What to look for when selecting a Mosin?
- Thread starter NewmarketNewbie
- Start date
PinkyPlinker
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kenora, ON
Bore and crown are everything if you are looking for a shooter. A tight fitting stock is desirable but if it's loose it can be shimmed. Any years can be good or bad when it comes to bore. Bores range from near new to sewer pipe.
Wartime guns are not as well finished due to cost and time cutting, but I wouldn't call them lower quality.
Wartime guns are not as well finished due to cost and time cutting, but I wouldn't call them lower quality.
PinkyPlinker nailed it, crown and bore are everything. Also don't be to deterred my non-matching numbers. 95% of the examples out there are refurbished. So in most cases, non matching bolt and action, just means they didn't scrub and re-stamp them during the refurbishment process.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
Not true. Non-matching bolt and action means the importer didn't take the time to match the bolts to the proper rifle, as they were all matched in the refurbishment process.
To the OP it depends on what you are looking for. What model is it? Are you looking at a M91/30, or a M38, or a M44, or a M91/59, or etc.
In general things to look for are matching numbers, correct stock for the model (for example there are 3 main types of stocks for the M91/30. Pre-war which has screwed in sling escutcheons, war-time which has either just a cut out sling slot, or a single piece of reinforcing metal, and post war which as pressed in sling escutcheons. A pre-1940 rifle with a pressed in post-war stock for example would have been a replacement stock from refurb not the original), and rifle condition (what shape is the bore and crown in, is the action worn etc.). Also bayonet matching numbers if you have the luxury as well, as well as any accessories you can get with it.
If you provide what model your looking at I can narrow down some of the features to look at.
Along with what others have said , particularly bore and crown condition I'd like to add that if you can find one with a laminate stock its also a bonus IMHO. Harder to find and not super necessary but cool if you can get one.
Crown is not a big factor. A nice bore with a crappy crown is still easy to correct.
I look for this stuff on russian refurbs:
1) Bore condition
2) matching numbers
3) stock from the right production period
4) clear markings, not made too fait from refurbishment.
5) Stamped numbers vs. electropencil (personal preference)
6) If it comes with matching bayo and accessories, that's a nice bonus.
Of course, The Russian refurb 91/30's are sort of the entry level of mosin ownership. I have a whole pile of these guns, but the real mosin gems are M38 carbines in nice shape, laminate stocked 91/30's, uncommon models, and anything Finnish.
I look for this stuff on russian refurbs:
1) Bore condition
2) matching numbers
3) stock from the right production period
4) clear markings, not made too fait from refurbishment.
5) Stamped numbers vs. electropencil (personal preference)
6) If it comes with matching bayo and accessories, that's a nice bonus.
Of course, The Russian refurb 91/30's are sort of the entry level of mosin ownership. I have a whole pile of these guns, but the real mosin gems are M38 carbines in nice shape, laminate stocked 91/30's, uncommon models, and anything Finnish.
Lots of good info from other posters. I'm sure someone with far more extensive knowledge than myself will be able to further assist you, but here are a few of the basics to look for:
Basics:
1. All matching (preferably including a bayonet)
2. Good bluing with no noticeable rust
3. Good crown and bore (a small flashlight is a great tool here)
A little more advanced (for collectability):
1. Finnish (SA stamp - usually quite expensive, but sometimes you get a good deal)
2. A Russian carbine - particularly the M38
3. An ex-sniper (look inside the receiver for small circles - these are from the plug screws they used to plug up the sniper mount holes, an ex sniper should afford better accuracy)
4. "Hex" (octagonal) receivers are generally of better quality (expect to pay a little more for these)
To sum up, if you're just after a good shooter, look for the 3 basics and possibly that it is an ex-sniper. If you come across one of the other characteristics, at a reasonable price, it can be well worth picking up. If you're after more info, this video is pretty good:
https://youtu.be/TV2MSou_CS0 (What makes a Mosin rare by Iraqveteran8888)
Hope this helped!
Basics:
1. All matching (preferably including a bayonet)
2. Good bluing with no noticeable rust
3. Good crown and bore (a small flashlight is a great tool here)
A little more advanced (for collectability):
1. Finnish (SA stamp - usually quite expensive, but sometimes you get a good deal)
2. A Russian carbine - particularly the M38
3. An ex-sniper (look inside the receiver for small circles - these are from the plug screws they used to plug up the sniper mount holes, an ex sniper should afford better accuracy)
4. "Hex" (octagonal) receivers are generally of better quality (expect to pay a little more for these)
To sum up, if you're just after a good shooter, look for the 3 basics and possibly that it is an ex-sniper. If you come across one of the other characteristics, at a reasonable price, it can be well worth picking up. If you're after more info, this video is pretty good:
https://youtu.be/TV2MSou_CS0 (What makes a Mosin rare by Iraqveteran8888)
Hope this helped!
Still in cosmoline. This way you know somebody hasn't tried a few YouTube trigger tips or other doubtful home remedies. These rifles are inexpensive and this attracts the DIY types. Many are experienced and knowledgeable about what they are doing; many more are not.
Some minor modifications and improvements are safe and effective when done properly but the number of YouTube remedies that aren't wise outnumber those that are by a large margin. Rifles in cosmoline are a safe starting point if you don't have a lot of experience.
Some minor modifications and improvements are safe and effective when done properly but the number of YouTube remedies that aren't wise outnumber those that are by a large margin. Rifles in cosmoline are a safe starting point if you don't have a lot of experience.
FWIW, it goes without saying, if you are going to collect a family of rifles, familiarize yourself with what things are SUPPOSED to look like. I disassemble every new milsurp to the smallest parts, inspect them, then re-assemble and function check with dummy ammo BEFORE shooting. I own my own headspace gauges and I use them for the rifles I actually fire (I own many milsurps I don't shoot and I have my range favorites as well).
I also have an accumulaton of spare parts for my mosins. It's rare I have to change a worn out part on a new acquisition, but it does happen.
I keep band springs, bolt springs, extractors, a few extra sears and a few xtra triggers - sometimes I have to swap these around to get a reasonably light, but still safe, trigger pull. I keep at least enough parts to make an extra bolt and a few bolt heads of different dimensions in case a gun doesn't headspace.
A lot of that is overkill of you don't collect.
