Which 7.62x54R rifle?

G

Glock_Racer

New member
I recently was able to try out a Russian made rifle of this caliber and I liked the mild recoil and decent accuracy of the 7.62x54R cartridge. Can anybody recommend an inexpensive 7.62x54R rifle and a source to buy one? I prefer a bolt-action type BTW...
 
Model 1891/30 should cost $40 at a gunshow. Finn Model 1939 will cost $100.
Look at the differences in the front sight, rear sight, barrel thickness/legnth/weight, and stock. You decide. They are both nice peices of history.
I prefer full length rifles over carbines.

By the way, if 7.62*54R is mild recoil, what is moderate recoil?
 
Also look at the M44

A Polish M44, that is. The M44 is shorter and a little easier to handle and has a fixed bayonet. Really neat. There are lots of them out there just like the 91/30.

And FYI, the ammo is not "mild" in any sense of the word. Moderate may not really fit, either. Actually, it has quite a nice kick to it. You definitely want to make sure you've got some padding on your shoulder and really plant that butt or your shoulder will look like mine the fist time you shoot it. I was dumb. Heck, I'm a guy and shoot lots of milsurps (all semi=auto, however) so I know what to expect. Wearing only a tee-shirt on a hot Summer day, I blasted off about 10 rounds before I had to head out. In the car on the way home, my shoulder began to burn a little. I pulled up my sleeve and couldn't believe what that rifle did to my poor skin. Looked like a giant hickey. :eek: Anyway, that's the last time I did that but really enjoy shooting those old bolt actions once and a while.

The ammo is cheap and works great in the M44 and it is a very accurate rifle. Now all you need is your C&R license and you'll be able to shop across the country and get door to door service, too!

Good luck!

Rome
 
The Finn M38. Nice and heavy for intensive plinking sessions. Barrels are a little thicker too for the heat. Got my two from SOG a couple of years ago, both are Sakos.
 
I recently bought the "For Collectors Only" book on the Nagants, great book if you want more detailed info.

I think the 44's are a great gun if you want a shorter weapon. Great buy for the cash.

I'm with the other guys on the recoil. In the longer nagants it's not bad. But in the shorter carbines it's not much fun.

I think you'll like any of them so long as you get a good piece. They are a great buy for the money.
 
First time I've heard the "Noisy Magnet" described as having 'mild recoil'. It's by no means brutal, but it's as bad as any other service caliber of the same vintage... (.303 Brit/.30-06/8mm Mauser/7.7 Jap/ etc.)

My choice would be a Finnish-made Nagant, if you can find one.
 
My Hungarian M44 is a nice shooter, but those things will punch your fillings loose if you don't pull the rifle in nice and tight. The muzzle blast out of a carbine-length barrel is definitely something to behold. They're fun, they're sturdy, and they work...and they're very reasonably priced. Mine was $80, and that's enough to get you a deluxe Nagant (almost a contradiction in terms.)
 
There seems to be general agreement that the Model 39 Finns were the best of the Mosin Nagant rifles.

There are several places advertising in the Shotgun News that they have like new Model 39 Finnish Mosin Nagants. They range in price up to $200 depending on the factory that made them.

Sako made some of these rifles--they usually go for $200. I look at it like this--where else are you gonna find a like new Sako for $200?
 
.303 and 8mm

I have both a Mauser and an Enfield, and I can tell you, recoil isn't at all bad. I have been thinking for a long time about a 7.62 rusky, but haven't made my mind up yet, I am thinking of a 91/30 or a plain 91. What do you guys think? I haven't found any 91's around, only 91/30's, when I have an extra $40 I might get one. I have heard that the bolts are rough on these rifles, true-false? Thanks for any suggestions.
 
And FYI, the ammo is not "mild" in any sense of the word. Moderate may not really fit, either. Actually, it has quite a nice kick to it. You definitely want to make sure you've got some padding on your shoulder and really plant that butt or your shoulder will look like mine the fist time you shoot it. I was dumb. Heck, I'm a guy and shoot lots of milsurps (all semi=auto, however) so I know what to expect. Wearing only a tee-shirt on a hot Summer day, I blasted off about 10 rounds before I had to head out. In the car on the way home, my shoulder began to burn a little. I pulled up my sleeve and couldn't believe what that rifle did to my poor skin. Looked like a giant hickey. Anyway, that's the last time I did that but really enjoy shooting those old bolt actions once and a while.
Click to expand...


Okay, so I'm trying to sound macho and tough :rolleyes:

I was actually warned of the recoil when the guy at the range let me shoot his M44. I shot 5 rounds and the recoil didn't really phase me as much. I've shot magnum calibers before like the 300 win mag and that sucker kicks. I'm a big, stocky guy, so I may have some extra "natural padding" already :D Now after 40 rounds or so shooting the 7.62x44R, I may notice it more...
 
I shoot the big stuff, ie. 404 jeffery, 416 rigby,375 H&H, so the 7.62x54r is mild. But then again I do have a bit of natural padding and I always pull em in tight
 
This one is a no brainer as far as I am concerned. A Finn M39. Not a long gun like the M91 or 91/30's. Larger and more accurate than the Carbines...many consider the Finn M39 to be one of the most accurate rifles that shoot the 7.62x54r. I have 8 different types that shoot the round, My long M91 and the M39 are by far the most accurate.

Although with the M44 varients you do get a bayonet..........

:rolleyes:

bob
 
Good choice on the 39. My favorite MN, and lots of them are on antique receivers that cut down on paperwork. I'd like to put in my two cents for the 91/59 (a cut-down, arsenal-reconditioned 91/30, generally found in new condition) as well, on a condition-for-the-money basis.

Re: where to order.
There are a lot of links over at Tuco's
http://www.mosin-nagant.net/ and the guys at his collector's forum
http://www.gunboards.com/forums/
will be happy to give you a rundown on who's good.
 
I've got a Russian M44, and it is a great fun little gun. Probably not as accurate as the Fins, but hey it was $65!

And I don't think the recoil is that bad either. I can do a couple of boxes in an afternoon of shooting and I don't find it uncomfortable, but I'm another large and naturally padded fella. :)
 
I'm a medium-large guy, and I wear a PASGT vest when I shoot my Mauser, 3" 12ga slugs, etc, and I wished I had my vest when I shot a friend's Mosin-Nagant. Ugh. I thought it kicked more than my Mauser. :(
 
Recoil wise

I have several 7.62X53's, .303 brits, and 8mm mausers, and the 7.62 definately has a bit more bite in my opinion. But it pales in compairson to my .444 marlin and my 45-70. It's all in what you're compairing it to. And my vote goes for the M-44. You can get an M-44 and 2 cases of ammo for the same price as an M39. My Hungarian shoots 2 1/2'' at 100 yrds. Not too shaby for a rifle born before I was.
 
Buy one of each!

Just go buy one. When you are done shooting it, buy another. Get a collection. I currently have a Ruissan M44 and a Russian 91/30. The longer the barrel, the easier the recoil and less bang. The shorter the barrel, the wilder the beast!
 
I originally bought a Polish M44 as a trunk gun. I wanted something I could beat and not feel bad and I wanted something that, if stolen, wouldn't be too attractive (old crappy bolt-gun) or dangerous (wrong ammo) to the thief.

What I discovered was an exceptionally accurate, super handy, little beast. I now find it as much fun to shoot as any of my black rifles, may more so in light of its design date (1891). If I could find a good recoil pad for it, I'd be in hog heaven.
 
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