M. 91/30 Mosin-Nagant rifle
- Thread starter leadfree
- Start date
- Status
Can any one offer some advice about shortning the bbl. of this rifle, about 22"-24",or shorter ? Thanks guy's/girl's-----------leadfree!tooltech
Member
The best way would be to get an M38 carbine.
RNB65
Member
Or an M44.
frontiergander
Member
M44's are awesome! Bought my first almost a year ago and love it.
Yeah, for what you'd pay a gunsmith to shorten it, recrown it, and install a new front sight, you could just buy another Mosin like an M44 or M38. 44's are easier to find, they're the ones with the attached folding bayonet. M38's are also still out there, just harder to find. No bayonets on those.
Shortening long barrel on a MN....why????
I too used to listen to all this handier, quicker etc. However try it as it is, the long barrels are easier on your ear drums, heavier and less recoil than the Model 38, 44 or Type 53's. I grew up with 28" barrels on my shot guns and never though handicapped cause of there length. Longer sight radius to me is an advantage too......Try it. You will see alot of old milspec guns cut and sporterized that are worth a fraction of what an untouched similar gun is worth.I too, over 50 yrs. ago took a Springfield 03A3 and cut the 24" barrel to 22". Gun was long gone but wish I had it back in untouched condition.afish4570
I too used to listen to all this handier, quicker etc. However try it as it is, the long barrels are easier on your ear drums, heavier and less recoil than the Model 38, 44 or Type 53's. I grew up with 28" barrels on my shot guns and never though handicapped cause of there length. Longer sight radius to me is an advantage too......Try it. You will see alot of old milspec guns cut and sporterized that are worth a fraction of what an untouched similar gun is worth.I too, over 50 yrs. ago took a Springfield 03A3 and cut the 24" barrel to 22". Gun was long gone but wish I had it back in untouched condition.afish4570
Every couple of years one of the gun mags will do an article on shortening your barrel. It is pretty easy if you are mechanically inclined. The biggest problem is everyone likes to think they are mechanically inclined and it is not always true.
Check amazon (or B&N, or whoever) for wolfe publishing's book on "gunsmithing tips & projects" (or any similar book would work). There is a reprint of just such an article in this book.
I think you are looking at $50 to $75 for the tools to do this yourself. You may have many already. If you do not already own some of the tools you need, and use them often, you might want to skip doing it yourself.
A gunsmith might charge $100 to $125 for this type of job, not counting any stock work. The trick is to find a good gunsmith and one who charges reasonable rates. Let us know how that turns out.
Getting a sight on the shorter barrel is the toughest part I think, and you have to watch the point of impact vs aim with the shorter barrel (needs a different height on the front sight). There are a lot of options here, from custom ramp sights to a clever re-use of the original sight. JB Weld or Acraglass can do this job as well as welding or brazing. Or try a dovetail install.
I concur with the carbine thoughts, but M38 are rare these days and even a nice M44 is double the cost of a 91/30. Also, you already have the 91/30. Selling/trading might be a tough road due to lack of interest. Also, you may be looking for a barrel length between the 91/30 and a 38 or 44.
I am guessing that you want a shorter length for some specific reason, but I tend to agree with the other posts that the 91/30 is a really good length and handles nicely as-is. Maybe live with it for another couple months and shoot it some more, then re-evaluate.
Lots of folks will come unglued at the sound of you powering up a hacksaw next to a military collectible. I'll let them fight that fight. Use google (or similar) to find tons of pictures on the internet of various weird hacksaw customized rifles that look like utter crap. Also check prices for last decade's cheap military surplus rifles and compare unaltered vs. hacksaw values.
Check amazon (or B&N, or whoever) for wolfe publishing's book on "gunsmithing tips & projects" (or any similar book would work). There is a reprint of just such an article in this book.
I think you are looking at $50 to $75 for the tools to do this yourself. You may have many already. If you do not already own some of the tools you need, and use them often, you might want to skip doing it yourself.
A gunsmith might charge $100 to $125 for this type of job, not counting any stock work. The trick is to find a good gunsmith and one who charges reasonable rates. Let us know how that turns out.
Getting a sight on the shorter barrel is the toughest part I think, and you have to watch the point of impact vs aim with the shorter barrel (needs a different height on the front sight). There are a lot of options here, from custom ramp sights to a clever re-use of the original sight. JB Weld or Acraglass can do this job as well as welding or brazing. Or try a dovetail install.
I concur with the carbine thoughts, but M38 are rare these days and even a nice M44 is double the cost of a 91/30. Also, you already have the 91/30. Selling/trading might be a tough road due to lack of interest. Also, you may be looking for a barrel length between the 91/30 and a 38 or 44.
I am guessing that you want a shorter length for some specific reason, but I tend to agree with the other posts that the 91/30 is a really good length and handles nicely as-is. Maybe live with it for another couple months and shoot it some more, then re-evaluate.
Lots of folks will come unglued at the sound of you powering up a hacksaw next to a military collectible. I'll let them fight that fight. Use google (or similar) to find tons of pictures on the internet of various weird hacksaw customized rifles that look like utter crap. Also check prices for last decade's cheap military surplus rifles and compare unaltered vs. hacksaw values.
- Status