Help please on Mosin Nagant Revolver

[Duckster]

I have recently purchased a Mosin Nagant 91/30. I found alot of good advice here bfore I purchased it. What to look out for what to inspect, what years to watch for, what to look for it the stocks. It was a big help. I spent a little more then what some people said the price was for, but it is an immaculate condition.
Now I'm looking for the same info on the revolver. I'm totally ignorant on this firearm/revolver. So any input would be greatly appreciated. I also saw some with round barrels and other with octagon barrels, what the difference? Are they inexpensive? Are they cheap? How is the ammo availability and price? Are they even worth the trouble of looking for?

 

[nelson133]

They are inexpensive, but well built. The trigger pull tends to be difficult. The cartridge that they are chambered for is expensive but there are .32 acp cylinders available for them, I would assume that a replacement cylinder would have to be fitted to work. Some people shoot .32 S&W or H&R mag cartridges in them, but you may end up with cartridge case splits, I don't know if the cases could be reloaded afterward. The original cartridge is pretty weak by today's standards.

 

[Duckster]

Thanks

Do you know where I may fine more info. Especially how to recognize a good one?

 

[wnycollector]

I would suggest checking out www.surplusrifle.com and their forum! LOTS of M/N pistol and rifle info there!

 

[armoredman]

BTW, it's a Nagant revolver, Col. Mosin had nothing to do with it. Interesting peice that costs the same as a case of it's ammo.

 

[Duckster]

Do any of you have experience with this Revolver?

Is it reliable?
Does it shoot well?
Is it accurate?
Prices of ammo?
How much and where for .32 conversion?
Is there a certain model to look for?

Any help would be appreciated

 

[bill larry]

-Very reliable
-Very accurate (even with .32 S&W Long, which is what I shoot in mine)
-.32 long might be the cheapest ammo available, really, the original stuff is quite expensive. .32 Long Winchester is 17.00 a box here.
-I'd get the double action variety

 

[tinygnat219]

Duckster, My answers and views are below:

Is it reliable? Hell yes! , there's a reason that Russians look at the Nagant fondly. This little pistol was used in every Russian Conflict and beyond going back to the Russo-Japanese War of 1905.
Does it shoot well? Generally speaking, yes. The DA Trigger will throw you for a loop at first, as it feels like you will need a mule train just to bring it back. SA is ok.
Is it accurate? Yes, when fired mainly from the SA trigger (like most revolvers)
Prices of ammo? THIS is where it gets annoying, most of the ammo for this pistol is expensive and hard to find. Generally between 30 bucks for 50 rounds of Fiocchi, to 14 for 40 rounds of old underpowered Russian Target. You can shoot .32 S&W Long through it, but the brass bulges and sometimes cracks (useless for reloading). Don't try the .32H&R Magnum. You will get flakes of lead hitting you all over when the .32 cal bullet hits the .30 cal forcing cone. You can get away with the .32 S&W Long as it's a much lower velocity. Just expect to scrub the forcing cone REALLY well after 50 rounds or so.
How much and where for .32 conversion? I think you are talking about the .32 ACP cylinder. I paid 50 bucks for mine. Watch out for these as they are "supposed" to drop right in and shoot just fine. The one I had was turned down by two Gunsmiths for working on as they said they were annoying. I sold mine on GB. Haven't looked for one since.
Is there a certain model to look for? If you are collecting, the earlier the better. I have seen an 1899 with untouched Cyrillic, and without the Century Billboard. If you are shooting, or don't care about a particular year or arsenal, it doesn't really matter since you will be getting something from between 75-150 bucks. I have 3 DA/SA Nagants, and 1 SA (Soldier Model) Nagant. If you want the wrist-straining ability to fire one DA, I recommend the DA/SA model, especially if you are skimping on price.
Hope this helps!