Big 5 is selling the Mosin-Nagant 91/30 these days. Russian, Ishvesk arsenal marked, circa 1943. They come with canvas sling/dog collars, ammo pouches, cleaning bottles, and a matching serial number spike bayo.

$144 after the current 20% discount. All matching numbers, looks unfired, unissued. Nicely finished furniture, seems heavily waxed. Cartouches are all clear, clean.

Now I'm having a hard time thinking I walked out of the store today without buying one. Probably will head back tomorrow and see if I can "cherry pick" the stock room.

Anyone have ballistic spec for the 7.62 X 54R ammo?

They may look beter than they shoot.

7.62x54R is like .308Win, maybe hot .308win, but does not reach .30-06.

I have 1944 carbine made in Hungaria. Hunters here are remaking this rifles to hunting rifles - removing bayonet and turning down bayonet handle, replacing stock (or remaking it), ading rubber butt , instaling scoope base (it need bolt lewer bending) etc . . . it will produce surpiselly nice hunting rifle.

Jiri

Actually, the Moisin-Nagant generally shoots better than it looks. It is one of the crudest, roughest, nastiest looking damn guns ever issued by any nation! It really reflects where it comes from, a third-world, backward nation in every respect except militarily!! What do you expect from a country that still can't keep its people supplied with toilet paper or toothpaste??? However, under its crude exterior, and because a lot of steel was left on the things, one can carve out a sporter (restocked, of course!!) that would not be recognized as a Moisin. During the Korean War, I saw some sporters made from these contraptions in a small gunshop in Tachikawa, Japan, that would have done credit to a Mannlicher-Schoenauer in all repects except technical design!! Engraved, restocked in fine walnut, etc. The best ones were made by New England Westinghouse and Remington Arms during WWI.

[ 01-27-2003, 21:12: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

Somewhere around, there is a website that lists the best records for shooting accuracy with military arms. Almost all the top marks went to either Swedish Mausers or Mosin Nagants, with Finnish Mosins doing better (but not much better) than Russian ones.
The M-N is a butt-ugly POS that can outshoot most rifles. The cartridge is about as powerful as the 30-06 and, because the gun is so beefy, can be loaded really hot without exposing yourself to a possible explosion. Most of the surplus ammo is laquered steel-cased and cannot be reloaded. Worse, the cases tend to stick in the chamber until the rifle gets hot and the short bolt-handle is hard to operate.
I don't know if I'd pay that much for one, but it's a good rifle.

Well, the M44 pattern sawed-off jobs are going for some'res in the neighborhood of $50! If there's a cheaper, more capable, behind-the-truck-seat-gun, I don't know what it is.

Even my frugal self is considering one! For exactly what, I dunno but that's beside the point.

Redial

It would be hard to go wrong on that deal.Stay away from the lacqured ammo as it sticks in most my Mosin`s.Copper-washed steel cases or brass cases if you can find them are best.I wish Big5 was around here.

When I shoot steel laquered ammo,I put for example 100 round on cloth, spray over it teflone oil, shake in cloth, wipe and it will not stick in chamber.

Remanufactured Mosins (carabines) are realy nice rifles, 5 shot capacity, you could load clipped ammo (fast) . . .

Jiri



or http://www.gswagner.com/mosin-nagant/mnsporter.html

[ 01-28-2003, 20:20: Message edited by: Jiri ]