Mosin Nagant M91/30 vs. the Karabiner 98k

[stchman]

Hello all, just wanted to get everyone's opinion on which is the better rifle.

The cartridge on both are fairly similar.

The Mosin Nagant's 7.62x54R has a little less energy than the Mauser's 7.92x57 round.

The Mauser is probably a little better made rifle from a craftsmenship standpoint while the Mosin Nagant is probably a bit more reliable.

I give a slight edge to the Mosin Nagant from a distance standpoint as it's longer barrel. Both will do the job.

The Mosin Nagant is less expensive to buy and shoot than a Mauser.

 

[rcmodel]

The 98 Mauser action is a far better design.
It is safer, able to handle more pressure, and able to safely vent it if something goes wrong.

It has faster lock time, a better trigger, and overall is a more modern and better design in every respect.

As for a long barrel giving better accuracy?
Don't bet any money on it!

Accuracy is strictly a factor of barrel and ammo quality.

And ya know them Germans make good stuff!
Cause Vince from Shamwow says so!

But compairing a Mossy made in 1895 with a Mauser made in 1945 is comparing apples and oranges.
The old-world Mossy might just be better finished then the last-ditch Mauser made in the waning days of WWII.

As for cheap ammo?
Only as long as the old surplus holds out, and it won't last forever.

There was a time when you could buy a case of mil-sup 8mm for .05 cents a round.
Until it was all gone.

The same will happen with 7.62x54R sooner or later.

rc

 

[DMK]

Reliability is a wash. Both are strong well made battle proven rifles. Something breaking in either will be rare.

The Mauser will be slightly more accurate. However using surplus ammo, it's probably about the same.

The only real advantage goes to the Mosin: Cheaper to buy. Cheaper to feed. Surplus ammo readily available. At current prices and availability, you can buy enough ammo to last you a lifetime just buying a case a month.

As for cheap ammo?
Only as long as the old surplus holds out, and it won't last forever.

There was a time when you could buy a case of mil-sup 8mm for .05 cents a round.
Until it was all gone.

The same will happen with 7.62x54R sooner or later.

Buy it cheap, stack it deep. You snooze, you lose. And other favorite gunshop sayings...

 

[stchman]

I don't see milsurp 7.62x54R running out real soon. 37 million Mosin Nagants were made so there had to be a ton of ammo made as well.

There is still quite a bit of 7.92x57 milsurp out there as well, it costs more than the 54R stuff.

 

[Maverick223]

What RC said. The Mauser is a very good design, there is a reason that it has been copied time and time again. It is probably the most influential bolt action rifle ever created. Oh, now I have gone and done it.

 

[flyboy1788]

As far as which is a "better rifle". The mauser IS the better rifle hands down. Stronger action, better trigger, better overall metalwork and woodwork (assuming we ARE talking about a kar98k), and they have good reputations for accuracy. I have a mosin nagant and I will probobly wind up owning more, because they are neat little rifles and they are simple, reliable, etc. etc. but if it came down to it and I had to choose between my kar98k and my m91, I would pick the kar98k without even thinking twice. If given the choice, I would rather pay 300 for a russian capture 98k than pay 100 for rearsenaled mosin in comparitive condition. This post may seem like I am bashing mosins. I am not. I like my mosin, they are good rifles, but I LOVE my mauser.

 

[jpwilly]

Mauser = German perfection, overbuilt, and quality workmanship.

Mosin Nagant = Typical Russian "good nuff" rugged & reliable.

 

[Dr. Unclear]

Another thing to consider is the Finnish Mosins, like the M39. It's damn accurate and a step up frm the Russian mn in terms of build quality. You can buy then online if you dig around from the low $200s.

 

[Maverick223]

Mauser = German perfection, overbuilt, and quality workmanship.

Mosin Nagant = Typical Russian "good nuff" rugged & reliable.

JP, you hit the nail on the head...which just happens to be another thing that Mosins are good for.

 

[nathan]

I fired both and both can achieve an average of 3 inch groups at 100 yds and thats on sandbag hold. Id say they are par in accuracy. Ammo were all surplus .

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

While I would begrudgingly admit that the mauser is probably generally of better quality, the 91/30 is a nice, reliable rifle, and a lot of fun to shoot. Mine is remarkably accurate, dead-on reliable, and, for lack of a better way of putting it, it feels good in my hands.

The only sure solution to your quandry is to buy them both and do your own comparison

 

[DMK]

The only sure solution to your quandry is to buy them both...

That is the only correct answer.

 

[lencac]

I've also owned multiples of both. Mausers are really great and has been the standard by which most other bolt rifles are compared.
The Mosin is a rather ingenious rifle. Is it of the same quality as a Mauser or Springfield 1903? Absolutely not, but then it was never intended to be. Considering the barrel of a Mosin is little more than a piece of pipe they are surprisingly accurate. Using surplus ammo is no measure of accuracy. Using handloads on both rifle you will find they are both capable of pretty damn good accuracy. Are they accurate like a Swiss K31? No, but nothing is.
Either one will be a good choice.

 

[gunsmithandy]

i would have to go with the mosin nagant, because its a rifle rifle. and the 98K is the carbine version of the mausers used back in WW1. but thats my opinion. if im wrong on the info i just gave please let me know because i would like to get my facts straight.

 

[rcmodel]

It is a carbine in name only.

It has a 23.2" barrel and is almost the same length & weight as the U.S. 1903 Springfield rifle.

rc

 

[Maverick223]

A carbine can and will often exhibit exemplary accuracy that surpasses a full length rifle...and as RC said above the Karabiner version is far from short so the velocity does not suffer much.