Ancient Mosin- what to do?

Graverobber

Graverobber

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My friend recently got (from another friend, through me) a Mosin dated 1905. I'm not sure if it's been fired in a couple decades.
I was thinking that we should get it checked out before firing it, just to be safe. Is that something prudent? I've never bothered with this with any other gun I've ever come across, just blasted away, but I feel different with this one for some reason. Maybe because it's for someone else, and I'm a bit of a worrier.
Any advice would be appreciated.
 
If you can just the only think I would look at is the bolt. Take it apart via youtube instruction and inspect. I was about to buy one from a gun shop before I took the bolt apart and found it damaged. I doubt even a severly beat up bolt would endanger the shooter unless you were handloading something crazy but otherwise I would shoot easy. Im just assuming you checked the bore and chamber for the usual suspects.
 
I've never dealt with such an old firearm, or any bolt actions, so I don't know what to look for, really. What are the usual suspects? Just obvious damage and/or cracks?
 
Graverobber said:
I've never dealt with such an old firearm, or any bolt actions, so I don't know what to look for, really. What are the usual suspects? Just obvious damage and/or cracks?
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Considering my enfield was made in 1918, my mosin in 132 and my sks in 1950, and they all shoot just as well (if not better) than anything made this year, i don't think you have anything to worry about based on the age.
Like alberta said, there's lots of videos how to take apart a mosin bolt, and just look for anything broken, cracked or damaged. They were made at a time when simple was good, so there are very few moving parts to screw up. If the bolt looks good, there's nothing clogging the barrel and everything seems to lock up when you close the bolt you should be ok.
Some people suggest getting the headspace checked, but that is mostly with a mismatched bolt. If your bolt serial number matches the reciever then you shouldn't have anything to worry about in that respect.
 
It's really not that old - just a bit older than average for a milsurp. I regularly shoot a gun made in 1869 and many here shoot guns even older. Clean and shoot using appropriate ammo. If in doubt, a gunsmith can check for any obvious defects, but steel does not weaken with age, it can be damaged by misuse however.
 
Mosins are basically bulletproof, and yours should be just fine unless it was horribly, horribly abused.

Having said that? If you're not feeling right about it, have a smith look it over. A little time and a few bucks are well spent if it gives you peace of mind. There's no downside to getting it checked, after all.
 
1-Look down the bore with the bolt removed to make sure the bore is not obstructed.
2-Cycle the bolt a few times to make sure the trigger is set right and it dry-fires easily (even give it a few sharp raps on something hard to make sure it doesn't go off on it's own. Unloaded of course)
3-Shoot the rifle.
 
I have owned & shot a 1894 & survived to tell the tale. If you are worried about it, just send it my way & I will be happy to beat the snot out of it for you.
 
Thanks for all the advice, fellows! It's much appreciated. I think I'm more concerned because I got it for someone else- if it was just for me, I would just clean it and go shoot it! Haha!
 
Old Mosins were built for the same pressure as what the surplus ammo is today. I toss a sand bag over old guns when I fire them the first time, assuming there is no visible defects.
 
Those mosin lovers of a sensitive disposition should not watch the embedded video. It made me want to close the safe so my mosins couldn't see the carnage.
 
mg4201 said:
Those mosin lovers of a sensitive disposition should not watch the embedded video. It made me want to close the safe so my mosins couldn't see the carnage.
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Then you really, REALLY don't want to watch part 2 of that torture test. At least without a bottle Vodka already half gone and an air-sickness bag close at hand. ;)
 
grelmar said:
Then you really, REALLY don't want to watch part 2 of that torture test. At least without a bottle Vodka already half gone and an air-sickness bag close at hand. ;)
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Thankfully I am not a sensitive guy. I was very pleased to see that even with a load that killed the gun the shooter would have been unharmed. They are fine rifles. My favorite is the m38 that I bought from desporterizer.
 
mg4201 said:
Thankfully I am not a sensitive guy. I was very pleased to see that even with a load that killed the gun the shooter would have been unharmed. They are fine rifles. My favorite is the m38 that I bought from desporterizer.
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The M38 is high on my list right now. Been having a ridiculous amount of fun with my M44 fireball generator. As it stands, this is my most likely candidate for a deer gun this fall - plenty hunting accurate out past 100 yards, and easier to point standing and off the shoulder than my 91/30. An M38 would be a step up as a hunting rifle - the lack of the bayo would make it even less front heavy and easier to point.
 
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