Mosin Nagant

P

Prof Young

New member
Shooters:
Thinking about a Mosin Nagant just because the price of gun and ammo is low, and it looks like fun.
What do I need to know before I buy?
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
 
What should you know?

The recoil sucks, the safety sucks, the ammo is corrosive, manipulating the bolt will require hitting it with a 2x4, and the sights are damn near impossible to zero.

Other than that, what's not to love?

Jimro
 
I love my Mosin.

Look for a "hex receiver" as opposed to a "round receiver." Supposedly they are made better (they fetch a bit higher price). They started producing round receivers around WWII when they needed to make things faster.

If possible, buy one that's been at least a bit cleaned up by a shop. That way you can check the bore to see if it's shiny. Shiny bore means no (or very little) rust.

The most common ones you'll find are 91/30s. They're LONG. The shorter carbine-type models are much more handy, and more expensive.

Most 91/30s shoot around a foot high at 100 yards. Smith Sights sells replacement adjustable front sights that make the shooting experience much more enjoyable.

I don't mind the recoil. If you get a relatively clean example, the bolt problem isn't that big of an issue.

I'm not a super good shot, but I shoot six groups at 100 yards with open sights with it off a bench.

If yours was made before 1942 or so (there will be a clear stamp on top of the receiver), it was almost definitely used in WWII. So I feel like almost like you've gotten a better than even shot of buying a Mosin that's killed a Nazi or two, so that's cool.

Check out the YouTube channel called IraqWarVeteran888. The guy's a big fan of Mosin's and he has tons of videos about maintaining, using and modding Mosins.
 
The Mosin is a tried and true bolt gun. It does exactly what it's supposed to but not much else. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, either.

Mine shoots very true with old milsurp ammo and has zero reliability issues. Mind you, I own guns that are finicky and this is a feature that should not be overlooked. A gun that works every time is worth more than the dollars you'll ever pay for it.

Get the variant you really want, but you'll be well served with the run-of-the-mill 91/30, even with the round receiver. I wouldn't pay more than about $150 for one of those these days. Of course, mine was much cheaper.

Bottom line: it's a good choice.
 
I'm a big fan of the Mosin Nagant. Regarding the corrosive ammo, just clean it properly and it's not a big deal. Sticky bolt (the 2x4 comment), make sure the chamber is clean and remember that a lot of the less expensive surplus ammo is lacquer coated. A lot of the impossible to zero comments come from owners of the M44, who either don't shoot with the bayonet extended or decided to "improve" the design and lop off the bayonet. I actually prefer the sights on the Mosin Nagant over a stock Mauser U and inverted V sights.

Is it a smooth as other bolt actions? No. If you expect the action on a Mosin Nagant to work like a Lee Enfield or any Mauser variant, you're simply barking up the wrong tree.
Is the recoil extreme? No, but that's simply my opinion. There are rifles that recoil a lot more. The Mosin Nagant does not respect an improper and lazy shouldering. No worse than a 12 gauge shotgun.

There's a lot of history (good and bad) to explore with the Mosin Nagant. One final word of caution, they multiply; the right number of Mosin Nagant rifles to own is, "just one more".
 
The recoil is kind of tough, just get a limbsaver recoil pad and you're good. Most stores selling ammo will have some that says "non corrosive". The bolt gets harder to work when the gun gets hot. Take your time shooting it, and the bolt won't give you too much trouble. They are really just fun guns.

Check the stock for cracks, check for rust in everything. In the store, remove the bolt by cocking back, pulling the trigger, and pull back. Check the bore out that way.
Don't expect it to be a tack driver, but do expect a good time shooting.
 
Mosin 7.62x54R

I have a M-44 the shorter version.I have taken it to a CMP match last year and really need to try it again.Shooting at 200 yards I must say I like its sights better than my K-98 Mauser and it shot about the same.The surplus ammo is temperature sensitive so don't leave it out in the sun or it will give you high pressure signs.(sticky extractions)Be careful about loading and take a moment to load stripper clips properly it is a rimmed cartridge and you can load a rim behind another and jam the gun,been there done that and it cost me two shots in rapid fire prone segment.They make good truck guns and shoot reasonably well.Ammo is cheap and hunting rounds can be found in most places or at gun shows.They are getting somewhat of a following for those reasons.Power wise they fall between a 308 and a 30-06.A lot of the surplus ammo is steel core so some ranges frown on their use.As pointed out the ammo is corrosive so keep it clean and good luck.
 
Look for a good barrel. Take a bore sight with you when you go shopping.

If the bolt is stiff, try tons of dry firing. Practice rapid fire while dry firing. It will smooth out.

I don't find the recoil objectionable. If the recoil does bother you, work on your positions.

Stay away from corrosive ammo. There is plenty of surplus ammo that isn't corrosive. Better yet, reload.

