Which Mosin is best? New Buyer.

0 Kudo

Forum Jump

Author	Comment
bambam91	Which Mosin is best? New Buyer.	Lead	[-]
Posts: 17 (12/08/08 04:19 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None Ok, I'll open up a can of worms. I have a #4Mk1* Lee Enfield and I am in the process of getting an Kar 98. I would like to get one rifle from all of the major combatants in WWII Europe. So, Which would be the best Mosin Nagant Rifle to get? I shoot my collection pieces so good accuracy is a must. My enfield will give 3"-4" at 100 yds from the kneelinng position, if I do everything right. POI is off but I am working on that. So I would like to get similar accuracy from this one. Let me know what everyone thinks. Thanks.
ParallaxBill		#1	[-]
Posts: 16022 (12/08/08 07:16 PM) Owner/operator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	This is an easy one. M39 all the way mainly for it's shootability (sights & stock contour) plus if you get a wartime version you'll get some real battle rifle history to boot. I've won rifle competitions with my wartime 1943 Sako M39 just as issued. Nice rifles! Parallax *Lee Enfield Collector's Society member #3* *Mauser Shooter's Association member #17* Forum administrator for the Carolina C&R Shooting & Collecting Club,
sdkfz181	I'll second the M39, but...	#2	[-]
Posts: 87 (12/08/08 11:09 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	...I would also get a 91/30. you can find one that is war year marked and they shoot pretty good. They are also pretty inexpensive. If you want to pop an extra $20.00 bucks or so you can get an ex-sniper. I bout for $99.00 about 5 years ago. It is one of the most accurate of my milsurps, and the recoil is very tolerable, especially compared to an M44 or M38. I am going to be purchasing my first M39 soon, very soon, and can't wait to see how it performs compared to my other rifles.
bambam91		#3	[-]
Posts: 18 (12/08/08 11:51 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ok. From everything I had heard before hand was that the Finnish M39's were the best. However my criteria was for a Major combatant. Let me specify. USA, GB, Germany, USSR, Italy. if I went to all the ancillary combatants I would need a museum. I am also looking for just the main battle rifles for each. So M1 Garand, #4Mk1/2, Kar 98, Mosin Nagant full length rifle, etc... No Carbines. So My question is what Version of the MS should I look for? Should I get a pre - war date ( better quality) but still used in the war? An early war date? or a late war date (but perhaps not used in the war)? What factory should I look for? Round action, octagonal receiver? Any number of things I do not know anything about. So I ask the question again. Which is the best USSR Mosin Nagant full rifle? Thanks.
NotPC		#4	[-]
Posts: 5484 (12/09/08 05:08 AM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	You ask a vague question that has a subjective answer. "Which is better?" Ford or Chevy?...9mm or .45 ACP? It may boil to personal preference and a particular individual rifle's performance or looks. Receiver type ("hex" or round) is subjective, but all were forged. In a way you have answered your own question. Your criteria has eliminated everything but the Soviet M91/30. Just find the cleanest one you can with the best bore. Most on sale at sporting goods stores like Big 5 and Dunham's are refurbished rifles and come with accessories. Often they are on sale for under $100. Refurbed M91/30's can be found with dates that go back to the 20's on through 1944 (and later). Visit www.7.62x54r.net and see if any one variety (over time, there were over 300 varieties of the Mosin Nagant) jumps out at you. Also peruse www.mosinnagant.net. You will have to decide which one is "best" for you. I don't want to hear later on down the road that "so-in-so said this was the best Mosin rifle. I bought because he recommended it and now I don't like it". Familiarize yourself with the nuances and then seek one out. You do the research and you make the decision. You have to pay for it and you have to enjoy it for your purpose. Wartime production may have been faster" and a bit more "crude" in the finished machine department, but quality did not suffer. Some folks like the smoother-machined ones and other folks love the wartime versions for what they symbolize. There are also auction sites and trader boards. Regards. Last Edited By: NotPC 12/09/08 05:13 AM. Edited 1 times.
