I'm currently waiting for my PAL to go through so I can get my first gun. Originally I wanted a .22 rifle but ever since I seen some Mosins on some of the supporters sites, I'm hooked. Not only is it affordable like a .22 (not as cheap for ammo, but still not bad) but it would be so cool to shoot a rifle from WWII or even before. My Dad had a Lee Enfield jungle carbine which he unfortunately sold, but I thought it was the coolest gun he owned, it even had plugs in the stock from being used in battle, just something very historical about that and you wish the gun could talk and tell you all the crazy things it's seen. Lee Enfields seem to be pricey for a full stock unmolested one, probably right out of my price range of around $350. You can however get a very nice Mosin for that amount. I'm a little worried that a big centerfire rifle may be the wrong way to go for a first rifle however, everyone seems to recommend a .22 for a first gun to learn on. I do want to eventually get my hunters safety course and also at some point learn to reload, so obviously you need something bigger than a .22 for hunting and you can't reload .22.
Mosin Nagant for first gun?
- Thread starter FLYBYU44
- Start date
It wouldn't be a bad idea at all. You just need to realize that it has a significant amount of recoil, and the steel butt plate can be a little punishing on your shoulder after a few rounds.
Another drawback to the rifle is the challenge in mounting optics like a scope. The easiest option would be a "scout" style set-up with a no gun smith mount that replaces the rear site. You're then going to limit yourself to optic selection as you'll need a scout or pistol style scope to get the necessary eye relief.
I would say go for it. I bought one, and scoped it as I described above with an S&K no gun smith mount and NcStar 2-7 scope that Marstar carries. It holds zero and its more accurate than a $300 centre fire aught to be.
The big question is do you want to tinker with it, or do you want an out of the box rifle that's good to go for a starter? If out of the box, go Savage Axis XP in .223 - those are doing 3/4" groups at 100 all day long.
Another drawback to the rifle is the challenge in mounting optics like a scope. The easiest option would be a "scout" style set-up with a no gun smith mount that replaces the rear site. You're then going to limit yourself to optic selection as you'll need a scout or pistol style scope to get the necessary eye relief.
I would say go for it. I bought one, and scoped it as I described above with an S&K no gun smith mount and NcStar 2-7 scope that Marstar carries. It holds zero and its more accurate than a $300 centre fire aught to be.
The big question is do you want to tinker with it, or do you want an out of the box rifle that's good to go for a starter? If out of the box, go Savage Axis XP in .223 - those are doing 3/4" groups at 100 all day long.
TheSteamingPile
Regular
- Location
- Scarberia, Onterrible
I agree with mhowarth, it all depends on what you want to do with it. If you just want something to go bang, 91/30 is fine. If you're looking to get into competition or want to shoot for accuracy, get something smaller so you don't develop a flinch, 'cause you probably will. If you just want a plinking gun, it's really a toss up. The Mosin is heavy, it's ammo is heavy (compared to a .22) but you can abuse the crap out of it and it'll still fire for you.
Mosins are fun, cheap guns. It was the first gun I bought personally, but I'd had a lot of experience with different firearms at that point.
Mosins are fun, cheap guns. It was the first gun I bought personally, but I'd had a lot of experience with different firearms at that point.
I'd prefer to keep iron sights on it if possible. All my Dad's rifles had iron sights and he hunted deer with all of them no problems. I don't mind tinkering at all, and I don't expect it to be a tack driver by any means. I do love the full wood stocks, not a fan of plastic stocks of nowadays.
^^^Then a good Mosin-Nagant may be right for you.
You can get them from some site sponsors for about $110 + shipping (that's how I got mine). The recoil can be somewhat stout (the cartridge is in the 30-06 class) but there are recoil pads out there.
It's a reasonably accurate, easy to use, all but indestructible battle rifle. It's also a fun shooter.
You can get them from some site sponsors for about $110 + shipping (that's how I got mine). The recoil can be somewhat stout (the cartridge is in the 30-06 class) but there are recoil pads out there.
