Nagant vs Enfield .303

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LubeckTech

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How does a Mosin Nagant M91 compare to an Enfield full size (not jungle carbine) in terns of accuracy as long as both guns have good bores? I am thinking of buying a pre WWII M91/30 this summer but have read some bad things about them in terms of accuracy. I am also considering a .303 British and I have some brass form a jungle carbine I used to own. Basically which one is more diserable? I am leaning towards the .303 as they are apprecating in value more than the Nagants.
 
There is probably not a lot of difference in the accuracy dept. between the 2 rifles. Maybe a slight edge to the Enfields. I much prefer the Enfields due to their butter smooth actions.
 
In pure mechanical term the slight advantage would lie with the Mosin, due to it's cock on closing frontal lugs feature. Of course such an "advantage" is slight in the extreme. The Enfield has better sights also.
 
I never had much luck with Enfields. A 91/30 with a good bore is just as accurate as any milsurp out there. If you handload both bullets can be hard to find. My advice would be to pay a little more and get a K31 or Swede M96. Those rifles dominate vintage shooting, although it usually comes down to the shooter. Between the 91/30 and Enfield I'd go with the 91/30.
 
I've owned and fired several Mosin Nagants (91's, 91-30's, 38's, 39's, 44's), as well as a few various Enfields.

With the exception of the Finnish model 39 I had experience with, I've had much better success with Enfields. Most of this I would attribute to the better sights. But I tell you, them Finns knew how to make rifles!

I'm not a fan of the model 91 sights. My dad has one that is exceptionally accurate, and he actually favors the 91 sights. To each his own. It's been my experience though that model 91's are kind of like a box of chocolates. You really never know what you're gonna get. Some are junk and some are pretty impressive shooters considering their age and condition.
 
I'd take my No1 MkIII* over a crate of 91/30s any day of the week. Not on is it easier to operate it is more accurate, and easier to keep on target during firing. I can put more accurate fire down range at a higher rate than a 91/30 ever thought of.
 
Bore condition is probably as much of a determining factor in surplus rifles as the two different action types.

After going through about six Enfields in poor to indifferent condition over a period of several years, I stumbled across a minty 1955 No4MKII that shoots two inches at 100 yards without me even trying hard.

Condition, in either rifle, is important. You just won't likely find a relatively unfired Nagant, and one with a great bore may take some searching for.
Denis
 
Assuming good condition, the average Enfield will outshoot the average Soviet Mosin-Nagant, though not by a huge factor. However there are tremendous variations between rifles and between loads for each rifle. So it's difficult to generalize.

I agree your best bet value wise is a Finnish M39. They're still available for under $200 now and they're really nice rifles with good triggers, smooth bolts and custom heavy barrels. Enfields of similar quality cost quite a bit more.

Surplus 54R is easier to find and cheaper than surplus .303 British these days. You can get great deals on excellent Polish light ball and Hungarian right now, along with Czech silvertip and Yugoslavian heavy ball. Even up here we're awash in 54R.
 
Can't comment on the Enfield. I did pick up a Mosin Nagant Carbine about 8 years ago. A guy I knew had bought 5 of them in unissued condition and offered me one at his cost ($60). At that price I could not pass it up. I cleaned and refinished the stock and it turned out absolutely beautiful. The gun is more accurate than I am capable of shooting it. At 200 yards it is as accurate as any other iron sighted rifle I have shot.
 
Within the last week, I acquired a Finn M39 and a LE No. 4 Mk. 1. The MN is built like a tank. Sights are typical miliary tangets with a little bitty notch. After getting the cosmoline out, the bolt is a little rough, but not too bad. My principle complaint is that the safety is a bear to operate.

The LE has been sporterized. The action is good and fast, and the only thing I have that is smoother is a Springfield 1898 30-20 Krag. The sights are superior. So far, removal and reinsertion of the magazine has been stiff, but the gun has not seen much use and may loosen up.

Both are nicely balanced, but the LE is about 2.5 pounds lighter (but it does not have military furniture).
 
Going to have to take the Enfield side on this one. While the mosin-nagant is a great rifle, the Enfield No4 Mk1, I would say is a little better because:
-10 round capacity
-Better action (in my opinion)
-Better sights """"""""""""""""""

P.S. I own both & Shoot both
 
I shot my Finnish M39 alongside a guy shooting an Enfield #4 at my club yesterday. We were shooting 100 yds., first from the bench and then prone. Results were pretty much equal: good accuracy from both rifles. He shot much more quickly than I did, though, due to time I spent wrestling with the bolt. M39 does not like steel-cased ammo... :(
 
A Finnish M39 is much more accurate than the average M91-30 Mosin luckily and is a true darling of a rifle.

The average Lee Enfield is going to be better than the average Mosin Nagant. Of course I don't use my Lee Enfield with iron sights over 600 yards. The Lee Enfield bolt action movement is far superior, though it is going to cost more to operate it, due to the more expensive rounds.
 
The Enfield has a smoother action and is probably even with the M-N in the area of accuracy. The condition of the barrel and muzzle crown is critical in both rifles. Now, if you are planning on shooting a lot, then the choice would be the Mousin-Nagant because of the cost and availablity of ammunition. The M-N is very economical to shoot and the Brit .303 ammunition can be somewhat spendy. Both rifles are ugly!
 
Where is a good place to look for an M39, or an Enfield.

Also, what's involved with obtaining a C&R License?

Thanks!
 
J&G sales, Classic Arms, and Southern Ohio Gun have Enfields right now...who knows their condition.

gunsnammo.com sells a variety of M39s at pretty reasonable prices.
 
SOG, Classicarms (NC) and JGsales have either old surplus RG or Greek .303, at about .50/rd.
The Greek has Boxer primers, and don't know whether the primers have that tough sealant.

For those who reload, new Prvi Partizan .303 with thick brass is about .60/rd. and I've reloaded it at least four times each, using the lighter powder and 147-grain bullet loads.
My Lee Enfield #4 and #5s (Carbines) are the exact reason why I learned how to reload.

Near Memphis, a gun show can be a good place for an Enfield or two, some of which were Not sporterized, thank goodness.
For higher retail prices plus shipping etc, try the wide variety at "Joesalter.com".
 
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Condition, in either rifle, is important. You just won't likely find a relatively unfired Nagant, and one with a great bore may take some searching for.
Click to expand...

Yes an excellent bore should shoot better than a sewer pipe. Good ammo and sights are important as well. I'll take the Lee Enfield over a Mosin Nagant but both work quite well.
 
I am currently on my second 91/30 and own a Lee Enfield as well. The Lee Enfield is far superior in every department. The bolt is amazing, the sights are better, the trigger is better, and it's more accurate. The only kicker is finding ammo.
 
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