Mosin Nagant Question
- Thread starter wil1969
- Start date
- Status
W.E.G.
Member
The Nagant is a bolt-action gun that headspaces on the rim of the cartridge.
Exactly what SAFETY ISSUE related to headspace do you think could be in play?
Exactly what SAFETY ISSUE related to headspace do you think could be in play?
If I got an old military rifle and knew nothing about headspace, I might ask a question like this.
I would much rather get an answer explaining the difference between headspace on the rim vs headspace somewhere else, that may be a safety issue, rather than a snide remark telling me that I am ignorant of headspace.
PS: I don't know anything about headspace.
I would much rather get an answer explaining the difference between headspace on the rim vs headspace somewhere else, that may be a safety issue, rather than a snide remark telling me that I am ignorant of headspace.
PS: I don't know anything about headspace.
Last edited:
fireman 9731
Member
I have never checked the 3 of mine, but it certainly couldn't hurt. If it was new in cosmoline and in decent shape, its probably fine.
Cosmoline
Member
I've only had a few M-N's with truly bad headspace. Those were in really, really rough condition. The vast bulk of the ones in the US today have been rearsenaled by the Eastblock after the war or converted by the Finns for SA use. There might be some imperfections in head spacing, but the design is very forgiving.
The problems are a lot more significant with surplus Mausers, where I had a lot of headspace issues and even took to carrying an 8x57JS field gauge with me to gun stores. This may be because the Mosin has a "backup" headspace potential on the shoulder if there are problems with the rim, or may be because of the three part bolt design.
Anyway I would not worry about it if you've got one in good condition with matching numbers.
The problems are a lot more significant with surplus Mausers, where I had a lot of headspace issues and even took to carrying an 8x57JS field gauge with me to gun stores. This may be because the Mosin has a "backup" headspace potential on the shoulder if there are problems with the rim, or may be because of the three part bolt design.
Anyway I would not worry about it if you've got one in good condition with matching numbers.
snake284
Member
Always ask the question. Never leave potentially important issues to chance or being shy about asking. And anyone who gives you a smart answer doesn't belong on a forum. We are all here to learn and nobody knows it all. JMHO!
caribou
Member
On a rimless cartridge such as the .30-06, the stopping surface is the shoulder. On a rimmed cartridge like the .30-30 or 7.62X54R, the headspace is the gap for the rim. On a belted magnum, headspace is the gap for the belt.
You can basicly swap bolt heads, and as long as they are all within tollerance (and its very rare that they are not) your good to go.
Mosin Nagants, especcially ones fresh outta the cosmo are "combat Ready" brought into spec with refurbishment in an arsenal and then stored for WWIII.
Clean that cosmo!!!
Get it outta the chamber , or you will have issues with extraction. Cosmo after 60 years of drying can look like shine clean steel. Use a solvent and a good chamber brush, rinsing with the solvent untill it runs clean. I use a 20 gause brush and gasoiline.
Be carefull with your stock, as the gas or other bore solvents can strip the varnish off the wood. Some who like to shoot and keep 'em shiney dismount the wood from the barreld action, thought this too can scrape the varnish, or they are carefull not to spill any solvents or alcohol on the varnish either.
The wood would normally be stripped with the cosmo when the rifle was isseud to the soldier,and a nice oil applied to both the stoick and the steel.
The varnish on the stock is to protect it like the cosmo is doing.
Clean it, shoot it and smile....then clean it good and put it away for the next days shooting
Be sure to use a water based cleaning solvet if you shoot milsurp ammo, its almost all corrosive.
A Mosin will tell you when you need to clean it, its action will stiffen up.
They come with a cleaning kit and an issued screw driver that also has a firing pin protrusion gauge set into its side.
Use 'em
You can basicly swap bolt heads, and as long as they are all within tollerance (and its very rare that they are not) your good to go.
Mosin Nagants, especcially ones fresh outta the cosmo are "combat Ready" brought into spec with refurbishment in an arsenal and then stored for WWIII.
Clean that cosmo!!!
Get it outta the chamber , or you will have issues with extraction. Cosmo after 60 years of drying can look like shine clean steel. Use a solvent and a good chamber brush, rinsing with the solvent untill it runs clean. I use a 20 gause brush and gasoiline.
Be carefull with your stock, as the gas or other bore solvents can strip the varnish off the wood. Some who like to shoot and keep 'em shiney dismount the wood from the barreld action, thought this too can scrape the varnish, or they are carefull not to spill any solvents or alcohol on the varnish either.
The wood would normally be stripped with the cosmo when the rifle was isseud to the soldier,and a nice oil applied to both the stoick and the steel.
The varnish on the stock is to protect it like the cosmo is doing.
Clean it, shoot it and smile....then clean it good and put it away for the next days shooting
Be sure to use a water based cleaning solvet if you shoot milsurp ammo, its almost all corrosive.
A Mosin will tell you when you need to clean it, its action will stiffen up.
They come with a cleaning kit and an issued screw driver that also has a firing pin protrusion gauge set into its side.
Use 'em
Last edited:
Carl N. Brown
Member
Most Mosin Nagants were arsenal reconditioned and safety checked before being put in storage.
I have a Frankenmosin Model 53 assembled from the best parts of four different guns . Even with a cartridge that headspaces on the rim, you can get a combo of receiver, bolt body and bolt head that can either have tight headspace or sloppy. Mine is tight. But guns assembled from poorly matched parts can be dangerous. The question in the opening post (OP) should be asked.
I have a Frankenmosin Model 53 assembled from the best parts of four different guns
. Even with a cartridge that headspaces on the rim, you can get a combo of receiver, bolt body and bolt head that can either have tight headspace or sloppy. Mine is tight. But guns assembled from poorly matched parts can be dangerous. The question in the opening post (OP) should be asked.- Status
