Mosin Nagant - What should I know?
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CW Spook
US Veteran
The real bargain days on the Mosins were about 10 years ago. I bought 5 assorted Hungarian, Romanian and Polish M44s from Century in 2002 for $250. Over the next 3 or 4 years I acquired a couple dozen of them. I've parted with a few, but still have a half-dozen or so Finnish M39s, a handful of carbines (including a scout-mounted M38 with a Huber trigger that is my truck gun), a couple of 91-30s and a few thousand rounds of ammo. The Finn M39s are particularly nice guns, but 4 or 5 times the cost of a re-arsenal'ed 91-30. All are good shooters and still the most bang you can get for your buck. There are 2 or 3 forums and websites dedicated to the MN, so there's lots of good info out there. Check out gunsnammo dot com for a nice selection of the Finns.
stantheman86
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Strong, made from Russian steel and overbuilt to take lots of abuse. I also feel the grooves for the rifling are cut deeper to allow the rifle to still function with dirt, carbon, and crud in the bore and also to allow for more damage from rust and corrosive ammo.
I have Mosins with some very "frosty" bores and they still shoot great. Some of the Mausers I have with corroded bores send the bullets out the muzzle spinning.
A 91/30 or M44 with a few 1,000 rounds of good, brass case non-corrosive 7.62x54r wouldn't be a bad choice for a "zombie" rifle.
I have Mosins with some very "frosty" bores and they still shoot great. Some of the Mausers I have with corroded bores send the bullets out the muzzle spinning.
A 91/30 or M44 with a few 1,000 rounds of good, brass case non-corrosive 7.62x54r wouldn't be a bad choice for a "zombie" rifle.
marvin the martian
Member
One word - Don't! 
I've seen many a good men fall to the awful disease called Mosin-itis. You may think, "Hey, this is a great cheap gun I should buy one." I will say from experience that they are more addictive than nicotine, crack, meth and cheap hookers! You start with one, next you're looking for one from each year, then each arsenal, then each configuration...the 91/30, M-38, M-44, Finns, ex-snipers...AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
I've seen many a good men fall to the awful disease called Mosin-itis. You may think, "Hey, this is a great cheap gun I should buy one." I will say from experience that they are more addictive than nicotine, crack, meth and cheap hookers! You start with one, next you're looking for one from each year, then each arsenal, then each configuration...the 91/30, M-38, M-44, Finns, ex-snipers...AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
marvin the martian
Member
Go buy one (or a case) and a spam can of surplus ammo and enjoy!
The corrosive ammo uses potassium chlorate in the primer which will deposit a fine film of potassium chloride in the barrel. When packing up after shooting soak a couple of patches in water and run them down the barrel, wipe off the bolt face and your good, even if you don't clean your gun right away.
The corrosive ammo uses potassium chlorate in the primer which will deposit a fine film of potassium chloride in the barrel. When packing up after shooting soak a couple of patches in water and run them down the barrel, wipe off the bolt face and your good, even if you don't clean your gun right away.
CW Spook
US Veteran
One word - Don't!
I've seen many a good men fall to the awful disease called Mosin-itis. You may think, "Hey, this is a great cheap gun I should buy one." I will say from experience that they are more addictive than nicotine, crack, meth and cheap hookers! You start with one, next you're looking for one from each year, then each arsenal, then each configuration...the 91/30, M-38, M-44, Finns, ex-snipers...AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
Boy, did you get that right! After ten years of therapy I'm nearly cured, but I still backslide in my mind, even if not in my wallet.
writerinmo
US Veteran
I went and got my 03FFL before buying my first Mosin, a 1942 Tula arsenal round receiver from Classic Arms for a grand total of $96 including shipping. All numbers save for the magazine floorplate matched, the bore looks as if it had hardly been shot and the wood is in excellent condition. Their website just listed some "excellent" rated hex receiver 91/30's for the princely sum of $100, Rguns has a special on right now for $140 you get a 91/30 and a spam can of surplus ammo, $40 shipping. There are lots of other suppliers who are carrying them as well, you will pay varying amounts for condition and stock type.
The Chinese made a Type 53, which is identical to the M44 except for the wood used in the stock is Chu-wood, which tends to get a mushy feel after about 50 years, lol. I found their trigger to be slightly superior to the Russian ones, and swapped the one out of my shot-out 53 into my 91/30.
