Thinking about a Mosin...

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nobody_special

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It's pretty expensive to feed my M1A as much as I'd like, so I'm looking for some less expensive plinking fun. That leads me to 7.62x54R, the surplus of which can still be had for about $0.10/rd. plus shipping.

So... a few questions.

What to get... I'm looking at anything from those $35 Chinese Type 53, to Russian 91/30 or 38s, or even the faux sniper versions (I saw these, as well as a Finnish rifle, elsewhere too... lost the links though). I'm looking for something that is reasonably accurate: a good shooter, not minute-of-elephant-at-100-yards. I'm also (obviously) looking to keep it relatively inexpensive.

The ability to mount a 'scope would be nice, as my eyesight isn't the best. I saw a thread which indicated the S&K insta-mount works well, though apparently it's a scout-scope mount?

Also, Mosin-Nagants have a reputation for strong recoil. Would the recoil be noticeably stronger than that of an M1A?

So, what sayeth the forum? :cool:
 
Would the recoil be noticeably stronger than that of an M1A?
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An unmodified M38? Heckyeah! Jackhammer to the shoulder.

A 91/30 with a Limbsaver on it? Not nearly as bad.

M1A has very low perceived recoil for a .308, IMHO. It's a heavyweight gas-operated semiauto with a heavy op rod. Recoil doesnt get much softer than that (same with a Remington 1100 semiauto shotgun).
 
Thanks... maybe the 91/30's are the way to go then. When I got it, I was pleasantly surprised at how light the M1A recoil is.

Anyone have experience with the el-cheapo "sniper" rifles like the one I linked to?
 
Mosins are great rifles. Cheap rifles and cheap ammo. I have a M44 and a 91/30 PU sniper. Both are awesome shooters. If you get one, they tend to multiply. Next on the list are a M39 and a standard 91/30.
 
Just get a $95 M44 and be done with it! Great little rifles!
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+1 to that, just got one today, this thing is beautiful, no way are you going to get this much rifle for under 200.00 again.
 
Being kinda old fartish, I could live without another bayonet (have an SKS), so I got a M38...and get the small limbsaver.
 
Antipasta -- yeah, I can do without a bayonet too. Figure the thing I'm most likely to stick is myself...
 
Don't forget about the 91/59 carbine. It's the same size (20" barrel) as the M38 and M44 and it doesn't have a bayonet either.

The 91/59 is basically a standard 91/30 that was arsenal modified into a carbine. I just got mine on Friday. It's great. Now I'm waiting for the ammo to show up on my doorstep.
 
For the love of Pete, if you can afford an M1A you can afford a Finn! Get one while you still can. I'd suggest an M-39 or a late model M-91 or M-30. Any of these will eat modern commercial ammo as well as just about any ball surplus.
 
AIM Surplus has very good prices on Mosin's...I think the only version they don't carry is the 91/59. But I have an M38 being shipped to my door for about $90.
 
I have a 91/30....unless the "limbsaver" is standard equipment that they come with straight from the cosmo, then I don't think the recoil is bad at all.

Heck, I shot mine this morning. First time I'd been shooting since shooting my Glock 19, and flinching so badly that I came here to ask for help! Whereas this morning with my Mosin, I only did so once. Yeah, I've got a few red marks on my shoulder that are a little tender IF I prod them hard enough. It does recoil, but just not badly - IMO! But, I wouldn't know how it compares to the M1A...

BTW, I'm not one of them muscle-bound strongmen either. Frankly I'd classify myself as a "wimp." ;)
 
For a target and fun shooting gun, I'd go with the 91/30. Mine will shoot around 3-3.5" MOA with surplus(Albanian&Bulgarian), I bought it from classic arms for $69.

My M44 is fun to shoot, but after a while the (for me) the recoil can become distracting and I start to flinch from that and the noise. It is LOUD, and breaths a big fireball, which is kinda cool, but impractical, and dosen't help when your trying to get better at long range shooting.

Both the long and short Nagants are fun for shootin' stuff. But I suggest getting the 91/30 as your first Nagant, and then go on to buy the other ones,(which you will, it is impossible to buy just one);), and they're so cheap, why not have them all:eek:
 
I just got myself an M44 at a gun show and I absolutely love it! If a little noise and recoil don't scare you, that's the Mosin for you. I just like to shoot stuff. I really don't care if I can't hit a shotgun shell at 100 yards with it. My M44 is just a fun gun.
 
If the recoil bothers you, get a recoil shield. They come in various sizes (thicknesses). Mosin 91/30 and M44...how sweet! Might also look at SKS.

Doc2005
 
get a 35$ t53. its basicly a M44. so you can judge recoil on you own. its a conversation piece as it sure as heck looks like it toured 'Nam even if it may not have. and at 35$ + transfer, you wont regret it, even if you only fire it once

Added: i believe century has 91/59's. they are not listed in the web page or fliers, but try calling
 
I have an M38 and an 91/30, and I sort of prefer the 91/30. I like them both, but for whatever reason, I just like the 91/30 a bit better.

Recoil is not bad, at least for me. I am not particularly recoil sensitive, but I do have a bad shoulder that lets me know when I am done shooting, and I have yet to get sore (at best) or break down into tears (at worst) from shooting my Mosin. I think they are a extremely fun gun to putz around with, and I will not be without one again.

Also, you can buy what they call "short range" ammuntion. I have a few boxes from a store in Fort Collins that sells ammo, and it is nice. I actually don't know the technical specs because I don't think the box says it, but the round feels, literally, very light. These rounds are non-corrosive and very easy to shoot, and seem to deliver good accuracy at fairly short ranges, say 150 yards and in. They are more expensive that regular old 7.62x54, but not by a whole lot.
 
cosmoline is right about the finns. you should get one while you still can. military gun supply has a good selection, although you ahve to spend about 300. for that money though you get a gun that can rival damn near any m1a if you do your part. and, when the going gets tough, you have a damn good club. the finn m39 also has the best bayonet friendly grip that ive ever felt in a rifle, too.
 
military gun supply has a good selection, although you ahve to spend about 300.
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Really? I googled them, but don't see any... the Finn models are scarce.

BTW, thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning toward a 91/30, but a 38 or 91/59 would be fine too. (Actually... how much extra velocity do you get from another ~ 7" of barrel?)
 
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