I have a Russian 91/30 from '41 (I think, or is it '39?)(bbl made at Izhevsk, receiver made at Tula - go figure), and it has an amazing trigger on it. Almost dangerous, in fact. I've shot 2.5" groups with it at 100 yds, despite the fact that the bore is UGLY. It's wonderfully fun to plink the 200 yd gongs with at the range - never misses. The rifle's like a .22 - everyone who's picked it up has enjoyed shooting it.
My understanding is that the Finn 91/30s are more accurate than the Russkis. (And someone just posted a bunch of Tikkas over on Tuco's Trader board, so . . . ). I don't like schlepping around a rifle with a 29" bbl, so my eye's always drawn to the Mosin carbines (I've had a couple 44s and I presently have a 91/59) but I have to admit the 91/30 balances like a dream. Plus, they look so good hanging on the wall.
My 44s both had better bores and worse (tho serviceable) triggers than my 91/30. They'd shoot about the same at 100 yds, maybe a little looser. My 91/59 shoots about the same as the 91/30, maybe a little better (I keep sneaking down toward sub-2" groups and then my shooting goes south). The carbines kick a hell of a lot more, though (especially the 91/59), plus they'll show you a watermelon-shaped ball of fire at noon in the NM desert. The 91/30 is much more pleasant; it lets you know you've shot something substantial but doesn't punish you.
My Finn 39 (SAKO, with a Chatellerault receiver), OTOH, is about like shooting my 94 Swede mauser. . . very accurate, and very pleasant to shoot. I've shot sub-1" groups at 100 yds with the Swede, and I've approached the 1" mark with the Finn. Man, that's a lot of gun for the money. But that's true of all the Mosins. I used to be such a snob against the Mosin Nagant system, and it's been such an epiphany discovering what great rifles they are. Buy lots of them!
