Mosin–Nagant Russian Rifle

[Revolver M65]

So here is the deal my brother told me about this rifle the other day. He says that there over 36 million produced and he can get his hands on some for a $100 each he tells me that ammo is cheep and these guns are reliable.

Now I never been a fan of things made by people who dance sitting down

but I thought I would see if anyone had some first hand experience.

Greg

 

[TexinMaine]

As an ex C&R holder I have had several, still have a couple. These are cheap fun rifles. I suggest the M44 with Polish ammo at sundown, great fireballs from the muzzle. I was shooting my M44 at the range and two stalls down was a young man shooting his .22. After 5 rounds I look up and he is standing with a shocked expression and says "Oh my god! I could feel that in my chest!" The M44 is a cool carbine with a fold out spike bayo. I told my friends that's how the Russians beat the Germans. The concussion would knock five Germans over and the Russian would run up and stab them with the bayo.

 

[LVSteve]

I don't know where he got 36 million from, 27 million is the more accepted value.

Mosins come in a huge variety of types, subtypes, countries of origin and build quality. They can be VERY accurate from day one (Finnish M39s especially) or they can be pattern makers if the muzzle has no rifling due to vigorous cleaning at the muzzle with a steel rod. Some deliberately have no rifling there as they are counterbored.

They come in various sizes from the original 1891 rifle with a 31.5" barrel down to carbines with a 20" tube. Most of the cheap ones in places like Big 5 are model 1891/30 rifles with a 28.75" barrel.

Collectible Mosins can go for big money, and just getting a good Finnish rifle can cost $250+.

Some sites for info:

7.62x54r.net
Mosin Nagant

Cheap milsurp ammo is about $85/440 rounds but it is berdan primed and corrosive. Ballistics are up there with .308.

 

[gregintenn]

Using history as a guide, you'll not go wrong buying one or 12 while they are available cheap. As the supply dries up, the prices go up.

I have a m44 mosin. It isn't my favorite rifle, but it goes bang every time I pull the trigger, and is reasonably accurate. Ammo is cheap and readily available.

 

[Oldiron]

Depending on the bore dia. and your ammo it can shoot like a .308 or kick like a mule. Bore dia. varies .004-.005" from .308-.313 so does the ammo. If they are matched the Mosin will shoot very well. My Finnish target has a .308 bore so I am going to reload for it, only ammo I have that is .308 is some old old Interarms reboxed surplus and I don't want to send all of thet corrosion down a pristine barrel.
They are litterally a blast and I have several put up for the grand kids.
Larry

 

[writerinmo]

First purchase on my C&R was a 1942 round receiver 91/30 made at the Tula arsenal. Refurbished, looks like new. Trigger's take some getting used to. If you haven't been kicked in the shoulder by a mule lately, I recommend these to remedy that. One round will usually have the AR guys craning their heads around trying to figure out if someone brought a cannon out...then you can just smile.

I make front sight adjusting tools for a lot of the different variations, there's a LOT of folks out there buying these up I can tell you. I'm currently running about three weeks on orders, don't know if it's because of tax return time or election year.

 

[blujax01]

The LGS gets them in by the crate and sells them for $100 including the bayonet, sling, and cleaning kit. As stated above, there are a lot of variations and more than one Internet forum dedicated to their care and feeding.
Buy one. Where else are you going to find any rifle for a C-note, anyway?

 

[sureshotbob]

I've only go 4 two m/91/30 rifles and two carbines 1 is a m/38 the other is a m/44. They are lots of fun.

 

[OFT II]

I have three of them. A Russian 91/30, Romanian M1944 and a Finn. The Finn is in the worst shape but is by far the better shooter.

 

[Straightshooter2]

My understanding is also that if you are very, very, very, VERY, VERY lucky, you can find one of these made by Sako. Of course your chances of winning Power Ball are probably greater. I just bought a plain Jane M91-30 made in 1943 by Izhevsk yesterday. But it does seem to have a .308 bore instead of the .311 so if I can get some Boxer primed brass instead of the Berdan primed Wolf I have, I should be able to reload for it.

