Need some Mosin advice

[fanchisimo]

Hello all, there is going to be a gun show in Columbia next weekend, and I have decided since there is nothing else on my gun radar right now, I am going to finally buy a Mosin. I've looked on THR but haven't found an exact answer to my searches.

I'm probably going for a 91/30 since this is mostly going to be a fun gun to shoot whenever the urge strikes. I here a Finn version is slightly more accurate, but I can't nail down a good price for their variant. What is a solid price for a Finn variant Mosin?

What should I look for on a Mosin to make sure it's gonna give me a long time of good service? I don't look to ever sell it, so does mis-matching numbers on the various parts of it really make a difference as to quality?

 

[bainter1212]

If it were me I would look for an M38 carbine, or maybe a Finn M39 carbine that someone mistaked for an M38! You should be able to get it for around $150. The two most important things to look for are bore condition and crown condition. The carbines are great shooters, generally better than the 91/30s. Most mosins will have a bore ranging from lightly frosted to sewer pipe. I have never seen a perfect one yet. Make sure you get one with a decent crown, avoid counterbored rifles. Take a milsurp round with you and use the bullet to test the crowns. The bullet should not go too far into the crown. Good luck!

 

[elwoodm]

most finns are hard to find at gun shows. price will be high sometimes well over $300 best bet is ruskies for $100 and a little more. the izzys are standard and tulas may be a little better machining on them. if you use factory ammo or surplus with .310 bullets fine but if you load your own with .311 or .312 slug the barrel first. most of these gun shoot fine expect it to hit a little high at 100 yrds thats normal. but understand the biggest draw back is mosinitis you will want one more and one more and one more.

 

[Shadow 7D]

do you know what you are looking for?

cause every rifle is 'special'
especially if you don't know better.

Check out Gunboards Forum, they have two or 3 forums dedicated to mosins
AND the ussual Mosinnagant.net and 7.62x54r.net

 

[fanchisimo]

I'm just going to use Mil-surp unless I decide to hunt with it next year. Then I'll use a higher quality hunting round. Yup I read they shoot high because the Mosin was made to aim at the enemies belt buckle to hit them in the chest.

Not sure exactly what you mean by what I'm looking for, (IE variant, features, condition,) but the answer is not really. That's why I'm asking.

I'm looking for a fun gun to shoot whenever.

 

[Cosmoline]

What is a solid price for a Finn variant Mosin?

There about 20 Finnish variants and subtypes. But for your purposes the one to look for would be an M39 and those run from $250 to $400 depending on condition, date, etc. Most are in very good condition, but to minimize the cleanup chores it's best to get one with a minty bore. Don't be afraid of getting one with a split stock. Those are usually pretty easy to fix. I've gotten some bargains that way over the years and they patch up good with gorilla glue and in bad cases a threaded pin.

However, your best bet for getting one is off the web, not from a gun show. You can always get lucky, but usually it takes a practiced eye to separate wheat from Mosin chaff when you're dealing with the hurly burly of a convention center. Fun, but also easy to get burned.

 

[danweasel]

The only advise I was given before I bought mine was to look at the reciever machining on all the available Mosins and pick the "nicest looking" one. Of course they all look pretty rough... But, it worked for me. I got a 1943 91/30 for $80 and it shot just over an inch group at 60 yards. The thing did shoot really high though so I sent my front sight to smith-sights for an adjustable one. I don't have it back yet but I can't wait!

They are fun guns, enjoy.

 

[Nutbustd]

danweasel. when you get your sight back post what you think. I just bought a Hex receiver Tula and was also wondering about the sight issue. I am thinking an ATI stock with the turned down bolt-handle from the fella on Ebay. The sights are an issue and if smith-sights works well, them I will get one also. I saw a Mossie with an ATI stock and turned down bolt etc and it was actually a very nice looking rifle. Now on to the sights.

 

[Red Tornado]

Without going to the Finns, I'd look for an M38 or the elusive 91/59. My M38 outshot my 91/30 and it's more manageable. The 91/59's are supposed to be faily accurate too, but I couldn't find one when I was looking. It's just an arsenal cutdown 91/30 to carbine size. I'm not a fan of permanent bayonets on the M44, but you may like them, carbines are just much more weildy.
RT

 

[Cosmoline]

Here's a good one to snatch up--under $200 still and an antique receiver:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=316154557

 

[caribou]

Id go with an M-39, its a one time investment into a Mosin thats accurate, dependable and allready accurate, as well as accurate.....did I mention they are very accurate?

Thats all thats interesting, when you and the rifle deliver the "Weapon" to pierce the animal/person/paper/random objects with.