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- Thread starter patriot1
- Start date
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Pretty much all Mosin Nagants with VG bores are accurate, believe it or not. Biggest thing most people could do to improve the accuracy out of there Mosins is feed it good quality ammo. Second biggest thing would be for people to learn how to use iron sights accurately 
They get a bad reputation for accuracy as it tends to be a beginners gun (due to the price point, and ammo costs) and with crappy ammo (most surplus is only good for going bang) and inexperienced shooters it leads to less than stellar shooting.
Biggest thing that determines value in a Mosin Nagant is the model. Condition being the second biggest factor. For example a beaten to crap M39 will be worth more than a VG+ M91/30. M91 Infantry, Dragoon, Cossack, M07 Carbines, M91/30s, M38s, M44s, M28s, M28/30s, M39s, etc.
Some are worth more due to the country, for example a Polish made M44 tends to be worth more than a Soviet M44, the Polish ones tend to be made better as well. There is a fair bit of variations and differences which can lead to a significant difference in $.
They get a bad reputation for accuracy as it tends to be a beginners gun (due to the price point, and ammo costs) and with crappy ammo (most surplus is only good for going bang) and inexperienced shooters it leads to less than stellar shooting.Biggest thing that determines value in a Mosin Nagant is the model. Condition being the second biggest factor. For example a beaten to crap M39 will be worth more than a VG+ M91/30. M91 Infantry, Dragoon, Cossack, M07 Carbines, M91/30s, M38s, M44s, M28s, M28/30s, M39s, etc.
Some are worth more due to the country, for example a Polish made M44 tends to be worth more than a Soviet M44, the Polish ones tend to be made better as well. There is a fair bit of variations and differences which can lead to a significant difference in $.
I have 4 as well. Mosins are great and they provide free Chiropractic shoulder adjustments as well. Thus far I have tried two slip on recoil pads plus the plastic one that fits over the end as an extension and all of them to me seem to amplify the recoil. So I shoot them would anything and just suck it up.
Cheap piece of history, it is inferior in design to most WW2 issued firearms, outclassed to many WW1 firearms but still very functional, easy to maintain and break down, plus the bayonet is simply Napoleonic (the poor smuck that ever got stuck with one of those). Still it is accurate and fun to shoot.
Consensus seems to be
+hex receiver
+matching serials (bolt, receiver, magazine)
+non-refurb
+if captured (and provable w marks)
+if Finnish
+if complete, good + bore
- if bubba'd
Saw a fantasic looking hex at Tenda when there last week, a fellow was looking at and said he'd come back the next day for it. I have 4 or i'd have bought it too, Still in cosmo all matching '34, was a very nice Mosin. I think he or someone else bought it cause its not listed online anymore.
Cheap piece of history, it is inferior in design to most WW2 issued firearms, outclassed to many WW1 firearms but still very functional, easy to maintain and break down, plus the bayonet is simply Napoleonic (the poor smuck that ever got stuck with one of those). Still it is accurate and fun to shoot.
Consensus seems to be
+hex receiver
+matching serials (bolt, receiver, magazine)
+non-refurb
+if captured (and provable w marks)
+if Finnish
+if complete, good + bore
- if bubba'd
Saw a fantasic looking hex at Tenda when there last week, a fellow was looking at and said he'd come back the next day for it. I have 4 or i'd have bought it too, Still in cosmo all matching '34, was a very nice Mosin. I think he or someone else bought it cause its not listed online anymore.
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The most valuable / sought after Mosin rifles are original matching Russian examples.
These rifles will have all the serial numbers stamped matching with the entirety of the serial number (very important) and in the same font as the barrel serial number* (very important).
They will often have unsanded or lightly sanded stocks that bare the original cartouches (inspector's cartouches such as ГВ, ИЛ which were the initials of the GAU representatives responsible for final inspection of the rifles) as well as the РСФСР roundel (pre mid 1937 at Factory No. 74), CCCP roundel (post mid 1937 at Factory No. 74), Tula hammer (pre mid 1928 at Factory No. 314) Tula star with date (post mid 1928 at Factory No. 314).
