on with bayo extended. Plus, if you miss the paper with all 5 rounds, you can always re-create the "Charge of the Light Brigade" and run the target through....

 

[DMK]

If you like M44s, try Finnish M/39s! They are real sweet.

 

[Okiecruffler]

The M38's are okay I guess

But they sure look naked without that pigsticker out front.

 

[Bowlcut]

Very true . I dont know if I will get any other versions, depends on how addicting it is. But for the price I paid I cant complain. I really need to order a cleaning rod and a sling sometime soon. Looking like Ill get to shoot it sunday morning sometime. Now how long is my shoulder going to stand up

 

[foghornl]

Now how long is my shoulder going to stand up

While it looks REALLY wierd on a Mil-Surp bolt rifle, the under $15 Butler Creek 'small slip-on' recoil pad made a huge difference in "shootability" in my M-44.

I have a couple of boxes of the USA Brand {AKA Winchester White Box} "Metric Caliber" 180-gr FMJ stuff I haven't tried yet. With the 147-Gr Albanian made "light ball" ammo, it isn't too bad to shoot.

On additional caveat on mil-surp ammo...there was some 7.62x54R ammo that was for Aircraft Machine Gun use ONLY...loaded waaaay too hot for bolt rifles. I very highly suggest visiting

www.mosin-nagant.net

and looking through the section titled "110 Years of 7.62x54R Ammo" for more info.

 

[cslinger]

Bahhhhh Shoulder Pads.......

we have a little name for those........but I digress.

Just pocket it tight into your shoulder and take your time shooting. You will be fine. My little 91/59 carbine is easier to shoot then my 8mm Mauser.

I love my little Nagant carbine by the way and it definitely gets the attention of all those around you.

I saw those very same M44s and almost bought the one you picked up. Congratulations.

The bolts on Nagants can be a little sticky and not as smooth as others. Sometimes you have to give it a good whack to get it into or out of battery. They just have rough chambers.

I would check your head space before firing or at least only put one round through it the first couple of shots and inspect the brass for any buldging, splitting or other obviouse problems. If the brass shows none of this you should be fine.

Enjoy you 50 year old new rifle and don't ever sporterize it. That is a crime unless it is only to rebuild an already beat up destroyed piece. Old Mil Surps never die.


Chris

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I need to get another Nagant. I "sporterized" my one with the polymer stock... if I can find a real nice stock on one...

Good choice picking the Mosin Nagant Bowlcut!

 

[Bowlcut]

Hehehehe figured someone from here had looked at it before me, they'd had to. Yea i was thinking about taking it to a smith but I dont know any. Was a bit worried about the spacing from reading what I have. I dont know how to do it myself, but Ill take your advice and only load one at a time in it. Should be shooting it sunday or so. Ill probaly throw it in the trunk saturday as well.

I dont have any plans for it at all...despite coworkers saying i need a syntethic stock, which I dont want. Love the look of the gun and how sturdy it is built. Hopefully I can hit the broad side of a barn with it....if my arm dont fall off first

 

[cslinger]

I am not recoil sensetive so take this with a grain of salt.....

I don't find the kick of my Nagant carbine all that bad. I find that I have to pay more attention to my Mauser and that if I don't pocket that one right I will go home with a bruise or two.

I have shot 70-100 rounds through my Nagant in an hour or so with no ill effects what so ever.

My buddy Dave started out a little recoil shy with his Mauser and it put a hurting on him early on. He got used to it and now laughs when he too doesn't hold it properly and it bites him. Character builders I tell ya.

I love those old war babies. We went out to the range one day and Dave and I had a bunch of war babies out to play. M1 Garand, couple of Nagants, M1 Carbine, Enfield, 1911 and the like. For whatever reason it seemed like evil black rifle day at the range and everybody had their gee whiz, uber-tactical, pistol gripped, laser sighted, magazine fed, all black, futuristic, death dealers out.

Funny thing was every one of them came up to ogle our old war babies. Nothing oooozes nostagia and charm like a beat up mil surp. The AR-15/HKS/whatever were like the new hot shot kids looking up to the old grizzled SGTs who had been there and done that. Made for some great conversation.

If you really like your Nagant and have a hankering for mil surps do yourself a favor and get a C&R license. $30 bucks and it took me about three months to get. I have paid for it many times over and get discounts at places like Brownells, Midway and Olympic arms to boot.

Chris

 

[DMK]

Guys, not to be picky, but call Mosin-Nagant rifles and carbines "Mosins", not Nagants.

When one refers to a firearm as a Nagant, one is usually referring to one of those old Russian revolvers. On the Mosin-Nagant rifle, the only part attributed to Nagant is the magazine design.

 

[cslinger]

DMK,

You are right. Old habits die hard and since I don't own a Nagant pistol I just tend to say Nagant.

Bowlcut you have a PM.

Chris

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Usually I say MN, but I saw Nagant... and well, you know...

 

[GD]

The Mosins are real bargains and fun to collect. I enjoy the M44s for their awesome firepower. I enjoy the M91s and M91/30s for their history. The Finns are great for history and accurate shooting. And of course, you can't beat the price!