Scoping Milsurp Good or Bad

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In my ongoing plans to build a WWII collection, I am buying from a fellow CGN a Mosin Nagant. Although I haven't discussed details yet, as he's going on vacation and taking pics, I had some interesting thoughts while sitting on the throne. If he does offer a M91/30 can it be scoped? Are all 91/30's capable of being scoped or not? And finally, if it is possible to put a scope onto said rifle, would it be considered sacrilidge? Would I insult the Milsurp Gods? It would be one of two WWII rifles I wish to own that would be historic sniper rifles and used as such.
 
Depends.

Are you going to use a correct original or repro mount to create a replica, or are you going to slap some crappy Weaver mount on it?

You always have the option of a LER scope mount that replaces the rear sight and requires no mutilation.
 
I'd say that if it's a garden-variety rifle that is a mis-match, refurbished, $150 special, then go for it. But, to scope a rare or just plain unique rifle would require a savage sack-beating to be delivered upon you
 
It would definitely be a correct original or repro scope and base. I'm going for as original as possible.

Like slicknick said, just make sure you don't drill something unique or special. A run of the mill, import marked, war-time Izhevsk MN, with the "chewed by a beaver" receiver would be my choice for a project like this.
 
Scoping any milsurp that wasn't intended to be, drops the value in half. Even if the purchase price is relatively low. If you want a Nagant sniper, look around until you find one.
 
If you want to scope a milsurp, try and find the mount that goes over the rear sight, turns em into a scout rifle set up. No alteration to the rifle is required and can be removed later without any ill effects to the original rifle. Once D&T'd the rifle cannot be brought back and if purchased as an investment, investment gone! But if you have a "beater" D&T it to death, it won't hurt its value.
 
Ok so :

Unique or Special : Bad idea
Run of the mill : Go right ahead

Got it. I'll make sure I check in before I do anything to it. But what if the rifle (say unique or special) was in a previous life, a sniper rifle, and modified to be a normal rifle. Bringing it back (if thats possible) to being a sniper rifle again, good or bad??

I work with the guy whom I'm buying it from and he knows exactly what I'm looking for. I know he's not going to disappoint, but I want to be prep.'d for all options.
 
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If its a former sniper, it would be the best possible scenario for you to recreate it back to its original sniper form. The sad news is Boris in russia decided nobody needed scoped mosin nagants after the war. They welded the mounting holes shut on the receiver. VERY difficult to cut back open. If youre looking for something easy, go with what Claven2 said, in being an import marked run of the mill 91/30.

But if youre looking for a challenge, you might want to try converting a former sniper back.

PS, if you choose the latter, I would bet my entire gun collection you dont stop at two milsurps. Its an addiction. ;)
 
But if youre looking for a challenge, you might want to try converting a former sniper back.

PS, if you choose the latter, I would bet my entire gun collection you dont stop at two milsurps. Its an addiction. ;)

I'm not up to the challenge yet, hopefully a gunsmith would be able to help me out with the d&t'ing:wave:. I'm fully addicted:rockOn:!! These aren't my first two Milsurps. I'm trying to get all my rifles to their best shooting condition. These two are going to be #'s 4 and 5! I have so far:popCorn::

M1 Garand /w cleaning tool, SVT-40 (both these need some sort of work by a gunsmith), and in the mail is a Lee Enfield #4 Mk1.

#6 will be a K98 from P&S Militia when I get it paid for. And I'm getting a cleaning tool for the SVT from him as well.


I'm still looking to get:

Rifles : 1903A4 Springfield (If possible an A3 that I will convert to A4), #5 JC, a Germain Pistol, a Canadian Ross, and another MN.

Accessories : Scopes (for the MN and 1903)
Slings, Bayonets /w scabbards, cleaning kits/tools, clips (if req) for all the rifles.

This is what I'm looking for to finish my collection. Off collection: TAVOR! As I'm writing this, my wife keeps walking in and out, forcing me to hide this reply. I don't want her to know my plans. She's already mad that she had to find out from the seller that I'm getting the LE. She has no idea about what I'm getting this summer or my plans for the future. Can you imagine the look on her face if she read this!!!! :eek: :kickInTheNuts:
 
I'm not up to the challenge yet, hopefully a gunsmith would be able to help me out with the d&t'ing:wave:. I'm fully addicted:rockOn:!! These aren't my first two Milsurps. I'm trying to get all my rifles to their best shooting condition. These two are going to be #'s 4 and 5! I have so far:popCorn::

M1 Garand /w cleaning tool, SVT-40 (both these need some sort of work by a gunsmith), and in the mail is a Lee Enfield #4 Mk1.

#6 will be a K98 from P&S Militia when I get it paid for. And I'm getting a cleaning tool for the SVT from him as well.


I'm still looking to get:

Rifles : 1903A4 Springfield (If possible an A3 that I will convert to A4), #5 JC, a Germain Pistol, a Canadian Ross, and another MN.

Accessories : Scopes (for the MN and 1903)
Slings, Bayonets /w scabbards, cleaning kits/tools, clips (if req) for all the rifles.

This is what I'm looking for to finish my collection. Off collection: TAVOR! As I'm writing this, my wife keeps walking in and out, forcing me to hide this reply. I don't want her to know my plans. She's already mad that she had to find out from the seller that I'm getting the LE. She has no idea about what I'm getting this summer or my plans for the future. Can you imagine the look on her face if she read this!!!! :eek: :kickInTheNuts:

Ah the challenge of the game, keeping the better half happy :bigHug:without her finding out what you're plans are so she doesn't freak :slap: The game never ends :rockOn:
 
As far as I'm concerned,
if the gun in question is very common (Mosin m91/30 for example)
and not a shining, rare example of that type, then go ahead.

However, when one does that. I think the only scoping done should be with the correct scope and mount to make a sniper replica.
never like, a Mosin with a BUSHNELL 8X25 and ..etc..

-Derek
 
I put $20 Tasco scopes on all of my milsurps.

It's a solid investment. :D

Tell me it wasn't you that D&T'd the early, NZ marked, 95% finnish, all matching (even the wood) Longbranch at Pullen's........just kidding, I know you wouldn't do that, (but one day I'd LOVE to meet the special person who did.)
 
That's Where The K31 Shines.

With one scope clamp-on mount you can move it from one K31 to another in seconds. Re-zeroing is required when moved from one K31 to another, but no drill and tapping .
 
Check out Kalinka optics as they have modern replicas of the original Mosin PU mounts and side rails.
w w w.kalinkaoptics.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=50

I'd head that route, as IMHO you have slim chances of ever finding an original set up.
And if you do everyone who has one for sale will know what they are worth.
Also with the original old stuff you may be up against issues regarding quality, and if it even works or not etc.
 
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