School me on Mosin Nagants

[baldybarton]

I have recently decided that I am looking for a nagant, but I have a few questions before I buy one.

What do I need to look for in one? I don't mind a damaged stock, but I want one that shoots better than I do (which isn't hard). I know I need to look at the crown of the barrel as well as the condition of the rifling. I also need to make sure the bolt functions properly. But what else do I need to look at, and how do I make sure some of these things are good if the gun still has all of the packing grease in/on it?

Also how much are they selling for at your local shops, or gun shows? Porters on lake Palestine has some for $149, should I wait for the next gun show to come through?

[hully1029]

i would like to have one, just cause of the nostalgia...also, if you watch close, cabelas often sells theirs for 99

[ram6256]

The best info is to be had on line if you search mosin nagant you WILL get a tremendous amount of information. There were 3 factories. The 91/30 is the long rifle, the M38 is a short carbine, and the M44 is a similar carbine with a folding bayonet. They were also refined by the Finns during the Russo-Fin war. The Finns took the nagants and refined them, restamped them and used them against the Russians themselves. There were made to shoot 180gr ball ammo. Most of the ammo out now is 147gr. The lighter bullet is much more fickle to shoot. Most of the rifles will shoot fairly well.
The most revered rifles are matched number hexagonal receiver rifles from the Tula arsenal. If you can find a Finn nagant GRAB IT. It will shoot.
This is a VERY short version of this rifle.
The bolt feels very sloppy until it locks, then it is solid. If the bolt does not lock solid, DO NOT use it til the head space is checked.
Roy

[Uncle Saggy]

/

The best info is to be had on line if you search mosin nagant you WILL get a tremendous amount of information. There were 3 factories. The 91/30 is the long rifle, the M38 is a short carbine, and the M44 is a similar carbine with a folding bayonet. They were also refined by the Finns during the Russo-Fin war. The Finns took the nagants and refined them, restamped them and used them against the Russians themselves. There were made to shoot 180gr ball ammo. Most of the ammo out now is 147gr. The lighter bullet is much more fickle to shoot. Most of the rifles will shoot fairly well.
The most revered rifles are matched number hexagonal receiver rifles from the Tula arsenal. If you can find a Finn nagant GRAB IT. It will shoot.
This is a VERY short version of this rifle.
The bolt feels very sloppy until it locks, then it is solid. If the bolt does not lock solid, DO NOT use it til the head space is checked.
Roy

This man knows this rifle. I own 2 long rifles and 2 44's. All shooters and very accurate. My favorite is the long rifle

[ram6256]

Thanks Uncle Saggy. I collected for several years and even had a sniper. However, circumstance dictated a change in direction. Man, I miss that sniper.
Roy