Gunplummer said:
Mr. Smith, I am sorry you do not know what you are talking about but some people need rudeness. It seems there is no end to people like you. I seriously doubt you have done more with a Russian rifle than shoot it and read about it in a book. What do you actually know about a 30-06 chambered Russian? I would bet VERY few people on this forum have even seen one. What I cannot understand is why all you people that pray to the Mosin Nagant now, would not buy any when there was no ammo available. Where were you all? There were Russian rifles (And pistols) all over the place. Some were Korean bring backs, some from Vietnam, a whole bunch were made in the USA and never delivered. If they make such great hunting rifles, why didn't any of you guys buy them? Lots of guys used Arisakas, the M/S, and Carcanos. They just ponied up the bucks for Norma brass and reloaded. I've owned them, shot deer with them, rebarreled them(Yes, even to 8MMx54R-there is load info in the Finn load books) made bolt heads and other small parts for them. I am not stupid. It makes as good a cheap deer rifle about as much as a 1898 Krag does. They are what they are. Do not try to change history.
No, not trying to change history. Why would I?
I just made a bunch of points you're not refuting. Why?
Where was I? Well, I'm 38 now, so wasn't quite old enough to be shooting centerfire after Vietnam.
Later, growing up in a shotgun-only-for-deer state, I didn't own a rifle outside of rimfire for a long time. When I did begin to get interested, an M44 carbine was the first rifle I bought, because it was inexpensive at the time.
Turned out I liked it, and now I have more milsurp rifles not limited to the Mosin. I like them, too.
The Mosin just happens to be a tinkerer's platform, and being a tinkerer, I was drawn to it.
I do not like MIM or many modern rifles. I do like the older Winchester and Remington bolt actions, and I appreciate modern rifles with good craftsmanship.
The feel of a hardwood stock and machined metal has an allure to me that ARs and similar just don't fill.
I'm not saying the Mosin is a super rifle. Don't put words in my mouth. I
am saying that it's as good a deer gun as is a military Mauser with open sights, or Gewehr 88 Commission Rifle, or M1903, etc.
Josh