Potential Mosin Nagant "tacti-cool" build

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Hey everyone. For a while now I've been thinking about getting another 91/30 for the sole purpose of turning into a more modern rifle. Why a mosin? Because they're relatively cheap and there's already a lot of new production things out there specifically for it, and I think it would be more fun to build a "tacticool" rifle than buy one. I see it as similar to turning an old beat up car into a hot rod.

So here's what I was thinking. First find a common 91/30 with the most beat up stock (that way I'm not ruining a particularly historical or nice mosin). Preferably one with a somewhat smooth action as well.

Then I would like to do the following list of things:
-Switch out the old stock for one of those archangel stocks
-Install a timney trigger
-Install a rock solid scope mount, comes with bent bolt handle
-Install any decent bipod
-Any decent scope
-Maybe shorten barrel to around 20-22"

So what do you guys think about this? This rifle wont necessarily fill any niche, it would be more of a show/conversation piece as well as a fun project to work on. Not quite sure when I'd begin something like this, or if I should, but I definitely want to do it.
 
These have been done to death, which I don't mean as an insult so much to say there are a lot of people from whom you can draw inspiration.

I think this one is probably my favorite.

There are also these kits http://www.cbrps.com/MN_whitefront_op_554x233.jpg

Expensive, but awesome

I tried mine with the ATI Stock, UTG mount, NCStar scope etc. About the cheapest set up you can get. Don't do this. Maybe someone with better gunsmithing skills than me can make it work but I was disappointed with every aspect of it.

I eventually opted to replace it with a Boyd's stock, a Smith sights rear sight, and a blade style front sight. I can post pictures tomorrow if you're interested.
 
Seen some bull pup stocks too that look great, not sure how they'd perform but like I said look great!
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if you want my advice, DONT!
I've tried doing the tacticool and modernizing on mosin nagants. I ended up with a steamning pile of hot garbage.

the cheap scope mounts are tilted so you run out of downward adjustment in your scopes.

cheap bolt handles(the drill and tap ones) fall off.

the stocks leave the rifle horribly unbalanced.

I tried the timney trigger, couldn't get the bolt to stay cocked.

I even tried bullpupping it(the kit pictured by bennyfatsack).

in the end I had enough money into it to buy a nice entry grade benchrest rifle and the best it ever shot was 3 1/2" at 100 yards.
 
tahunua, while some of those are symptomatic of Mosin Nagants (particularly 1941 Ivhzeshk 91/30s that are so cheap), not all of those are true. Cheap scope mounts and bent bolts may not work well, but there are some companies offering quality in both. Many of the good quality bent bolts are welded that way or bent from a standard bolt. The ATI mounts and bolts are probably the ones you're thinking of. Or the terribly cheap UTG mount I had that had the exact problem you described with running out of adjustment
 
I'm not one for modifying/bubba'izing ANY military surplus rifles, at least the ones made of wood and steel like how the Baby Jesus intended. :D

But OP, your plan is sound. I think it would make a cool little tac rifle or scout rifle. The 10 round archangel mags look cool.
 
the mount and bolt handle I was describing were both ATI and i do understand that some are built better than others, I'm simply pointing out that a lot of times, the products do not live up to expectations. I believe that when Duzell was working on his, he went with the RSI mount and handle and had issued with the handle not being able to clear the mount, although I don't remember what he did to alleviate that.
 
If you do go through with this, could I get the old sight from you? Since you're going to cut the barrel down? I'd really appreciate it if you could, I've been wanting to get a sight from Smith Sights for a while and I'd like one to send to him to turn around to use on my rifle.
 
Why not...(obviously, my take ;))

The only caveat I would give you is you need to START with a solid shooter- good bore, crisp rifling...and most of us find the long 27-1/2" military contour barrels have too much "whip". Consider, cutting the barrel to 22" and re-crowing. This can be a DIY project, use a PTG crowning tool.

You can't make a purse out of a sow's ear- while many Mosin-Nagants shoot very well (need I say "Simo Hayha"- my guess is that any one of his 505 confirmed kills wished they weren't in the sights of his rifle), you need to start with a solid foundation- just like any other custom build.
 
The only caveat I would give you is you need to START with a solid shooter- good bore, crisp rifling
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Yeah I would definitely try and find one with a good bore, the only problem is the place where I bought my first 91/30 used to sell them by the crate, but I haven't seen even ONE mosin of any kind there in the past few months. I suppose I'll have to look around, but is receiving mosins by the crate a thing of the past now or something?

If you do go through with this, could I get the old sight from you?
Click to expand...

Most certainly you could have it. Don't hold your breath waiting for me though, I may not even start this project for a while, I was just running it past everyone.
 
Never much understood the "crate" thing- especially when things were "heated" (thank goodness they've cooled off...) and I think the odds of getting a crate that had not been gone through for more uncommon rifles were slim. I think it was more the "box of chocolates" more so than the price- as there was no, or very little, quantity discount.

I guess it's always best to be able to inspect what you're buying- but I've always bought online (none of my LGS's carry them for anything I regard close to "reasonable") and have never been disappointed. Last batch I bought had a "CH" sniper :)
 
the Mosin BL build had the rock solid Mount and rock solid bolt body with long handle

the mount had the lower corners catch the top part of the bolt, to FIX it i had to grind the metal of the bolt down (the smooth curved part at the top above the rod of the knob)

it was a quick fix, then i polished and works fine.

i just added RSI bedding pillars and warner rings.

RSI guarantees 800 yards of accuracy (or did when i bought mine)

difference is it has 3 screw point instead of the 2 most have on mosin mounts

RSI bolt body + mount is 160$
RSI bedding 12$ (and a drill lol)
barska 2nd gen sniper scope IR

10352263_10202397184203733_4435745657981106992_n.jpg


1383357_10202397183803723_593356876582831090_n.jpg
 
Thanks for your input Duzell, I know that you sure know a lot about modifying mosins, the one in the picture looks great. Also thank you tahunua for telling me what products to stay away from, I think I'm still going to go ahead with this at some point though.

Now to another question... where's a good place to buy a 91/30 at a halfway decent price? I noticed my LGS does actually have one 91/30 that I guess I just didn't see, its a 1943 izhevsk with a very beat up stock but is otherwise decent (sort of what I'm looking for). Only problem is it's $225, which is WAY overpriced. I could probably talk them down on the price but if I can find another that would be better. I'll probably look around at some other shops to see if I can find one as I like buying in person better than online, but what are some good places online that sell them?

I also would like some opinions on another idea, and I think I know what most of you would say but I'll ask anyways. I've been kind of throwing around the idea of actually using the one I already have for the project. It's almost perfect for the project. It's a 1939 izhevsk with a pretty good bore, extremely smooth bolt (came that way), and I refinished the stock, which I think came out just ok. Will I be kicking myself in the future if I did that you think?
 
If I were going to customize a Mosin, I would start with a Sniper model. They have decent triggers, are accurate, and you can mount a scope properly without a jerry rig sitting on top of your rifle. I am actually going this week to buy a sniper model that supposedly has a bright bore, not counter bored, hex receiver, good stock, and no rust for $175. Guess I will know for sure when I see it, but the guy that has it usually describes his stuff in worse condition than what it actually is when I actually look at it.
 
If you want a project then go ahead, should be a good one.
But I'd be more inclined to buy a beat up Remington or Savage or a Tikka if it exists.

You will improve the Mosin 100 fold, but at the end of the day you still have the not so hot action of a Mosin and are stuck with the 7.62x54.
I'd rather spend the extra initial cost on a better rifle, and end up with a potential match grade rifle at the end, rather than a better Mosin.
 
I polished the trigger on my Mosin and the take up and pull weight is significantly decreased, making for a better trigger.

First I polished the side of the sear that has the hole in it for the screw, I polished about a 3/16 long section of the sear until it was "in the white" with 400 grit sandpaper, then I touched the top of the sear a bit ( be VERY careful with this part, too much off of hear and you'll need a new sear, as the sear will release on its own), next I polished about an eighth of an inch on the opposing side of the sear near the base until it was "in the white" with 400 grit sandpaper. I have attached a picture for reference.
 

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Why not? It a much better way to waste money than some others. It's like putting Acuza wheels on a salvaged 98 Ford Focus in my view.
 
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