How Well do the Mosin Ergos Work For You?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

It feels real good until the trigger is pulled.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

How does she like the recoil of that beast?

She enjoys it a little too much.

She's fiesty for a 100 lber...If(when) we argue, I'm the one flinching.

 

[Vaarok]

I'm five-eight and shoot during the winter in a heavy coat at improvised targets at varying distances, rather than try for groups on a level range from a bench. The Mosin was purpose-made for this, and works well.

I find the straight bolt very useful, since I am left handed and usually wear gloves. The sights are large, clear, and easily aligned. The safety can be manipulated with mittens, and keeps the bolt from being knocked open while slung on my back. And in general, the Mosin is good.

That said, I don't like my M-39s as much as my M-27, and my M-44s and 91/30s are meh. I absolutely love my M-91s.

 

[fletcher]

I found the stock to be a little short, so I put a slip-on recoil pad to add ~1" to it and then found it to be pretty good.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I'm 6'-6'1", but I actually find the Mosin's LOP to be ideal, considering I shoot in more of a square-to-the-target stance.

 

[tube_ee]

Mosin ergonomics...

Suck.

I'm ~6', and the LOP is about 1" too short, and worse than that, the stock geometry amplifies recoil. I've got experience with the M44, K31, and M24/47, in terms of bolt action military rifles, and also sporting rifles in various calibers from .270 to .458 Win Mag. Of them all, the M44 wins the "Kicks way harder than it should" award.

Of course, I only fired the .458 standing... out of an Austrian double rifle that was worth more than my truck... Didn't hurt a bit. An object lesson in the value of a good stock.

--Shannon

 

[Cmdr. Gravez0r]

"In Sovet Russia, gun shoots you!!"

I think that pretty much sums it up.

The m44 is nice and handy but if you're standing on your hind legs like a man the recoil is not bad on a 91/30. I don't like to ride Mosey's while prone though.

 

[RNB65]

The 91/30 is the most well balanced rifle I've ever fired. They're heavy, but you really don't feel the weight when the rifle is shouldered due to the great balance.

The LOP is short because Russian rifles are designed to be fired while wearing heavy winter clothing (there's a reason the Russians call it General Winter). The LOP problem can be solved by adding a slip-on recoil pad. It helps tame the recoil and makes for a better LOP.
-

 

[KrankyKraut]

The 91/30 is well-balanced, almost as much as the K31. But the Mosin bolt negates much of it. It is too hard to work over the long run. Shooting Mosins is exhausting. Mausers are much better in that regard,

 

[Danus ex]

This length of pull stuff just goes to show you how much people's bodies and tastes vary. I really like the standard Mosin length of pull, though the LOP on the M39 is a touch better for me. Some military rifles that don't fit me as well as they seem to fit others: 1903-A3, K31, and AK-types.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Exactly right, Danus ex. I'm 6'-6'1" and find the LOP to be ideal. Tube_ee is 6'0", but finds it too short.

I think the stance employed has a lot to do with it.

Originally posted by tube_ee:
I'm ~6', and the LOP is about 1" too short,

Out of curiosity, what sort of shooting stance do you employ?

 

[tube_ee]

My stance...

(insert obvious Larry Craig joke here)

Is probably something I need to work on. I'm not sure that I could describe it right now, as I haven't been shooting for a couple of months.

I measured my M44 with a slip-on Butler Creek pad, and it's within 1/4" of my elbow-to-trigger-finger measurement, but feels maybe a bit short. Bareback, it's just too darned short. I'm suspecting that gun fit is like bicycle fit... not an exact science. All that the "rules" can do is get you close. Your body will tell you the rest... or so it seems to me.

--Shannon

 

[Funderb]

1. stripper clips have to be loaded correctly.
2. mosins fit small people very well, smaller people generally have less of an issue with recoil, contrary to thought.
3. I love mosins
4. where can I get that brake?
5. mmmm

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Originally posted by tube_ee:
Is probably something I need to work on. I'm not sure that I could describe it right now, as I haven't been shooting for a couple of months.

Please don't take my post as implied criticism. Specifically, I'm asking about how square you are to the target.

Thing is, your style actually dictates the necessary LOP. If you shoot with your shoulders more-or-less aligned with the target, you'll need more LOP.

Just for the sake of discussion.

 

[vzenmn]

The mosin nagant fits me like a glove. The stock length, balence, grip shape, and the sights are just right for me. The one that fits me the most is the 91/30. The m44 is fits great too but it is a little stubby. And I don't know what is with all the hate for the straight bolt but I happen to like it. Easier to grab onto.

 

[wilson]

I have a m44 and i love it, its fits fine for me. No recoil pad either. Im 6' I really dont thinks it kicks too bad either.

 

[akolleth]

Its not just short people that the mosin fits well

I am 6'4 and have three Mosins. I love the fit and ergonomics of them. The balance is perfect for me

Now the bolt handle, I hate. I really dislike the stright bolt, and its lack of torque when I am getting the dreaded sticky bolt syndrome. You would not believe how much better a bent bolt is on a mosin.

 

[GD]

There is no more perfect fit for me than the Finnish mosin, model 39. With a pistol grip stock, nice balance, nice sights, and supreme accuracy, what could be better?

 

[Funderb]

I like the straight bolt. when your bolt is really stuck, and I mean stuck, a bent bolt won't help.

And if you have a bent bolt, it's much harder to perform the proper russian technique of placing on the ground, kick open.