What is a Russian 1891/59 Rifle?

[Kestrel]

Found a carbine today in a shop on consignment. It was marked "Russian 91/59" on the sales tag and on the receiver ring, it was stamped 1891/59 and it's in 7.62x54R caliber. It's in great condition and the bore is excellent. They wanted $125. It also has a short barrel, I would estimate around 18" long.

What is this gun? Is it a Mosin Nagant? Are these good guns? Is there non-corrosive surplus ammo for these?

What's the difference in this and what I've seen referenced as a 91/30, 91/39?

Also, did I pay too much for this thing?

Thanks for any help,
Steve

 

[M2HMGHB]

It's a cut down 1891/30 Nagant. The Russians re-did them in 1959(hence 91/59) with modifications of cutting down the barrel the stock and grinding down part of the sight so that it only goes to 1000meters instead of 2000 as on a standard 91/30. As far as recoil and accuracy i cant say as i have yet to fire any of the Nagant carbines, but do have an M39 nagant that is a terrific rifle. 1891 Nagant is the original rifle, in 1930 they made improvements thus becoming the 1891/30, the M39 is a Finnish made Nagant which is reputed to be the best Naagant out there. The M28/30 is also a Finnish variant, the carbine versions of the nagant are mainly the M38 which is shortened has a 1000 meter sight range and has no bayonet mount, and the M44 which has a 1000 meter sight and has a permenantly atached side folding bayonet.

 

[Daniel T]

It is a Mosin-Nagant. In essence, it's an 1891/30 that has had its barrel trimmed down.

AIM has them for sale for $99.95, still in the arsenal wrap.

By 91/39, do you mean the Finnish M39? It was made with captured Russian 1891 receivers.

The M38 and M44 are both shorter versions of the Mosin-Nagant, but the 91/59 is a 91/30 with its barrel cut down.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

There is not much known about the 1891/59 Model of the Mosin-Nagant............
It is believed that they were Model 91/30 Mosin-Nagants cut down in the 1950s to arm second line troops in Russia...........or perhaps Bulgaria or someother place in the Soviet Block
A lot of people value these guns for their condition and value as a Cold-War collectible
here is an info link:
http://www.mosin-nagant.net/m9159-carbine.html
BSR

 

[Daniel T]

Didn't see this:

Is there non-corrosive surplus ammo for these?

SOG is selling 780 rounds of Czech Silver Tip for $75. They claim it's non-corrosive.

 

[Greg L]

$125 retail is a fair price for them (when you consider the dealer paid $100 plus shipping), perhaps even a little low depending on what else he stocks in his racks.

Greg

(edit - just noticed the consignment part, dealer probably couldn't care less . Still a good price. You'll enjoy being the center of attention at the range when you light off that beast & its 2' diameter fireballs )

 

[Bill Hook]

The 91/59 is supposed to be the most accurate M-N carbine since it has a heavier barrel than 38s or 44s. The price is fair, as you know what you're getting and the AIM stuff may have pitted barrels, depending on your luck.

Czech Silvertip is corrosive, despite what SOG says. It may be LESS corrosive, but a rusted barrel is still the outcome w/o immediate Windex treatment.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

SOG is selling 780 rounds of Czech Silver Tip for $75. They claim it's non-corrosive.

This stuff IS corrosive.

Unless it's new production, all Combloc milsurp ammo -- like the stuff SOG is advertizing -- is corrosive.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

I wouldn't trust any surplus ammo to be non-corossive. It's alway worth a quick cleaning with an ammonia/water solution after shooting surplus to be safe.

"The Soviet Block Countries took existing 1891/30 Long Rifles and cut them down to carbine size. In most cases the rifles were left using the same sights and stocks (reduced in length) that were manufactured for the 1891/30. Also the 1891/59 did not have a bayonet either issued or integral. This carbine was more a modification than a new production rifle. All the samples I have seen have the original manufacture date left on the receiver (the date the 1891/30 rifle was made) and also the assembled date of 1959. "

Taken from http://surplusrifle.com

Without a C&R license I think $125 is a very fair price. Congrats!

 

[cwalker3]

The one that I sold a few months ago was the most accurate Russian Mosin that I've had. They're great little carbines and a blast, literally, to shoot. I wouldn't think twice about paying $125 for one in good shape from a dealer.