A Mosin-Nagant (especially the shorter M38 and M44) CAN be unpleasant to shoot, but they don't have to be that way. These rifles shoot a .30-'06 class cartridge, which really produces a lot of power at both ends. The problem, though, is that the Mosin-Nagant has a steel buttplate and is typically short-stocked. This, I believe, leads to shooters awkwardly or incorrectly mounting the stock, often resulting in painful felt recoil. One easy solution is to attach a small-size Limbsaver slip-on recoil pad. The pad is cheap, fits nearly perfectly, increases the length of pull to a more normal level, and cushions the shoulder considerably. It's an easy fix.