Mosins, what should I look for?

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Ontario Hillbilly

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I have recently been thinking about getting a Mosin nagant, simply because I like milsurp rifles, and don't have a Mosin yet. I do love the carbine versions, but I am probably going to go for an inexpensive, non sniper 91/30.
I see quite the range in prices, and I am unsure of why some are so much more or less than others in seemingly similar condition.
It seems that hex receiver ones are usually cheaper, at least from the examples I have seen.
I am curious as to what the differences are.
Primarily, I want a decent shooter. Matching numbers are less important than things like bore condition to me, however, I am not looking to get into a bubba/sporter/tacticool mosin. I am fine with something tastefully refinished.
Could any of the Mosin experts shine some light on the subject for me? Anything in particular to look for?
Thanks
 
Hex receivers add 50-100$ over round receivers.
Bore condition trumps all.
Serials don’t matter for a shooter.
There are some uncommon markings but they won’t make your gun shoot better.
Pre war are better made, but actual condition in 2020 is what matters.
Refinished mosins don’t lose much value since so many of them have horrible original finishes.
Pristine guns are nice but even mosins in that condition are expensive now. And remember that a mosin in rough exterior condition is almost guaranteed to have served on the front lines. Potentially a Russian or two or three died holding it. They are pieces of history to be treated with respect, and the fact that they are common and cheap doesn’t change that.

And remember: they’re only getting more expensive while you’re sitting there and thinking!
 
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Wait for, and then pounce on any Mosin with an "excellent" bore. Keywords are: bright; shiny; and sharp rifling. A good crown is important too, and while I have always avoided counterbored barrels, they can shoot well and are much better as a collector than a barrel that has been cut and re-crowned ("bubba'd").

Most for sale use words like "frosted", "some pitting" and "dark with strong rifling", and might suggest that it's still an excellent shooter. Nothing to see there, just move along.
 
Ontario Hillbilly said:
If a rifle is "counter bored", what does that entail?
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The bore is overbored from the crown back to where rifling is good. Many had/have badly worn crowns, this restored accuracy. My experience is that if you want a good shooter, look for a counterbored gun. Collector value is lowered but every one I’ve had has shot very well. My best current shooter is a counterbored ex-Sniper.
 
If you're looking for a mismatched, counter-bored refurb I you're in luck. Those are still available from places like Great North Guns for under $300 or at your average gun show in the same range. One thing I'd definitely want to ensure is a crisp bore and as best an inletting job as you can find. Expect to shim the action or bed it to get things shooting nicely.
 
Andy said:
Most for sale use words like "frosted", "some pitting" and "dark with strong rifling", and might suggest that it's still an excellent shooter. Nothing to see there, just move along.
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I've never bought a gun with a bore "dark with strong rifling" that actually had strong rifling.
 
Andy said:
Wait for, and then pounce on any Mosin with an "excellent" bore. Keywords are: bright; shiny; and sharp rifling. A good crown is important too...
Click to expand...

It’s been awhile since I paid attention to Mosin prices, what’s a nice condition hex receiver going for lately? Shiny bore, crisp rifling, etc etc. They were $199-250 last time I was buying them, which was 5-6 years back.
 
When I was searching for a shooter grade mosin I bought 4 of them and kept the best shooting one. Surprisingly it was also the one with the roughest exterior condition. You might want to consider getting an adjustable front sight as most mosins shoots high without the matching bayonet attached.
 
I'm not an expert but my favourite variation is the 91/30 and the Finn version of it.

Bore condition is #1 for me. I also like markings like CCCP on pre 1928 rifles.
 
i've had a few mosins now and what ive learned is that you usually want something before 1941. After that date the finishing work on the mosins kind of disappeared. There will be a lot of machining markes and rough surface, but being a newer rifle you stand the chance of having a better bore. Finding a 1938-39 with a good bore would be mint.
 
One reason why some Mosins are more expensive than others is because of Finnish, Polish, American, etc. markings. Rare markings drive up the price, as with most things.

The reason why some hex Mosins may be going for less than the round receivers could be because of condition, especially when it comes to riflig and what not.
 
Butcherbill said:
It’s been awhile since I paid attention to Mosin prices, what’s a nice condition hex receiver going for lately? Shiny bore, crisp rifling, etc etc. They were $199-250 last time I was buying them, which was 5-6 years back.
Click to expand...

It seems like these days that kind of gun is $350+ even for a mismatched "shooter".
 
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