SKS or Mosin Nagant?

GunsNotPuns said:
Funny to read this thread considering I'm selling off my SKS-45 and one of my M91/30s, neither of which get any use, to fund the purchase of another rifle.

SKSs and MNs are cheap gateway drugs into firearms but I can't imagine anyone continuing to spend a lot of time on them after awhile.
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Iv'e had SKS rifles since I bought 5brand new ones in 1993 for $75 each.

The ones with improved sights are super fun to shoot, even to this day.

I get more satisfaction from working up loads and shooting one of my $5000 custom rifles, no question about it. But a SKS with a good sight, shot offhand at gongs, is pretty damn fun, even 20+ years later.
 
I have both, neither is in the original stock(I got them that way). Watch the EE for something you like. If its not local, you have to take the sellers word on condition. I have been lucky, both previous owners claimed to have never shot the rifles. The first thing I did was strip and clean both. The bores went from a little dark to damn near perfect.
I had the sks at the range today and it shoots just fine, remember its a battle rifle not a tac driver.
the mosin will get some live next week with any luck. It was a 400$ purchase(in a thumbhole stock with 880 rounds of surplus and 40 rounds of non corrosive). Take your time and look for a good deal
 
jeffQC1 said:
One more thing: i have seen people replacing the stock wood frame into an archangel polymer body. I'm checking if anybody else have that kind of body, if its great or not, etc...

I already love the old style, but a tacticool Mosin could be nice, i think.
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The good thing about the Mosin Archangel stock is that it's basically a drop in replacement. No irreversible mods needed. Just stow away the original stock, handgaurd, mag, screws, bands and cleaning rod.
They are comfortable too and look good IMO.
If you want a scope then a mount can be installed in place of the rear sight. (reversible mod)
Surplus ammo in bulk is still available, and it can be fun to shoot a scoped big calibre without counting the rounds.

I have a number of Russian Mosins, specifically 1920s M91/30s and lots of M38 & M44 carbines. I prefer them in original configuration, but I'm still entertaining the prospect of putting an M38 into an AA stock.
 
I like the challenge of the SKS.

With surplus it's typically a 4 moa rifle at best. I think it's an interesting challenge leaning how to use it consistently within its effective range.

Ok, my effective battle space with the SKS is lets say 200- 225 m. Zombies are coming over the hill and all I've got is an essentially stock SKS (fixed mag) and a lot of surplus ammo.

Do or die kinda thing ... learn how to use it well instead of wishing you had a tricked out AR. The limitations of it can teach you a lot and force you to improve how you run it.

I like the SKS and I'd rather have one and know how to use it well than have nothing.
 
The greatest attraction for both SKS and Mosin rifles is that they are cheap to buy and cheap to shoot. Those that don't use them anymore have pockets deep enough to feed more expensive guns in more expensive calibers. People move on. The Mosin is more consistent in its accuracy, the SKS can be shot all day without an ice pack on your shoulder. Trigger time with both will make you a better shooter.
Be aware that both are like gateway drugs. I bought an SKS as something that I could extend my range days with. Cheap range time. A Mosin followed shortly after. Now it's like I married a mail order bride from Russia who is bringing her family over, with a few Finnish cousins.
You've been warned.
 
Every Canadian collection needs either one or both of these guns.
Even if you don't actually shoot it, you gotta keep at least one in the safe just so you have one. It's the gun you give to the mother in law when the zombies come. They're cheap and you won't miss it ( the gun, that is!)

Bear in mind, the MN kicks a lot in metal butt pad form esp if you buy a 38 or 44. The SKS is no louder than any other centerfire rifle and shoots like a baby farting.
 
I'd get a good .22 LR or two (bolt & semi) and learn to shoot/handle firearms safely as they are easy on the operator. Once your confidence and skill is built up, go for something that does not excel with sticky bolts, pizz poor triggers or ergonomics made for Russian winter wars.
 
PinkyPlinker said:
The greatest attraction for both SKS and Mosin rifles is that they are cheap to buy and cheap to shoot. Those that don't use them anymore have pockets deep enough to feed more expensive guns in more expensive calibers. People move on. The Mosin is more consistent in its accuracy, the SKS can be shot all day without an ice pack on your shoulder. Trigger time with both will make you a better shooter.
Be aware that both are like gateway drugs. I bought an SKS as something that I could extend my range days with. Cheap range time. A Mosin followed shortly after. Now it's like I married a mail order bride from Russia who is bringing her family over, with a few Finnish cousins.
You've been warned.
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I can't say I agree. Eosins are cheap right now because there are many at retail. That will end.

I have many Mosins and keep buying them. I can, and do, buy different guns. More expensive guns. I still buy $200 91/30's though, right alongside $1000 M39's.
 
Only interest in MN's for me is the M39 (can't stand the long 91/30 and the history means nothing to me).

Only reason for MN interest is cheap surplus ammo.

Given the much higher cost of M39 over 91/30 I might as well go for good .308 bolt action and the most reasonably priced ammo I can find, or reload.

So ... given my strict MN interest being M39 the entire idea makes no sense to me and I'd rather invest the money in a much more available caliber and much more accurate rifle.

SKS however is worth it IMO. Keep it basically stock and shoot surplus.

No contest for me between the SKS and MN.