It's a reasonably accurate, easy to use, all but indestructible battle rifle. It's also a fun shooter.
ghostntheshell
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- GTA ONTARIO
I'd get a 22 an a mosin.
I usually bring my 22 rifle and shoot 200+ rounds at the range - and maybe 10 rounds with my other bigger calibre rifles.
I usually bring my 22 rifle and shoot 200+ rounds at the range - and maybe 10 rounds with my other bigger calibre rifles.
Sounds like you've already made your decision. You won't regret buying one, guaranteed. within the last year prices have already climbed by about $50. These are the following the trend of the Enfield. In a few years who knows what they'll be retailing for.
lejarretnoir
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- 162km from Connaught
Mosin as a first gun, No!
You are taking a chance as to whether a $100-150 rifle has a good bore or not. You might get lucky and have a straight shooter.
More than likely it will shoot high and to the right, so front sights need to be changed and adjusted. It will require some tinkering as mentioned.
First gun IMO, should be an accurate out of the box one. Then you have something to compare it with.
If $350 is out of your price range you are very limited in what you can buy.
You are taking a chance as to whether a $100-150 rifle has a good bore or not. You might get lucky and have a straight shooter.
More than likely it will shoot high and to the right, so front sights need to be changed and adjusted. It will require some tinkering as mentioned.
First gun IMO, should be an accurate out of the box one. Then you have something to compare it with.
If $350 is out of your price range you are very limited in what you can buy.
I would buy a .22 and then get a Mosin. I bought my first rifle this summer, a semi auto .22 and shot thousands of rounds out of it and had a blast doing it. I'm now a decent shot so I just bought a sporterized Enfield for my first "real" rifle. I'm glad I did it that way cause like stated above I would have developed a "flinch" for sure if I bought the Enfield first. I like the .22 cause I can shoot it all day for say $25 bucks and not have a purpule shoulder after. But if you're set on a big rifle, a Mosin is a good gun for the money.
Mosins have some quirks, but if you understand them, they're a lot of fun.
First off, they can vary in condition. If you don't have any experience judging condition, calling a reputable site sponsor like TradeEx or Westrifle and asking them to handpick on oin Very Good to Excellent condition is the easiest way of getting a Mosin Nagant without serious issues.
Secondly, they were produced over several decades, in multiple variants. Hex receiver specimens from the 1920's tend to be very nicely made. Wartime 91/30s tend to be much cruder. Polish M44s are the best-made Mosins ever. Price varies upon rarity. www.7.62x54r.net is your friend; it'll teach you the history and what to look for.
Thirdly, these are battle rifles made for use and maintenance by illiterate Soviet peasant conscripts fresh off the collective farm. They're simple, crude, and powerful, and zeroed differently from a civilian bench or hunting rifle, because shooting at charging Nazis is different from shooting at paper. Shoot a Mosin Nagant at a bullseye target and hold on the X and you will usually shoot high. Get a silhouette target and hold on the beltbuckle and you can spend all day putting rounds into the center of mass. If you're interested in setting up a Mosin for more precise shooting, there are aftermarket adjustable front sights and other tricks (slipping shrink wrap over the front sight and trimming to length, or fabricating a new front sight post out of a nail) you can use.
Lastly, many shoot better with the bayonet on. My 1928 Tula certainly does. The Russians made them that way for doctrinal reasons.
And please don't irreversibly modify them. You'll just turn a $150 rifle into a $50 rifle; if you want a sporter, buy a Savage; you'll get better results and won't waste time, money, and the historical interest of a rifle that although common today, isn't being made any more.
First off, they can vary in condition. If you don't have any experience judging condition, calling a reputable site sponsor like TradeEx or Westrifle and asking them to handpick on oin Very Good to Excellent condition is the easiest way of getting a Mosin Nagant without serious issues.
Secondly, they were produced over several decades, in multiple variants. Hex receiver specimens from the 1920's tend to be very nicely made. Wartime 91/30s tend to be much cruder. Polish M44s are the best-made Mosins ever. Price varies upon rarity. www.7.62x54r.net is your friend; it'll teach you the history and what to look for.
