What's so great about the Mosin Nagant?

thebutcher

thebutcher

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
38   0   0
Location
Calgary, Alberta
I know, How dare I question but none the less.
My brother has been telling me forever to pick up a mosin negant. I have looked into it a couple times and I really like the shorter versions The M44, M38 etc. I just don't know about the 91/30, I am not a fan of long guns, not long-guns, just really long guns. THe length of the 9130 is what purs me off them the most. they just look huge.

I have never had a chance to fire my brothers Mosin but he says it is incredable, and ridiculously accurate, esspecially the carbine versions.

So, whats so great about a Mosin compared to say, a mauser or an sks, (I know I'm sure there is no comparison to an SKS) or say a modern bolt action rifle? Obviously seeing the price of even a New-used one out of the store is almost impossible to beat.

School me?
 
Last edited:
Millions were made. It's a dead simple fire arm. Any rifle produced during a war year was almost certainly used during the war.
With the prices as they are now its a cheap way to hold a piece of history, and they have a nice satisfying kick when you fire them.
 
They're inexpensive, bomb-proof, relatively accurate, fire a cheap potent round, soft points will take almost any game, and they have a TON of history. They're still being used in conflicts around the world today!

It's apples and oranges to compare them to a modern rifle (as they would be more expensive, have no history, but likely shoot better). Comparing them to other military surplus bolt actions: a Lee-Enfield will cost you $450+, and a non-RC Mauser likely $800+. They're worth more because they are more collectable, but they aren't inherently that much better as a bolt gun. Yes, the actions are smoother and they're probably more accurate than a 91/30, but not THAT much greater than a 91/30 (especially if you can find a nice one made between WW1 and WW2).

The cheap surplus .303 and 8mm was all shot up in the 70s and 80s, and they'll cost a bit to feed compared to a Mosin.

FWIW, I find the 91/30 is FAAAAR more accurate that either M44 or M38. They're well balanced and quite light despite being long.
 
Last edited:
Fairly inexpensive to buy (although creeping up in price - especially the M38 and M44 carbines).

Borderline indestructible. Can be quite accurate, even with surplus ammo.

It's a full powered rifle you can actually use for just plinking with, without breaking the bank. Surplus ammo can be had for around $0.20/shot, if you buy it by the crate. Anything else in the power range (.308, 30-06, .303 British, etc.) you're looking a $1.00/shot unless you reload.

Heck, you can even get commercial hunting ammo in the $0.75/shot range if you look around.

No frills, rugged, reliable gun.

Buy them while they're cheap, because the price will eventually go the way of the Enfields, Garands, etc., and all the other full powered rifles from that era.
 
Well my collection is primarily Swiss and Soviet firearms (kinda like the extremes of both ends quality wise).
For plusses the design simplicity, the price (at the moment), the history (tons of history and variants some cheap and common, others rarer than hens teeth), the cheap ammo (at the moment), and the fact they are accurate especially if you give them good ammo (my buddy gave me 3rds of his personal handloads to try in my M44, I got a 1 inch grouping at 100m with the iron sights, it was also the first day I had ever shot that M44).
Some are downright crude, others are exceptionally well made (for example the M39s). Some are rough and beat up but have a fair bit of history behind them. The other neat thing is people liked to leave there marks on them so you can tell where it has been (for example Finnish Capture M91's with Austrian or German capture marks). I have sold a fair bit of rifles that could be considered higher quality (Mausers, Lee Enfields etc.), I have only sold one Mosin Nagant (and that was a trade not even selling it).
 
Not much Mosin Negants were made, mostly Mosin Nagants :)
Seriously, like with any surplus, either you like it or not. I personally don't like MN models past 1917. But eventually I'll have to get them. Unless I find a good shrink to help me.
 
Mosin nagants are fun to shoot but I felt like a tool walking from the gun store down main street carrying a long rifle with a bayonet during hunting season. I got some sideways looks so I gave them the Mr. Bean look right back.
 
Yeah I have seen them at the can tire here and the price is tempting. But looking at the different models I would like a carbine version. Though I have only seen them on the ee. Not that that's a problem. I would definately like to scope one. Can I put a modern scope on and still use iron sights? I guess I'll have to do some reading.
 
thebutcher said:
Yeah I have seen them at the can tire here and the price is tempting. But looking at the different models I would like a carbine version. Though I have only seen them on the ee. Not that that's a problem. I would definately like to scope one. Can I put a modern scope on and still use iron sights? I guess I'll have to do some reading.
Click to expand...

Only if you want to drill and tap it. I took off the rear sight and utilized the dovetail mount under my 91/59...
 
thebutcher said:
Yeah I have seen them at the can tire here and the price is tempting. But looking at the different models I would like a carbine version. Though I have only seen them on the ee. Not that that's a problem. I would definately like to scope one. Can I put a modern scope on and still use iron sights? I guess I'll have to do some reading.
Click to expand...

bought a m44 not so long ago a CT in LEduc , stock have some mark but the barrel look very good
 
Like other's have said before me, it has effectively replaced the war surplus 303s and 8mm Mausers of the past decades. Inexpensive to feed, with enough deer harvesting power to spare.

I don't own one, but I can understand their recent popularity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom