- Location
- South Shore, Nova Scotia
After many months of a Mosin "dry" spell, may of us wondered what would happen when a container or two finally showed up, and suddenly Mosin's were plentiful again.
Well, it's happened. They are back to being, for now, ubiquitous.
I have been waiting for a "new" Mosin for many months...before Sandy Hook, they seemed to be everywhere for $150, and then they just dried up. Probably a coincidence - but most of us will agree there was some "panic buying" on both sides of the border. But, yeah, that's how milsurp seems to work. They won't admit it sometimes, but dozens of retailers get their rifles from the same place(s). Yes, I know they like to claim that through "Boris", they have a private pipeline right to Leningrad, or Kazakstan, but we know better.
For instance, two weeks ago you couldn't find a plain ole Mosin anywhere...except maybe a few collectable stores which were charging $225 and up, for what they described, at least, superior examples. But the $150 Mosin had vanished before my eyes last winter. There was still plenty of "sniper" versions for $600, which looked like the same rifle, plus a vintage scope. Unless you are a collector, I do not see a "sniper" Mosin for $600 being better value than a modern bolt action .308 etc with a modern optic would be, if 4-700 meter accuracy is your goal. There seems to be a suspiciously large number of "sniper" Mosins still for sale. Good, I'm glad no-one fell for it.
And so, today, it was very refreshing to see my local gun shop, Halifax Army/Navy, finally (along with everyone else), get some bog standard G.I. Mosins in....AND to see the owner stick with his store policy of cost plus 25% (He'll even show you the invoice if you bug him!) -$150!
With tax, in my grubby, sweating hands, my beautiful '38 came to $172.50 - in a BOX, with Russian writing, very cool, AND with a manual. (In Russian, lol)
I know it's hard for online sellers to compete, what with shipping costs etc...but many have jacked the price of a Mosin up to the next level: $175, $195 even $225...and then PLUS shipping! Add to that the fact they have less overhead, in general, than a bricks and mortar store.
I was glad to choose my rifle personally, and pay the pre Sandy Hook price of $150. Anything much more than that is, IMO, gouging. Mosins are EVERYWHERE now, just in the past week. Coincidence? I think not. Why won't they admit they are all getting them from the same source, lol?
And if you look...they're all the same deal...no slings...but bayonet and cleaning kits included. Fortunately, when I bought my SVT-40 from an "expert" shop on here last month, they included a double dog-collar sling, which, of course is NOT an SVT-40 sling...it's a Mosin sling, lol. I sent an email informing them as much; predictably, no reply. Won't buy there again. In fact, I will ALWAYS try to buy local* from now on, even if it takes longer for them to order the firearm in. All these "presales" and so on, that seem to take FOREVER to come to fruition (it's coming/almost here/on the water), are getting on my nerves.
I don't know who started THAT trend, but it sucks.
Just my tuppence - yes, I'm a cheap b*stard. Have to be on MY salary.
Well, it's happened. They are back to being, for now, ubiquitous.
I have been waiting for a "new" Mosin for many months...before Sandy Hook, they seemed to be everywhere for $150, and then they just dried up. Probably a coincidence - but most of us will agree there was some "panic buying" on both sides of the border. But, yeah, that's how milsurp seems to work. They won't admit it sometimes, but dozens of retailers get their rifles from the same place(s). Yes, I know they like to claim that through "Boris", they have a private pipeline right to Leningrad, or Kazakstan, but we know better.
For instance, two weeks ago you couldn't find a plain ole Mosin anywhere...except maybe a few collectable stores which were charging $225 and up, for what they described, at least, superior examples. But the $150 Mosin had vanished before my eyes last winter. There was still plenty of "sniper" versions for $600, which looked like the same rifle, plus a vintage scope. Unless you are a collector, I do not see a "sniper" Mosin for $600 being better value than a modern bolt action .308 etc with a modern optic would be, if 4-700 meter accuracy is your goal. There seems to be a suspiciously large number of "sniper" Mosins still for sale. Good, I'm glad no-one fell for it.
And so, today, it was very refreshing to see my local gun shop, Halifax Army/Navy, finally (along with everyone else), get some bog standard G.I. Mosins in....AND to see the owner stick with his store policy of cost plus 25% (He'll even show you the invoice if you bug him!) -$150!
With tax, in my grubby, sweating hands, my beautiful '38 came to $172.50 - in a BOX, with Russian writing, very cool, AND with a manual. (In Russian, lol)
I know it's hard for online sellers to compete, what with shipping costs etc...but many have jacked the price of a Mosin up to the next level: $175, $195 even $225...and then PLUS shipping! Add to that the fact they have less overhead, in general, than a bricks and mortar store.
I was glad to choose my rifle personally, and pay the pre Sandy Hook price of $150. Anything much more than that is, IMO, gouging. Mosins are EVERYWHERE now, just in the past week. Coincidence? I think not. Why won't they admit they are all getting them from the same source, lol?
And if you look...they're all the same deal...no slings...but bayonet and cleaning kits included. Fortunately, when I bought my SVT-40 from an "expert" shop on here last month, they included a double dog-collar sling, which, of course is NOT an SVT-40 sling...it's a Mosin sling, lol. I sent an email informing them as much; predictably, no reply. Won't buy there again. In fact, I will ALWAYS try to buy local* from now on, even if it takes longer for them to order the firearm in. All these "presales" and so on, that seem to take FOREVER to come to fruition (it's coming/almost here/on the water), are getting on my nerves.
I don't know who started THAT trend, but it sucks.
Just my tuppence - yes, I'm a cheap b*stard. Have to be on MY salary.
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