Mosin nagants..a general question

icehunter121

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Kicking the idea around I might need a nagant. When looking for one do the numbers match like a enfield or what should a person be looking for? Is it the same for the carbine version? Not looking for a collectors rifle,just a shooter grade.
 
Most of the mosin Nagant rifles on the market today have been refurbished some time in the past. During the refurbishment process all parts were stripped/ cleaned/ reblued/ remembered etc and then made into serviceable rifles again! So even if the numbers on the gun do match, it doesn’t mean that those parts were originally on that rifle when it was made. So in my opinion a matching refurbished mosin Nagant doesent mean a whole lot unless it’s clearly original and did not go through the refurbishment process! As far as what to look for when buying a mosin, I would say overall condition would be the most important! Make sure you get one with a good bore and a solid stock! Hope this helps!
 
I love Mosins, and am partial to the M38 carbine myself- wicked fireballs!

For shooter grade you will find decently priced ones on the EE all the time.
 
Kicking the idea around I might need a nagant. When looking for one do the numbers match like a enfield or what should a person be looking for? Is it the same for the carbine version? Not looking for a collectors rifle,just a shooter grade.

I would also look for a pre 1941 one. Pre war rifles/pistols seem to be nicer quality than war time ones. At least ones than I own/handled.
 
Just one? You can't have just one!

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I love Mosins, and am partial to the M38 carbine myself- wicked fireballs!

For shooter grade you will find decently priced ones on the EE all the time.

Considering the Mosin 91/30 can be found for less than a savage axis (which you dont care about serial numbers with) i dont see what the problem is with near any old mosin. I am partial to a bolt, receiver and trugger group that match serial nunbers more for fitting than anything else. Basically these are now 80ish +/- old guns and they still work great. When that axis is rusted bent and or broken your mosin will still work. No other firearm holds such a reputation for durability, ease of use and maintenance and a wide record of use since its first edition in 1891 and seen more conflicts than any other firearm right up to the present day.

My favorite version is the M38 as well...if you can only have one i recomend a Mosin Sniper as you can shoot that with both Irons and the scope. The M38 is extremely fun as a guest gun because of the little gun big recoil and fireball phenomenon.
 
For a shooter grade 91/30 look for a matching numbers refurb with very good bore. Key parts were replaced at refurb but they weren't re-barreled so have a careful look. There are lots of very good ones out there! As far as Finn captures go, these are highly variable ranging from shabby mixmasters with no original parts to excellent all original rifles that were only modified by having SA stamped on the barrel. Just being a Finn gun is no guaranty of a good shooter. I would suggest looking for the best refurb you can find and being willing to pay a premium for a first rate bore.

milsurpo
 
With the exception of some M44's, a Polish 59/66,and an M38, I think my whole pile of M91, M91/30, and other M's are all Finns.

No, I'm wrong. I have an MO 91/30 double date.
 
Thanks guys. I am takin notes here on the info. I had 3 nagants but that was oh about 30-35 years ago when you could buy them fo $30.00. I remember one being a hex and the others round. I also remember them being in nice shape when I bought them. Guess I shoulda kept em! I also remember rolling 1 quart antifreeze jugs all day long at 100 yards with all of them.
 
A bunch of Mosins came to market recently from the Ukraine. Seems like the supply didn't dry up after all although the prices are still high at retail. Depending on what you want to do with it, any year is good other than the late war guns that were rushed through production. My personal favorites are the hex rifles because they were made made during a time when quality mattered and production shortcuts weren't being tried much (and they look cool). A nice red shellac arsenal refurb early to mid 30's is what you want - forget about finding a non-refurb because they don't exist in the Canadian market at a reasonable price. Some of the older hex guns have beautiful stocks with higher quality finishes especially anything pre 1928. If you can find an MO rifle buy it because they are much more special than the SA marked guns. You may consider buying an SVT 40 if that is of interest. Low production numbers, prices on the rise and way too much fun on the range.
 
My advice as someone who has owned literally hundreds of mosins:

1) bore condition is everything if you want to shoot it.

2) refurb or not, a numbered bolt matching the receiver serial increases resale and makes it very likely the headspace is in spec.

3) most mosins have matching bolts. Someone telling you otherwise likely has a mismatched mosin they hope to sell.
 
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