Posted on 06/09/2012 11:47:25 AM PDT by mnehring
Today, I started a project I've been wanting to do for a long time. Take an original Mosin Nagant and turn it into a modern hunting rifle.
I purchased two Mosins at the first of the year. One I want to keep original, one will be my conversion. The top one is the gun I will be converting. I wanted to post this here as a step-by-step process if anyone else wants to do this.
So far, I've purchased an ATI stock and bipod.
This morning, I began the stock replacement process. (Note, this gun has been fired and shoots great).
Removal of the bolt.
Removing the barrel bands and top hand guard. The front barrel band was a challenge because I didn't want to remove the front iron sight just yet (scope is a future project). I did have to bend that but they are very cheap to replace if I ever want to take her back to the original configuration.)
Removing bottom magazine screw.
Removing top receiver screw. 
Remove barrel and magazine assembly.
The magazine assembly with the new stock. This did take a little work with the dremel to help it fit cleanly. 
Anyone who has bought an old Mosin knows there usually is a thin coat of paint on the barrel that was put on in storage. After shooting again, it starts to flake. I took the opportunity to polish a lot of this off. In a future project I will work more on finishing the barrel at which time I'll clean it up better.
Reassembled magazine and barrel assembly.
Added the bolt back.
Bipod before assembly.
Bipod after adding. The barrel is sitting a little high. I will need to go back with the dremel inside the stock and work on that. 
This is all I've accomplished so far this morning. 
Next steps are to work on tightening up the fit on the stock some more. I will then replace the rear sight with a picatinny rail specifically made for Mosin conversions and add in a LER scope. Finally, I plan to do something with the barrel, either have a new black finish (I've seen bedliner paint done awesome) or have it nickel plated.
ping
I WANT ONE!
Mosins are cheap. That’s why I chose this one to have fun with. If I screw it up, no big loss.
Are you planning on getting the bolt mod kit ? It comes with Picatinnys, and allows you to mount a scope in the “normal” position. . .
Are you going to buy the bolt handle kit so you can mount a traditional scope?
Nice project. I think these rifles at current prices are a great investment and have a few.
Oops, let the dog out and came back to post and you already asked my question! :)
The bolt mod is one of my next projects although I have one that was done by a machine shop.
I haven’t decided yet if I am going to go with a new bolt and traditional scope or replace the rear sight with a LER scope. I am leaning towards the latter simply because it will be easier, but nothing says I can’t start with that and later go with a more traditional scope position. I have heard good reports, however, from those using LER scopes in this configuration.
Looking good.
I’ve read on other forums that the ATI stock almost always has to be whittled on to get a correct barrel fit.
That’s the first ATI bi-pod I’ve seen for the Mosin. Looks interesting.
Just took my daughter to the range today and several people approached me about my mosin which I converted to composite. My daughter is 13 and out of an AR15-22 a Springfield xd40 and the Mosin, the mousing was her favorite by far. Looking to add the bipod to mine in the near future.
Lol...darn auto correct
Lol...darn auto correct
Plus shipping, and transfer fees to your local FFL dealer.
Or, do what I did, get a C&R FFL, and they can ship direct to you. . . .
My source of Mosins:
http://www.classicfirearms.co/firearms.htm
How to get a C&R FFL
http://russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com/information/CandR/index.html
Don't forget ammo ! 7.62x51R is typically ~$90 for a "spam can" of 880 rounds. . . .
The bipod isn’t an ATI, it is a NcSTAR.
http://www.ncstar.com/
Sorry, I did read what I wrote again and it sounded like I said they were both ATI.
Hey... I believe it’s 7.62 by 54r not 51
Double awesome and kick ass too on you!
Nicely done, I’ve no doubt you’ll satisfactorily fix that
“riding high” problem. Is the stock out-of-true or is there
just some excess material preventing proper seating?
A real redneck would just heat it up a bit and throw a steel screw-clamp on it. ;-)
M91 Dragoon’s or M91/30’s?
91/30
Just excess material. The kit actually came with a washer to add in that point just to help it sit better but it also recommends trimming material from some points to tighten up the fit. I don’t think it is too much of an issue, the Mosin’s barrel floats and is mounted only at the magazine and receiver.
Why not just buy somebody else’s ruined “sporter” instead of destroying another historic collectible? These abominations are all over the place. Mint condition, all-matching Mauser K98k rifles that were selling for $35 50 years ago are bringing $2,000+ today, because so many people (known as “Bubbas” in the colecting world) chopped them up to make deer rifles back when. If you want a deer rifle, why not buy a new one? It will be a better rifle than you can build, despite what some gunsmith tells you, and a lot cheaper, too.
I’ll give you credit for one thing: At least Mosin-Nagant rifles are junk to start with.
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