Just ordered a spam can from SGammo, 440 rounds for $90 shipped to my door.
If you buy one, you're also required to purchase a DVD of the movie, "Enemy at the Gates..."
The Chinese made a Type 53, which is identical to the M44 except for the wood used in the stock is Chu-wood, which tends to get a mushy feel after about 50 years, lol. I found their trigger to be slightly superior to the Russian ones, and swapped the one out of my shot-out 53 into my 91/30.
Just ordered a spam can from SGammo, 440 rounds for $90 shipped to my door.
If you buy one, you're also required to purchase a DVD of the movie, "Enemy at the Gates..."
three-five-seven
Member
moison nagants...something else to collect
I go to a public range and I have noticed that there are lot of shooters that have come from Eastern Europe and Russia. the common denominator is that they alll shoot Moison Nagant rifles. i get a chuckle out of it. Some of them have had military experience and have used real AKs and other weapons. They also love this country because they can own all the firearms they want and have a place to shoot. I also noticed that they have little prejudice towards other firearms and own many other types and brands... and some pretty expensive stuff to boot. I too will get a Moison Nagant. I have no US martial arms but do enjoy the European stuff and will add one of these too. Thanks for the good info about these rifles. I reload for my old rifles too.
I go to a public range and I have noticed that there are lot of shooters that have come from Eastern Europe and Russia. the common denominator is that they alll shoot Moison Nagant rifles. i get a chuckle out of it. Some of them have had military experience and have used real AKs and other weapons. They also love this country because they can own all the firearms they want and have a place to shoot. I also noticed that they have little prejudice towards other firearms and own many other types and brands... and some pretty expensive stuff to boot. I too will get a Moison Nagant. I have no US martial arms but do enjoy the European stuff and will add one of these too. Thanks for the good info about these rifles. I reload for my old rifles too.
stantheman86
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My favorite is the M91, I must have over 10 of them..most are beaters I just use as range blasters, but I have some decent ones....I like long rifles and the rear sight is neat. Just don't expect to be clearing any rooms with them..... They still have that "old World Imperial Russian" feel to them, before corners started getting cut for production. The 91/30 is a cheaper to make update to the Dragoon rifle, which is basically a slightly shorter M91.
That's another symptom of Mosinitis, you can't give a number offhand of how many you have I know I have 30+ Mosins, maybe closer to 40, I'll have to count them tomorrow....
That's another symptom of Mosinitis, you can't give a number offhand of how many you have
I know I have 30+ Mosins, maybe closer to 40, I'll have to count them tomorrow....BigBill
Absent Comrade
The accuracy with some of these are awesome, they just may surprise you.
Go to AIM Surplus Home and checkout the 91/30 russian mosins. I'd grab them all now. They also have the russian FMJ ammo in 7,62x54r too.
Go to Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC and check out the $6 / 20rds 203gr soft point russian made barnaul ammo for hunting. The old mosins do make cheap game getters.
Go to AIM Surplus Home and checkout the 91/30 russian mosins. I'd grab them all now. They also have the russian FMJ ammo in 7,62x54r too.
Go to Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC and check out the $6 / 20rds 203gr soft point russian made barnaul ammo for hunting. The old mosins do make cheap game getters.
OP
truckemup97
Member
What's the difference between the hex receiver and the round? I guess the hex is supposed to be better, because it is more expensive, but why? Stronger? More rare?
The 'hex' recv'r is the older, original design. Later changed to the round style for easier quicker mfg'r.
Some say the 'hex' design is stronger,,but the strength of the receiver doesn't ever seem to be an issue.
There's are probably more round rec'vr M/Nagants around than 'hex' (actually octagon if they continued the flats all the way around the receiver ring).
Like octagon bbls on lever action rifles, they seem to be more popular with buyers.
Many models of these M/Nagants have been recycled/remade from other older ones. So you may find a reletively newer model with an older production 'hex' receiver.
Some say the 'hex' design is stronger,,but the strength of the receiver doesn't ever seem to be an issue.
There's are probably more round rec'vr M/Nagants around than 'hex' (actually octagon if they continued the flats all the way around the receiver ring).
