Mosin Nagant 91/30

[Monte Harrison]

I finally broke in my C&R license, with a Mosin Nagant 91/30 from AIM Surplus.
I was expecting this thing to be big, long, heavy and clumsy. Turns out that it is only a couple inches longer than my Garand, and considerably lighter. It doesn't feel bad at all in the hand, although it is a bit long. Reckon now I have to get an M38 or M44. I expected this thing to be ugly, because they just don't photograph well. It isn't ugly, really, just very purposeful in its looks. There is no doubt that this is not a presentation piece, this is a tool for killing, made during desparate times for desparate people. It is quite roughly whittled out, with practically no polishing of any part except the bolt.
The rifle came to me in very good condition, with only a few handling marks on the stock and handguard, and a bit grungy but with much less cosmoline than I was expecting. Considering that it came with excessories and all serial numbers match, I would say it is most definitely worth the 70 bucks I paid for it. Now I just have to get this thing out to the range!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Nice choice.

The M91/30s handle rather nicely. Although the barrel is long, it's fairly light. I find that mine hangs really well for offhand.

You might try a couple different kinds of ammo to which it likes best. The light ball (147 grains), which has a silver tip, will kick a lot less than heavy ball or the Wolf 200 grain stuff.

Let us know how she shoots.

 

[DMK]

I picked up one of those 91/30s from AIM's sale also. I was very pleased with the rifle. It's a real bargain for that price. I agree with you about the weight. It's surprisingly light for a full size battle rifle.

Instead of a M38 or M44, the 91/59 carbine would make a great compliment to your 91/30. These were cut down from 91/30s during arsenal rebuild in '59 and the early '60s. They really seemed to have taken their time with these and they saw no service so they are very nice.

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/russian.htm

http://www.mosin-nagant.net/m9159-carbine.html

 

[goon]

I will agree that the 91/30 does have great balance.
I gave mine to my brother. I have a C&R, so I can get another any time I want.
For a really nice MN, get a Finn M-39.
I can pop clay pigeons with mine at 100 yds shooting offhand. Never been able to do that consistently before...
I have a B barrel and I just ordered a VKT in Excellent condition today.
Gotta keep my Unissued B barrel pretty, so I need a shooter.
I would like to have about three more.

 

[Erik Jensen]

I just bought a 91/30 from Dunham's today, myself! it's a 1943, in pretty good shape. can't wait to take it to the range tomorrow. the only problems I can see are A: the bayonet doesn't seem to want to mount (it appears to be hitting the front sight. think I'll try lightly filing it) and B: stripper clips don't work for me. maybe they sold the wrong ones to me, though. fits in the slot tight, but maybe too tight, since I can't get the rounds to strip off without MASSIVE force.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Lots of the bayonets require filing or dremel work on them to fit.

 

[goon]

Lots of the bayonets require filing or dremel work on them to fit.

And then an act of God to get them off.

 

[Erik Jensen]

took ye olde Mosie out to the range today. first experience with a full powered rifle, and wow, is my shoulder sore! accurate bugger, though. the front sight needs to be drifted to the left a smidge. the gunsmith at the range told me that it's in excellent condition. it's a 1943, built at the Ishvesk arsenal. lots of toolmarks, but other wise pretty nice. filed the bayonet a bit, and it fits like a glove. I was going to see if affixing the bayonet affected aim, but by the time I thought of that, my shoulder was crying for mercy. ;-) still haven't figured out the stripper clips. maybe steel ones will work better than brass.

 

[GD]

Beretta92F:

The only stripper clips for the Mosins that I have found to work are the Russian ones with the Ishvesk markings (a triangle with an arrow in it). All the others are worthless (any from Tapco, brass, etc.)

 

[Monte Harrison]

The only stripper clips for the Mosins that I have found to work are the Russian ones with the Ishvesk markings (a triangle with an arrow in it).

Any idea where to get these, or do we just have to luck into finding them at gun shows?

Took mine to the range Saturday with some Brown Bear 185gr FMJ (because AIM has it pretty cheap, so I ordered a few boxes along with the rifle). I put a fairly large target out at 100 yards, and fired the first box of ammo. The recoil is not terribly bad, about on par with a Garand. Walked out to the target, and there aren't any holes in it. So I moved the target up to 50 yards, fire a few more, still no holes. Then I remembered reading somewhere that these rifles have a tendancy to print WAY high, so with the rear sight at its lowest setting, I aimed at the bottom of the target and got a group at the top of the target. That is one of the problems. The others are really difficult bolt manipulation and a really squishy trigger. The bolt requires a good slap to open, and a good shove to close. Operating the bolt without taking the rifle down from the shoulder is impossible. May be a job for Mr. Dremel. Same thing with the trigger, which is not hard to pull, just really squishy, which combined with the flinch I have still not been able to lick led to some not-too-great shot groups. So the rifle and I both have some work needed.

 

[DMK]

The only stripper clips for the Mosins that I have found to work are the Russian ones with the Ishvesk markings (a triangle with an arrow in it). All the others are worthless (any from Tapco, brass, etc.)

Actually, I found that the blued one from J&G and the "white metal" ones from Numrich work great in all my Mosins, Russian and Finnish.

www.e-gunparts.com

www.jgsales.com