Mosin Nagant 91/30 Q's

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

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Hey,

I'm searching for my first MN 91/30. I was wondering whether you guys recommend shelling out the extra cash for a laminated stock or does the hardwood stock work well enough? Also, are most of the MN's in this country Arsenal refurbs? This means that the barrels were pretty much replaced after the war? Or counter-bored?
Also, is the hex receiver worth $10 more than a round receiver? Is it just an indication of pre-war manufacturing and hence better quality? If so, should I not hesitate and get a hex receiver rifle?
 
After you do some researching, you'll find that the differences between a hex and a round receiver can mean a lot more than $10 depending on what stampings are on the rifle and where it came from. Try the usual sites like 7.62x54r.net and such for details.

For a first rifle that will be a shooter, any find less than $150 will do. After that, if you get the Mosin addiction, you can worry about +/- $10 for a receiver ;)
 
Haha yeah I know you're referring to Tula vs Ishvesk (sp?). But, Tradex charges $10 more for a hex receiver, is there anything really different besides cosmetics and possible pre-war manufacturing?
 
mosinmaster said:
Haha yeah I know you're referring to Tula vs Ishvesk (sp?). But, Tradex charges $10 more for a hex receiver, is there anything really different besides cosmetics and possible pre-war manufacturing?
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I prefer the hardwood stock, i also bought a sniper repro with hardwood stock,hardwood is the proper wartime stock if i'm correct. For the hex receiver, depend of the marking and round receiver showed uo on 1930 i think. You will find tons of info on various sites.
 
I like the hex receivers, personally. My fave Mosin is currently a 1928 Tula ex-Dragoon (a Dragoon that got upgraded to the 91/30 specification) with a hex receiver, but there's nothing wrong with the round receivers either.

I also prefer the hardwood stocks, but that's just a personal aesthetic thing; the laminates are probably more durable.

Tradeex are great to deal with call them and tell them you're looking for a shooter, and they'll pick you something with a nice bore.
 
mosinmaster said:
Haha yeah I know you're referring to Tula vs Ishvesk (sp?). But, Tradex charges $10 more for a hex receiver, is there anything really different besides cosmetics and possible pre-war manufacturing?
Click to expand...

My hex receiver from them looked beautiful on the outside - nice wood and blueing but the bore was pitted. The "regular" MN had a beautiful bore but rust under the wood and a pretty beaten-up stock. Since I am shooting surplus I figure I will have gotten $170 worth of rifle when the case is finished.
 
Go to the Milsurp Knowledge site. They have extensive information on MNs and put you onto other sites as well.

The laminated stocks, were late war. I haven't seen a rifle with a Hex receiver and a laminated stock. That certainly doesn't mean it wasn't done though. My MN experience is quite limited.

Laminated stocks, tend to be more stable and depending on which glue lot you get, they can have some intricate and beautiful patterns. I've only seen two colors, blond and red. Both can be quite striking.

IMHO, you want to choose your first MN by bore condition. Some are pretty bad. Like every other milsurp out there, the better the bore, the better they shoot. I wouldn't be to worried about whether or not the muzzle has been counter bored. They seem to shoot every bit as good as the rifles that aren't.

You might also want to consider one of the M38 or M44 variants first. The little carbines are getting tougher to find, especially in VG+ condition.

The trade ex rifles are exactly as described. No surprises. Just make sure you know what the grades are and what to expect.

There are other dealers on the site as well that sell MNs. At least, you looked at the banner advertisers. Many just bypass them and type out there desires so that others will search for them as well as to get opinions. Frontier Firearms has them and so does Wiemajack (spelling). Google P&S Guns and Militaria.
 
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Current Laminated stocks 91/30 on the market are Post WW2 added during the rebuilding process circa 1950/60 era. For shooting no difference between round or Hex receiver. Barrels were not replaced during the rebuilding program they can go to excellent to pitted.
 
I know the M38 is becoming more rare, I also hear more of them are counterbored. I thought the M44 was quite prolific, maybe not as much as the 91/30 but still mass produced post war as well, and by other Com-Bloc nations.

I was leaning more towards for the 91/30 as a range/hunting gun, longer barrel for more accuracy, better balance, less stout recoil...

Also the fact that the front site can be adjusted easily on the 91/30 with a tool so I don't need to shoot with the bayonet on as opposed to the M44 which has the side folding bayonet and the 91/30 tool doesn't fit the M44 front site.
 
mosinmaster said:
Haha yeah I know you're referring to Tula vs Ishvesk (sp?). But, Tradex charges $10 more for a hex receiver, is there anything really different besides cosmetics and possible pre-war manufacturing?
Click to expand...

In my limited experience, Tula and Izhevsk are as run of the mill as they come- I wouldn't buy one for more than a bill- when you get into it, you'll discover other manufacturers such as Remington, NE Westinghouse, Tikka, Chat., IIRC VKT did a few M91's and more.

The further down the rabbit hole you go, the more complex the maze of flavors gets. It's a heck of a fun hobby, though.

Round or hex doesn't make $10 worth of difference- just pick what you can dream of justifying.

Try the 7.62x54r site as a starter...
 
mosinmaster said:
I know the M38 is becoming more rare, I also hear more of them are counterbored. I thought the M44 was quite prolific, maybe not as much as the 91/30 but still mass produced post war as well, and by other Com-Bloc nations.

I was leaning more towards for the 91/30 as a range/hunting gun, longer barrel for more accuracy, better balance, less stout recoil...

Also the fact that the front site can be adjusted easily on the 91/30 with a tool so I don't need to shoot with the bayonet on as opposed to the M44 which has the side folding bayonet and the 91/30 tool doesn't fit the M44 front site.
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The front sight need to be drifted with a punch or press for windage. Not adjustable for elevation unless you file down the post or make it higher. Here's fews pics of a M91/30 refurb i got like 9 years ago, all parts match, excellent cond inside and outside except for a damn import stamp:mad:
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damn import stamp......:(
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Never shot it yet, but i will fix that soon:)
 
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