Mosin Nagant Rifles

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SwordRapier

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What are your thoughts about Mosin Nagant Rifles? I am sort of interested in buying one but I really don't know anything about them. I know they are a soviet military surplus. Because they are surplus items what sort of things should I be aware of?
 
Let's see...

- Strong as tank

- Extremely reliable

- The cheapest milsurp you can buy on the market (as little as $80)

- They can be very accurate

- They are loud (especially the carbines)

- They fire the second most powerful WWII battle rifle round after the 30-06 (very very close in performance anyway) just above a full power 7.92x57mm, easy to find and one of the cheapest in its performance class (both surplus and civilian). It is the longest serving military cartridge in the world still in active combat duty with major world armed forces.

- Historical significance

What not to like?? Yes they are addictive...personally I drew the line at 3....
 
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Alright, now that all the good points have been mentioned (I got my M44 for $69.95...)

The things to look for are few. If you're paying $100, you should be getting the bayonet, too, at least. The cleaning kit and ammo pouch are good to have, too.

The biggest thing to look for is the bore. Get a light in there and take a good look. Shiny, unpitted, and with good sharp rifling.

A friend of mine got a 91/30 made in 1939 and all its accessories for $110, threw a cheap scope on it, and shoots Bulgarian light ball ($80/440rd) into 2.25" groups at 100 yards, using his elbow as a rest. Various modern loads do better.
 
I'd suggest spending a little more and going with a Finnish Mosin. There are hundreds of threads on this subject if you do a search BTW.
 
just bought one today and my only regret is that being that this is my first, I know I am addicted.

anyone know a good scout scope setup, mounts and rings specifically?
 
Sorry but as a purist I have to tell you that you should leave yoru Mosin as it is....i snto worth it to scope it....by the time you are done you may have ruined what little value the rifle has and, honestly, you can find a decent used sporter, often already scoped, for $200 or so...heck Wal Mart sells a brand new Mossberg ATR in 30-06 and a 3-9X 40 scope for $249....
 
I'd suggest spending a little more and going with a Finnish Mosin. There are hundreds of threads on this subject if you do a search BTW.

Cosmoline


Unless the guy is a specific milsurp collector, for less money than a Finnish Mosin you can probably can buy a good modern hunting rifle new or used in very good shape and with a scope....
 
I haven't scoped mine, and am very happy with it. While anything over 300yards is out of the question for me, 200 yards with iron sites on a deer sized target is very plausible. Just remember, if it shoots low, there are really cheap methods for fixing it on the internet, using straws...

Welcome to the Mosin Club!:)
 
I bought one from Big 5 for $99 bucks and a tuna can 440 rounds of ammo for $85. Mosin are the best buy in shooting sports right now.
 
for less money than a Finnish Mosin you can probably can buy a good modern hunting rifle new or used in very good shape and with a scope.

You can buy all that for $200 or $250? It wasn't the OP who said he was going to scope it or needed it for hunting.
 
Mosin Nagant.....

The ergonomics of a 2x4
Smooth as sandpaper
Kick like a mule

More rugged & reliable than an ak, power of a 308/30 06, inexpensive ammo
Definataly one of the best guns for the least price you will find anywhere
 
The Nagant is one of those funny quirks that happen in history.

It represents state of the art in 1888 action design.

Within three three years it is slightly outdated when Mauser creates the M1891 action.

Within six years it is really outdated when Mauser introduces the milestone action M1894.

Within ten years it is, for all practical purposes obsolescent when the great M1898 Mauser is introduced.

However, having put so much time and energy into adopting it, given that changing the logistical change is so expensive, the Russians keep it.

The Soviets were so broke, after the civil war with the Whites, they also could not afford a change over. They made more, because they had the facilities, tools, and their peasant Army understood enough to make the thing go bang.

So the rifle stays in inventory. Millions were made in WWII, and probably millions made post war.

I consider the Mosin Nagant a clunky action. But it works. Rimmed rounds were obsolete when rimless rounds came out, but in this mechanism, they work. The 7.62 X 54R is powerful enough for most anything in North American.

I suspect it would not be a top choice for Grizzly, but there are not any grizzly in the swamps of the South. So, I ain't worried.

Go pick out a rifle with a bright barrel, no pitting, and matching bolt to receiver numbers. If more numbers match, yahoo!

You cannot beat what you get for the price. It will get you from A to B.

Just don't complain that it does not come with cup holders, Air Conditioning, or surround sound stereo. You are getting the stripped model.
 
I suspect it would not be a top choice for Grizzly, but there are not any grizzly in the swamps of the South. So, I ain't worried.

In Siberia it is

Check this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU3wIorO04s


Cosmoline

Can you find a Finnish for $250??

Yes you can buy right now a brand new Mossberg ATR and scope combo (run of the mill cheap 3-9X 40) for $249 at Wal Mart.

Around Western Wa you can find several already sporterized Mauser 98 in 30-06, often scoped, for $200 or less shopping around.
 
Mosinitis is a serious disease - :evil: - It can be hazardous to your pocket book.

Don't ever put two Mosin's in the same gun safe or cabinet, they breed like rabbits. (At least that's what I told my wife :D)
 
Mosinitis is a serious disease - :evil: - It can be hazardous to your pocket book.

Don't ever put two Mosin's in the same gun safe or cabinet, they breed like rabbits. (At least that's what I told my wife :D)
I place two propped up against the wall in what I euphemistically refer to as my gun room and now I have a little M44. :D
 
I think it might be a bit of a stretch to say that one bolt action rifle was made obsolete by another bolt action rifle in terms of war implements. While there was advancement, there was not a substantial leap forward that resulted in the obsolesence of the mosin. But, that's me.