SKS hands down.
 
madashell said:
Only interest in MN's for me is the M39 (can't stand the long 91/30 and the history means nothing to me).

Only reason for MN interest is cheap surplus ammo.

Given the much higher cost of M39 over 91/30 I might as well go for good .308 bolt action and the most reasonably priced ammo I can find, or reload.

So ... given my strict MN interest being M39 the entire idea makes no sense to me and I'd rather invest the money in a much more available caliber and much more accurate rifle.

SKS however is worth it IMO. Keep it basically stock and shoot surplus.

No contest for me between the SKS and MN.

SKS hands down.
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Fair comment if looking for a good shooter. The milsurp attraction has as much to do with history as with shooting. It's not for everyone, to be sure.
 
I am not loaded and tend to trade out if i dont use it and have now 1 12 gauge mav 88 with a 18 and a 28 so good for all occasions
one bolt 22 one semi 22 a bolt 223 and the sks and the mosin i feel like whatever my mood in long guns i have a good tool for the job
as your interests grow or zero in on what you like your collection will evolve unless you are rich and then go for it buy everything
these iconic rifles will always sell pretty fast and you wont loose a cent so experiment and see what you like
i myself have sold at least 10 trying different things but the mosin and sks are so much fun and perfect just the way they were made
that they will never go , tune what you have to what you enjoy you will find your own balance
have fun and safe shooting
 
SKS is more fun, but if you're going to do target shooting you'll get tired of the SKS pretty fast. 3 MOA is possible, usually it's 4 MOA. Which is fine for hunting , but on the bench it's annoying and you'll always feel like you're not improving.
A mosin, unless its beat to crap, can realistically shoot 2 MOA, sometimes better. If it doesn't, do a trigger job (extremely easy) and a bedding job (extremely easy) and there's no reason it won't shoot 2 MOA with commercial ammo.
The only reason Mosins have a reputation for shooting bad is because many have 1-Bad barrels 2-Stiff triggers 3-Badly fitting stocks. Number 2 and 3 you can fix yourself in a few hours.
 
Sir Plus said:
SKS is more fun, but if you're going to do target shooting you'll get tired of the SKS pretty fast. 3 MOA is possible, usually it's 4 MOA. Which is fine for hunting , but on the bench it's annoying and you'll always feel like you're not improving.
A mosin, unless its beat to crap, can realistically shoot 2 MOA, sometimes better. If it doesn't, do a trigger job (extremely easy) and a bedding job (extremely easy) and there's no reason it won't shoot 2 MOA with commercial ammo.
The only reason Mosins have a reputation for shooting bad is because many have 1-Bad barrels 2-Stiff triggers 3-Badly fitting stocks. Number 2 and 3 you can fix yourself in a few hours.
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A trigger job on a Mosin is often just polishing the cocking piece engagement point. Easy. Bedding isiusually ok. It's designed to really only bear at 2 points.

Many have dark bores but many are like new as well. I'm selective and only buy the dark bores to get a rare year or feature. Over half my mosins' bores look brand new.

Even an m38 can be a MOA shooter if the bore is nice.
 
Personnally I put epoxy near the 2 points. For a shooter the color doesnt matter since you won't even see it. And the best thing about DIY Mosin trigger jobs is that if you mess up you have a second chance
 
Claven2 said:
Nope - not even close. At least it's mil spec, reliable, and easy to maintain.

Other contenders for "most boring":
-Mini-30
-Ruger M77
-Norinco JW103
-CZ527
-Zastava M85
-Savage 10FCM
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LOL. WHY THE HELL IS A RUGER M77 boring ?! That's kind of like saying an Ikea spoon is boring haha
 
Given the price that surplus 54r is going for now a days, I don't know why you would buy a mosin, when you could have a far superior gun like the Savage Axis for close to the same money, chambered in .308. I can see buying a mosin for a collection, or just to say u have one, or maybe u like the history or classic feel. But if that is the case, why not get a SVT 40 then. Far more more intriguing and fun to plink with. With all the classic feeling and history that a nugget has.
 
warrenlikesboats said:
Given the price that surplus 54r is going for now a days, I don't know why you would buy a mosin, when you could have a far superior gun like the Savage Axis for close to the same money, chambered in .308. I can see buying a mosin for a collection, or just to say u have one, or maybe u like the history or classic feel. But if that is the case, why not get a SVT 40 then. Far more more intriguing and fun to plink with. With all the classic feeling and history that a nugget has.
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Have you ever shot one with a nice bore? it sounds like not. A good mosin will outshoot almost any commercial rifle WITH IRONS. My scoped mosin (PU sniper) will shoot as well as, if not better, than any of my commercial guns out of the box with scopes set to 3X.

And who shoots surplus if shooting for accuracy? I handload. You should try it. Your groups will shrink in ANY gun.

And a Savage axis is a disposable gun. Just trash. Maybe a step ahead of a Remington 710. Maybe. If you are going to recommend a commercial gun, recommend a good one for god's sake.
 
what he said....hhhhhrrrrrmmmmmmm hard choice, get a cheap plastic savage axis in 308 with a 2$ bushnelll crappy scope for 500$ or get an awesome world war two, overbuilt hearty tried and true, one of biggest produced rifles of all time with a whole lot of surplus rounds for the same money....you're in one camp or the other brah, AXIS AND MOSIN have no business in the same sentence !!!!
 
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