Mosin Nagant - Am I the only one who does NOT like these?

[lyrikz]

USNmars, you missed the yellow target. lol.

That is a bad ass group for a mosin. Crap man.

 

[wristtwister]

Complaint: The stock didn't fit me.

Solution:Build a new stock and fit the action and barrel into it.

Complaint: The bolt was incredibly hard to work.

Solution: Cut off the bolt handle and rig one that operates the bolt more easily.

Complaint: Trigger pull was approximately 30 pounds.

Solution: Hammer a .45 case into a brass plate and put it up under the trigger slide, making the operation like a single-stage trigger... or drop in a Timney trigger.

Complaint: Accuracy was minute-of-pizza box at 25 yards.

Solution: Changed the configuration of the breech and bolt handle to mount a conventional scope... Mine shoots dime sized groups at 100 yards.

Complaint: Gun kicked like a constipated mule. Yeah, call me a weenie but my arm twitched for 2 days after 40 rounds

Solution: Send the gun to Teludyne Tech Industries and have a STRAITJACKET barrel system installed. I usually shoot 100 to 200 rounds at a sitting (depending on how much I've reloaded or have in the latest spam can) and put a "LIMBSAVER" recoil pad on it.

My gun weighs 13.4 pounds and is set up as a bench gun, and it's my favorite out of my 11 rifles. How much I shoot it depends on how much ammo I have and how much I can carry to the range. My shoulder never gets sore, and the gun is deadly accurate.

To be honest, my gun isn't a "standard" Mosin... but it's nothing special either. It's a standard Mosin with a bench-rest stock, and a relocated bolt handle for mounting the scope. The trigger is a stock trigger with a brass slide plate under it to make it function single-stage. It's a 68 year old rifle with a 67 year old shooter... and it does much better than "minute of pizza box" (it grouped 5" average with iron sights @ 100 yards)... before I cut 9" off the barrel.

I can't speak for other Mosin shooters, but I DO like mine... and it's one of 17 million... kinda like that "rose among the thorns", so to speak...

WT

 

[caribou]

There is NOT 17,000,000, Mosins Nagants that survived two World Wars, a Revolution and myrids of "give aways" in military aid after WWII, by the Soviet Union.

Still , only Accurate rifles are interesting.
My Sako built MosinNagant M-39, with open sites, will put 5 in a 3 inch circle at 400 yards.

Accuracy problems can be much more a problem than to solve with adding a scope. Proper Riflemanship , good tight bedding/shimming, a smoothed trigger engaugemnt and often recrowning, via shortening the actual barrel or counter boreing to remake the crown, restore accuracy and keep th ebarrel length, but that usually an arsenal job.
The third point to accurate shooting , given a good man with proper skills, a good rifle with all mechanials working is that you need quality, consistant ammo.
Soviet block silver tips are 150 or so grained 'light ball' made for the sights and shoulder of a Mosin , the yellow tip indicates 'Heavy ball', used in overhead fire by machinegines. When the heavy ball was dropped, the silver tip was no longer done and ball without color coding is 150 or so grain, inteneded for the Mosin.
being an avid and well practised shooter, I can say with personal experiance that most heavily graind Commercial "hunting ammo' will not shoot to point of impact with the sights on my Mosins. You'll have to shoot, see, adjust and use that same brand and weight of ammo. practise shooting the very ammo you plan to hunt, snipe, plink with.
I use cases of Czeck Light ball to great effect because the cionsistancy and practise has me knowing that rifle soooo very well.I just know where to hold, and was doing that with my .22 when I was a kid, same same.

Use the right ammo, and watch your groups shrink.

 

[Gmack]

I own a couple of Mosins. They're not my favorite rifles by any means, but they're dirt cheap, pretty darn accurate, bulk surplus ammo is cheap, and they're alot of fun to shoot. I love restoring old surplus rifles, it's a great way to spend a weekend IMO. Every time Big5 has a special on the Mosins I like to head down there and pick one up.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

You are right Joshua, the M-39 is a much better shooter than the Russian MN. It's all in the barrel.

I think maybe you were talking to Planter.

The group I posted was from my 91/30 Russian, built in 1939.

I only modified it in a couple ways: Adjustable front sight, Finn trigger job, and cork bedding.

Groups are about half of the posted group now, as I started handloading for it!

Regards,

Josh

 

[commygun]

Love my 91/30. Cheap to buy, cheap to shoot, accurate. Generally I plink with it like a bolt action .22, loading single rounds directly into the chamber. Clean it with ATF and have had no rust issues. Paid $109 for it at Big 5 and don't have to worry if it gets dinged or scratch. My 12-year old loves to shoot it so really the kick can't be that bad. Lots of history and a distinctive appearance. If you have a sticky bolt the advice about chucking a shotgun bore brush to a power drill and scrubbing out the chamber is very good. Once I did that I was able to shoot it till it was filthy without the bolt sticking. Not my most refined centerfire rifle but as long as I can buy 440-rd spam cans for $90 this is the one that will get shot the most.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Hello,

On top of all else that's been listed here, I really prefer almost any old rifle to what is out there today.

