Rust under Mosin handguards

JDTonken

JDTonken

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A family member recently bought a Mosin Nagant 91/30 and got an unpleasant surprise when he took off the handguard and stock. The seller (not a CGNer thankfully) had not told him about the light pitting on the barrel under the wood. Now, when they brought it to his attention the seller said that it was normal. Obviously the seller was being unscrupulous about the condition, but I swear I've heard that before (from a more reputable source).

So, how common is rusting under the MN wood, and I guess for the sake of the family member who bought it, does anyone have an opinion on the significance of light putting on function or safety?
 
JDTonken said:
A family member recently bought a Mosin Nagant 91/30 and got an unpleasant surprise when he took off the handguard and stock. The seller (not a CGNer thankfully) had not told him about the light pitting on the barrel under the wood. Now, when they brought it to his attention the seller said that it was normal. Obviously the seller was being unscrupulous about the condition, but I swear I've heard that before (from a more reputable source).

So, how common is rusting under the MN wood, and I guess for the sake of the family member who bought it, does anyone have an opinion on the significance of light putting on function or safety?
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Its normal for older guns and if its light pitting no worries at all
 
Not common on mosin refurbs, but common on some models which are less likely to be "as new". If you're not happy, try to return it. Otherwise, enjoy the rifle.
 
Not unusual. Some of the war production Mosins I have seen looked like new and when you remove the handguard and stock the finish on the barrel looks like a rat tail file. Light pitting is not so bad.
 
If the pitting is blued then it was refurb that was touched up. I would not return the gun, its more then normal for a refurb.
 
Unless you paid $9000 for the old rifle, a little pitting just adds character. :p The seller may not necessarily be "unscrupulous". He may not have even known about the pitting. The rifle is probably 70 years old, -or+ a few years. Enjoy the artifact and the unknown history that the piece carries in its bosom.
 
Could also be patina on the metal. I have mistaken this as rust before. If it is generally smooth to the touch, quite even across the barrel top, and a hint of brownish colour then it is most likely patina. This adds value to the rifle as does time to a 150 year old Oak desk.

If it is hard and gritty to the touch and looks like the underside of your car after winter than it is probably rust.

The Soviets were pretty good at cleaning up their older firearms during their refurbishment programs after WW2. My Nagant revolver is a testament to that. You can clearly see where they took the parts of the revolver to a light sanding wheel, removed the rust, polished the part, and re-blued. Most of the parts have an even layer of patina now.
 
If you want to clean it up, just give it a light going over with ultra fine steel wool and some CLP, or other gun oil. It will remove any rust, but not the pitting unfortunately...
 
You might be in for a surprise if you peek in the hole in the receiver that the action screw goes into...my M44 had what looked like mud in it. :eek: :D
 
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