Mosin-Nagant
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Cosmoline
Member
I've had my best luck with pre-war 91/30's and Finnish M-39's.
Keep in mind that just having an [SA] mark doesnt' mean it's going to be a great shooter. A lot of their earlier rifles went through some of the toughest fighting in human history, so they're not up to a lot of range sessions. The M-39's were issued during the somewhat less intense Continuation War, so they're often in much better condition than the M-27's, M-28's and so on.
One area I have yet to explore is the original M-91's. I've heard that if you can find one in good condition they actually make excellent shooters, albeit a bit on the heavy side.
Keep in mind that just having an [SA] mark doesnt' mean it's going to be a great shooter. A lot of their earlier rifles went through some of the toughest fighting in human history, so they're not up to a lot of range sessions. The M-39's were issued during the somewhat less intense Continuation War, so they're often in much better condition than the M-27's, M-28's and so on.
One area I have yet to explore is the original M-91's. I've heard that if you can find one in good condition they actually make excellent shooters, albeit a bit on the heavy side.
I have about 20 Finnish rifles (M27, M28, M28-30, M91/30, M91 Tikka, and M39s). All of them are very accurate. My two best are a M39 B-barrel and the M91 Tikka. Some have excellent bores and some have so-so bores but all shoot great.
Right now the only ones easily found are the M39s. Wholesale Guns and Ammo have them at very reasonable costs. The best values are the excellent VKTs and Sakos.
Compared to Russian mosins there were very few Finn mosins made. Hence they are destined to be worth much more to a collector.
Get them while they are available.
Right now the only ones easily found are the M39s. Wholesale Guns and Ammo have them at very reasonable costs. The best values are the excellent VKTs and Sakos.
Compared to Russian mosins there were very few Finn mosins made. Hence they are destined to be worth much more to a collector.
Get them while they are available.
Tropical Z
Member
Dont necessarily avoid Russian Mosins just because theyre Russian.I have 3 nice M44's and just got a pretty nice 91/30.The prices on Russian Mosins is great right now.You NEED at least 3 or 4!
Zeke Menuar
Member
Get out there and pound the pavement. I found an original un-arsenaled Hungarian M-44 that is in great shape and shoots real good. It was in a back corner of a small local gunshop. Owner had it tagged as Russian. Got a great deal and a good shooter.
ZM
ZM
cool45auto
Member
I've got a 91/30. Check at www.mosin-nagant.net for some info on the history and markings of these guns.
I'm not looking for uber-accuracy, just an inexpensive and reliable bolt-action for fun and defense if needed. Big 5 Sporting Goods has a few Nagants on sale, one for $80 and one for $130...the $80 has ugly furniture, with a kinda bright orange/reddish varnish one it, the $130 one has unvarnished plain wood. They have the bayonets for $25, but no stripper clips. Where can I get those, or can I get away with loading the Nagant by hand with loose ammo?
Tropical Z
Member
You need to find an FFL in your area who will order in a Russian 91/30 from InterOrdnance ($75.00 with shipping) and charge you no more than $25.00 to do the transfer.IO's 91/30's have nice barrels and come with accessories including the sweet 19" long bayonet!
www.interordnance.com
www.interordnance.com
Redlg155
Member
Look no further. Your salvation lies in the M44!
Super fun. Literally a heck of a blast to shoot and very inexpensive. Definitely a hair raiser. It will also get you to decide whether or not you like the whole Nagant thing prior to buying a more expensive Finn.
Now if you are a calmer person....please get a 91/30. It will go good with a cup of tea.
If you are interested in ordering I've found that Aztec Arms has very good stuff. http://www.aztecguns.com/ I've got a very nice M38 from them.
They are running a sale now $49.95 for any of the standard models. M38, M44, 91/30.
Good Shooting
Red
Beetle Bailey
Member
Where do you live? Last time I checked a month ago, here in sunny Southern California, the local Big 5's (at least the three nearest to me) sell any and all of the Mosin Nagants for the same price: $80. And may be it was employee ignorance (he was the manager) but all the accessories came with it at that price
. Also, I got my stripper clips on (I forget) either www.gunbroker.com or www.ebay.com and they work okay, but I heard real Russian made and Ishvesk marked ones are better but harder to find. If you can swing it, go for a Finn like Cosmo and Bill said, but the Russians are also a great deal.
jamz
Member
I shot my M44 for the first time today. All I can really say is...
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Much more fun than I had expected.
-James
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Much more fun than I had expected.
-James
DMK
Member
Let me just add, you don't need stripper clips to shoot a Mosin-Nagant. It's not like a Garand. You can load the rounds into the 5 round internal magazine one at a time. Some even prefer to do it that way. All the strippers do for you is make the rounds easier to carry in a pouch or pocket and easier to access quickly.
Beetle Bailey
Member
The M44 is just like the M38 except the M44 has a side-folding bayonet attached to it, while the M38 has no provision for a bayonet. As cool9mm suggests, try looking at www.mosin-nagant.net for detailed info on all models of Mosin Nagants. They even have pictures of rare stuff I know I'll never see. . .
As far as what to look for, generally you want a rifle with a great bore, followed by great metal, and then pick the one with the nicest wood (in that order). Also, if you haven't already done so, do a search on this forum because there are a lot of Mosin Nagant owners here .
As far as what to look for, generally you want a rifle with a great bore, followed by great metal, and then pick the one with the nicest wood (in that order). Also, if you haven't already done so, do a search on this forum because there are a lot of Mosin Nagant owners here
.I have an M-44, 1954 Romanian make. Not bad with the 147-150Gr "light ball" ammo, a real flash-bang with the 180-Gr 'heavy ball' ammo. And for MY rifle, about a 3"-4" shift in windage @100 Yds with bayo folded vs bayo extended.
Stripper clips not required, but strippers do make for slightly faster reloading, and easier carry of ammo.
I bought my M-44 a little over a year ago from my local Dunham's Sporting Goods, for $50 & tax. I strongly recommend having the headspace, etc checked out by a competent gunsmith before firing. [Mine was 'generous' according to the 'smith, but still within specs.]
Stripper clips not required, but strippers do make for slightly faster reloading, and easier carry of ammo.
I bought my M-44 a little over a year ago from my local Dunham's Sporting Goods, for $50 & tax. I strongly recommend having the headspace, etc checked out by a competent gunsmith before firing. [Mine was 'generous' according to the 'smith, but still within specs.]
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