Mosin Nagants and Scout Rifles

[james_bond]

So this last Summer I got the Mil-surp bug and I got a M-44 and to be frank I LOVE IT!!!! it is old and handy and handy and shoots a great powerful round.

The week before Last my dad calls me with news that he got a M-44 too.

We walked about our M-44s and possiable modifications, he took his bayonet off and is looking at other options. I read the Jeff Cooper definition of the a Scout Rifle, and like the idea, and I have handeled ther Styer Scout, it is very sleek, handy, way cool, but EXPENSIVE.

I have read this article, http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2005/mosinscoutrifle/index.asp and it has some great ideas for modifications.

So now I ask you my fellow High Roaders, Show me your modified Mosins.
Especialy any of a Scout nature and has anyone cut away at the original stock, not just swaping out for the ATI, show me your scope mounts, and feel free to share any other thoughts or pointers you may have.

Thank you in advance.

 

[dispatch55126]

I've been thinking about turning a M44 into a scout. It'll have to wait for the rebate check though.

 

[james_bond]

bump

 

[Franco2shoot]

Mods

My son and I have Mosins, I have the 91/30 and the son has the M44. They are a hoot to shoot. While the Carbine is neat for its bang, the 91/30 can really reach out and touch someone. Here's a shot of both taken when I was mid point in the refinishing of my 91/30 hence the pinkish color.

Now as for modifications. When I purchased mine it had the ATI bolt and rail modification. The bolt works fine, but the rail uses 2 screws about a half inch apart. This leaves the rest of the rail unsupported. When I shot the rifle there was a "Twang" ringing sound. I overcame this by taking a piece of cotton string and wrapping it around the rear corner (one single wind). Then I used some super glue on the string. This produced a rock hard wedge that eliminated any resonance. Its trimmed and filed and painted black so as to be un-observable. My son's M-44 had the sights replaced prior to his purchase. It has modern peep sights and he has become fairly proficient with these, but I would like him to go the Scout sight route.


BTW Here's the finished 91/30 Look right above the second vertical line on the magazine at the ATI rail and you'll see the vibration reducer;

KKKKFL

 

[james_bond]

thanks Franco2shoot

 

[kingjoey]

Here's an M44 we put together for a customer awhile back. He wanted to convert his M44 to a scout rifle for popping coyotes with.

 

[biscuitninja]

Mr. Bond!

Put the bayonet back on and give it a try for shooting. Apparently firing with the bayonet extended increases the accuracy. Good luck
-bix

 

[dispatch55126]

If I can find a bright bore M44, my pet project will be to remove the bayonet and turn it into a scout rifle. Since it'll be abused, I may grind down the bayonet lugs and DuraCoat the barrel a matte black but keep the bolt polished. If the wood is good, I may try to install a butt storage holder similar to a Spencer, only it'll store tools instead of being a magazine.

I'm usually not a fan of bubba's, but done right I think it could look and function good. Again, it all depends of the bore. Its pointless trying to stretch accuracy with a sewer pipe. My 91/30 is pock marked and through it's fairly accurate, it's pointless to scope something unless you can making the groupings worthwhile, IMO

 

[ROMAK IV]

Mine looks stock, but the barrel has been floated. I started out with a really nice M-44. The trigger was great and the bore looked new with a nice un-redrilled crown. I ground out the handguard and the forestock a bit, and shimmedthe receiver where it screws into the trigger guard. Some trigger problems with Moison Nagants are due to loose trigger guard screws, so get them snug. I haven't done much distance work with it yet, but it passes the short range scout test. Basically I threw square cut 2x4 blocks about 20 yards away, and I hit every one of them of about 20 shots. Isn't tht what a scout rifle is supposed to do? It was done with the Czech light ball.

 

[35 Whelen]

First, I personally think the most important component of a Scout Rifle is the sights...the one component that most neglect. Here's what Jeff Cooper had to say regarding the sights:

"Reserve iron sights are held to be desirable for a proper scout rifle. The forward mounted telescope allows the positioning of an aperture sight on the receiver bridge, and the barrel extrusion which constitutes the forward telescope mount offers a proper base for a front sight. An aperture sight on the receiver bridge, in combination with a front sight at the forward telescope mount, offers a sight radius of about 11 inches--quite sufficient for reserve use. This system avoids the necessity of hanging the front sight out on the end of the barrel, where it catches on things, breaks, snags and muddies up..."

I agree with Mr. Cooper except I believe the sights are more than just desireable; they're an absolute necessity. To me, a scout rifle is my one, do all rifle. It'll do it no matter what...even if my scope becomes damaged. I've had a hunt or two ruined due to scopes damaged by foul tempered horses, rifles being dropped or knocked over, etc. I don't like the idea of a rifle that becomes useless if its scope is damaged. Problem is, it is very difficult to add sights a Mosin M44 without some heavy modifications.
That said, I am currently in the process of looking for an M44 from which to make a scout rifle. I believe it's size, ruggedness, the caliber for which it is chambered, and its attractive price makes it an ideal candidate. I have some ideas for mounting a reciever sight on an M44.
Regarding the sights, a gentleman here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=24843

has addressed the issue of sights in a fairly simple yet effective manner.

I've owned what I believe to be a perfect scout rifle for about 15 years now:

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In addition to the scope, it has a rugged all steel Redfield receiver sight. The rifle is also very accurate and easy to shoot with the sights. On the event that my scope is rendered useless, it can be removed with a screwdriver or even a quarter.
My 2¢...
35W