Mosin-Nagant 91/30 - Which should I pick?

D

DougB

New member
A local store has Mosin-Nagant 91/30s on sale this week for $49.95. They have two:

#1 has a pretty nice stock, but very little bluing left anywhere (it almost looks like it was never blued). It is dated 1942, and has a round (typical) receiver. The stock is about as nice as any I've seen on these rifles.

#2 has a beat up stock that appears to be partially stripped of finish, but the bluing is very nice (about 95%). It has a receiver a little different from any I've noticed before - the front of the receiver (near the chamber) has a flat top and sharp angles. It also has a lot of Russian writing and a star on top of the receiver. It is dated 1926.

Both have mis-matched bolts, but #2 has other parts with matching numbers. The bores on each appear to be okay and about the same. I'm inclined to get the one with the nice bluing and the unusual receiver and refinish the stock. I know that some frown on this with any "original" military rifle, but the current wood doesn't look too bad, but the finish is nearly gone already.

Anyone know what the deal is with the 1926 rifle with the angular receiver? Which should I get? I plan to shoot it some for fun, but it is mostly for historical interest.

Doug
 
I'd go with #2. You are better off getting one that is in better mechanical condition. Stocks can be easily replaced all day long and shipped right to your door with no hassle. :)
 
First, let me make my obligatory referral to Tuco's - repository of all things MN: http://www.mosin-nagant.net/

Having said that, I'd get the hex receiver (#2) with the better bluing and the more matching parts. PreserveFreedom is absolutely correct that there are lots of stocks out there (Reich over in Las Vegas and Mark Kubes in FL may have them - links at Tuco's), and the hex receivers (while certainly no longer as rare as they once were) are more interesting than the round on the 91/30s.

The date on the top of the receiver is actually the BARREL date, and indicates that your rifle was originally a dragoon. That makes it neat to me. The receiver date is on the underside of the tang - you'll see it when you pull the wood off.

95%?! Go get it!
 
If #2 was manufactured in 1926 as a 91/30 (not called 30 at the time), then it is a prototype and worth a lot. I wouldn't touch the stock. But- it is far more likely to be a cut down dragoon. I wouldn't know how to tell the difference, as the early 91/30s shared many features of the dragoon.
 
That's right!

No.4Mk1 raises a possibility that I hadn't even considered. You really want to visit Tuco's and spend some time to figure out what it is you have once you buy it (the second rifle).
 
Thanks for the info and suggestions. I did check Tuco's site and I think #2 is a Dragoon made at the Tula arsenal (judging by the markings and the hexagonal receiver). Someone there said that the 1926 probably means when the barrel was installed - apparently there should be another date somewhere that shows when the receiver was made (obviously earlier). I now have it on layaway (along with 3 other rifles at the store - I'm getting them all at once to save the about $45 in government fees over buying them one at a time).

So, what IS a Dragoon? I take it they are older rifles that were converted to the 91/30 configuration (?) Just the name and hexagonal receiver make it more interesting to me than a typical 91/30, but should I have any concern about the safety of shooting it with "modern" (1960s surplus) 7.62x54 ammo? Any other info or suggestions will be appreciated.

Doug
 
Chances are that it's as safe as any other MN with modern ammo. A dragoon is a mounted infantryman. Lots more info @ Tuco's.
 
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