M.1895 Nagant... Educate Me!

[Dionysusigma]

I was poking around Aim Surplus's site yesterday, and almost blew a fuse in my head--they've got Nagant revolvers for $80.


http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Russian_1895_7.62_Nagant_Revolver.html

I know nothing about them, aside from basic operation--the weird shifting cylinder, how to load/ unload, and fire (or try to with the 400 lb. trigger pull)--but aside from those, I've heard nothing but rumors.

What ammo can be fired in them--is it only 7.62 Nagant, or (what I've heard) can .32 ACP, .32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32-20, 7.62x25 Tok, etc. be used as well? Which might work and which won't?

How reliable/accurate/strong/etc. are they? Easy to repair, or will I have to get another one if/when this one breaks?

Is it (7.62 Nagant) effective enough for home defense or self-defense? How about the other calibers?

Are these legendary (but as of yet unseen) conversion cylinders that cost twice as much as the pistol worth it?

Where can I get 7.62 Nagant ammo for less than $70/box of 20? (Reloading isn't something I do)

How are AIM's shipping charges?


Thanks in advance for all input, insight, and info. The most frustrating part is, I've never really liked revolvers... but looking at my collection, nearly half of them are wheelguns. I don't know how it happened... they're even SAO. I always liked "tacticool" stuff, not this arcane, obsolete technology. Not like I can have both, right?

*sigh* Ah well. Guess I'll go watch some more Firefly.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Anybody?

 

[Cosmoline]

Here's the rundown. The Nagant is the last survivor of a line of Continental revolvers from the 1870's through the WWI era. It's unique feature is a gas seal that forms between the cylinder and the forcing cone by virtue of the unique Nagant cartridge. As a result of this feature, many find the trigger pull difficult since they have to cam the cylinder forward over the protruding end of the barrel with each pull. I rather like it. SA triggers vary from OK to really good. Accuracy with 7.62 Nagant is typically excellent. You don't need to buy one of the "target models" to get a good shooter. They are tough as nails, which is one of the main reasons they remained in use in the USSR for so long. Their repuation for low power comes from the absence of military ball in the US. Loaded to full power they are on par with a .32 H&R Magnum or a mid-range .32-20.

What ammo can be fired in them--is it only 7.62 Nagant, or (what I've heard) can .32 ACP, .32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32-20, 7.62x25 Tok, etc. be used as well? Which might work and which won't?

7.62 Nagant is available from Fiocchi and in a yellow box berdan primed "CCCP" version from Russian backstock. Both are target level loads and about half as powerful as the military loading. Both are $$$. But Wolf is supposed to be coming out with new production stuff at a lower price with a lot more power. In the mean time if you want to do much with it you need to handload. I did a lengthy writeup on the Lee die set in the handloading form and over on the Nagant forum. Lots of folks use .32-20 brass (NOT, repeat NOT live .32-20 shells) to form a sort of psuedo-7.62 Nagant. It works OK, esp. with starline's .32-20. But it's not perfect and it doesn't form the seal very well.

Most cylinders will shoot anything in the .32 S&W family, including Longs and H&R. But some bulging will take place, esp. with the H&R's. If you notice splitting or bad sticking with any, discontinue using that cartridge. And remember you'll get lots of blowback with them--so wear safety glasses.

.32 ACP and .32-20 can only be fired with aftermarket cylinders that are no longer available. More are supposedly on the way, but many have had fitting problems with them.

Is it (7.62 Nagant) effective enough for home defense or self-defense? How about the other calibers?

If you handload, I don't see why not. I've got mine shooting Hornady 90 grain XTP's at over 1,100 fps. I wouldn't use that Fiocchi target ammo for self defense though I had to shoot a squirrel twice with it and even that didn't bring him down.

Where can I get 7.62 Nagant ammo for less than $70/box of 20? (Reloading isn't something I do)

I believe you can find the CCCP berdan primed target ammo for a lot less than that. The Fiocchi runs from $30 to $45 at most places. Even up here it's not $70!

Here's some of the CCCP wadcutter for $22 per box of 40. I found it to be only slightly less accurate than the Fiocchi. It makes a much nicer hole in the target, though.

http://www.smsguns.com/pistols amunition.htm

They're a fun revolving pistol, for sure. But the archaic design and bizarre cartridge makes them less than ideal for someone just starting out with handloading or revolvers.

 

[Dionysusigma]

Even up here it's not $70!

I was merely exaggeratin'. It's always seemed too expensive for its own good, though.

They're a fun revolving pistol, for sure. But the archaic design and bizarre cartridge makes them less than ideal for someone just starting out with handloading or revolvers.

I like it because it's archaic and bizarre. Lately, on a lot of things, I've been smitten with the "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" bug--this is merely another iteration.

Anybody heard any ETA on the Wolf stuff?

 

[RonJon]

I received this from my Century Rep on Oct 11th:

Just got about 100 cylinders (32 acp..part number OT500) for the nagant revolvers….54.87. It’s now or never!



Regards,

David Kennedy

Century Int'l Arms

800-999-4899 Ext 6

================================================

There might still be a few left?

Ron

 

[Cosmoline]

CIA's website has no reference to them now. If you just got that it may be that they're not advertising it yet. Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to get one to ream it out to .32-20.