It would be like saying that the m240 made the m60 obsolete.
 
Five here, to include a 1917 Remington and two M44s. I don't think I am anywhere close to being done, especially since my C&R should be here in a few weeks...
 
You cannot have a discussion about Mosin Nagants without this chart. :)
From http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinHumor.htm

AK vs AR vs Mosin Nagant

Stuff you know if you have an AK
Stuff you know if you have an AR
Stuff you know if you have a Mosin Nagant

It works though you have never cleaned it. Ever.
You have $9 per ounce special non-detergent synthetic Teflon infused oil for cleaning.
It was last cleaned in Berlin in 1945.

You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from inside.
You are able to hit the broad side of a barn from 600 meters.
You can hit the farm from two counties over.

Cheap mags are fun to buy.
Cheap mags melt.
What's a mag?

Your safety can be heard from 300 meters away.
You can silently flip off the safety with your finger on the trigger.
What's a safety?

Your rifle comes with a cheap nylon sling.
Your rifle has a 9 point stealth tactical suspension system.
You rifle has dog collars.

Your bayonet makes a good wire cutter.
Your bayonet is actually a pretty good steak knife.
Your bayonet is longer than your leg.

You can put a .30" hole through 12" of oak, if you can hit it.
You can put one hole in a paper target at 100 meters with 30 rounds.
You can knock down everyone else's target with the shock wave of your bullet going downrange.

When out of ammo your rifle will nominally pass as a club.
When out of ammo, your rifle makes a great wiffle bat.
When out of ammo, your rifle makes a supreme war club, pike, boat oar, tent pole, or firewood.

Recoil is manageable, even fun.
What's recoil?
Recoil is often used to relocate shoulders thrown out by the previous shot.

Your sight adjustment goes to "10", and you've never bothered moving it.
Your sight adjustment is incremented in fractions of minute of angle.
Your sight adjustment goes to 12 miles and you've actually tried it.

Your rifle can be used by any two bit nation's most illiterate conscripts to fight elite forces worldwide.
Your rifle is used by elite forces worldwide to fight two bit nations' most illiterate conscripts.
Your rifle has fought against itself and won every time.

Your rifle won some revolutions.
Your rifle won the Cold War.
Your rifle won a pole vault event.

You paid $350.
You paid $900.
You paid $59.95.

You buy cheap ammo by the case.
You lovingly reload precision crafted rounds one by one.
You dig your ammo out of a farmer's field in Ukraine and it works just fine.

You can intimidate your foe with the bayonet mounted.
You foes laugh when you mount your bayonet.
You can bayonet your foe on the other side of the river without leaving the comfort of your hole.

Service life, 50 years.
Service life, 40 years.
Service life, 100 years, and counting.

It's easier to buy a new rifle when you want to change cartridge sizes.
You can change cartridge sizes with the push of a couple of pins and a new upper.
You believe no real man would dare risk the ridicule of his friends by suggesting there is anything but 7.62x54r.

You can repair your rifle with a big hammer and a swift kick.
You can repair your rifle by taking it to a certified gunsmith, it's under warranty!
If your rifle breaks, you buy a new one.

You consider it a badge of honor when you get your handguards to burst into flames.
You consider it a badge of honor when you shoot a sub-MOA 5 shot group.
You consider it a badge of honor when you cycle 5 rounds without the aid of a 2x4.

After a long day the range you relax by watching "Red Dawn".
After a long day at the range you relax by watching "Blackhawk Down".
After a long day at the range you relax by visiting the chiropractor.

After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for a stiff shot of Vodka.
After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for hotdogs and apple pie.
After cleaning your rifle you have a strong urge for shishkabob.

You can accessorize you rifle with a new muzzle brake or a nice stock set.
Your rifle's accessories are eight times more valuable than your rifle.
Your rifle's accessory is a small tin can with a funny lid, but it's buried under an apartment building somewhere in Budapest.

Your rifle's finish is varnish and paint.
Your rifle's finish is Teflon and high tech polymers.
Your rifle's finish is low grade shellac, cosmoline and Olga's toe nails.

Your wife tolerates your autographed framed picture of Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Your wife tolerates your autographed framed picture of Eugene Stoner.
You're not sure there WERE cameras to photograph Sergei Mosin.

Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to hold your rifle over your head and shout "Wolverines!"
Late at night you sometimes have to fight the urge to clear your house, slicing the pie from room to room.
Late at night, you sometimes have to fight the urge to dig a fighting trench in the the yard to sleep in.

There you have it. In the end, it is clear to any open minded inquirer that the Mosin Nagant is the most superior weapon of all time, but the AR and the AK come out as a draw when compared side by side.
 
I actually forget how many I have :rolleyes:

Off hand, I think the current tally is 16 of various flavors. I stopped collecting Mosins around 6 years ago, when I got distracted by filling out my US collection (darn that CMP...)

Russian M91s x 2
M91/30 x 5
M91/30 sniper x 1
Finnish M91s x 2 (including a Westinghouse)
Finnish M39s x 3
M38 x 1
M44s x 3 (Russia, Poland, Hungary)
Type 53 x 1 (China)
 
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I agree with Saturno V that the Mosin-Nagant rifles shouldn't be scoped. You just add a bunch of cost to have a goofy, gun with little advantage. These rifles are great as iron sighted truck guns. They can be quick handling, hard hitting, reliable rifles. One should love them as they are.

One note, however, is that Mosins are a bit different than Mauser based rifles in handling and operation, so you will probably need to shoot it a bunch to become confident with it.
Mauserguy
 
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