m1gunner
US Veteran
Perfect zombie/wolf/bigfoot/bear rifle.
Plus, the muzzle flash can be seen from the space station!
Plus, the muzzle flash can be seen from the space station!
Mosin Nagant
- Thread starter bp231986
- Start date
These are very historical rifles. They bled the Nazis dry during "The Great Patriotic War" (WWII). Powerful, reliable, and intrinsically accurate. I think anyone who collects World War II weaponry would be remiss in not having one.
I own two; a 1939 Tula 91/30 standard rifle, and an original and correct 1943 Ishevsk 91/30PU sniper rifle, illustrated below. They are really fascinating examples of what the Soviet Union used to help defeat the Germans. A case could be made that this rifle probably did as much or more to win the war than any other weapon, given the numbers employed. The sniper version was probably the best sniper rifle employed during the war. Even the Germans used them when they could.
John
I own two; a 1939 Tula 91/30 standard rifle, and an original and correct 1943 Ishevsk 91/30PU sniper rifle, illustrated below. They are really fascinating examples of what the Soviet Union used to help defeat the Germans. A case could be made that this rifle probably did as much or more to win the war than any other weapon, given the numbers employed. The sniper version was probably the best sniper rifle employed during the war. Even the Germans used them when they could.
John
Straightshooter2
US Veteran
Yeah, it's fun knocking down everyone's targets with the muzzle blast. LOL
Forgot to mention that my LGS is going to hold the next Tula Arms Plant made 91-30 he gets in for me. My Russians that I have right now were Izhevsk Mechanical Plant made.
CW
LVSteve
Member
The Mosin is no worse than most firearms designed in that period, especially when you consider the crazy pace of development at the time. Many in America gripe about the stock, but it was designed for the stature of the people in that country and how well they were fed. The length of pull is fine when wearing a thick felt coat typical of the Soviet Union/Russia of the time. Yes, the recoil is nasty when wearing a T-shirt, so get a wearable pad like I do. BTW, most 7.92x57mm Mausers of that period are no more comfortable to shoot IMHO. Neither is the Mosin inherently any less accurate than many rifles of the time like the Springfield 1903, the Enfield and the Mauser. They are all milsurps and subject to the potential for many years of use and abuse.
The draw of the Mosin is that not only are so many of them cheap, but there are so many variations, some of which are excellent shooters. The Finnish M39 rifles show that there is little wrong with the basic design, and even the Finn captured Soviet guns were made to shoot very well with a stock change and some shimming.
The draw of the Mosin is that not only are so many of them cheap, but there are so many variations, some of which are excellent shooters. The Finnish M39 rifles show that there is little wrong with the basic design, and even the Finn captured Soviet guns were made to shoot very well with a stock change and some shimming.
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Arik
Member
I just do not see the appeal in these rifles. Other than cheap (I can relate to that)
They are brutal to shoot, (my Mauser doesnt seem any better) ammo is corrosive, (and all the surplus 8mm and 303 arent? )made out of old pallet wood and held together with bailing wire. Over a bazillon made, stored in cosmoline what's to love??
The MN was a tool for a job not a wall hanger. I know its not a piece of Americana. It didnt settle the west or fought in the Alamo but that doesnt mean it was made like ****! But on the other hand I guess I can see your point. I never got the fascination with Colt SAA or lever guns or anything really from the old days (pretty much anything prior to WW1 era).
These are very historical rifles. They bled the Nazis dry during "The Great Patriotic War" (WWII). Powerful, reliable, and intrinsically accurate. I think anyone who collects World War II weaponry would be remiss in not having one.
I own two; a 1939 Tula 91/30 standard rifle, and an original and correct 1943 Ishevsk 91/30PU sniper rifle, illustrated below. They are really fascinating examples of what the Soviet Union used to help defeat the Germans. A case could be made that this rifle probably did as much or more to win the war than any other weapon, given the numbers employed. The sniper version was probably the best sniper rifle employed during the war. Even the Germans used them when they could.
John
OK, if John says I should get one I will. At least I can say I have a gun that John has.
I can probably afford this one.Don't get me wrong I like old guns, old tools antiques and such
it just doesn't jump out at me a say take me home. The Broomhandle does.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I just do not see the appeal in these rifles. Other than cheap (I can relate to that
They are brutal to shoot, ammo is corrosive, made out of old pallet wood and held together with bailing wire. Over a bazillon made, stored in cosmoline what's to love??
They're an historically significant rifle, used in battle by numerous armies, freedom fighters, liberators etc. worldwide. One wonders what sort of stories even the lowliest counterbored Big 5 rifle could tell...
