mosin nagant

[augois]

Iam considsering buying a mosin...Not sure if I will buy a M91, M38, or M44 (iffy). I have seen some advertised with a laminated stock. Is this authentic? I don't really car if all numbers match, as I'm really not a collector so much as a shooter. I would, however, like for it to be "authentic"

[kjg]

Its been my expiriance, I love the look and handleing of the m-44, m-38, but recoil with the masty surplus stuff can border on rough, but casted ammo sure is fun and darn right enjoyable, the 91/30's look awfull ungainly and long , but after owning one for the last 2 months, have desided that the 91/30 is one nice balancing shooter with nasty surplus, noticable difference in recoil, not as brutal, and the casted ammo is real sweat to shoot, find a nice shop with a good slection, handle them all and pick one, my preferance is the octagon 91/30's seem to be better blued and finished, pre-war at least mine was. its a 1934 tula, have fun picking one out, and all the matkings are fun to look at and dechiper. kjg

[jonk]

My first choice would be a Finn M39. Those are a bit more pricey but usually dead on accurate.

91/30 second choice.

91 3rd.

91/59 4th.

M44 5th.

M38 last.

Nothing wrong with any of them, just my preference- I like long guns.

For cast (and really for any ammo) make sure you get one with a nice shiny bore as some are quite pitted.

[XBT]

Another vote for the Finn M-39. As I’ve said here before, the Finns took a serviceable but rough rifle and re-worked it into a gun that will compare favorably with the best of the military bolt actions.

They are worth the extra money.

[mike in co]

yeah,,what he said. a full house load in a lite 20 inch 44/59/38 is more than a shoulder full.

and the 203 gr soft point is just tough.

if the finn 39 is not in the pic then a long gun without a counter bore....of a 20 inch but with lighter loads.cast boolits.

yes they have true laminated stocks available.

mike in co

[jack19512]

Of the 91/30, M44, and the M38, the M38 is my favorite. With my reloads it is very accurate. I still have my 91/30 but got rid of the M44.

[AzShooter]

I've got 4 91-30s now and I love each one of them. I also have a 44 that was a wonderful rifle the way it was and I made it into a sporter. It still shoots great but doesn't have the estetic value it did so I'll probably put it back in original condition one of these days.

Friday I should have my first Finn. I ordered an 1896 frame that was reworked in 1941 by Sako. From the pics it looks fantastic. I'll probably be able to shoot it this weekend and hopefully it will be my best rifel. Although I can't complain with my results so far.

Today's groups were

http://photos.imageevent.com/azshooter/mosinnagantsnewjuly08/newadditionsjuly08/bettyandveronica/websize/IMG_0165.JPG

With Ranch Dog 165 grain, they come out heavy with wws 175 grains. 100 yards. 16 grains of 2400

http://photos.imageevent.com/azshooter/mosinnagantsnewjuly08/newadditionsjuly08/bettyandveronica/websize/Betty%20with%20RD%20175%20grn.jpg
100 yards with second 91-30 ex sniper. Lee 312 155R with 16 grains of 2400

Pics are reversed. Bottom picture is of the Ranch Dog bullets. I really like them.

[JDFuchs]

I have a Model 1891/30 and a Model 1944 Carbine. I have not had a chance to shoot anything but surplus through them yet. But they are both more accurate then I am with iron sights. And that's right out of the Cosmo. The carbine was $79 and the 91 was $89 before tax at my local shop so I couldn't resist. They are fun, and this batch is more reliable then most of my friends surplus. Ive never seen a rifle so easy to take apart and maintain to all the moving parts. For the cost I say go for it.

[NickSS]

I have all three of the Russian rifles (91/30, 38 and 44) and a Finn model 28. The Finn rifle shoots groups that are half the size I can get with any of the others. For Shooting surplus crap ammo the 91/30 is my choice. For hunting the Model 38 is best and for conversation the model 44 with its bayonet gets high marks.

[beemer]

I have a Finn M-39 a 91/30 and a M44. The M-39 is my favorite and probably the best cast shooter I have. The 91/30 needed a little bedding work to make it shoot but that's the fun part.The M44 was taken on a trade,I didn't really want it as I prefer the longer barrels. It sat in the corner for 6 mos. It has no blue but the bore is nice and the stock is not to bad. I shot it today, still don't believe it but I think it has found a home. Whatever Mosin you choose they are a great bang for the buck.
You can find one with a good bore and decent shape if you look around and take your time. I am a little pickey about the bore condition so I take a cleaning rod to the shows. If the dealer will not let me wipe the bore out I walk.(might be his gun but it's my money)

Who says you can only have one?

beemer

[augois]

Who says you can only have one?

