Posted on 02/17/2010 4:04:22 PM PST by Phantom Lord
Alright my fellow Freepers. Have been offered a 1943 Mosin Nagant as a gift. Will be used for target shooting and deer hunting. I know jack squat about this rifle.
Pluses, minuses, thoughts, advice...
Thanks!
Haven’t fired it yet. I have an AK, too. And a few others. Hopefully I will be mobile by April.
parsy, the well armed
Haven’t fired it yet. I have an AK, too. And a few others. Hopefully I will be mobile by April.
parsy, the well armed
on a side note, when lookin at a rack of Mosins in the store, how to pick the one to buy from the litter ???
I’ve got an M38. It’s basically the same as teh M44 without the bayonet. At last count I’ve got about 30 sealed 440rd spam cans of 7.62x54 in the basement. Got ‘em from a guy at work for $25(yeah twenty five)/can. And no, you can’t have any.
That is hilarious!
I believed these were developed for the Russians (whites) because the Turks were kicking their asses with Winchesters.
You need to take that rifle. Get yourself some ammo and a slip on recoil pad. Keep in mind, that rifle has a bit of recoil. Ammo is cheap, so you can afford to practice.
bump
Phantom Lord:
First off: Lose the appellation “Gun Nuts”. That’s lib-speak, and they use it in a seriously derogatory fashion to paint us as dangerous and unbalanced. Even in jest, its not good to use the enemy’s language. Truth be told, THEY’RE the F***ing lunatics - you have to be able to hold 180 degree diametrically opposed beliefs to be a lib (OK to execute an unborn child, not OK to execute a convicted serial killer, etc., ). If THAT’s not unbalanced, I don’t know WHAT is...
Second: The Mosin-Nagant M38 / M44 is a fine carbine, and packs a serious punch from the full size 7.62mmx54mm round - they’ve been using that round since late 1890s and it still does the job. Left many a frozen Nazi corpse on the Steppes to attest to that (as well as many freedom-loving Patriots from other countries being overrun by commie hordes).
Mine is a 1945 vintage Russkie model; it’s light, handy, and does NOT look like an “evil assault rifle” so you can throw it in the truck and keep it handy (same thing with the No.5 Enfield Jungle Carbine, and that has a 10 round mag). When I bought it many years ago, I got it for 75 bucks at a gun show. Excellent condition. Spam-can ammo packs last a LONG time, too.
My only bitch is the 5-round integral mag and the straight bolt handle, but what the hell, it was designed a long time ago, and that was the state of the day back then. Keep lots of stripper clips handy, and watch the ammo - some of the older milsurp stuff is corrosive, which is not too big a deal if you’re fastidious about weapons cleaning but can be bad if you’re lazy about it.
Third: It will do in a pinch. First rule in a gun fight - have a gun. It WILL get you a better one. Much, much better than a “Poin-ted Stick” (from the old Monty Python episode).
Gilbo buddy - thanks for the ping!!! Love gun talk!!!
i *could* wade thru the forums, but a 'quick & dirty' tutorial on grabbin one off the el cheapo rack, from trusted FRiends would be better...
last look they were 99-119 bucks with acceassories and a few rounds of ammo...
“..but ya didnt answer the question...8^}...”
You’re right!!! Sorry brother!
Personally, I picked the one I picked because it had VERY few dings in the wood furniture, the bayonet and cleaning rod were intact (a lot of them had items missing).
Mine’s Russian; the Poles and Romanians, from what I understand, made very good quality M44s fit-and-finish wise.
I guess what it comes down to when choosing one is how it instantaneously LOOKS when you spot it on the rack; pick it up, bolt functions smoothly, all pieces intact. Personally, I don’t mind a beat-up old blaster, but it’s nice to find one that’s semi-pristine.
Better??? :*)
I figgered there wasnt much diff in the selection, as all are side by side on the rack, unless there were some glaring 'go/nogo' things to look for...besides the obvious, missing parts, crappy barrel etc...
furniture dings dont much matter to me, as i'll surely add em if theyre missing...lololol
thanks BrotherHaleDude...
At yer service, buddy!!!
just got one...Tula arsenal refinished.
any suggestion on testing for headspace or should I just go to the range and presume it works?
First, CONGRATS! The only downside is that for some folks buying their first Mosin is like eating Lays potato chips. :-)
My *personal* opinion is to go out and shoot it. There are a few real beat-up dogs out there, I got one in a 91/30, but most of the M38/M44 seem to be of the refurbished and stored variety. Tight, and in an overall very good condition.
While checking headspace does not seem to be that difficult, I think if I really wanted to be reassured of the condition of a new to me Mosin purchase, I would take it to my local shop and have the gunsmith give it a full once over to include the headspace check.
Post a pic if you can. I’m starting to feel the wallet rumble. Been awhile since I’ve been to a gun show to check out the Mosins and the SKS :-)
I will likely just buy a “go”/”no-go” gauge and go shoot.
I haven’t had one blow-up on me yet.
(knock on wood :-)
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