I got a Roamian PSL and absolutely love it, but would like a nice bolt rifle to sit next to it. I have been looking at Mosin Nagants (and other bolt action rifles chambered in the 7.62 x 54) for quite some time and I am not sure what way to go. There seems to be so many different years/models/etc. Is there one particular model that is notorious for shooting the best? What's the most common and easiest 7.62x54 rifle to find aftermarket parts for in order to upgrade? Are Mosin's currently being manufactured new? Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking and have a good one.
The Best Mosin Nagant?
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thisisoriginal
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I own two 91/30s, honestly they shoot amazing. Ive never used any other mosins, but its kind of hit or miss unless you can try the gun out before you buy it.
I traded my shotguns for my mosins and couldn't be happier. One is a 1931, one is a 1936, couldn't be happier with their accuracy.
I traded my shotguns for my mosins and couldn't be happier. One is a 1931, one is a 1936, couldn't be happier with their accuracy.
XxWINxX94
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I own 2 mosins and am very happy with both.
I don't think they are being made new, theres just too many old ones!
The Finnish version called the M39 I believe, was built to a higher standard than the Russian ones, and has been known to be a little more accurate. However, these cost more than your $100 Russian jobs.
I don't think they are being made new, theres just too many old ones!
The Finnish version called the M39 I believe, was built to a higher standard than the Russian ones, and has been known to be a little more accurate. However, these cost more than your $100 Russian jobs.
thisisoriginal
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..And another thing, for some reason up here in Northeast ohio(not sure where you live if it would be the same) the prices of mosins has gotten a lot higher. Local dealers sell for 180$-$200, best you could find a 91/30 would be about $150+. So dont get discouraged if you feel everyone on here thinks they're not worth as much as you'll be paying, but then again watch closely at a lot and see if its a trend and not just a dealer/private party asking too much.
W.E.G.
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You can't go wrong.
timfromohio
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thisoriginal - I was at the show in Medina last weekend and you could pick them up for $90 with all the fixin's.
thisisoriginal
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I was meaning up here closer to the Genevea-mentor-eastlake, but thats cool. Were they pretty beat up?
thisisoriginal
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Eh, what did you do to that mosin WEG? :O
thisisoriginal
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If he wanted to make it look like that-Cool, its his gun.
But IMO, that thing is ugly and I wouldn't ever do that.
But IMO, that thing is ugly and I wouldn't ever do that.
offthepaper
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Adam
I own quite a few Mosins. Great rifles for the money, but they are not target rifles. They were made to hit/kill a man (think Nazi) size object and do that quite well. There are no new Mosins currently being made. Russian Mosins are pretty much hit or miss. I own more than 15 or so and there are a few standouts in the crowd. I have '32 Tula that shoots almost as well as my K31. I also have a few that make shotgun-like targets at 100 yds. The Finn Mosins are considered the cream of the crop. I have 5 and everyone of them is a shooter. I personally have never seen a Finn Mosin that was not a good shooter, I'm sure there are some out there with badly worn barrels or crowns, but the ones I have seen are impressive for military rifles. The Russians can be had for about $100. the Finns will go for $300-$400 for a good one. Handloading ammo can make both even better shooters.
Either way, get em while they're cheap. The supply won't last forever.
I own quite a few Mosins. Great rifles for the money, but they are not target rifles. They were made to hit/kill a man (think Nazi) size object and do that quite well. There are no new Mosins currently being made. Russian Mosins are pretty much hit or miss. I own more than 15 or so and there are a few standouts in the crowd. I have '32 Tula that shoots almost as well as my K31. I also have a few that make shotgun-like targets at 100 yds. The Finn Mosins are considered the cream of the crop. I have 5 and everyone of them is a shooter. I personally have never seen a Finn Mosin that was not a good shooter, I'm sure there are some out there with badly worn barrels or crowns, but the ones I have seen are impressive for military rifles. The Russians can be had for about $100. the Finns will go for $300-$400 for a good one. Handloading ammo can make both even better shooters.
Either way, get em while they're cheap. The supply won't last forever.
Cosmoline
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I've owned dozens and dozens of Mosins of all types. The very best I know of are the Finnish and the Polish. The most valuable collector pieces now are the true snipers and the pre-war Finns. Among these the famous Civil Guard Finnish rifles are the most accurate.
If you want to get a high quality shooter that's still reasonably priced, get an M39 Finn or an M30 Finn. The M39 is the army version of the Civil Guard 28/30 with some alterations. It's a very tough rifle with a nice heavy barrel and excellent sights. My current shooter is one made in 1970. The M30's are the Finnish version of the 91/30 and are a few pounds lighter than the M39 but also quite accurate.
Another good option would be the late model M91 Finns from the 1940's. These were the last of the old style m91 Mosins, and do suffer from that ultra-fine sight. But if you have young eyes you can really drive tacks with them. Hayha's M28 guard rifle had the old style sights, and he shot 500 men.
Keep in mind that if you do get a Finn, they've ALREADY upgraded it for you with a better barrel and improved furnishings. The most I ever do with mine is stick Mojo sights on it because my eyes are now 40.
Bending the bolt, trying to fit a receiver scope on them, etc. is like trying to put you-know-what on a bull. And it misses the point of them. With practice you can work the straight bolt very fast--much faster than any long bent bolt. The trick is to do a fluid back-and-forth movement using your main arm muscles rather than gripping it with your fingers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwdxIHLldlA
They're also great rifles to use for getting off the bench and practicing the stances.