Thirdly, these are battle rifles made for use and maintenance by illiterate Soviet peasant conscripts fresh off the collective farm. They're simple, crude, and powerful, and zeroed differently from a civilian bench or hunting rifle, because shooting at charging Nazis is different from shooting at paper. Shoot a Mosin Nagant at a bullseye target and hold on the X and you will usually shoot high. Get a silhouette target and hold on the beltbuckle and you can spend all day putting rounds into the center of mass. If you're interested in setting up a Mosin for more precise shooting, there are aftermarket adjustable front sights and other tricks (slipping shrink wrap over the front sight and trimming to length, or fabricating a new front sight post out of a nail) you can use.
Lastly, many shoot better with the bayonet on. My 1928 Tula certainly does. The Russians made them that way for doctrinal reasons.
And please don't irreversibly modify them. You'll just turn a $150 rifle into a $50 rifle; if you want a sporter, buy a Savage; you'll get better results and won't waste time, money, and the historical interest of a rifle that although common today, isn't being made any more.
Might I suggest an sks they are a the best of a .22 and mosin they are cheap, very reliable and shoot a moderate recoiling round that is very cheap (.16-.20 for corrosive .25-.75$ for non corrosive) Mosins are great but they kick a bit to much for a beginner its better to start small. You wouldn't buy a super fast sports car for a 16 year old that just got his license would you? Flinching is a bad habit that hard to get rid off.
There's some very nice ones out there now and you can't break a sks so there's no worries about ruining it unless you don't clean after shooting corrosive ammo.
They make for a good start later when u have more money you can get a mosin and maybe more cool milsurps....... You can't just have 1...or 2
There's some very nice ones out there now and you can't break a sks so there's no worries about ruining it unless you don't clean after shooting corrosive ammo.
They make for a good start later when u have more money you can get a mosin and maybe more cool milsurps....... You can't just have 1...or 2
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
I would go for a 10/22 for a first rifle man. I have one now and I love it.
My first rifle was a Yugo M48 bo in 8mm surplus! lol
I learned on it, and like people suggested, I was lucky as it was a mint condition rifle with solid bore and very accurate.
If you're going to learn to shoot rifles get one you know will shoot solid so you can eliminate that potential frustration Sir.
Mosins can be finicky and take a little home hack job gun smithing to make them shoot like they are supposed to if you do not get a solid one.
Their conditions vary greatly.
Everyone should own a .22lr great to learn the principles, accurate enough to be really fun and very very cheap ammo!
If i could go back and start over I would have started with a 10/22.
My first rifle was a Yugo M48 bo in 8mm surplus! lol
I learned on it, and like people suggested, I was lucky as it was a mint condition rifle with solid bore and very accurate.
If you're going to learn to shoot rifles get one you know will shoot solid so you can eliminate that potential frustration Sir.
Mosins can be finicky and take a little home hack job gun smithing to make them shoot like they are supposed to if you do not get a solid one.
Their conditions vary greatly.
Everyone should own a .22lr great to learn the principles, accurate enough to be really fun and very very cheap ammo!
If i could go back and start over I would have started with a 10/22.
Thanks for all the replies, I'm still not sure if a .22 isn't the best idea. By the time I get my hunting licence I could probably afford a bigger rifle at some point. As for recoil, I'm a big guy so pyhsically it isn't an issue, but I don't want to develope a flinch like most here have mentioned.
- Location
- Chilliwack BC
Get a butt pad, off-hand is fine, but prone or off the bench will hurt!
Both me and my brother bought .22's this summer for our first guns. I'm 6'2" and a good 270lbs, he's 6'6" and 350 or so, we're large dudes but we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with big rifles at the beginning. Now after months of weekly250-500 round plinking sessions we're both decent shots, hitting the steel way more then we miss. I just bought an smle and am getting consistent 3.5" groups with factory ammo and my brother hit the 5" target on the first shot. I'm sure that I wouldn't be able to say that if we hadn't started small and worked our way up. If you really want a centerfire milsurp go with an Sks, they're easy on the shoulder and the pocket book. You could buy a decent bolt action .22 and a Mosin for around your price limit.
