Want to buy Mosin Nagant...

I have a 91/30 and an M44. I suppose they are both pretty good weapons, I don't shoot them all that often, they kick like a mule. I have a C&R so I got mine directly from the distributor. The price of them are low enough for all of the gun shops in my area have a few of each in stock. You should not have any trouble finding one locally, if you look.

 

I bought one at Cabela's on sale for $119.99. Few others were there at the same time, how many you got to look at was pretty much up to the particular counter person you happened to get's patience level it seemed to me. The guy that helped me looked thru 10 for me.

 

I would look for one that had matching numbers on the receiver and bolt. Look down the bore and make sure it looks good. Also, I like the older ones better. Early 1900's to the 1940's.
You can find them at many gun shops and pawn shops, priced from around $100 up to $199 if someone thinks he has a rare model. The shorter carbines from the 50's have gone up in price lately and you will find them well over $200 most places now.
They are unique and fun to shoot. There's alot of history wrapped up in those old guns.

 

I got mine from j&g sales online. Using my c&r, it cost me $127 delivered, and it was a hand pick. It had never been used. When you get one, the surplus ammo is fine, just be sure to clean it quickly afterward using Windex to start. The ammonia neutralizes to acids in the primer. Also, the american gunsmithing institute has a video about taking it apart for cleaning. You will have to do a really good job cleaning the cosmoline out of it, especially the bolt. It causes lots of problems otherwise.

 

Water Water Water.....dont use Windex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcFKCTfKENc

Then oil and clean normally

 

I've never used windex. When I do take them out to shoot, I take a gallon of water with some dish soap in it and as soon as I finish shooting, I start pouring the water slowly down the barrel from the bolt end, then run patches down it to dry, and then patches with oil. That is why I don't shoot them very much, too much of a PITA to clean.

 

The Mosin Nagants work but they are crude at best (typical Russian product). They use unusual ammo that may be hard to find in the future when the surplus ammo runs out.

In the way of a vintage WWII bolt gun, a Mauser is a much better choice. They are more expensive but they are better made and I think more accurate, at least in my experience which includes a couple of Mausers and a near new Mosin Nagant and all the Mauser in my son-in-law collection of many Mausers. I even put a vintage scope on my Mosin Nagant which proved to be more difficult than I imagined as the receiver was so crude that its upper surface was not parallel to its bore. Also the Mauser uses much more readily available 8mm Mauser ammo, available new and on the surplus market places.

But I realize that cost of the gun may be an issue and the Mosin Nagant is OK. For the money it should be fine but remember there are better choices for a little more money.

Have fun,

LDBennett

 

I too have a couple of m91/30's, one was made in 1927 and is a hex receiver model, also have a M44 that I love shooting, BIG muzzles flashes with that one, best advise was given already, get a shooter and remember to clean it properly and you will have years of shooting fun, J&G sales had or has a good supply of both heavier grain rounds and lighter ones, have shot both in all rifles with good results, hope this helps in making up your mind to get one, just have fun!

 

Several things, first is look for a matching parts rifle; this is a more desirable gun from a collectors point of view. Next is the bore condition, if you can see the bore and it is not glopped with cosmoline you can make a better choice for a shooting grade rifle (otherwise take a chance if you like the rest of the gun).
Look at the crown of the muzzle for either counterboring or wear to the bluing, there are rifles with virtually new barrels that are available as well as rearsenalled guns with the crown redone by boring.
You can't really go too far wrong at the price for these guns, occasionally a seller will have a more desirable gun than he knows so arm yourself with information and keep your eyes open for such things as a Finnish stock or the older style rear sights.
Have fun looking and be aware that Mosin rifles are addictive and you will likely end up with several; this is fine as they are also major fun to shoot.

 

Hey 1 thing to get is the limbsaver!! It cost $20 at walmart and is in winchester packaging, If you get it anywhere else it's in limbsaver packaging and cost $35. It makes a world of difference. I ended up bedding my barrel with some electrical tape near the front barrel band. I free floated the barrel and was getting 7-8" groups so then after bedding the barrel I was able to hit a sqaushed soda can top 4 out of 5 shots from 100 yards. Check out my youtube channel as all my videos were made with the mosin nagant. Mosin nagant videos! It's just a normal 91/30 from 1942 round reciever. I have hooked it up with an upgraded sight and a bipod, w limbsaver.

 

If you don't want to use windex, get ammonia. Windex has it in it already, and straight ammonia is hard to take. The ammonia neutralizes the primer salts, which are corrosive. After the windex, I use CLP to clean it.

 

My sons friend bought one and I thought he was just throwing money away. He took it to the range with us and I was able to shoot it. I have to say it was a surprise. Shot very accurate. It changed my mind. Where else can you get a good shooting hunting rifle for $100?