[flyingAMT]

I bought a Mosin 91/30 mail order from Aim Surplus in 2008 for $69 plus shipping and FFL charge plus a can of 880 rounds of 1970s surplus ammo. Best $220 I've ever spent. Not a bucket list thing, that was a AR15 for me, but the rifle is great fun and usually gets the most interest at the range. The surplus ammo is fine for plinking, but I found it difficult to hold a decent group with it at 100yds. Tried w/ and w/o the bayonet and the groups were terrible, nearly 1 foot diameter all over the place. I had some Wolf brand soft point non-corrosive primer stuff that did shoot much better, but of course cost more too. Remember, all the surplus ammo is corrosive primer, so clean the gun well ASAP after you use it. Mojo makes some "drop-in" ghost ring sites for the Mosin but they cost as much as the rifle ($70). I also bought an synthetic montecarlo stock, but had to remove it to shoot MBA (Military Bolt Action) with a friend, since the rifle was required to be in original condition. The synthetic stock is decent, but doesn't fit as well as I had hoped...The rifle is fine in stock condition, just wanted a more modern feel, and the rubber butt pad was a plus too. My BIL bought a Hex Receiver Mosin from the same company and had no problems either. Both guns had dark rifling at first, but after a few shots and cleanings, they are starting to brighten up. The Mosin is worth whatever you're willing to pay for it. $129 from a local shop doesn't sound far off to me, but $150 is pushing it. $100 is great deal at a gun show or local shop. With 17 million made, they should be around for a while, but for $100 why wait?