Mosin Nagant Sporterizing Help

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DPris

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Continued from the long-running Mosin thread where I brought up questions re scope mounts, stock, and so on in sporterizing a Mosin.

ATI stock OK?
Boyds (which I had looked into) better?
Standard scope will not clear the bolt handle with any known conventionally-located mount?
I need a bent bolt to clear a conventional scope?

The project is to build a decent sporter without paying much more than necessary.

Any suggestions appreciated.
Denis
 
IMO, the ATI stock is little better, if at all, to the factory stock.

They don't always fit the rifle very well, and need some finishing to get things right. You are going to save a little bit of weight, but not a whole lot. I'd save up and get a Boyd's if you insist on changing the stock.
 
I like the ATI stock, I found the best deal at a local show $50 I think is what I paid. The only scope mount that does not need a turn down handle is a long eye relief mount that replaces the rear sight. Buyer beware on those I could never get mine to hold zero, but I have heard other people had good luck. My sporterized mosin is an M44, however It is mostly back to stock since I had little luck with any accessories and did not want to chop my bolt up. I believe SARCO sells a turned downed bolt if you dont want to chop yours. What model are you planning to sporterize?
 
I too have an M-44. I have the long relief scope mount in liue of the rear sight. A generous application of red lock tite gel and it hasn't budged under the recoil. Prior to the lock tite, it was rattling loose after a couple rounds, so the thread locker is a must for that type of mount.

Bolt turn down kits from ATI have a lot of mixed reviews. The DIY home gunsmith with a hacksaw and a drill press with taps should get fairly decent results from them if they know what they are doing. However, again, thread locker is a must have. A better option would be to simply weld it. There are enough places out there doing bolt turn-downs, save yourself the headache, if not the $, and have it done by a pro.
 
I've done some brief checking around & found the ATI can require some fitting, but I'm looking at it as a relatively inexpensive stock that'd "match" the....less-than-highly-polished re-blue on the 1940 Tula, and keep costs down somewhat.

Looked at the Boyds, it strikes me as being a little fancy for the metalwork. Obviously nicer than the ATI, but maybe TOO nice?

Re the scope, the primary reason for using one is to have a sighting capability once the barrel's cut back to 20-22 inches or so, losing the front sight.
Secondary reason is accuracy.

The goal on this project is an inexpensive hunter built economically from a widely available & inexpensive surplus rifle, so while it's not necessary to squeeze every penny, if I end up putting $600 into it there's no real advantage over going with a commercial rifle.

Sounds like, if I want to put glass on it, I do need a bent bolt.
I have a scout scope here, but I don't personally like the Scout configuration.

I WILL have necessary metalwork done by a pro, so would the ATI bolt kit be a good way to go, with a gunsmith doing it?

Ordinarily, I'd keep a vintage surplus battle rifle in original condition, but I need a sporterized version for a specific reason.
The metal's good on the sample I have, wood's pretty chewed up, I don't feel too bad about chopping the rifle.
Denis
 
The ATI stock is designed with a very long forearm, If you cut your barrel back to 20"s it will probably look out of place. At least to me it would, kinda like some Styers. Ive never really gotten a chance to look the ATI stock over, if it can be cut back then you could always shorten it to how you want....or hey you might like the long forearm look :D
I wouldnt use the ATI bolt kit personally, ive seen one and didnt care for it. A decent bent bolt should cost about 50 bucks, or buy a handle and have a local weld it on. What im using on mine right now is something i made for another project, its screwed on and id like to have it welded properly.
 
I suppose the barrel could run to 24 inches, if necessary. I have not tried to picture it mentally in the ATI stock.
Would prefer shorter, but...

Better off & simpler to just have my local guy bend the existing bolt, you think?
Denis
 
On the Boyds stock, with or without the high comb?
How high is a scope likely to end up?
Denis
 
Probably about the night of Med or high rings on a standard action. Nagants handles are a bit too short to be bent (forged). They need to be removed and have another installed in their place.

I'm probably going to go with the Monte Carlo stock for line.
 
I was thinking that too, on the Boyds, if we're going to end up with a fairly high scope.
Might actually try both Boyds & ATI. Wouldn't hurt to cover both approaches.

You think the typical re-arsenaled metalwork might look too ratty in the wood?
You know we hate to have fashion accessories that clash... :)

Hadn't really looked at the bolt on this thing, thanks for the info there.
Denis
 
Nothing wrong with having both stocks if youve got the money to burn, you can always dump one later to recoup some of the cost after picking the one you want.
You could paint the boyds stock, or barreled action, to make it look a little......more even?

