Hey guys, another info gathering post from me sorry lol. I've really been looking into Milsurps the last few weeks and am going to pull the trigger on one ( likely more lol don't tell the wife ) this weekend. Going to head to a gun show Sunday and if nothing strikes my fancy I'll order them or EE. Question though, I noticed a lot of the rifles, though the same model, like the Mosin 91/30 are made at different " manufacturers " Arsenal, Tula, Izshevikinnnny, etc. Are models from one, better or more collectible then others? For example maybe they only made 10 k at Tula but a million at Arsenal. Or maybe one site was further north and used a more desirable wood in their stocks, or better grade steel from a local mine or maybe I'm just wayyyy over thinking this lol any input good or bad always helps, thanks in advance.
Mosin Manufacturers
- Thread starter Kev70
- Start date
stripperclipper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Middle East Alberta
Remington and New England Westinghouse seem to be harder to find, in my limited experience.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Basically if you are looking to get into Mosins or just try them out start with a 91/30, if you don't like it you can always sell it at a bit of a loss or keep it still at little loss. Look for one made before 1941 as finish wise they are going to be the nicest, maybe one with a Hexagonal receiver as they look nicer (to me anyways) but function wise they are the same.
Try for matching numbers (check the floor plate as this is usually forced matched), even though it doesn't make much of a difference shooting wise it helps its value collector wise. Also try to get all the accessories for it with the rifle (i.e. matching bayonet, sling, ammo pouches, cleaning kit) these are usually thrown in at no extra cost (if your buying from the right dealer).
My first Mosin was a 91/30 made in 1939 by Izhevsk (floor plate not matched the rest is matching though), it came with the matching bayonet, a cleaning kit, ammo pouches, and a sling. Not a single regret was made with that rifle. Now I have five Mosins which are all distinct variants and am only missing one major variant to have every type manufactured by the USSR (excluding sniper rifles as I don't really want to try to start collecting those).
Also if you are looking for a good book for information on Mosins get the 'Mosin Nagant Rifle' by Terence W. Lapin again not a single regret with that purchase.
Hope this helps.
Try for matching numbers (check the floor plate as this is usually forced matched), even though it doesn't make much of a difference shooting wise it helps its value collector wise. Also try to get all the accessories for it with the rifle (i.e. matching bayonet, sling, ammo pouches, cleaning kit) these are usually thrown in at no extra cost (if your buying from the right dealer).
My first Mosin was a 91/30 made in 1939 by Izhevsk (floor plate not matched the rest is matching though), it came with the matching bayonet, a cleaning kit, ammo pouches, and a sling. Not a single regret was made with that rifle. Now I have five Mosins which are all distinct variants and am only missing one major variant to have every type manufactured by the USSR (excluding sniper rifles as I don't really want to try to start collecting those).
Also if you are looking for a good book for information on Mosins get the 'Mosin Nagant Rifle' by Terence W. Lapin again not a single regret with that purchase.
Hope this helps.
I got a 91/30 when they first came on the market, later on decided that I wanted an Imperial one.
So far have a 1906 Tulskiy and a 1907 Sestroryetski. Gun show coming up; I am hoping to find an Imperial Peter the Great Ordnance Factory one. Then I will look for an Ishevsk.
Couple of Finn rifles here, too, including the one with that Kar 98aZ-looking nosecap and a worn-out Tikka-marked barrel. I can brag that I own a Tikka but the bore has seen MUCH better days. A SAKO would be nice to go with it.
There were a LOT of models of the old MN rifle, too; I have a FINN Dragoon Rifle here, still looking for a Cossack rifle. Gotta be a KA3 serial number out there somewhere!
Then there are the Carbines, of which I have none. LOT of them, all the way from 1890s through 1950s.
There is ALMOST as much variation in the Moisin-Nagant as there is in the Lee-Metford/Lee-Enfield series.
It's a great field.
Buy one, buy another..... sooner or later your wife will HAVE to notice!!!!! Then you gotta go to the Meeting every Wednesday night....... "Hello, everyone! My name is Bob.... and I'm a Moisin-Nagant addict!"
So far have a 1906 Tulskiy and a 1907 Sestroryetski. Gun show coming up; I am hoping to find an Imperial Peter the Great Ordnance Factory one. Then I will look for an Ishevsk.
Couple of Finn rifles here, too, including the one with that Kar 98aZ-looking nosecap and a worn-out Tikka-marked barrel. I can brag that I own a Tikka but the bore has seen MUCH better days. A SAKO would be nice to go with it.
There were a LOT of models of the old MN rifle, too; I have a FINN Dragoon Rifle here, still looking for a Cossack rifle. Gotta be a KA3 serial number out there somewhere!
Then there are the Carbines, of which I have none. LOT of them, all the way from 1890s through 1950s.
There is ALMOST as much variation in the Moisin-Nagant as there is in the Lee-Metford/Lee-Enfield series.
It's a great field.
Buy one, buy another..... sooner or later your wife will HAVE to notice!!!!! Then you gotta go to the Meeting every Wednesday night....... "Hello, everyone! My name is Bob.... and I'm a Moisin-Nagant addict!"
Get to Woodstock early otherwise I will have bought anything worth having. 
Usually there are just 1 or 2 shabby and over-priced examples. Once in a while there is a guy with half a dozen for $200 or $220 which is a little high but OK after you figure the tax (offer less and barter).
You won't be troubled by too much choice. I go every time hoping to find something interesting and return home empty handed. My best trip to Woodstock netted 3 nice Mosins from the Canadian Tire close to the 401 (opens at 9 am so stop by after the show). I don't think they have any at present but I'm stopping by tomorrow just to be sure.
Usually there are just 1 or 2 shabby and over-priced examples. Once in a while there is a guy with half a dozen for $200 or $220 which is a little high but OK after you figure the tax (offer less and barter).
You won't be troubled by too much choice. I go every time hoping to find something interesting and return home empty handed. My best trip to Woodstock netted 3 nice Mosins from the Canadian Tire close to the 401 (opens at 9 am so stop by after the show). I don't think they have any at present but I'm stopping by tomorrow just to be sure.
