[GREGULON]

I am working on the next step of my SHTF home offense/ defense kit and the budget likes the long range option of a Mosin, but what are the things to look for in this rifle. Thanks.

[c3shooter]

Greg- there are obviously the 91/30 rifle, and the M38 or M44 carbines.

They will either be unrestored, or more commonly, have been thru an arsenal rebuild. The rebuilds were tech inspected, rebuilt as needed and will be in very good mechanical condition.

Since these were all used, and shot corrosive primed ammo, look for a good, unrusted, unpitted bore. Cleaning rod wear damaged the rifling at the muzzle of many, and they may have been counter bored (muzzle bored out for an inch to get rid of bad rifling) Those still shoot well.

If rifle has NOT been thru a rebuild, check wear at muzzle (insert cartridge gently into muzzle, should NOT go it to where brass touches muzzle)

The hexagon receivers are older than the round receivers, some folks feel stronger. Be sure rifle is complete. Get the combination tool- used to check firing pin protrusion (it adjusts)

[texaswoodworker]

c3 nailed it as usual. Some people prefer the counter bored barrels because it can increase accuracy (compared to rifles with beat up bores) Try to find one made before 1941. The finish tends to be of better quality, but they all function about the same. Tula made rifles tend to be more collectible too (for soviet rifles). (not sure why. They have several different logos, but the most common is an arrow in a star.)

This site is basically a Mosin Nagant encyclopedia.
http://7.62x54r.net/

Here is their guide to proofs, and markings.
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinMarks.htm

Finnish Mosins are also collectible. Keep an eye out for them. (they are also a little pricier)

Classic arms (http://www.classicfirearms.co/) have some really nice Mosin Nagant 91/30s (round receiver) for sale for about $90. They come with the bayonet, pouches, and the tools. They also have some hex receiver 91/30s and some Chinese Type 53 Nagants too. I just bought a round receiver 91/30 from them, and it was really nice. I didn't pay for the hand select, so they are all either really nice, or I just got lucky.


c3, how was Commiefornia?

[GREGULON]

How about accessories, and even rails. Scope mounts
, bipods?

[vincent]

It should come with a sling, bayonet, ammo pouches, cleaning kit, multi tool and an oil/grease can.

A lot of folks customize on their own, scope, bipod, stuff like that can be had easily enough but for the most part, most people just use it as is. They do make a rail that attaches to the rear sight so you don't need to tap and drill holes for a scope...I just left mine as is, it's a lot more accurate that I am...

Here is a link from one of FTF's vendors...

http://www.firearmstalk.com/forums/f53/russian-mosin-nagant-1891-30-round-receiver-rifle-60373/

[c3shooter]

Cali was dry, dusty, windy, snakey.

Accesories- bayonet, dog collars, sling, cleaning rod tools, mult-tool, double sided can for oil/ solvent, ammo pouches. Picatinny rail? Not really. Not in the usual sense of the term. There ARE military scope mounts available. About the price of a rifle.

[texaswoodworker]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Cali was dry, dusty, windy, snakey.

Accesories- bayonet, dog collars, sling, cleaning rod tools, mult-tool, double sided can for oil/ solvent, ammo pouches. Picatinny rail? Not really. Not in the usual sense of the term. There ARE military scope mounts available. About the price of a rifle.

Sounded fun.

Are dog collars those things at the ends of the sling?

[vincent]

Originally Posted by texaswoodworker

Sounded fun.

Are dog collars those things at the ends of the sling?

Yessir...RE- Tula...I read somewhere the only reason the Tula's were more coveted than the Izveh...can't spell that damn word...is because the stamp was just better looking, not sure how true that is but that's what I found...

[texaswoodworker]

Originally Posted by vincent

Yessir...RE- Tula...I read somewhere the only reason the Tula's were more coveted than the Izveh...can't spell that damn word...is because the stamp was just better looking, not sure how true that is but that's what I found...

That's believable. I think the star an arrow looks pretty cool.

TULA



IZHEVSK (Dragoon rifle stamp)

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by GREGULON

How about accessories, and even rails. Scope mounts
, bipods?

Please, let it die. Arf.com would love you.