CW

 

[matmat417]

aww the mosin nagant... i just bought a nonreferb completly original 1937 Izhevsk 91/30 and i LOVE it.. its a blast to shoot. just make sure the bolt its smooth in the action also make sure all the cosmosline is out, i saw someone that didnt get every nook and cranny and the bolt ended up sticking after being fired bout 10 times.

just my .02cents happy shooting
Matt

 

[AABEN]

They are a very good gun for the money. I have the 1944 and it is a shooter. GOOD LUCK

 

[Erich]

I've had many over the last 20+ years, have given many away, and still have a few. There are several forums with a heavy emphasis on this sort of gun - you'd do well to research them.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Make sure that yours comes with a bayonet. Whether it is true or not, the story goes that the Russians sighted them in for use with the bayonet and that they'll shoot better with it on (or extended in the case of the carbines). There seems some truth to it. Plus that 17" of what amounts to a semi sharpened screwdriver on the end gives one an even more distinctive look.

The cheap surplus ammo in the spam cans will be corrosive. Get some windex, hot water, Dr Bronner's peppermint soap, et al - whichever cure for corrosive ammo you opt for.

 

[Rule3]

Ah yes, a fine rifle held together with bailing wire, stocks of old pallet wood, kicks like a mule and fires corrosive ammo. What could be better?

 

[blujax01]

Ah yes, a fine rifle held together with bailing wire, stocks of old pallet wood, kicks like a mule and fires corrosive ammo. What could be better?

My point exactly! More fun than a mud puddle.

 

[Fishslayer]

MoNags are red hot right now. There are lots of them available and are

A: A great "prepper" rifle. $200 will get you a servicable rifle and a spam can of ammo.

B: A great entry level collector gun. There are gazillions available cheap but there are also dozens of variations, some of which are uber rare & historic. VERY few of the rare collectors will set you back a ton of money.

M38 & M44 carbines are already appreciating as supplies are drying up.

Unless they are exceptional quality or an uncommon variation I doubt anybody will make much money if they pay $100 a pop for the 91/30. Big 5 & Turners run regular specials @ $89 each. They are usually run of the mill rifles but they sell what they get & ocassionally a gem or two turns up.

Here's THE source of info on them.

Gunboard's Forums

Oh yes... worthless without pics. This is my 1944 M38. WAY fun to shoot!

 

[waffenmac]

As an ex C&R holder I have had several, still have a couple. These are cheap fun rifles. I suggest the M44 with Polish ammo at sundown, great fireballs from the muzzle. I was shooting my M44 at the range and two stalls down was a young man shooting his .22. After 5 rounds I look up and he is standing with a shocked expression and says "Oh my god! I could feel that in my chest!" The M44 is a cool carbine with a fold out spike bayo. I told my friends that's how the Russians beat the Germans. The concussion would knock five Germans over and the Russian would run up and stab them with the bayo.

It took all of 2 rounds through an m44 to realize it needed to be traded my son who was 13 at the time got mad because I wouldnt let him shoot it.i think its worse than pulling both triggers on a fox dbl barrel.

 

[Fishslayer]

I just bought a plain Jane M91-30 made in 1943 by Izhevsk yesterday. But it does seem to have a .308 bore instead of the .311 so if I can get some Boxer primed brass instead of the Berdan primed Wolf I have, I should be able to reload for it.

CW

A lot of reloaders use the Sierra bullets made for the .303 British. IIRC they are .310 or .311.

If you have a .308 bore you're golden.

 

[waffenmac]

Ah yes, a fine rifle held together with bailing wire, stocks of old pallet wood, kicks like a mule and fires corrosive ammo. What could be better?

All very true but it killed a helluva alot Germans and other europeans probably in the multi millions