My nagant was made in 43, and shows horrid finish, looks like the reciever was shapped with a die grinder. Im going to take the crown off the top, try to kinda smooth it out, and dura coate it black when i get the boyds stock.

Oh as a note, boyds walnut stocks are pretty plain, i think it would look fine with ANY finish on your rifle.
 
Last edited:
The wood stock will be more rigid. The ATI is pretty cheap.

I used the Rock Solid mount and med rings.

DSCN8563.JPG
 
Thats a lovely looking rifle Tempest, pretty much exactly what im hopping to end up with when im done.
 
The ATI stock is alright for what it is... I wouldn't mind it on a hunting/plinking set up. Anything for target shooting though, I'd try to get something a little nicer.
 
Loon,
This whole project's tax deductible, so I can go both directions if I need to. :)
I should have the ATI on the way, guess it wouldn't hurt to try the Boyds too.
Anybody know if the pad on the Boyds is any good? Understand the ATI pad is kinda hard & may need replacing for 7.62x54R recoil.

Temp,
How solid IS that mount on your rifle? I'd be using a smaller scope than yours. What bolt do you use?
Tempest on the wall's nice.
I had a gold '67 Goat, went through three sets of timing gears, wish I still had it today. :)
Four barrel Holley, 400 engine, four-speed Hurst.
Them was the days.....

Ineb,
For this project, a kickaround hunter/plinker stock would work fine, that's why I initially thought of the inexpensive ATI.

Denis
 
The Boyds stocks come with a rubber "pad" thats more like just a plate. I put a limbsavers grind to fit on my .300 and left the pad alone on my 6x47. The nagant might need a better pad, but that depends on the amount of shooting and your recoil tolerance.
 
Sounds like a better pad's in order. :)
Thanks.
Denis
 
Denis said:
For this project, a kickaround hunter/plinker stock would work fine, that's why I initially thought of the inexpensive ATI.
Click to expand...

Then yeah man, go for it. My buddy has one on one of his, and I really like it. It took some fitting, but he said it took maybe 15 minutes to get it to work right. May not be winning any benchrest matches with it, but you'll be able to pop soda cans at 100 yards all day long.
 
Temp,
How solid IS that mount on your rifle? I'd be using a smaller scope than yours. What bolt do you use?
Tempest on the wall's nice.
I had a gold '67 Goat, went through three sets of timing gears, wish I still had it today.
Four barrel Holley, 400 engine, four-speed Hurst.
Them was the days.....
Click to expand...

The Rock Solid is the best. After some research, it appeared the only choice if you want it done right. That is the original bolt head, with a modified bolt body from Rock Solid.

The blue '66 is a buddy's car I did the motor on. I have a Pro Street one just a little more modified! :)
 
If you REALLY want to do this, consider just buying a repro sniper
the scope and mount cost about 150, to 200 (for you to do it, depending on which one)

the installation isn't that easy, it's doable, but it's not putting a scope on a rail.

Stocks...
well, the ATI is heavier, less rigid, and less well fit to the Mosin...
I wish there was a better quality stock, but hey, I've got one in it, and there are more than a few who pick up bubba's rifles and the first thing they do is toss the ATI stock, so

offer around and few boards you might get a deal (and 50 is little high)

the handle
there are a number of places that sell bent bolt bodies, a number of styles and most will cost you about the SAME as the stupid ATI kit
so
ATI cheesy kit Vs. a professionally bent bolt body
similar price point, I'd buy the professional job.

http://mosinnagant.net/boltman/boltman.html
Tngunparts.com USED to be the best source for Mosin parts, but the site is down so IDK if he is still in business, he also had just about everything for the K31 too.
 
Have a Boyds high-comb walnut stock on the way.
Waiting to hear back from Rock Solid on mount & bolt.
Waiting to hear back from The Boltman.

Gunsmith will do the necessary work on whatever's...necessary. :)

Thanks!

Temp,
Y'know, I could be seriously envious.
Always liked the body style, among other things. :)
Denis
 
I havent been able to get intouch with the boltman in a couple tries, i like his ati style bolt better then the handle offerd by Rocksolid. But either way youll get a good quality product.

You know....i hate you guys, i cant even look at an older american car here, for fear the cost, much less own one :D
 
Loon,
I had to give up on the good old stuff years ago. Too much money to do a restoration right & keep it going, parts are drying up, mechanics who knew those old critters are dying.

Had to let a nice little '61 Ford project go right in the middle a while back, it was always two steps back for one step forward, and with $3700 into it & a long way to go still I'd just had enough.
Denis
 
Yeah, ive got a friend whos a very good mechanic, and a real "Car" guy. He rebuilt a 68 camero not to long ago. Im not a real mechanic, and i stick to imports lol, but i WANTED it.
 
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