Well, currently my wallet says so. But, there's always tomorrow.

Was the laminate stock actually an as issued item, or were they just added to some barreled actions to make complete rifles?

[Lead melter]

For the usual cost, you probably can't go wrong with any of them I have 3, all Russian M-44's, all shoot Russian 203 grain hunting ammo better than I can shoot with iron sights even though the grooves mic out from .315" to .317". The factory jacketed mics at .312". Can't figure out how they shoot as well as they do with jacketed, but get ready for some experimenting with cast.

In short, I'll go M-44 all the way.

[augois]

Can any of y'all suggest a good starting mould for the nagants? I tend to prefer heavy for caliber Boolits with flat noses. Thanks

[Ivantherussian03]

I guess you need to think about who u are. I have 2 M38s, and they are good enough for me. They are beautiful in their own way, but the Finns keep calling my name.

[Niner]

Augois, the laminated birch stocks are issue in the sense that the Russians refurbished rifles in the late 40's and for some time after with the laminated stocks. It was cheaper to do it this way and probably the laminated stocks held up better to climatic conditions as well. The Germans had also gone from solid stocks to laminated stocks on their K98's in WWII. By the time the Russians started to do this refurb though, auto weapons were more often issue weapons to the troops and a lot, or most of these laminated weapons, remained in storage or were for sale to client countries and later to us.

[Lead melter]

Can any of y'all suggest a good starting mould for the nagants? I tend to prefer heavy for caliber Boolits with flat noses. Thanks

The Lee C312-185-1R may work, dependant on the size of your bore. It can be "beagled" to about .316". Lyman makes the 314299, some folks love it, but I am not one of them.

Check out this link, maybe it will help...but you may want to hurry.
http://www.castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=31145

[Dark Helmet]

Here ya go! http://www.gunsnammo.com/

[Dutchman]

I bought a laminated 91/30 from AIM in Ohio for $90 6 months ago. What arrived was a very nice rifle with a brand new laminated stock, good bore, overall well worth $90. These are either way beyond post-war rebuilds or recently redone for export. However, I'd still consider them to be authentic. They came with sling, bayonet, ammo pouch (post war) and I can't recall if there was anything else. You can't beat it for $90. I'd definitely recommend the laminate stock over the standard birch stock. Its just a better stock overall.

The more accurate Mosin-Nagant will be the Finnish rifles. I have a Finn 1891 with the original Russian stock but rebuilt in 1942 with a Belgian barrel.. marked B on the shank. It was ~as-new~ unfired when I got it (the barrel, not the rifle). It will put 5 for 5 into one hole at 50 yds with 311299 and 12 grs Unique. Finn Mosins are not cheap nor will you find the B-barrel 91 cheap. The other Finn with these barrels are some m/39 rifles.

I don't care for carbines at all so I gave my Polish m/44 to my son-in-law.

http://tinyurl.com/534g4 I see AIM no longer has laminate stocks but they do have 91/30 with all the goodies for $70.


Dutch

[Adk Mike]

I've been shooting my 91/30 for about six weeks. I fixed the trigger pull and put a blade on for a front sight. I use a lyman 311467 bullet and 11.5 grains of unique. It is a lot of fun on steel targets out to 200 yards. And it shoots a good group at fifty yards.

[OeldeWolf]

Last Father's Day I treated myself to a new Nagant. I did nto have an M-44, and they were on sale at Big-5. To my surprise, the one they had with all matching serial numbers also had the most gorgeous tiger striped stock. It is very prettyy, and now lives in my safe.

My 91/59 shoots the best, so far, but I have a few left to try shooting.

[trickyasafox]

I have an m38 and an m44- never owned or fired the longer 91s, just handled them in gun shops.

I think the m38 is pretty handy. I still have to cast for mine, but I'm waiting on some group buy 30s to come in to feed them :)

[thewanderingmind]

The older Model 91s are accurate. Don't know if it's because the bullet has a chance to settle down bouncing along that old recycled sewer pipe or what, but my 1905 Sestroretsk holds a 3-shot group in a nickel at 100 yards. The Finnish models are well-known for their accuracy, due to their factory acceptance firing standard. However, the shorter-barreled versions are still accurate enough for most reasonable hunting ranges. You're not going to reach out and touch a mountain goat at 1500 meters with a Model 44, but if you're shooting at those ranges, you're probably going to be carrying something much higher-priced with a name like Weatherby or Remington on it. True, the shorter versions are harder on the shoulder, but if you're a good shot, we're talking about taking one or two punches - not a 15-round marathon...

[Three44s]

A M38, two M44's and two 91/30's

The M44s would be first to go!

The M38 .......... LAST!

Three 44s