If you reload, don't by Norma Brass. Its good brass but expensive. I never fired surplus ammo in mine. I bought Winchester loaded ammo, less the half the price of Norma brass. Shot it, now I have good brass.

Most Mosin's shoot high. Easy fix and the fix doesn't cost anything plus the rifle remains "as issued" per CMP GSM Rules.

If yours shoots high let me know and I'll tell you how to fix it.

IF one takes a bit of time to learn to shoot the rifle he can turn a cheap shooter into a great shooter.

Just make sure you get a good barrel. Don't worry about "pretty" Mosin's aren't suppose to be pretty.

Don't try to free float the barrel. Its not suppose to be free floated.

I cannot stress enough about dry firing. Fast SMOOTH bolt operation. If the bolt is ruff, it will smoothen out with just plain bolt operation.

If you decide to shoot with the bayonet on, it will change impact. All rifles do, including my Springfield, Krag, M1917, M1 Carbine, Garand, AR's........all of them do don't panic.

If you learn the rifle and have a good barrel, you can easily get 3 MOA groups. The targets used in the CMP GSM Vintage rifle matches have a 3.5 MOA X-10 ring. Cleaning the target is up to you.

I find the balance of the Mosin to be good for offhand (standing-unsupported). That's where CMP GSM matches are won and lost. And it doesn't cost anything to be a good Off Hand shooter, dry firing is the best practice you can get.

Get the Mosin, learn to shoot it and you'll never regret it.
 
All above is true.

All I can add is that remember that the surplus ammo is not for shooting groups and will disappoint when it comes to accuracy compared to factory ammo or handloads, which is why I've never shot a single round of it. Fine for "plinking", if that's what you're into...

One in excellent condition can "shoot" in the right stock with the right ammunition.
 
just be sure to shop around for a good one. There are still plenty of mosins around (for the time being) so do yourself a favor and don't buy the first one you see off the rack at Dunhams.
 
The 1942-1945 dated Mosins are the WWII production, and the fit and finish is often not the best. If you can get one, a pre-1942 rifle is what you want, and a 1930-1940, if in good condition, is probably the best workmanship out there.

For plinking, the WWII rifles are just fine, I have a few myself. For accuracy, the pre-war stuff is an order of magnitude ahead.

Condition, however, is everything.
 
For plinking, the WWII rifles are just fine, I have a few myself. For accuracy, the pre-war stuff is an order of magnitude ahead.
Click to expand...

This is an interesting point for discussion...
Agreed that fit/finish on the wartime MN's is lacking...the machining marks on some receivers I've seen make them look like Beavers did the work.

But...

The accurized rifles I've built have been from wartime receivers that have been re-arsenaled, and the bores have been excellent. Not new, but zero pitting and just slightly rounded lands. I don't know what they actually did when they re-arsenaled these weapons or what the criteria was, but all I've seen were definitely "shooters".
 
Beware of Mosin-itis! :D

My recommendations are getting a Polish M44 and a Hex Receiver 91/30. Check the bores to make sure the rifling is good and that all numbers match. If buying online, opt for the best quality you can buy. Right now Budsgunshop is selling the Hex 91/30 for $169 shipped.

Get yourself a couple of cases of ammo, usually in the 440-round tin cans.

Lastly, read up on the Mosin website at 7.62x54R.net
 
Speaking of the Mosin Nagant

I found a great deal on a Mosin two months ago, haven't shot it yet but can't wait, (having hand surgery in Oct.). I think I got a good deal, I paid $50.00 for 220 rnds (corrosive silver tip) and $100.00 for what I think is one nice mosin: bluing 100%, wood 90%, all parts matching with excellent rifling and clean bore,, theres no worn blue on this rifle...:)
 
I agree with everything that has been said already, go for it!

If you can get one, a pre-1942 rifle is what you want, and a 1930-1940, if in good condition, is probably the best workmanship out there.
Click to expand...

I can also agree with that statement. I have a 1939 Izhevsk 91/30 and its QUITE a bit nicer than my brother's 1942 Izhevsk 91/30.
 
I like the character of the wartime rifles, particularly 42-43. Really shows the pressure the Soviets were under, victory was not a foregone conclusion, and losses were staggering. They were cranking out as many rifles as they could, fast as possible to drive the fascist invaders out of the Motherland.

I don't own them because ammo is cheap (although it is a bonus), but they are readily available historic artifacts.
 
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532586

I got a lot of help from members, in fact great help.
Go to some of the web sites that they suggested on my thread.
As far as corrosive I just received 880 rounds of non corrosive for under 200$ including tax and shipping.
There is a photo of a 100 yard target.
One of the better purchases I have ever made but buyer beware. Learn everything you can before picking one out.
 
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