zeebill		#5	[-]
Posts: 3375 (12/09/08 08:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I always sort of laugh when I see this question posted and we see it often here. It is extremely objective from my point of view to just say buy what presents itself and talks to you. That is to me what collecting and shooting is all about. Personal goals and likes and dislikes are what keeps me looking and buying and selling when the situation is right. I totally understand why you ask the question but only you have the answer! Good Luck with you decision and may your choice bring you satisfaction! Bill
bambam91		#6	[-]
Posts: 19 (12/09/08 09:38 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	A wiser bunch o philosphers cannot be found elsewhere under the stars! Thanks for the thoughts, Like I said I was opening up a can-o-worms. I am not familiar enough with the MS's to know that my criteria limited me to USSR 91/30's. That does answer my question. Since it does not imping on my criteria I have always had a soft spot for the Hex receivers and I like the pre-war craftmanship. Now my ignorance of MS models does make me ask another question. How would one know an ex-sniper, if it walked up and bit me? Is this the turned down bolt handle version? Are they that much more accurate or where they just a production rifles made with a different bolt? In everyones humble opinion are they better than standard model 91/30's? I know it is still my decision. I am just looking for more info to make that decision. NotPC you are definititley not PC. God Bless you. I am not a winer. I bought it I have to live with it!
m1 talker		#7	[-]
Posts: 6285 (12/09/08 09:49 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	What is MS? Mannlicher-Schoenhauer? I thought we were talking MN (Mosin-Nagant) rifles here. Curt
gil		#8	[-]
Posts: 874 (12/09/08 10:58 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Finn tikka 91/30 is also a good choice if you are looking for an accurate rifle at the range. 1944 hex receivered ones with nice bores can be found fairly commonly for less than $200.00. gil
brass rat		#9	[-]
Posts: 1971 (12/09/08 12:38 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	However my criteria was for a Major combatant. I'd hate to be the one to break the news to these guys that they wern't in any "major" combat, just some of the ancillary stuff. Photo credits: Produced by: Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Department for Communication and Culture/Unit for Public Diplomacy ----------------------------------------------------------------- Why not join us at Milsurp After Hours handloading forum
Renfield54		#10	[-]
Posts: 371 (12/09/08 01:31 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Ex-sniper means just that......EX-sniper... They won't be found with the bent bolt still in 'em..........they were taken out of service, and returned to standard configuration. The easy way to see if a rifle was a sniper is to open the action & look at the left receiver wall....if you see round ends of bolts on the inside, then they're there to fill the holes drilled & tapped to hold the scope mount. The outside was ground down smooth & re-finished to original shape.....they were screwed in, welded into place, then finished off......they don't protrude into the receiver, they're ground down to shape......they're just visible on the inside, & not very visible on the outside. Mine is a '42......nice bore, excellent finish, and it still has the same stock, as far as I can tell, as there's a piece of wood repair on the left side of the stock just where it would be cut for the mount. I picked it up at a gunshow about 3 years ago for $69.95 plus tax, and I won't part with it !! Like others have said........a standard Soviet M91-30 is what you want...if you want one to really show the wartime use, go with a '43.....that's when the outside was given the least amount of finish work.......the inside's still well finished, but, the outside could pass for a corn cob on some of 'em !! They just got as many rifles made to get them into action as quick as possible... Hope this helps ya.......and good luck on finding a good example....... Steve "Dusty old helmet.....Rusty old gun......They sit in the corner and wait" ~Audie Murphy--1925-1971~
bambam91		#11	[-]
Posts: 20 (12/09/08 06:02 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	First: Oops I meant MN not MS. Sorry. Second: I said Major Combatants not Major Combat. There were alot of people from all over the world involved in Major Combat. That is why it is called a World War. The second one I believe. There were however only a few Major Combatants! I said what I meant. Third: I did not ask what Ex Sniper means, I know that Ex-Sniper means Ex Sniper, however the rest of the post explains the details I was looking for, How to ID one. Thank you. Any reason these were not kept on as precision (sic) weapons? Why were they put back into general service? Part of my original question is what was the criteria to make one a sniper in the first place? Thanks for all of the help.