Like octagon bbls on lever action rifles, they seem to be more popular with buyers.
Many models of these M/Nagants have been recycled/remade from other older ones. So you may find a reletively newer model with an older production 'hex' receiver.
stantheman86
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Hex receivers suddenly became "disireable" when importers began charging a premium for them. When I started buying them there was no difference, I would go to gun shows and there would just be 91/30's in boxes piles up, you could pick whatever you wanted for $70. It was a case of bringing your own bore light, looking for one with good rifling and you were good........ Then "collectors" sprouted up and began sifting through and picking out the ex-Dragoons, hex receivers, the Tula rifles are supposed to be "better" (that remains debatable), dealers got wise and started charging more for these. When "shooters" looking for range rifles and cheap deer rifles gave way to "collectors" who had just seen Enemy at the Gates, prices started creeping up. There are a ton of "repro sniper" 91/30's on the market, since repro scopes and mounts are still made in Belarus and importers were grabbing standard 91/30's out of crates and slapping scopes on them.
It never mattered to me with the refurbs,what arsenal or year..... the first 91/30 I got was a '32 Izhevsk, about $70 at the SARCO showroom in NJ. It has a mint bore, that's why I got it, I could care less about the arsenal or year. People say the Tulas have better fit and finish, but my Izhevsk 1943 has no trouble hitting bowling pins at 200 yards.It's just that Izhevsk left the receivers rougher during wartime, while Tula continued to polish them. All of them are parts guns anyway, usually the only thing "Tula" on a Tula rifle is the receiver and barrel. One of my Izhevsk refurbs came with a Remington bolt in it, you just never know what you're gonna get.
It never mattered to me with the refurbs,what arsenal or year..... the first 91/30 I got was a '32 Izhevsk, about $70 at the SARCO showroom in NJ. It has a mint bore, that's why I got it, I could care less about the arsenal or year. People say the Tulas have better fit and finish, but my Izhevsk 1943 has no trouble hitting bowling pins at 200 yards.It's just that Izhevsk left the receivers rougher during wartime, while Tula continued to polish them. All of them are parts guns anyway, usually the only thing "Tula" on a Tula rifle is the receiver and barrel. One of my Izhevsk refurbs came with a Remington bolt in it, you just never know what you're gonna get.
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Great, I find this thread AFTER I came home from a gunshow today,there were lots a dealers selling them for around $120, ammo for $6/20 but I did not not know enough about them to make a purchase. With the help of this thread I may have to go back and buy one in the morning.
One question, are you required to fill out the FFL paperwork in order to purchase them?
One question, are you required to fill out the FFL paperwork in order to purchase them?
Vapa, yep, full paperwork required unless you have a C&R FFL.
Another question, is a M91/30 and a 1891/30 the same?
CW Spook
US Veteran
Yes. The Soviets never referred to the rifle as "1891/30". The original rifle was designated "the three-line rifle of 1891". That is the model we in the west refer to as the Model 1891. In 1924 a committee was formed to modernize the M1891, the result being the M91/30. More details here:
Mosin?Nagant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
mkk41
US Veteran
The real desirable M-Ns are the ones made by Remington and New England Westinghouse.
Short history; 1914-17 - Czarist Russia ordered millions from Rem and NEW, October revolution , Bolsheviks take over , crawfish the deal , Uncle Sam buys the rifles so makers don't go bankrupt, some go to Army for use as training rifles , some go to friendly nations (including USSR) , some go to surplus dealers , some go to DCM/CMP and get sold for as little as $2.50 new.
BUT , nobody wanted them! Many became wall hanger , even lamps.
Now a nice Rem or NEW M-N will fetch $750 or more.
Short history; 1914-17 - Czarist Russia ordered millions from Rem and NEW, October revolution , Bolsheviks take over , crawfish the deal , Uncle Sam buys the rifles so makers don't go bankrupt, some go to Army for use as training rifles , some go to friendly nations (including USSR) , some go to surplus dealers , some go to DCM/CMP and get sold for as little as $2.50 new.
BUT , nobody wanted them! Many became wall hanger , even lamps.
Now a nice Rem or NEW M-N will fetch $750 or more.
Thanks for the link to Wikipedia, my fear now is that I am catching Mosinitis.....
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