If you want to get a high quality shooter that's still reasonably priced, get an M39 Finn or an M30 Finn. The M39 is the army version of the Civil Guard 28/30 with some alterations. It's a very tough rifle with a nice heavy barrel and excellent sights. My current shooter is one made in 1970. The M30's are the Finnish version of the 91/30 and are a few pounds lighter than the M39 but also quite accurate.
Another good option would be the late model M91 Finns from the 1940's. These were the last of the old style m91 Mosins, and do suffer from that ultra-fine sight. But if you have young eyes you can really drive tacks with them. Hayha's M28 guard rifle had the old style sights, and he shot 500 men.
Keep in mind that if you do get a Finn, they've ALREADY upgraded it for you with a better barrel and improved furnishings. The most I ever do with mine is stick Mojo sights on it because my eyes are now 40.
Bending the bolt, trying to fit a receiver scope on them, etc. is like trying to put you-know-what on a bull. And it misses the point of them. With practice you can work the straight bolt very fast--much faster than any long bent bolt. The trick is to do a fluid back-and-forth movement using your main arm muscles rather than gripping it with your fingers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwdxIHLldlA
They're also great rifles to use for getting off the bench and practicing the stances.
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timfromohio
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thisisoriginal - nope, they looked nice - clean bores, decent wood (not laminated stock however). I do not own any (yet) and am by means an expert, but had I not made other purchases I would have had no trouble paying $90 a piece and getting several of them. I was looking at 91/30's, hex receiver, all matching numbers, with bayonet, sling, etc. Seemed like a really good deal. I did not see many carbine models though. I have shot one (a 91/30) once and had no trouble knocking down targets at 100 and even 200 yards (and am not an experienced shooter) shooting from a bench. The bolt was a bit sticky to operate - I don't know if they are all like this or not. For $90, I would not care.
thisisoriginal
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Wow sounds like you found an awesome deal! You should have picked one up. Up here in Mentor they go for 179$ at Gander
Blue Brick
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Cosmoline's Channel is funny!! "Bear Charge"
Sgt.Saputo
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Already been done. I was at Niles a while back and someone had a muzzle loader with picatinny rails. It was tacticooled out with a $2,000 ACOG, laser, and flashlight.
timfromohio
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thisisoriginal - check out www.classicarms.us
They have nice looking 91/30's for around $100 -with shipping and FFL fee you should still be a lot cheaper than $179. Alternatively, there is a guy out of Kent (who is usually at the show in Medina, although I did not see him last weekend): Arlan's Gun and Ammo shop, (330)673-5133. He seems to specialize in Russian rifles and in the past has had a nice selection of both 91/30's as well as the carbines. Last year his prices were around $115 or $120 a piece.
They have nice looking 91/30's for around $100 -with shipping and FFL fee you should still be a lot cheaper than $179. Alternatively, there is a guy out of Kent (who is usually at the show in Medina, although I did not see him last weekend): Arlan's Gun and Ammo shop, (330)673-5133. He seems to specialize in Russian rifles and in the past has had a nice selection of both 91/30's as well as the carbines. Last year his prices were around $115 or $120 a piece.
timfromohio
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All this Mosin talk - I might be calling Arlan's this afternoon! If I blow the budget this month, it all you guys' fault!!!
thisisoriginal
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Nice! If I didn't have two 91/30s already I'd pick another up. although I sometimes do consider selling the mauser and getting another!
Blue Brick
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writerinmo
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I just recently broke in my new 03FFL with a 91/30 purchase from Classic Arms. Waaaaay down on their Mosin section they have a section that says "Value priced". I went with the Tula choice for ten bucks more, and four days later and $96.00 on my card (No transfer fees with the C&R!) the Big Brown Truck brought me a very nice 1942 Tula arsenal round reciever with all numbers matching except for the magazine floorplate. Since it was intended as a shooter, not a collector, no biggie.
A half day of cleaning cosmoline and it was ready to shoot. Russian surplus ammo, 147gr silvertip. I have to say that it's an excellent shooter, couldn't shoot past 50 yards at the time but you could cover all five shots with a 3 inch circle easy, and I know as I learn the gun it will get lots better. I stoned the sear smooth, floated the barrel and installed a slack spring, and hoping to shoot it again on turkey day. Have to say, I will buy another from Classic as soon as I can squirrel away another 100 bucks!
A half day of cleaning cosmoline and it was ready to shoot. Russian surplus ammo, 147gr silvertip. I have to say that it's an excellent shooter, couldn't shoot past 50 yards at the time but you could cover all five shots with a 3 inch circle easy, and I know as I learn the gun it will get lots better. I stoned the sear smooth, floated the barrel and installed a slack spring, and hoping to shoot it again on turkey day. Have to say, I will buy another from Classic as soon as I can squirrel away another 100 bucks!
CHEVELLE427
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i have a 91-30 , and 2 m44's
all are great looking for a good price on a finn now
all are great looking for a good price on a finn now
timfromohio
Member
writerinmo - so, all C&R firearms can be shipped without FFL? That saves anywhere from $25 to $35 per rifle!
CHEVELLE427
Member
lets point out.
you can buy old guns with a c&r but not to resell as a business you still have to keep a log of guns in and out.
don't thing you can buy a crate of what ever and turn them for any profit anytime soon.
my understanding is yes you can sell them but not like a FFL does, you need to hold on to them for some time or your dealing without a licenses.
someone correct me if im wrong here. wouldnt want someone to get a c&r and think they can make any money on gun sales
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