Get a Mosin or save for something else?

[tluxtele]

So I've only really gotten into guns in the last few years. About the time I was getting into them you could still get Mosins for about $100.00 and I just wasn't too into them. Well that time has passed. The best I can find is a store locally that has some M44's for $250.00 plus tax.

I'm now at a stage that having something bolt action seems fun to me. I'd love to go back and get one for $100.00 just to take to the range but that's not happening. I'm wondering with the prices they're going for now if I should just save up for something like a Ruger American in 308?

I mainly want something for range time. Secondarily, it'd be nice to have something in a larger round if I wanted to go hunting with some friends. But that's not a must for me.

Can you guys help me out? Should I look into getting an M44 or save up for something like a Ruger American?

 

[lpsharp88]

The Mosin is definitely fun. If you want milsurp bolt action, I'd save for a K31. I recently got to fire one and they are absolutely fantastic

 

[Robert101]

I suggest you save for a better rifle. They (Mosin's) are fun and ammo was cheap. The ammo is getting more scarce these days. Get a better quality rifle in 308 or 30-06 and enjoy it for plinking or hunting. You can mount better optics as well.

 

[adcoch1]

If you just wand a bolt gun for the range the Mosin might be disappointing accuracy wise, but if you just want a milsurp rifle they are fun. The sights suck, and they are roughly built but great fun to make loud noises with. I see project mausers at gunshows for around the same price that are a lot nicer action wise though, so you may want to look around some more...

 

[Mike J]

Around here you can usually find bolt action deer rifles in pawn shops for about $300. That might be something you would like to consider. It really depends on what you want. There are a lot of options.

 

[WardenWolf]

M44's aren't that good for a number of reasons. One, they almost always have well-worn bores. Two, their sights are typically calibrated for use with the bayonet fixed. Trying to shoot with it folded will result in it shooting high and to the side.

My advice: get one from Gunbroker. You can find some real beauties there, like this Finn M91/30:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=542650617

That one should be an excellent shooter.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Get one.

While you still can. They are great rifles.

 

[ROAshooter]

Save for something better....

 

[cougar1717]

Unless you are into historic rifles, the mil-surp route isn't as good of a deal as it once was. The prices of mil-surps have gone up and aren't that much less than some used modern rifles. As mentioned, the incredibly cheap surplus ammo everyone used to blast away with is gone as well. If it were me, I would just save up for a rifle that is drilled and tapped for a scope, has good rifling, and a smooth bolt face, in a caliber that most big box stores stock.

 

[Billy Shears]

I have never been impressed with the Mosin-Nagant. If people could just enjoy them for what they are, and regard them as what they are -- a decent, reliable, bolt action milsurp with some great history behind it -- that would be fine. But people have a tendency to get really emotionally invested in their purchases. I think what happened with these rifles, is people have worked so hard to justify or defend the purchase of what is, frankly, a pretty crude, but serviceable rifle, that they've gotten emotionally invested, and have evolved into fanboys who want the rifle to be more than it is. It's sad because there's no need to justify the purchase (I suspect in most cases, they probably started by defending it to their range buddies who found the rifles a little crude and were not impressed). The M-N is a decent gun, and when the Russians dumped a shipload of surplus ones on the US market, along with lots of surplus 7.62x54mm ammo, it offered a great way to get into collecting milsurps, with one you could shoot to your heart's content, for very little money. Nothing wrong with that, and that should be all the justification you'd ever need, but as I said, a lot of M-N owners have gone on to become fanboys.

But if you honestly compare one to a Mauser 98, or Swedish Mauser, or a Lee-Enfield, or a Swiss K-31, you'll see it's simply night and day; those are all better, and much more refined rifles.

Here's an interesting video that is perhaps a little harsh in judgment on the rifle, but I think that's more a result of the video's author being fed up with M-N fanboys than anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O0qkpf5O0A&list=LLFOho_heEOtx4mtfyTF9xvw&index=1

If you want an M-N get one. Preferably a Finnish one. But with the supply of surplus ammo dwindling, they won't be a bargain to shoot forever, and when the supply of imported rifles begins to dry up, they guns themselves won't be such a bargain either. If you are going to buy, do it sooner, as prices are rising. But if you only have money or room or time for one or maybe a couple... If it were me, I'd save up and get a nicer rifle.

 

[25-5]

I am very happy to have gotten an Enfield Rifle No.4 Mk2. Glad I passed on a Mosin.
Some moths back I was at The Alamo Range in Naples FL and they had crates of Mosins at $167.00. Don't know if they do on line sales.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I would buy a carbine Mosin, M44 M38. I prefer the M44 not for the bayonet, but the extra recoiling-reducing weight.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Here's another thought for you,,,

Here's another thought for you,,,
Assuming you truly have the hots for a bolt action mil-surp.