The serial numbers will be complete with the Cyrillic prefix such as "ГС" (Russian alphabet characters) from 1938 onward at Factory No. 74 and 1937 onward at Factory No. 314. The prefix was always present at Factory No. 536 as far as I'm aware.
The majority of the small parts should be stamped with the appropriate (matching the barrel) arsenal logo.
These rifles make up less than 0.05% or so of the Mosin rifles in Canada.
* The only exception that I'm aware of for fonts being mismatched is at Factory No. 536 in Tula, which is the second factory to produce Mosin rifles in Tula from 1942 onward after Factory No. 314 was evacuated from Tula to Mednogorsk. Two factory fonts were used.
These rifles will have all the serial numbers stamped matching with the entirety of the serial number (very important) and in the same font as the barrel serial number* (very important).
They will often have unsanded or lightly sanded stocks that bare the original cartouches (inspector's cartouches such as ГВ, ИЛ which were the initials of the GAU representatives responsible for final inspection of the rifles) as well as the РСФСР roundel (pre mid 1937 at Factory No. 74), CCCP roundel (post mid 1937 at Factory No. 74), Tula hammer (pre mid 1928 at Factory No. 314) Tula star with date (post mid 1928 at Factory No. 314).
The serial numbers will be complete with the Cyrillic prefix such as "ГС" (Russian alphabet characters) from 1938 onward at Factory No. 74 and 1937 onward at Factory No. 314. The prefix was always present at Factory No. 536 as far as I'm aware.
The majority of the small parts should be stamped with the appropriate (matching the barrel) arsenal logo.
These rifles make up less than 0.05% or so of the Mosin rifles in Canada.
* The only exception that I'm aware of for fonts being mismatched is at Factory No. 536 in Tula, which is the second factory to produce Mosin rifles in Tula from 1942 onward after Factory No. 314 was evacuated from Tula to Mednogorsk. Two factory fonts were used.
For a long time M91 and M91/30 rifles were the Rodney Dangerfield's of milsurp collecting. Second only to Japanese and Italian milsurps. At first it was a definite lack of the rifles in Canada and even less ammunition to go into them. Not only that all of North America was in a "Sporterizing" frenzy. The above mentioned rifles were difficult to turn into nice looking hunting rifles when only basic hand tools were available. I know it's sacrilege to mention this but some incredibly nice sporting rifles have used military surplus actions and barreled actions as a base to start from. There was actually a time when you could save money by purchasing some of the do it yourself kits that were available at very reasonable prices. Sherwood Industries used to have a great kit made up of surplus 98 receivers that had the rear bridge and receiver rings machined to accept FN style ring bases, new adjustable triggers, barrels chambered for four different cartridges, including the 7mm Rem Mag, new trigger guard w/hinged floorplate and a very straight grained but drop in unfinished walnut stock that only needed the final sanding and finishing. All out of California, shipped to your doorstep for under $100. It saved about $35 on a new factory off the shelf sporter. For many in those days that was a full day or two of wages.
Now of course history buffs and cheap ammo have made these same rifles much more desirable. The history behind them is fascinating as well.
Finn markings are the flavor of the year at this point but in reality they really aren't much better than any other well maintained Mosin in similar condition IMHO.
I like all the variants of Mosin Nagants. The Chinese variants aren't very common in Canada and also seem to fetch a higher price when they do surface. Then there are those with rare markings. The early M91 variants are also very interesting. Then there are the rifles built in different Soviet satellite nations as well as those refurbed there.
These rifles have been used in every modern conflict around the world since they were first issued in one manner or another. If they weren't used in combat they were used for training purposes. Even the US issued them for combat with the Russian Expeditionary Force and later used them for training. The US Mosins were manufactured by Westinghouse and Remington. One thing I find is that most of the US made rifles I've come across have Finn markings. Some will have finger joints and some won't. The early Finn marked M91s will have very rough SA markings on the chamber area on the left hand side, just above the stock line. I have found a few that people passed over because they didn't look closely enough at the markings on that been there done that looking Mosin.
