Mosin Nagant Questions

[Max-4]

I am considering buying a Mosin Nagant 1891/30 mostly for range blasting and for developing my shooting skills with open sights. I am going to grab one of the new Russian imports for around $200 online. What are some of the things I should be looking at with these rifles?

I see you can get them with octagon receivers, is this good or bad? Should I be looking for one with a laminate stock or solid wood? I think I am after a refurbished one because I would like it to be a good shooter and the more new parts the better right? Is there certain years where the quality was better and they spent more time and effort manufacturing them instead of just pounding them out? Should I look at the Tula or Izhevsk factory build? Anything else I should know before buying one?

 

[rocklin]

a rifle built under wartime will have less then steller workmanship so try for a 1920's-1930's example.

hex receivers are just as strong as round, it really comes down to which one you like better.

 

[Lichtfuss]

I just ordered a 91/30 last week. Personally i have no real experience with Mosin-Nagants. But from the research ive done i decided on a 91/30 with a octagonal receiver, laminated stock and built in the Tula factory.

I think that most rifles made before WW2 are generally in better condition due to the Soviets having to increase production to arm all of their soldiers. A great website with lots of info to check out is 7.62x54r.net Laminated stocks are usually a bit heavier but theyre a bit more durable than hardwood, in terms of warping and splitting. As for Tula or Izhevsk, i dont think theres much difference between the two. Tula wartime rifles are probably more scarce because the factory was evacuated when the German army was getting close. But i imagine that the abundance of pre-war rifles from both factories are the same.

 

[skirsons]

Welcome to the Mosin club. Most of the variants of the 91/30 are just preferences; there's no huge differences or things to avoid. The variety mostly has to do with collector value.

Ketchup or Mustard...either way enjoy.

 

[fiddler]

Just buy the darn Mosin. Unless you can sort them out by physically handling them, its a crap shoot. Online deals sound so good, but often mislead. Having that said, You can score pretty good without knowing a thing. Even dark bores can shoot 3 inch groups at 100 yards if you know how to work them. They are lots of fun, the cartridge is solid and compares to any 30.06 round. Its a nice piece of history and its fun to shoot. Just take a bite. Even a bad bite is still lots of fun. 30 some million of them produced. Get one and enjoy it.