Consider a Polish WZ-48,,,
It's a .22 caliber single-shot trainer,,,
And it is built very closely to the M-44 Nagant.



I bought one for $220.00 a few months back,,,
This thing is a real sweet shooter,,,
It's a very accurate rifle.

It definitely gets some looks at the range,,,
People get all braced for the typical Nagant BOOM,,,
And act all amazed when all they hear is the little rimfire pop.

There are usually a few on Gunbroker for various prices,,,
Budsgunshop has some right now for just over $200.00 shipped.

Anyways, this might alleviate the mil-surp cravings,,,
And you'll have a very nice shooting plinker.

Just a thought,,,

Aarond

.

 

[Llama Bob]

Frankly for your applications I'd get into a modern built rifle. A Ruger American in .308 would be fine - in fact, a great choice. Surplus rifles generally shoot poorly, so if your primary application is to shoot it I'd look elsewhere. If you're interested in the history and collecting aspect, that's a different matter.

 

[Reloadron]

No rifle that I am aware of will cost less in six months than it does today. What would I do? I would invest in a good reputable .308 Winchester rifle like a Tika or CZ, maybe an old Remington 700 BDL or Winchester Model 70. That said I am not you and have no clue what your budget is?

Something else to consider is while the days of crates of 7.62mm x 54R ammunition for a few cents a round are over the ammunition can still be had relatively inexpensive, just not cheap. You can figure brass cased, boxer primed 7.62 x 51 NATO (.308 Winchester) runs about a buck a bang for respectable ammunition. You do mention your application:

I mainly want something for range time. Secondarily, it'd be nice to have something in a larger round if I wanted to go hunting with some friends. But that's not a must for me.

I would be thinking saving for a Ruger or any of the rifles I mentioned depending on your budget.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[FiveStrings]

When you say you want something for range time, that sounds like bench rest shooting. If that's the case, save up your money and get that Ruger or something equivalent that's not a "battle rifle", and enjoy shooting satisfyingly tight groups with accessible ammo and a minimum of troubleshooting.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Look at what Savage has available. They are good quality, the Accutrigger is great, and you can get it in a caliber that is readily available of your choice. If you want something in .30 caliber try one in a .308.

 

[valnar]

Simply put, the appeal of having an old military surplus rifle is having an old military surplus rifle. That's it. The appeal is intrinsic. If that factor alone doesn't appeal to you, you're best served by a new modern standard. It's hard to put in words.

That being said, if you wanted to shoot for quality over quantity, I second the recommendation for a Swiss K31 or even a Swedish m/1938.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I picked up a 91 and a 44 for $79 a pop many moons ago. They werent battered too bad, and actually shot pretty good! I gave the 91 to a buddy and kept the 44.
And they are cool for what they are, I appreciate what they were built to do, and being rough and unrefined is part of that...
But after having accumulated and played with mausers, enfields, and especially the K31... Im glad I got them for only $79, because i dont think id want to pay more than that.

Unless its for history, or being part of a collection...save for something better.
I highly recommend the swiss rifles...i only wish I could get more at the price i got mine at! ($100)

 

[eldon519]

Get the Mosin or at least something classic. Something like a Ruger American has zero collectable value and will only depreciate. Something like a nice milsurp is something that will one day be neat to pass down through the family and also will increase in value. If you can, I'd get a Finnish M39. The 91/30s don't even remotely compare. The Finns are my favorite milsurp rifles.

 

[meanmrmustard]

It is still beyond me why some people are saying the 762x54R is getting scarce.

Its EVERYWHERE! And its still generally cheap. Check Armslist, J&G, Buds, your local gun shop, heck, check Walmart! I can't go to the hardware store without it being in stock.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Unless you are into historic rifles, the mil-surp route isn't as good of a deal as it once was. The prices of mil-surps have gone up and aren't that much less than some used modern rifles. As mentioned, the incredibly cheap surplus ammo everyone used to blast away with is gone as well. If it were me, I would just save up for a rifle that is drilled and tapped for a scope, has good rifling, and a smooth bolt face, in a caliber that most big box stores stock.

The ammo is not gone, only the will of some to look.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

My 2 cent version:

People look at the world in different ways. So depending on what you are looking for in a rifle and how much you expect from it should give you the answer your looking for.

Just not a cut and dry decision to be made from one perspective either but there is much truth mixed in with someone elses view of whats good or not. So it really depends on what you want in a rifle.

With that being said ill add some of what i know and what i would do for what i might expect.