The relatively cheap rifles available now are very nice. If you're picky and careful you can still find them with matching numbers. It will take some time and sooner rather than later you will need to buy commercial ammo to shoot or start handloading. Milsurp rifles are an investment. I started collecting as many milsurps in excellent condition as I could afford and squirrel away about 50 years ago. I always shake my head at how much these rifles have appreciated in price from when I started. Mind you the "sporterization frenzy" was part of the cause and also, because the rifles were valued at less than the scrap steel value in them many nations just threw them on piles, burned off the wood and sent the metal to the nearest smelter. Many were even dumped at sea. The Mosins on the other hand were often refurbished in make work projects for the plebes and sent away to dry underground storage facilities.
The supply isn't endless. Same goes for the ammo. It will all dry up eventually. Get all of it now, while it's available.
So what if every piece you purchase isn't the most desirable. Desirability is a fickle description at best and is often driven by a movie or television series. Pick out what YOU like and enjoy it. When it's time to move onto to something else, squirrel it away in the safe and keep the ammo. It's always nice to pick through them a couple of times per year, make sure they're clean and just envision what they've been through and where they may have been.
If you're only looking for collectibles that are valuable now, be prepared to spend a lot of money and then, every time you shoot it, you have to wonder how much each shot is really costing you.
Those remaining last few SVT 40 rifles at Lever Arms may be the low dogs on the totem pole right now but that will change very quickly.
Now of course history buffs and cheap ammo have made these same rifles much more desirable. The history behind them is fascinating as well.
Finn markings are the flavor of the year at this point but in reality they really aren't much better than any other well maintained Mosin in similar condition IMHO.
I like all the variants of Mosin Nagants. The Chinese variants aren't very common in Canada and also seem to fetch a higher price when they do surface. Then there are those with rare markings. The early M91 variants are also very interesting. Then there are the rifles built in different Soviet satellite nations as well as those refurbed there.
These rifles have been used in every modern conflict around the world since they were first issued in one manner or another. If they weren't used in combat they were used for training purposes. Even the US issued them for combat with the Russian Expeditionary Force and later used them for training. The US Mosins were manufactured by Westinghouse and Remington. One thing I find is that most of the US made rifles I've come across have Finn markings. Some will have finger joints and some won't. The early Finn marked M91s will have very rough SA markings on the chamber area on the left hand side, just above the stock line. I have found a few that people passed over because they didn't look closely enough at the markings on that been there done that looking Mosin.
The relatively cheap rifles available now are very nice. If you're picky and careful you can still find them with matching numbers. It will take some time and sooner rather than later you will need to buy commercial ammo to shoot or start handloading. Milsurp rifles are an investment. I started collecting as many milsurps in excellent condition as I could afford and squirrel away about 50 years ago. I always shake my head at how much these rifles have appreciated in price from when I started. Mind you the "sporterization frenzy" was part of the cause and also, because the rifles were valued at less than the scrap steel value in them many nations just threw them on piles, burned off the wood and sent the metal to the nearest smelter. Many were even dumped at sea. The Mosins on the other hand were often refurbished in make work projects for the plebes and sent away to dry underground storage facilities.
The supply isn't endless. Same goes for the ammo. It will all dry up eventually. Get all of it now, while it's available.
So what if every piece you purchase isn't the most desirable. Desirability is a fickle description at best and is often driven by a movie or television series. Pick out what YOU like and enjoy it. When it's time to move onto to something else, squirrel it away in the safe and keep the ammo. It's always nice to pick through them a couple of times per year, make sure they're clean and just envision what they've been through and where they may have been.
If you're only looking for collectibles that are valuable now, be prepared to spend a lot of money and then, every time you shoot it, you have to wonder how much each shot is really costing you.
Those remaining last few SVT 40 rifles at Lever Arms may be the low dogs on the totem pole right now but that will change very quickly.