Ed Novak		#12	[-]
Posts: 1753 (12/09/08 09:45 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Hello Bambam. I jumped into the "crap shoot" with a SOG MN 91/30 quite a few months ago for $79.95. I received a '27 Tula production rifle with hex-receiver (round/hex - didn't care either way, just wanted a really decent rifle), refurbed and in great condition (did not use the $10 hand pick). I am still puzzling about the rifling - different from my LEs and Swedes so I had nothing to judge by until I bought a couple of M39s, one from a private dealer and one from SOG and found that the rifling pattern all looks the same and chambers/bores are clean/bright (so, I either have 3 good, mediocre or crummy bores. ?). I have not had the time/energy to shoot them but I love them for their "difference". After 40 years of LE collecting/trading, I find the MNs fascinating wrt design/function/history. By the way, this is a grand forum contributed to by a group of really nice and helpful people. "I know nothinggggg" at this point about the MN but I enjoy learning here. LECS member #2. NRA Life Member
sdkfz181	Ex-Sniper Answer	#13	[-]
Posts: 88 (12/09/08 10:44 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Here's how I have heard it: When the rifles were being manufactured, any rifles that showed above average accuracy were pulled and made into a sniper rifle. Optics, trigger work, turned down bolt,etc. If they were damaged, as in, maybe Ivan dropped it and, lets say, the optics were damaged, it went in for rearsenalling, Straight bolt put back on, holes filled where the mount went, etc. Now when the rifle went back out, or got sold on the milsurp market, you have a rifle that was a little more accurate than most, but was in a standard configuration. As far as the markings go, I know there is a marking on it that indicates it was a sniper at one time, but can't remember what it is right now. I will have to check mine and get back to you. Also, there is the evidence of the filled holes that can be seen from inside the receiver. One can view one of these in a couple of ways: It was used to pick off fascist officers, used in combat; or, one can view it a a weapon that was used in war, but rehashed, thereby adding a little bit more history to it. Whatever the case may be, you will have a rifle used in WWII, by a major combatant, is accurate, and a real cool converstaion piece. Oh, and they aren't that expensive. As for mine, it is one of the rifles I wouldn't consider trading, or selling, because I like it too much. It is a blast to shoot, and hits what I aim at.
pirateclem		#14	[-]
Posts: 66 (01/01/09 12:01 PM) active member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	If you want the best then buy the best. 1.) Very nice Finnish M28/30 for $450-$600, handload with .308 2.) Very nice Finnish M39 for $250-$350, handload with .309-310 In that order.
Draybo		#15	[-]
Posts: 1842 (01/01/09 12:47 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	My .02 as I like a M91/30 with a pristine bore as some of the recent "refurbished" rifles exhibit. I have two that pretty much fill that bill and both shoot wonderfully. Always nice to see one in person as mail order can be hit or miss. (chuckle Couldn't resist that one.) My choice though would be a Finnish "capture" M91/30. A true blue Russian late 30's dated rifle that is [SA] marked (Finnish Army property) and you may have a rifle that shot in all kinds of directions during WWII. Now the bores more than likely won't be pristine but the rifles oooze history and most shoot well. Look for one that has a favorable bore description. You see them frequently on Gunbroker, Gunboards WTS and here in the WTS section et all and usually for less than $200 (or there abouts). A few of my favorites have chunks missing from their stocks as if they had been hit by shrapnel. Draybo : )
brody729		#16	[-]
Posts: 163 (01/01/09 02:15 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Wonder how many 1891 MN's were used during WWII. Arguably the best used by the Soviets during WWII.
Scott in Louisiana	.	#17	[-]
Posts: 175 (01/01/09 04:55 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I bought a M39 that has a Chatellerault (French) pre 1899 receiver because to me it was a little unique. If you want something really nice a 100% M39 won't let you down, but may be a little pricey these days - not that they are going to get any cheaper though.
Pahtu		#18	[-]
Posts: 2181 (01/02/09 02:37 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	"Wonder how many 1891 MN's were used during WWII." Probably issued as many serviceable rifles as they had....Just a guess... Pahtu.
Ed Novak		#19	[-]
Posts: 1768 (01/02/09 06:33 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	There was I time when I had no use at all for any MN. There was a time when I really disliked my doddering, plodding adoptive Slavic family and their "good enough" ways. Before I understood either of them. LECS member #2. NRA Life Member
mawkie		#20	[-]
Posts: 18 (01/07/09 09:04 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Taking your preferences in mind, add my vote for the Finn capture 91/30. Still affordable, not too difficult to find, plenty of history and usually a good shooter. An excellent first step into the MN world.