Mosin Nagant recoil pad question

[meef]

Was at Big 5 yesterday and saw a really cherry M44 for $74 - so naturally I had to buy it. Wasn't a matter of need, more like compulsion.

At any rate, now that I had it (and never having owned or shot a Mosin) I had to figure out what to do with it. I'm not recoil-shy but don't find a sharp kick to the shoulder to necessarily be one of life's more enjoyable pleasures. The last bolt action rifle I owned (a long time ago), a Remington Model 600 in .308, cured me of any such notions.

So - since the rifle cost so little I thought I'd play with it and do the poor man's scout rifle thing to it, including the addition of a recoil pad. Any and all advice or suggestions would be welcome since as I said, I'm Mosin ignorant. Ideas for scope mounts, scopes, various miscellaneous mods, whatever - I'm all ears (Ross Perot).

 

[rust collector]

You may want to play with it a little to see what needs work first. Get some of the Czech practice ammo--very easy on the shoulder. See if you like it, and work on the bits that could stand improving as time and money permit. Getting a recoil shield for your shoulder when you're shooting the heavier stuff is a really low dollar solution to the recoil issue, and can be used for other guns as well.

I had scoffed at M_Ns for many years, and have to confess that my M-44 is a hoot. Worst thing about it is the water cleanup due to corrosive ammo, but the windex treatment gives you a bigger time window.

Once mod fever sets in, there are scope mounts that affix to the sight base, I believe, or you can get aftermarket sniper scope and mounts that require a drill and tap. Aftermarket stocks are out there, permanent or slip-on pads can be mounted and a decent sling can be affixed with QC mounts.

 

[George S.]

Either a Pachmeyer slip-on pad or a PAST shoulder pad will work. I use a shoulder pad for my 91/30 and it helps a lot. The M44 has a pretty sharp recoil to it and you will love the muzzle blast and light show!!

The M44 is really a close-in fighting type of rifle. The 91/30 has a battle zero of 200 yds and the M44 has a barrel shorter by a good 8-10 inches. The rifle is most accurate with the bayonet extended as it helps with harmonics (after the last round you can always charge the target!!)

A common problem with Mosins is the amount of lacquer build-up in the chamber after years of shooting lacquer-coated steel-case ammo. The lacquer coating would eventually transfer to the chamber wall and stay there. Indications of this will be difficulty in opening the bolt after shooting.

You can clean this out by taking an old 12-ga brass cleaning brush in the end
of a rod and put the rod in a drill. Soak the brush in something like Gun Scrubber or non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner and insert the brush in the chamber and run the drill while slowly moving the brush back and forth. Lacquer thinner may be used too but remove the barrel from the stock before doing this.

You might find the bore to look black and pitted but do a good cleaning with some bore paste and shoot a bunch and it will wind up looking fairly decent.

Here's some Mosin links that might be a help:
http://www.7.62x54r.net/
http://www.surplusrifle.com/mosincarbine/index.asp
http://www.surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp
(for the 91/30 which you will buy next!! )

http://www.mosinnagant.net/i3tro4.asp
I use the Czech 148gr silver-tip ammo and it seems to be fairly accurate.

And last, this forum: http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/phpBB2/index.php There is a lot of good info here, but they are pretty much purists and don't really care for sporterizing or modding the Russian rifles or the people that do. Go to their home page http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com and turn up the sound!!

 

[railroader]

They sell rubber recoil pads at walmart for $10. They slip over the butt of the rifle. I have one on my m-44 and my 91/30 and they help alot. You can go here for scopes and scout mounts. Mark

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/m44.html mount

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/rincolsizfon.html rings

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/targetsports1.html scopes

 

[meef]

Thanks for the help guys! Much appreciation for the time you spent filling me in with the ideas and links that are going to make playing with my new project way more enjoyable!

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

'Past' (a brand) sells a recoil pad that you wear over or under your regular clothes and is made for left or right hand shooters, of course.

They come in a variety of thicknesses for a variety of recoil applications. Depending on the thickness they run anywhere from $22-27.

The advantage of these is that usually one particular thickness will cover a wide range of calibers and if you intend to have a couple or three high powered rifles it would pay for itself quickly and if you have, or intend to have, several large rifles you can even save yourself money in the long run.

Also, if anyone is like me and has arthritis in his/her shoulders the recoil shield is a God-send. I've tried some of the more solid rubber types that fit onto the gunstock and, although they do cut down on the recoil felt, they still let my shoulder take a beating. Past recoil pads are much more user friendly-physically.

I noticed some time back Cheaper Than Dirt Has them on-line and I would imagine others like Miday would too. If you shop around home I would think a lot of local gun shooters supply stores would also carry them.

Just a thought.

 

[Sactown]

I have a removable Limb-Saver recoil pad that I use for my M38, 91/30/ and Mausers. It reduces recoil down to make shooting comfortable. I'd recommend it.

 

[Bridger]

I have the PAST recoil shield and have been using it for shooting my mausers and such off the rest. It is a HUGE difference, and well worth it for shooting off the rest and prone. Recoil never bothered me from sitting/kneeling and offhand.

 

[redhogg1]

Here is a site that has recoil pads for custom made for mosin nagant rifle www.milsurpenterprises.com

 

[Vaarok]

Dishtowel folded into quarters.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I've got a Finn 39, Finn 28, and an M44. Gotta say, the M44 is the most fun!

 

[Mr White]

I've got a Finn 39, Finn 28, and an M44. Gotta say, the M44 is the most fun!

I guess fun is in the eye of the shooter. I can't hit the broadside of a barn from the inside with my M44, but I could easily burn down the whole farm with one shot. I can pick which board of the barn I want to shoot from 300 yds with my M39 though.

Meef, A slip-on butt pad from WalMart is almost a must for an M44 IMO. I'm not a small guy and the M44 borders on unpleasant to shoot w/o one. I find 2 sweatshirts and a heavy coat works too but is impractical for summer shooting. Those Ruskies musta been some bada$$ mofos.

 

[_N4Z_]

With the Mosins you can shoot without a pad, so long as your position is standing or kneeling. Go prone or set it on a table and then you are going to experience discomfort.

I use a slip on for rested work, or sometimes just a handtowel rolled up.

No permanent alterations though.