Posted on 05/02/2012 8:44:25 AM PDT by dynachrome
My rifle is a round receiver Tula, 91/30. I was lucky enough to get one with an excellent bore, bolt, and all the accessories (oiler, tools in cloth wrap, sling, bayonet and two ammo pouches), while paying only $90 in-person. $80 online is still a perfectly fair price, even after transfer and shipping -- though I would advise anyone purchasing multiple specimens, or other qualifying weapons, to consider a Curio and Relic license, if that is in your interest.
The rifle's main detriment that I've determined thus far? The sights. They're not bad -- though I'm biased, and apparently an abnormality when it comes to American shooters raised with traditional American guns, for the most part. However, the majority of my open-sight shooting since adulthood has been with an AK variant, which has very similar sights, anyway. That doesn't change what they are, though; crude, dark, and on some guns, not even adjustable to make your point-of-aim the same as point-of-impact. A $5 part fixes this, and I suspect that the better quality sample you acquire, the less likely the phenomenon is. If you're new to Russian sights, try to remember that it's something you get used to. There's nothing directly 'wrong' with them; they're not always as precise, and they're just different.
(Excerpt) Read more at survivalblog.com ...
The beauty of the Mosin is that you can have 6 of them and 900 rounds of ammo for the price of a single decent Springfield (sans ammo) or 3 of them for the price of a single decent 8mm Mauser (also sans ammo).
The closest thing to a weakness that there is in the Mosin is the magazine. There is a leaf spring that puts pressure on the cartridge rim. If it is weak or worn the rifle will have feed problems. I've seen this in a few older guns (and one M44 carbine). It is an easy fix and a common part, and you could even fabricate the part yourself with hand tools in a pinch.
I’ve got a ‘43 Sako M39. It’s a tight gun and it shoots better than I am capable of taking advantage of, but I’d rather shoot my old beat up 91/30. It’s lighter and faster and has a better “feel” somehow. I wondered if anyone else felt that way.
Probably best to keep an arsenal refinished Mosin rifle intact and complete.
If you are unsure of headspace on a mosin bolt, these guys sell “coin” style gauges. I have a set and they work well. They also have 8mm Lebel, .303 british and 8x56r steyr gauges:
“bolt has a number stamped on it and slashed out and the serial number matching the receiver stamped back”
Probably a refurb somewhere along the way. Still collectible.
An original would have a blade front sight and a ‘roller coaster’ rear sight in arshins.
I can make 300 yd shots with mine, pretty consistently.
I tried to qualify at Appleseed with it, but reloading is just too slow. Still, it's a fun shooter. I have the M44 carbine and the M39 rifle variants.
“How does/would a Mauser or Springfield 03 compare to the Mosin?”
I have all three. The Mosin has a crude appearance and feel compared to the others, but it is simple, rugged and reliable. I would recommend finding a clean Finnish version, I think they are better made. My Finn is very accurate. If you really want to compare two extremes, cycle the gritty bolt on a Mosin, then cycle the silky bolt on a Krag.
I should have mentioned in my previous post that if I really had to fight with only one bolt action rifle, it would be a late British .303 Enfield. More compact, very rugged, 10 rounds in the magazine, and peep sights. The only negative is the rounded butt plate.
It looks like he is using the same stock I bought (pictured up-thread).
Very nice, but at that price I start thinking why not just buy a Remington 700...
Thank you for the feedback, I’m taking notes.
Right you are. Got a catalog in the mail today from Midway, and their regular price on mil-surp for an 880 round crate (2 440 round spam cans) is $179.99. Ammotogo has Bulgarian mil-surp for $144.95 for the same quantity. At that price, a man can shoot until his shoulder falls off. lol
It’s a collector thing. Do you happen to have an Albanian 91/30, only made for one year, 1961? LOL
I removed the rear sight on one of my 91/30’s and put a small red-dot scope on the dovetail. Shoots a pretty good group, but the recoil keeps pushing the scope forward, even with screws really snug, and set with blue Loctite. Of course, when that happens I lose my zero, and have to start all over again. I’m still puzzling over a way to solve that. Lots of fun tinkering with these classic old battle rifles.
Nice!!!
“asking way-way too much for it (reserve at $2K)”
Yikes! Way over priced.
I just installed that very one (on the one I’m not customizing). It wasn’t a good fit. I had to let it sit in boiling water for about ten minutes to soften it up enough where it would fit cleanly, and it still doesn’t look that great. (I’ll take a photo later).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.