A plethora of variations that can keep a collector busy for quite some time. Sub variations are numerous, captures, recaptures, refurbs etc. ranging from $89 Big 5 Specials (rare gems have been known to surface in these batches.) to rare & desirable models into multi-$K.
You can take your collection out & have a great time doing what they're made to do & generally not worry about the odd scratch here & there.
Even opening a can of ammo is an adventure.
captorquewrench
Member
the Mr. does not see my fascination with these. 
CW Spook
US Veteran
I've been known to pick one up now and then...
Generally inexpensive, built like a T-34 tank, surprisingly accurate, cheap to shoot, historically as important as any rifle ever built....what's not to like?
Generally inexpensive, built like a T-34 tank, surprisingly accurate, cheap to shoot, historically as important as any rifle ever built....what's not to like?
Take a look at the Nagant Revolver too; Model of 1895. It has a very unique action where the cylinder moves forward while turning and pushing the cartridge partially into the barrel. The unique cartridge has the bullet fully inside allowing it to expand and seal in the barrel thus increasing velocity. It also allows you to fit a silencer and have it actually work since there is little noise or flame from the cylinder area. Only revolver that I know of that can work with a silencer. They are available pretty cheap ($150 or so) but the ammo can be hard to find. Mine shoots pretty well but I've never had the inclination to fit a silencer and pay the big bucks for the privilege.
geoff40
Member
I sniped a woodchuck with my 91/38 just a few days ago, from the 2nd floor, open sights, about an 85 yard shot. That 'chuck didn't know what hit him. I want another MN!!
As for the cosmoline, lay down a thick layer of newspaper on the back deck of your car, roll the windows up, park it in the sun. Lay the rifle down on the newspapers. At noontime, flip it. 4 or 5 hours to a side, that will clean out the cosmoline pretty thoroughly.
As for the cosmoline, lay down a thick layer of newspaper on the back deck of your car, roll the windows up, park it in the sun. Lay the rifle down on the newspapers. At noontime, flip it. 4 or 5 hours to a side, that will clean out the cosmoline pretty thoroughly.
tork'd
Member
the Mr. does not see my fascination with these.
cheaper than a designer purse and more usefull than a shovel
Old Corp
Member
I have an old Moisin that looks like it went through the entire Stalingrad campaign. Slightly freckled bore, but surprisingly accurate.
There's hardly anything more fun to ring the steel gong out at ~200 yds or so with.....
There's hardly anything more fun to ring the steel gong out at ~200 yds or so with.....
Now y'all have ME looking at Mosins. Stopped bu the LGS this week and he had just got a small shipment on M44s in. One was a matching (not electro pencil matching) Tula. His $240 OTD price was a little more than it would have cost me to order one directly from SOG. However this one "felt" right, you know what I mean.
smithnframe
Member
I have two of them. One is a 1937 Tula I got at Cabelas and the other is a 1932 Tula hex reciever I got from J&G Sales. Fun to shoot but I stay away from the corrosive surplus ammo and reload my own with cast bullets. Lots of history. My dad was in the Korean war and he talked about capturing many of these from the red Chinese and using them for tent stakes!
smithnframe
Member
I also have two of the Nagant revolvers. Very sturdy and simple weapons. I reload for it also. Reloadable ammos is available at Cabelas.
Mickey D
Member
For the past 10+ years for that matter.
I have an M44 carbine model I bought in the late '90s. Fun to shoot but punishing recoil.
smithman 10
US Veteran
They are cheap, brutal to shoot, ammo is corrosive, made out of old pallet wood and held together with bailing wire. Over a bazillon made, stored in cosmoline, can hit the broad side of a barn from two counties away, they make nice fireballs at night and they scare politicians.
CW
That's precisely why they are so cool. Mine is a 91/59 carbine - that's a 91 that was shortened to carbine length in 1959.
They have decent accuracy considering the sight radius.
Also a big part of the appeal is they were the main battle rifle of the Russian Army which, according to something I once read, killed 80 percent of the German soldiers who died in battle in WWII. 80 percent!
I love shooting mine, provided I wear a slip-on shoulder pad.
I was going to shoot my Sport today - after reading this thread I may just take the Mosin instead!
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mkk41
US Veteran
Not to be argumentative , but I've heard that more German invaders were killed by the M-N's bayonet than it's bullets. The Russians were great fans of the mass bayonet charge. Wonder if the Mosins stubborn bolt factored into that?
I've also read that often due to the lack of rifles , only the first few waves of a Russian infantry charge were armed. The following waves were issued ammo only , and expected to pick up a rifle from a fallen comrade.
