First Mosin Nagant: M44 or 91/30? Tradeex or Frontier?

rdelliott

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I've decided to buy a Mosin Nagant. I want to get a shooter, and while collector interest would be fun, it's not paramount. I'm not particularly recoil-averse.

I'm having a hell of a time deciding between the 91/30 and the M44. What do people prefer as a plinker?

Also, I note that both Frontier and Tradeex have both M44's and 91/30s in stock; the price difference isn't a big deal for me, so I'd be interested in hearing from people who've bought them from these dealers recently. Which one is the better buy?

Lastly, does anybody have any surplus 7.62x54mmR by the case for sale?

Thanks!
 
I have both, my m44 is a polish one,new in the grease. My other are m91 and m91/30. For shooting,since i have never shot my m44, i use my 91/30 and shoot great. I suggest to choose the 91/30,its very pleasent to shoot. As for ammo,i buy a crate from Epps last fall so maybe you can ask them, ammo in 7.62x54r is hard to find sometime and i hope to see more coming in the new year.
 
As a plinker/shooter I would get the m91/30. Less recoil is good and makes for a longer and more fun range trip. I don't mind recoil much either but a 60 round + trip to the range with a m44 leaves a sore shoulder for the morning.
 
Having fired both they are both quality rifles to shoot. At the end of the day... the M44 shoots fire - and who doesn't love shooting fire?
 
I have the m44, I like its great kick, blast etc, fun little rifle, feels like your shooting a rifle.
 
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Tradeex. 91/30. They also sell a very nice recoil pad that mounts right over the butt plate using the original hardware.

OR P&S Militaria as they have some nice East German M44s with laminate stocks
 
Either places were fine in my experience.

As far as choice goes: get both. It's dirt cheap for a couple of milsurps. Both are quite different in character :)
 
Tradeex 91/30 ....I bought a few from tradeex and they were great ...great shooters and low recoil ..I own a few of the mosin nagant carbines to, they shoot well too but thier not that fun to shoot for an extended period of time leave a nice bruise on the shoulder.
 
i would go with the 91/30 simply for it's longer sight radius. i would also try to get a pre WWII example, preferably one with a hex receiver (but these are just a matter of personal taste).

IMO the recoil of the M44 is grossly overstated.
 
i would go with the 91/30 simply for it's longer sight radius. i would also try to get a pre WWII example, preferably one with a hex receiver (but these are just a matter of personal taste).

IMO the recoil of the M44 is grossly overstated.

Truer words were never spoken! Even the M38 isn't really a bad kicker. Of course, once you've fired a Springfield '03, everything else seems gentle by comparison! :D
 
I've only dealt with Tradeex, so I cannot compare the two dealers, though I can certainly speak well of Tradeex's customer service.

Hmmm....You got me thinking that while I have both a 91/30 and a couple of M44s and M38, that I have thusfar only fired the 91/30! Back to your question though, I suspect that the 91/30 would be a bit better as a casual plinker and target shooter, though I usually like to go for the rifle with the better bore.

You might want to call Tradeex and ask about the relative condition of the two rifles. Since it was mentioned in an earlier post, you might also want to ask if they have any hexagonal recievers in their inventory. If I recall correctly from a previous discussion with them, I think that many of their M44s have near pristine bores while the 91/30s are more variable in bore condition. That said, many dark bored milsurps shoot just fine, and if you get both I think that you'll be pleasantly satisfied.

If you ever decide to get into hunting, you might prefer the M44 for pushing deer through thick bush, as the 91/30 would probably work best from a stand where length is not an issue.

Cheers,

Frank
 
Any of the nagants are fun rifles to shoot but I find the 91/30 to be the most accurate.My sniper rifle has a suprising smooth action.With that said, like Hawkshadow mentioned with the M-44 carbine you shoot fire and who doesn't like to do that?Either one is not a bad choice and I'm sure you will have lots of fun!!Enjoy.
 
I have bought from Tradex, they have been very good and quick shipping.



I've decided to buy a Mosin Nagant. I want to get a shooter, and while collector interest would be fun, it's not paramount. I'm not particularly recoil-averse.

I'm having a hell of a time deciding between the 91/30 and the M44. What do people prefer as a plinker?

Also, I note that both Frontier and Tradeex have both M44's and 91/30s in stock; the price difference isn't a big deal for me, so I'd be interested in hearing from people who've bought them from these dealers recently. Which one is the better buy?

Lastly, does anybody have any surplus 7.62x54mmR by the case for sale?

Thanks!
 
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