Mosin Nagant

[Suo Gan]

I just picked up four tins of 7.62x54R for a really decent price. But I do not have a MN. Kind of putting the cart before the horse. But, I am trying to decipher what one to go with. Can anyone tell me the difference between the units with the hexagonal reciever, and the one without? Which one should I buy and stay within the spirit of the skin flint? Thanks much, Chris

[WILCO]

M44 Carbine is the better firearm in my mind.......

[Suo Gan]

I guess its been here hiding all along.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...t=mosin+nagant

[jack19512]

I guess its been here hiding all along.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...t=mosin+nagant

As in my post to that thread if it is to be used for hunting the best in my opinion is the M38. If not then it is probably just a personal choice.

[NickSS]

The Moison Nagants currently available and cheap are the model 91/30, Model 38 and the Model 44. These are all WWII rifles and most that I have seen have been arsenal refurbished. The 91/30 can be found with octagon barrels as well as the more numerous round barrel. Some may have octagon receivers. Receivers that are octagon only means that the Russians used older model receivers in making the newer rifle. The 91/30 shoots well and is less noisy to the shooter due to a 27 inch barrel. The rifle balances well and is not as heavy as a 98 mauser. The Models 38 and 44 are essentially the same rifle except that the Model 44 has a folding bayonet permanently attached. This bayonet makes this the heaviest of the three (The bayonet can be removed). These two both have 20 inch barrels and are really loud with surplus ammo. The also throw a ball of fire out the muzzle at every shot that is spectacular even on an overcast day. The MN I own all required adjusting the sights to get them on target as they were designed and sighted for having the bayonet permanently attached in the using position. If you want a spectacularly accurate rifle buy a Finnish MN. I have a model 28 that is the most accurate military rifle I own.

[38-55]

FWIW,
I kinda like the 91/30 of the rusky nagants.. The finns are the best of the lot.. The rusky nagants are sighted/regulated to shoot 18cm ( that's the spec ) high at 100 meters.. They are all great cast bullet shooters in my experience.. though the sights can be a bit of a handicap as they are not very fine.. more than adequate for plinking national socialists but a bit crude for precision target work..
Of the above models I've had the least luck with the m-44's.. They seem to need the bayonet attached and extended to shoot sorta straight. I believe this was how they where zeroed/regulated and getting them to shoot other wise has been problematic for me. Just my experience.
Stay safe
Calvin

[Ivantherussian03]

m38's are nice...I have enjoyed mine. No bayonets attached.

[autofix4u]

I know they are hard to find, but my first choice for a shooter would be a m91/59. 22" heavy barrel cut down from a m91/30 length. No bayo & nice shooter.

[Dutch4122]

I know they are hard to find, but my first choice for a shooter would be a m91/59. 22" heavy barrel cut down from a m91/30 length. No bayo & nice shooter.

I agree, the 91/59's are nice. Mine shoots the fat 314299 sized @ .316" (Group Buy bullet) more accurately than I can hold it; when propelled by either 12 grains of Unique or 13 Grains of Red Dot.

My 91/30 is just as accurate with either load. The nice thing about the 91/30 long rifles is that they are cheaper than the carbines, at least in my area. 91/59 carbines are getting hard to find; but the M38 carbines are still plentiful.

Hope this helps,

[jack19512]

Here is a pic of my M38 and a 3 shot group fired from a distance of 75 yards if my memory serves me correctly. I have never used cast in my M38 so I don't know how well it shoots them. The 3 round group is my jacketed reloads.

[jack19512]

I would like to do this with the capability to shoot the pants off my buddies fancy smancy new Sako that he paid a couple grand for (with scope). And do it with boolits!

You're not asking for much!

[jack19512]

I would like to add this also. I had a M44, 2 of the 91/30's, and my M38. I only have the M38 and one 91/30 now. Don't be fooled into thinking because the rifles such as the 91/30's have a longer barrel that they will automatically be more accurate. I have never been able to get any of the MN rifles I have/had to shoot with my M38. I think it just the luck of the draw in getting a very good one.

[Cayoot]

Nobody is mentioning the Finnish M-39 variant. However mine is a Sako and it shoots great!

[Dutch4122]

Nobody is mentioning the Finnish M-39 variant. However mine is a Sako and it shoots great!

One of my biggest regrets. I didn't jump on one of the Finns when they were under $200. Now they're well over $300 if you can find one!

[45 2.1]

One of my biggest regrets. I didn't jump on one of the Finns when they were under $200. Now they're well over $300 if you can find one!

They were under $70 back in the mid 90's.

[jack19512]

Nobody is mentioning the Finnish M-39 variant.

Well, here is what the op wants to do, "I want this to be a super cheap project. I would like to attach a scope, turn the bolt, sporterize the stock, etc., etc. all for less than $200", might be a reason why no one is mentioning the Finnish M-39.

[WILCO]

They seem to need the bayonet attached and extended to shoot sorta straight.

Indeed! I shot my M44 @ 1,000 yards using the open sights with the bayonet extended. Got real excited when my spotter called a hit on the moving target!
Was quickly disappointed when the word "nope" came across the radio from the pit.....

[GrizzLeeBear]

"I want this to be a super cheap project. I would like to attach a scope, turn the bolt, sporterize the stock, etc., etc. all for less than $200."

Get one of "scout" mounts that let you mount a scope in place of the front sight leaf. Just use a long eye relief scope. Then you don't have to spend money reworking the bolt handle.

"I would like to do this with the capability to shoot the pants off my buddies fancy smancy new Sako that he paid a couple grand for (with scope). And do it with boolits!"

If your buddy is a good shooter, good luck with that. Sako's are very well made rifles. My dad has one in .222 that is exceptionally accurate.

[Doc1]

Just a quick note that the M44 was designed to be fired with its bayonet extended. Folding it back will change your point of impact noticeably.

I'm much more of a Mauser man and don't care too much for the Mosins, though I do have a couple of them as cheap truck and marsh guns.

FWIW, I have kept the bayonets extended when hunting wild boar in our south Mississippi marshes. Haen't needed it yet, but it could be insurance against getting charged by a tusker!

Best regards
Doc

[Ricochet]

The same is true for the M91/30s. They were originally sighted in with the bayonet fixed.