Thinking about picking up a Mosin Nagant

[merlinfire]

I dropped in a local shop today to see what they had. They had a full rack of Mosin Nagants, Mausers, and Enfields.

The Nagants were in better shape than I expected. They actually looked pretty nice. Rifling looked good, clean bore, wood in good shape.

They were marked $169.95, but after I talked to him he said he'd do $150 cash. I didn't have it on me but told him I'd probably be back later this week (I had expected the rifles to be a bit cheaper, and didn't get that much out of the bank). The price still seemed a bit high, but they were in better shape than I anticipated. The markings indicated they were produced in the USSR. Had some import markings that looked like a town in Illinois.

Is this a good buy?

 

[paintballdude902]

what model

 

[merlinfire]

91/30

 

[Uhrmacher]

$150 is pretty high for a 91/30 unless it's in really exceptional condition ("good" graded ones sell for $80-90 online) but would be a good price for one of the carbines in decent shape.

 

[merlinfire]

How much is shipping and transfer for something like that? If it would be $40 or more total I might just support my local gun shop instead of buying online.

 

[Uhrmacher]

Aimsurplus and Classic Arms both have them for $80, I think the shipping is ~$20 but I've never ordered from them myself. Transfer fees really depend on your location, some lucky people can get them done for $10-15 but $30 is the least I've been quoted locally (North FL)

The cost difference probably wouldn't be too much in the end. You might try talking your dealer down a little if they aren't offended by that sort of thing or just go for it at $150. They are fun rifles

 

[TXHORNS]

I fully support any Mosin purchase. My favorites are the M38's which are a shorter version but the 91/30s are just as fun. If they are in good condition I say buy it. You may get them cheaper online but not by much. Plus when you add up $25-35 shipping and then $25-35 ffl transfer you may be at the same price on a gun you cannot see or play with before you buy it. I buy online a lot too but I always prefer to buy in person.

You may already know about corrosive ammo but if not look it up. Its still fine (and cheap) to shoot but you have an extra step involved in cleaning your rifle.

 

[Bearhands]

If there is a gun show in your area..... check that out. I've seen lots of them(91/30's) on tables for $99.00 ... nice looking ones too! Then you can forget the shipping etc.

p.s. They're a lot of fun!

 

[Zack]

Lot of fun! I got mine awhile ago. I was thinking about not getting it due to corrosive ammo, but its not to hard to clean. $150 is fair because $90+shipping 20-30 then your ffl ($10-$30) depends on location. Around here is $20. Then your just at the same price. Support local gun store

What do the enfields look like? CLEAN WOOD? or dity darken look?

 

[merlinfire]

the enfields are kind of dark and dirty looking.

 

[twkremer]

+1 for going to a gunshow.

 

[dobeman]

for a clean, very good condition 91/30 that has been headspace checked and if its not counterbored, that is a fair price. By all means, go to a gun show - you'll see the wide range of milsurp rifles. You have to be careful. Sometimes it's worth paying a slight premium for a good one when its there in front of you.

 

[leadcounsel]

You can spend all day driving around to save $20 - but in the end you'll likely come out ahead just offering a little less than $150 explaining that they are $80 online. I'd say that if you are buying from a dealer $120 is fair - gives him a 20 percent profit after shipping.

They are great rifles btw. Order ammo in bulk.

 

[Ignition Override]

If anybody out there travels though, or lives near Clarkesville TN, "TN Gun Country" had a crate of fresh 91/30s in cosmoline last Saturday. This was my second visit in four days.

Maybe KY residents can buy rifles in TN? In "Whitaker's" by Owensboro KY, I was told last week that a TN resident can buy a retail rifle in KY.

The "TGC" 91/30s were listed at $110 with the bayo etc.
The wood/metal on those which were clearly visible looked perfect, but with cosmo also in the bores, it was difficult to be sure.
A staffer told me that this crate is their fourth or fifth.

The "Ammo Depot" in Caddo Mills, TX (n.e. of Dallas on I-30) had at least a dozen MN 91/30s last summer, plus a rare 91/59 with a very bright bore. Some 91/30s there looked just as good. They were open Sunday afternoon!

Otherwise, gun shows are probably the best solution.

 

[RP88]

depending on what it is, I wouldn't buy it

late-manufacture round-receivered 91/30? pfft, $100 tops.

But for stuff like 1920s dragoons, hex receivers, early Tulas, unissued/like-new condition...maybe $170 as listed. Maybe more if I really wanted it. Definitely more for a Finnish 91/30.

But for your everyday war-time mosin, no. Way too high; you could get two for that price.