First off i will go from experience that if you want a rifle to plink 50 to 100 yards with and hit a 12" target the m44 will do that but only to a certain degree of accuracy that it is not associated with even a cheaper model hunting rifle of various calibers. If you hope to improve accuracy without any effort you can avoid milsurp ammo and spend money that would in most cases be as expensive as some of the various calibers in the aforementioned cheaper hunting rifle . kind of starts to become a vacuum at this point. Why not another 50- 100 For a cheap hunting rifle with much better accuracy?

However if you don't mind the Milsurp ammo and its inaccuracy then you get to shoot a lot and cheap. It still can be had plenty. Many just dont stock as much. Due in part to the rifles drying up and demand is not as high either.

Many people who buy Mosin's don't shoot them with any degree of regularity. The low profit margin on milsurp 7.62x54r have many not stocking in large quantities too.

Back to the trap. Most people buy firearms. Then start getting accessories or upgrades. Adding scopes or holsters. Gun cases, grips, stocks, the list goes on forever. If you start doing that to a Mosin you will end up with less and spending more for ammo to accommodate the upgrades.

That's the trap others have mentioned. If your sure you don't want more from the beginning and want to shoot cheaply and often...it will serve you. If you like milsurp and holding history in your hand for a cheap price. It does that.

The only thing you will need to add is something to prevent your shoulder from feeling like it was kicked by a mule after only a few rounds and life is good.

You want to go hunting? Better use good ammo and have practice and be in good range. But it is done and some people make a cheap deer gun out of it.

Not sure that skill level will add much effect to the accompanying "better ammo" and get a deer without wounding it and have it run off to later die.
That will be something you will have to decide.

Some have sunk money in to get everything out and some have got 1000 gong accuracy but its not the same gun and the price spent could be better served on a rifle that can do much better.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Here's another thought for you,,,
Assuming you truly have the hots for a bolt action mil-surp.

Consider a Polish WZ-48,,,
It's a .22 caliber single-shot trainer,,,
And it is built very closely to the M-44 Nagant.



I bought one for $220.00 a few months back,,,
This thing is a real sweet shooter,,,
It's a very accurate rifle.

It definitely gets some looks at the range,,,
People get all braced for the typical Nagant BOOM,,,
And act all amazed when all they hear is the little rimfire pop.

There are usually a few on Gunbroker for various prices,,,
Budsgunshop has some right now for just over $200.00 shipped.

Anyways, this might alleviate the mil-surp cravings,,,
And you'll have a very nice shooting plinker.

Just a thought,,,

Aarond

.

Do not get one from Buds. They are $200 for a reason.

 

[eldon519]

First off i will go from experience that if you want a rifle to plink 50 to 100 yards with and hit a 12" target the m44 will do that but only to a certain degree of accuracy that it is not associated with even a cheaper model hunting rifle of various calibers. If you hope to improve accuracy without any effort you can avoid milsurp ammo and spend money that would in most cases be as expensive as some of the various calibers in the aforementioned cheaper hunting rifle . kind of starts to become a vacuum at this point. Why not another 50- 100 For a cheap hunting rifle with much better accuracy?

However if you don't mind the Milsurp ammo and its inaccuracy then you get to shoot a lot and cheap. It still can be had plenty. Many just dont stock as much. Due in part to the rifles drying up and demand is not as high either.

Many people who buy Mosin's don't shoot them with any degree of regularity. The low profit margin on milsurp 7.62x54r have many not stocking in large quantities too.

Back to the trap. Most people buy firearms. Then start getting accessories or upgrades. Adding scopes or holsters. Gun cases, grips, stocks, the list goes on forever. If you start doing that to a Mosin you will end up with less and spending more for ammo to accommodate the upgrades.

That's the trap others have mentioned. If your sure you don't want more from the beginning and want to shoot cheaply and often...it will serve you. If you like milsurp and holding history in your hand for a cheap price. It does that.

The only thing you will need to add is something to prevent your shoulder from feeling like it was kicked by a mule after only a few rounds and life is good.

You want to go hunting? Better use good ammo and have practice and be in good range. But it is done and some people make a cheap deer gun out of it.

Not sure that skill level will add much effect to the accompanying "better ammo" and get a deer without wounding it and have it run off to later die.
That will be something you will have to decide.

Some have sunk money in to get everything out and some have got 1000 gong accuracy but its not the same gun and the price spent could be better served on a rifle that can do much better.

I got to where I could hit clay pigeons on a berm at 100yds reliably with my M91/30 shooting milsurp offhand. I'm pretty happy with that performance given that it's offhand and iron sights. It's also certainly adequate shooting for deer hunting at that distance and then some. I never put any money into any sort of accessories for it. Can't help but feel like you are over-complicating this somehow. It's a good rifle, ammo is cheap, you shoot it a lot, you'll get good with it. Voilla! Seems about right for the OP's mentioned uses. He didn't say anything about trying to win benchrest competitions with it.