Pick up a Mauser or Springfield '03 or Mosin-Nagant or Enfield or whatever and then pick up the modern Savage or Winchester or Ruger or Remington laying next to it.

I'm afraid of breaking modern rifles.

Regards,

Josh

 

[Ryanxia]

Best guns ever! Inexpensive, inexpensive to shoot, accurate (at least mine is) and indestructible for the most part

 

[CZguy]

Best guns ever! Inexpensive, inexpensive to shoot, accurate (at least mine is) and indestructible for the most part

Actually they are just the latest in surplus Army rifles from around the world that we are lucky enough to live in a country that we can own and shoot them.

My first deer rifle was a K98 Mauser that I picked out of a barrel for $25.00. My Dad had a 1903 Springfield that he bought when he was young.

 

[valnar]

Let's face it - People who like them, like them because they are cheap - and ammo is relatively cheap.

If every milsup bolt action rifle was the exact same price (say...$100), you wouldn't give the Mosin Nagant the time of day. At that price, after I collected all the Lee Enfields, Mausers and Springfields I wanted, I might pick one up just to complete my collection, but that's about it.

That being said, I love the two I have, but easily for the reasons specified in my first sentence.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Let's face it - People who like them, like them because they are cheap - and ammo is relatively cheap.

If every milsup bolt action rifle was the exact same price (say...$100), you wouldn't give the Mosin Nagant the time of day. At that price, after I collected all the Lee Enfields, Mausers and Springfields I wanted, I might pick one up just to complete my collection, but that's about it.

That being said, I love the two I have, but easily for the reasons specified in my first sentence.

I disagree.

I like they way they handle with a butt extension.

I'm left-handed. I need a straight bolt to reach over and operate the thing correctly while keeping it shouldered. Additionally, I prefer the precision of push-feed.

The only thing that would be better for my needs would be a straight-bolt Mauser carbine with push-feed. Second best would be a controlled-feed Mauser carbine.

Then again, I don't like to concern myself with maintenance if I don't have to. This is not to say I don't take care of my rifles, but fired head-to-head, my Gewehr 88 Commission Rifle will choke without lubrication when the Mosin just keeps running.

For precision, I do prefer American or German weapons. For reliability when all I might have time to do is clean the barrel with a shoestring covered in oil, give me a Russian rifle.

For dead-nuts reliability, I cannot beat my Mosin-Nagant/1911 combo. Been thinking about trying an AK-74 as well, but I've never warmed up to .22 bullets for critters larger than rabbit.

Regards,

Josh

 

[lefteyedom]

They are what they are//
Which is fine until you want it to be something it is not.

 

[pharmer]

I sold a 1917 Remington Armory Mosin last Sat for $250. I was surprised as I got it at a garage sale for $75. These guns are hard to set a value. The last one I had was a Finn mfg that I paid $60 for and sold it for the same. Joe

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

They are what they are//
Which is fine until you want it to be something it is not.

Like what?

I'm accurate with mine to 200 yards, no 'scope. The rifle holds precision and accuracy further than that, but I can't take advantage of it because I'm not good enough.

A good trigger can be had in five minutes.

The magazine holds one more than many sporting rifles.

Fireforming a case gives you one that will headspace off the rim and shoulder.

It has enough power to shoot down trees (oops!)

'Scope mounting options are abundant.

Loading can be faster than many modern internal magazine rifles if you use stripper clips.

Yes, it can be heavy depending on model. It's powerful and takes a bit of tweaking. However, I've not had a single firearm come through that I've not had to work on to a greater or lesser extent to make me happy with it.

I guess I really don't see what would need to be done with a Mosin-Nagant that can't or hasn't been done.

Regards,

Josh

 

[True Grit]

I like mine just fine. I'm not in love with it but it was hard to pass up for the price. It was one of those ("Ahh, why the heck not?") decisions. In its defense it does shoot pretty good.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Let's face it - People who like them, like them because they are cheap - and ammo is relatively cheap.

If every milsup bolt action rifle was the exact same price (say...$100), you wouldn't give the Mosin Nagant the time of day. At that price, after I collected all the Lee Enfields, Mausers and Springfields I wanted, I might pick one up just to complete my collection, but that's about it.

That being said, I love the two I have, but easily for the reasons specified in my first sentence.

PRICE. A lot of shooters would not be out shooting if they only had $500+ rifles and $1 a round ammo available.

 

[EVEgreen2001]

I like mine just fine as well. I was really surprised by its power and reliability for an 86 year old rifle. I'm not so much a "purist" as it alot of others may be, so I would really like to install one of those Mojo micro-click sights on it ( maybe a front too) or a smith adjustable post.

 

[fpgt72]

Let's face it - People who like them, like them because they are cheap - and ammo is relatively cheap.

If every milsup bolt action rifle was the exact same price (say...$100), you wouldn't give the Mosin Nagant the time of day. At that price, after I collected all the Lee Enfields, Mausers and Springfields I wanted, I might pick one up just to complete my collection, but that's about it.

