Mosin Nagant 91/59 Carbine

[TarpleyG]

Okay. I think I am going to make the leap (albeit a small leap @ $109) and buy one of these from Aim Surplus. I have read quite a bit and have decided that in the interim if I want to shoot a rifle, this is all I will be able to afford. As much as I admire the beauty of the original design it doesn't look practical. I want to change the stock to walnut or maybe composite right away. I may want to add a scope later as well but I understand this might pose some challenges. Anyone have any recommendations on a good quality stock that won't cost as much as the rifle and what are your thoughts on mounting a scope. Buy an off-the-shelf mount or have one made? Also, what's the best way to get Cosmoline off? Somewhere I read that gasoline will do it but what else?

Thanks,
GT

 

[Okiecruffler]

Although it pains me to give this information

ATI makes a good replacement plastic stock for around 50 bucks. Your best bet for scope mounting is a scout set-up. There's a guy by the name of Darrel over on the Parallax View C&R forum ( I don't have the link handy but I'm sure the next poster will) who makes a much better scout mount than anyone else. But do yourself a favor and don't mention that you're going to be sporterizing the rifle. The best thing for removing cosmoline from metal is heat. Get it hot enough and it will just run off. Mineral spirits to help it along if your in a hurry. I've had good results with oven cleaner, but it's nasty stuff to work with.

 

[Jaeger]

Sportsmans guide has wood sporter stocks for the MN for sale here

They also carry the synthetic stock and a scope mounting kit or the synthetic stock and mounting kit as a package for $89.97.

I bought a 91/59 on a whim a few years back. It was in new condition and only $65. I couldn't resist. It has proven to be an exceptionally accurate little rifle. I can easliy hold 2moa with iron sights and hunting ammo. One day I'd like to spruce it up a little and see what it would do with some optics and a better trigger.

It's a good little rifle in a fine caliber. Don't feel under armed just because it's an inexpensive rifle. Get some ammo, practice and you'll be embarrasing the scoped Remchester crowd in no time!

I have some very fine rifles in my safe and I enjoy shooting them all. I particularly enjoy hunting with milsurps. Most of my deer have fallen with a 303. Only 1 so far with the 7.62X54R. Perhaps I'll field an 8mm this year.

I almost forgot! Don't use gasoline. Kerosine works well and isn't as flamible. I prefer to use Simple Green and HOT water. It's non toxic, doesn't irritate my hands and doesn't stink as much. I use oven cleaner for stripping down stocks.

 

[AC]

Just what isn't practical?

That stock has obviously withstood the test of time and was deemed satisfactory for millions of users.

Sorry, but sporterizing to 'improve' milsurps really leaves me shaking my head. Believe it or not a whole lot of thought and testing went into designing military rifles. So what do you improve by putting it in a sporter stock? As is you can throw it out of a moving truck, pick it up and it will work and probably still be sighted in.

In response to your scope question there is a non gunsmithing mount that fits the rear sight and does not permanently mar the rifle. It accepts a scout scope or pistol scope. That's what I would do if I had to have a scope. If it were me I'd use the original stock.

 

[DougB]

I own several Mosin-Nagants and enjoy them. For what it's worth, I think if you want a really inexpensive, yet decent quality rifle for hunting and/or recreational shooting, these aren't a bad choice. I would probably get an M38 or M44 and upgrade it with one of the Mojo large aperture sights that replace the standard rear sight. BUT, if you are going to replace the stock, add a scope mount, and buy a (probably long eye relief) scope, I think you'd be better off buying a used sporting rifle.

The Mosin-Nagants are interesting collector's items, fun to shoot, and would be adequate for hunting, but if you are going to try to turn one into a modern sporting rifle, I think you'll be frustrated. Even after you "sporterize" it at considerable expense, you'll have a rifle with a very awkward (almost unusable) safety and a fairly crummy trigger that shoots a relatively uncommon cartridge (at least in sporting loads). I think you'd do better to buy a used Remington/Winchester/Savage sporting rifle.

If part of the appeal is the history of the rifle, then I don't think you'd want to change the stock.

Of course, these rifles are a bargain, and if the sporterizing process appeals to you, maybe its not a bad way to go. I'd just be sure you can live with that "safety" and the other characteristics that can't be inexpensively changed.

Doug

 

[El Rojo]

What a good point DougB. I liken that scenario to putting a scope on an SKS. What a frustrating waste of time. If I put a scope on something, I want it to hit at least 1 MOA. I loaded up some 150 gr. Sierra Spitzer Boattails for my K-31. If I am going to shoot it at some pigs or maybe even a deer, I am going to do it because I want to be able to say I took one with my stock K-31. (Did the same thing for the Garand) If I just want to put meat on the table, nothing beats my Remington 700 .30-06. If you are going to turn an old surplus rifle into a sportorized hunting rifle, why not spend $300-400 and get a used Winchester Model 70, a Remington 700, or a brand new Savage? You would be much more happy with the end result I would imagine. Good point again Doug.

 

[Jaeger]

Go here and check out the article "Saving a Burnt Out Jungle Carbine". That's my baby and my favorite hunting rifle. It cost me a few dollars to do and I will probably never get out of it what I put into it should I ever decide to sell. It won't do much that a Savage Scout won't do. And yet, I love it! It is a great rifle and has put a lot of meat in my freezer.

I have mausers, enfields, a K31 and a mosin that are bone stock and will likely remain that way. I've made meat with the mosin in it's stock form. The safety is not unusable but it is a little difficult. You just need to train with it.

Mosins are cheap and plentiful. Accessories are cheap and plentiful. If it makes you happy to do a sporter, go for it. I like them all! If I ever scope mine I want to use an original mount and scope. (or replicas)