Russian Mosin Nagat

[TPW]

I'm thinking about buying a Mosin Nagat 7.62x54 for hunting. Does anyone own one, and can you tell me if it's a good rifle for large game. Is it diffucult to mount a scope, and what long range can I expect from it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TPW]

Just found out today that my local gun store has Re-Arsenaled Russian Mosin Nagats 7.62x54 in very good to excellent shape with cleaning kit etc. for $ 99.00.
Should I get one for me and one for my son? :rolleyes:

[runnerman]

I can only say this is my next purchase, carefully inspect the barrel for the condition of the lands, not whether it is shiny/frosty. Accuracy varies, but you can get anything from very light ammo up to 220 grain, from what I've heard, a Walmart recoil pad is indicated. People love them !!!

runnerman

[TPW]

They have two models avaialble. The Model 91/30 and the M44.
What's the difference, and which is better?

[J Greer]

Basically the M44 is just a shorter version of the 91/30. The M44 also has an underfolding bayonet. From what I've read the sights on the M44 were always adjusted at the factory with the bayonet extended in the battle ready position. Furthermore the 7.62x54R has plenty of punch. The 54R is commonly used on 300 plus pound wild boars in Russia so you know it has some power.

M44 (http://www.surplusrifle.com/mosincarbine/index.asp)
91/30 (http://www.surplusrifle.com/russianmosin189130/index.asp)

FYI. If you have Big 5 Sporting Goods in your area (Big 5's west coast) you can pick up 91/30 when there on sale (usually every other week) for 79.99 with all the accessorys.

[mikr]

Go to the forums here (http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forums.com/)

There is quite a bit to watch for when looking to buy one (91/30 has longer barrels, less felt recoil, M44 has short barrel, sharper recoil, fireballs when shooting)...headspace is your main concern, especially when seeing forced matches. Barrel condition is a very close second.

post over there, but be forewarned NOT to mention any bastardizing (sporterizing) of the rifles, they are truly a piece of history, like CMP M1s.

I'd forget about mounting a scope, unless you come across a Sniper (around $400 and up)

[George S]

You probably could use a M-N for hunting, but these old rifles were not necessiarly a true MOA rifle. The 91/30 was zeroed at 200 yards and the typical level of accuracy was 8" groups with the iron sights. Good enough for minute of Nazi.

If the bore was in relatively good condition and a counterbore done, you could use them for distances around 100-150 yards. Both Sellier & Belliot and Winchester make a 180gr softpoint round that has very effective power.

As mentioned, you can find either the 91/30 or M44 at really low prices. just be sure to take a borelight with you. Some of these rifles have already been couterbored during rearsenal activity. Some of the M44's were resarnealed and stored until they were exported here.

One common problem with Mosins is that the old military ammo was typically steel cased and had a lacquer coating on it for rust prevention. That lacquer that transfered to the chamber walls after constant firing. It then got into the pits and crevices in the chamber as the Russian armories never chrome plated the chamber or worried too much about a fine level of finish. They needed to get rifles into the hands of the soldiers to fight the Nazi hordes. When you shoot the rifles now, the laquer coating heats up and makes extraction very difficult. Lots of cleaning will fix this but if you ever have to need a follow-up shot, you will have to insure that the rifle will quickly eject a spent case.


The M44 is most accurate with the bayonet extended as it helps with barrel harmonics. You should check your state game laws to see whether or not you can even have a bayonet on a hunting rifle.

Recoil is managable with the 91/30 but the M44 has a pretty big kick to it, not to mention an almost world-class muzzle flash! A good slip-on recoil pad or a PAST recoil shield is a good thing to have. The resulting BANG will scare away game for a mile or so as it's much deeper than a typical hunting caliber.

But they are a real hoot to take to the range and ammo is cheap enough to shoot all day long or as long as your shoulder holds out. Even if you decide not to go with one for hunting, get one anyway! They are a great historical military rifle and the price can't be beat.

[TPW]

George S.........Quite an interesting post! You seem well informed. Thank all of you for your help, each of you shared the parts to the puzzle that will help me put it together.
I'm going to take a look at them. If they are as good as the owner says, heck!, I may buy one of each! :rolleyes:
I can hear the wife now %&#$@*%$#*% :samurai:

[mikr]

In regards to the chamer and the ugs and recesses, it has nothing to do with laquer on the cases, but rather to do with cosmoline put in there. That is the bear to remove, and the frequent cause of stuck cases in chambers after firing. The lugs and recesses need thourough, and I mean, thorough, cleaning.

[Sniper]

The M44 also has an underfolding bayonet

The M44 has a side-folding bayonet.

Since the bolt comes out straight, mounting a scope means either (A) putting a pistol scope out where the rear sight is, which means removing the sight OR getting a kit to cut the bolt handle off and putting a different handle on it OR getting a turned-down bolt handle. The turned-down handle can be found in the link below. It's not finished, meaning it's not pretty. It's dull to look at, it's functional but not pleasant to the eye.

If you're wanting a kit, I have one and would be willing to part with it for next to nothing. I got in a "buy a box of parts for $25" The box has parts in it that I don't know what they're for. It has the handle, drill, tap, screws and scope mount. By doing this you can put a regular rifle scope on the Mosin.

Numrich (http://www.e-gunparts.com/model.asp?idDept=168)

Let me know if you're interested in the kit.

:sniper:

[Sniper]

I've attached a picture of the bent-bolt.


:sniper:

[J Greer]

Originally posted by Sniper@Jan 27 2005, 05:36 PM
The M44 also has an underfolding bayonet

The M44 has a side-folding bayonet.


Well I was close it does indeed fold. :huh: I guess I thought I was talking about an SKS. :D

[TPW]

Thanks Sniper, I'll let you know how I make out.

[Sniper]

The question of headspacing is something that really does need to be checked in these weapons. I've seen a seller at gunbroker who has a set of gauges for the 7.62x54R. What bit of research I've done they are accurate.

:sniper:

[TPW]

Thanks everyone for your information on the Mosin Nagat. I looked at them and they were pretty beat up. After inspecting about 10 of them, I decided to buy either a Remington 700 BDL in 30.06 or a Savage also in 30.06. I'm going to look at a used Rem. tomorrow at a different gun shop. The guy I know who works there said he has one on the shelf thats in very decent shape. He's asking $ 350. sling, scope and case. Not sure what the scope is?
For $ 525.00 I can buy a new Rem 700 BDL, no sling, scope or case. Is it worth it?

[loco]

While most Nagants aren't beauty queens, they're one acurate and tough rifle. You have to keep in mind the age and history that these rifles carry. Of course they're not as "pretty" as a new or newer model bolt rifle on the shelf at most contemporary gun shops. I would say that $350.00 is fair for a used 700 BDL with sling, scope, and case if it is in very good to excellent condition. I've recently purchased two new 700 ADL synthetic's for $359 + tax each. After scoping and slinging them, I've got about $529 and maybe a little change in each one. I don't know if "upgrading" from an ADL to a BDL is worth the cost of a decent scope, rings, sling, and swivels to you or not.