That being said, I love the two I have, but easily for the reasons specified in my first sentence.

I disagree as well.

If you take price out of the picture and just look at them from a collectable standpoint they have a great deal going for them....you can get finn, spanish civil war, american made, sniper, czar, dragoon, a couple different carbine length....even some officially adopted by the american military. Gosh would that make a american made Westinghouse or Remington adopted by the united states a american rifle....where is the snobbery now?

People that think the only thing this rifle has going for it has only seen the $88 crate rifles and $100 box of 440 rounds of surplus ammo.....in other words don't know a great deal about the history of the rifles.

I am sure they will chime back in and tell me they know all that...but hay that gets in the way of bashing the rifle....look past the crate rifles do a little reading on the history.

I know every collector would give for an U.S. Magazine Rifle calibre 7.62mm Model of 1916 if you know where one cheap please let me know.....I know most would just cut it up to make it "better".

 

[BrocLuno]

No love here for the MN. Not a fan of any split receiver

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

If you take price out of the picture and just look at them from a collectable standpoint they have a great deal going for them....you can get finn, spanish civil war, american made, sniper, czar, dragoon, a couple different carbine length....even some officially adopted by the american military. Gosh would that make a american made Westinghouse or Remington adopted by the united states a american rifle....where is the snobbery now?

Just an addition to this, the American Government bought these for $32 each when Russian defaulted.

If you take that amount from 1916 and adjust it to 2010, the price paid for each rifle is equivalent to $633.01.

Not a cheap rifle!

Regards,

Josh

 

[BrocLuno]

USNMARS, that's an amazing group for any rifle I've ever seen. That MN is obviously not a run-of-mill rifle. The shooter has figured it out and is obviously very talented and accomplished. If they all shot like that this thread would not be as long

I'll likely not buy a MN as I have WAY too many other rifle projects on the bench and I'm playing with other ideas, cartridges and configurations - but ... I am a bit envious of that one

 

[valnar]

If you take price out of the picture and just look at them from a collectable standpoint they have a great deal going for them....you can get finn, spanish civil war, american made, sniper, czar, dragoon, a couple different carbine length....even some officially adopted by the american military. Gosh would that make a american made Westinghouse or Remington adopted by the united states a american rifle....where is the snobbery now?

But you aren't taking price out of the picture. If I could get a Finn M39 or a Russian M91/30 for the same $100, I'd take a Finn every time and wouldn't own a M91/30. It's a better rifle.

I didn't state it in my original post, but of course I was referring to the cheap M91/30's only. As I said though, if I had a $100 to spend on any Milsup gun, a 91/30 wouldn't be at the top of the list. Eventually?.....sure.

 

[fpgt72]

But you aren't taking price out of the picture. If I could get a Finn M39 or a Russian M91/30 for the same $100, I'd take a Finn every time and wouldn't own a M91/30. It's a better rifle.

I didn't state it in my original post, but of course I was referring to the cheap M91/30's only. As I said though, if I had a $100 to spend on any Milsup gun, a 91/30 wouldn't be at the top of the list. Eventually?.....sure.

And if I could get a Ferrari for the price of a Ford I would take the Ferrari every time...does not mean the ferrari is a better car...I know I worked on them.

And please explain to me how it is a "better" rifle...I own a crate 91/30 that looks like it was never shot and is the most accurate mosin I have ever found, I would put it up against any finn....that makes it better in putting bullets where I want them but not better in the collector market......so what is better?

When you get down to it these are rifles that are knocking on the door of being 100years old. A finn in not going to be "better" unless it was stored better. You can pull a $88 crate rifle out of the box with nice sharp bore and it will shoot as good if not better then the (x). At this point in history if you are looking for a Mosin-nagant pattern rifle you are going to look for something that has a higher appeal in the collector market (Finn, Dragoon, Sniper, spanish....american) or you are going to want a shooter, it is very possible that the crate rifle will out shoot all of these....I passed on a Westinghouse about a year ago....much more expensive, made in america, and was suppose to be "better" in every way to the russian rifles, but the shape of the rifle I can tell you it was not a "better" rifle then the cheapo crate rifles....it does have IMHO better history, but as far as being a firearm it was in no way better.

 

[hang fire]

I own two, one a 25 dollar prebubbarized Tula which has a mirror bore and proved to be very accurate with cast boolits. I scout scoped it and the accuracy of the ugly beast is now amazing.

Other is a 1942 M39 Sako barreled Finn, about it I can only say I wish I was a good enough shot to utilize it's accuracy. IMHO, the M39 has to be the most accurate battle rifles fielded in WW2.

 

[joed]

I find it amazing there there are so many different types of guns. Some people will hate something while someone else thinks it's the greatest thing on earth. I have a friend that buys these as well as any other old military rifle all day long, why I'll never know.

To me I consider them tomato stakes and wouldn't pay $5 for any of them. But that's me, someone else would jump at the chance to own one. More power to them.