LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. - The Firearms Forum

fisher77 · 07-02-2009, 01:32 AM

I am looking to buy a Mosin nagant. What should I look for as far as condition goes? Two of the local gun shops have one in stock. The first gun shop has one that is supposed to be armory reconditioned. What does that mean? Is that a good thing, or does it matter as far as condition goes? the second gun shop said theirs had papers with it. Is that something you guys have heard before? Does it make any difference? Any help you guys can give me would be appreciated.

woolleyworm · 07-02-2009, 02:05 AM

Mosins are like a corvette, just because it's a vette doesn't mean it's a good one. I'd personally look for a M28/30, but I'm a bit partial to Finnish made goods. The reference to armory reconditioned, just means that it has been refurbished and brought up to spec by an armorer ( probably military armorer). If done properly this is ok, but this also may mean that serial numbers may not match, wood may differ, etc. this does usually mean that you'll have a decent shooter. a little step down in price can get you a M44, which are also pretty good quality MN's. If the gun has papers with it, that could mean it's been recond also. You'd have to find out just what "papers" the shop has; ask to look at them. Find out what model and country of origin they both are, then do some checking and see if it is worth what they're asking. Me personally, I look for bore finish and wear first, if all s/n's match, then I'd take a serious look into buying the firearm if the price was right.

There are a zillion differnt versions on the MN; there will be several guys online later today that are MN fanatics, you'll get some great info from them I'm sure.

Welcome to the forums and enjoy !

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 07-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Finnish are known to be very well made reconditioned rifles, at about 3-6x the price of the Soviet made models. I like mine, but it's having a hard time feeding.

fisher77 · 07-04-2009, 01:45 PM

Thanks for the info guy's. And thank you for the warm welcome Woolleyworm. Both places are asking for $130.00 for the MN 91/30. Seems a little steep to me. What do you all think?

pawn · 07-04-2009, 02:01 PM

130.00 retail for 91/30 in good condition isn't too bad.... if the rifle is from Tula aresenal then its a pretty good deal IMHO.

Pistolenschutze · 07-04-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher77

Thanks for the info guy's. And thank you for the warm welcome Woolleyworm. Both places are asking for $130.00 for the MN 91/30. Seems a little steep to me. What do you all think?

You can get them cheaper with a C&R license, fisher, but as Pawn said, a retail price of $130 is not too bad, especially for a Tula Arsenal rifle. With Mosins, it is often a matter of the luck of the draw. These were all mass produced military rifles and, as you would expect, some are better than others. The only way to tell effectively is by shooting them. Just make sure the one you're buying doesn't have an obviously pitted barrel or other signs of poor use and storage. The 91/30s I have are great shooters, by the way!

Welcome to TFF! If you like firearms, you will like it here with this bunch of crazies.

fisher77 · 07-04-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks for all your help guys. I have not seen it yet, but the dealer said it was in good shape with a good bore. I think I will go take a look at it Monday. Thanks again.

momo · 07-07-2009, 07:52 PM

If its an arsenal reconditioned 91/30 it should have a small box on the stock with a diagonal line running through it. Check out the bore, should have a shine with good rifling. As has been said before these are mass produced military rifles, I think the Soviets made like 37 million of these, and quality was not always a concern, especially when the German army was almost in Moscow in late 1941. The price isn't too bad, but if you really want a good MN save up for a Finnish model.

07-02-2009, 01:32 AM	#1
fisher77 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 5	LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. I am looking to buy a Mosin nagant. What should I look for as far as condition goes? Two of the local gun shops have one in stock. The first gun shop has one that is supposed to be armory reconditioned. What does that mean? Is that a good thing, or does it matter as far as condition goes? the second gun shop said theirs had papers with it. Is that something you guys have heard before? Does it make any difference? Any help you guys can give me would be appreciated. -->

07-02-2009, 02:05 AM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. Mosins are like a corvette, just because it's a vette doesn't mean it's a good one. I'd personally look for a M28/30, but I'm a bit partial to Finnish made goods. The reference to armory reconditioned, just means that it has been refurbished and brought up to spec by an armorer ( probably military armorer). If done properly this is ok, but this also may mean that serial numbers may not match, wood may differ, etc. this does usually mean that you'll have a decent shooter. a little step down in price can get you a M44, which are also pretty good quality MN's. If the gun has papers with it, that could mean it's been recond also. You'd have to find out just what "papers" the shop has; ask to look at them. Find out what model and country of origin they both are, then do some checking and see if it is worth what they're asking. Me personally, I look for bore finish and wear first, if all s/n's match, then I'd take a serious look into buying the firearm if the price was right. There are a zillion differnt versions on the MN; there will be several guys online later today that are MN fanatics, you'll get some great info from them I'm sure. Welcome to the forums and enjoy ! __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." . Last edited by woolleyworm; 07-02-2009 at 02:09 AM..

07-02-2009, 01:48 PM	#3
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. Finnish are known to be very well made reconditioned rifles, at about 3-6x the price of the Soviet made models. I like mine, but it's having a hard time feeding. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

07-04-2009, 01:45 PM	#4
fisher77 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 5	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. Thanks for the info guy's. And thank you for the warm welcome Woolleyworm. Both places are asking for $130.00 for the MN 91/30. Seems a little steep to me. What do you all think? __________________ When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat. Ronald Reagan Last edited by fisher77; 07-04-2009 at 07:03 PM..

07-04-2009, 02:01 PM	#5
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. 130.00 retail for 91/30 in good condition isn't too bad.... if the rifle is from Tula aresenal then its a pretty good deal IMHO. __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

07-04-2009, 07:06 PM	#7
fisher77 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 5	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. Thanks for all your help guys. I have not seen it yet, but the dealer said it was in good shape with a good bore. I think I will go take a look at it Monday. Thanks again. __________________ When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat. Ronald Reagan

07-07-2009, 07:52 PM	#8
momo Former Guest Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 300	Re: LOOKING TO BUY A MOSIN NAGANT. If its an arsenal reconditioned 91/30 it should have a small box on the stock with a diagonal line running through it. Check out the bore, should have a shine with good rifling. As has been said before these are mass produced military rifles, I think the Soviets made like 37 million of these, and quality was not always a concern, especially when the German army was almost in Moscow in late 1941. The price isn't too bad, but if you really want a good MN save up for a Finnish model.