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We have had a bunch of customers calling and looking for Nagants so I decided to order some for a customer, of course there is no sense in not ordering a few extra's. We ordered and received the rifles in the excellent condition category, they arrived yesterday, coated in cosmoline and included the accessories. I decided to clean one of them to see how it actually looked once cleaned up. I used Safari Charlie and was amazed at the way it cut through all the gunk. After spending about 90 minutes cleaning everything I was truly amazed at the condition of this WWII rifle. Next step is to take it to the range and see what it actually does, no sense having 440 rounds of ammo without having some fun with it. Magnum Sports has a range that goes out to 200 yards so that will be a perfect place to play around and see what kind of accuracy this rifle has.

Has anybody spent any time shooting these? Any hints regarding the ramped rear sights?

You say you have extras?

Odorless Mineral Spirits works wonders on getting the Cosmoline off those old surplus rifles.

Hot showers used to work on cosmoline but the EPA frowns on that now.

If you were to use a heat gun to remove the cosmoline, I know a guy that would most likely buy the melted (and re-gelled) cosmoline off you... He loves the stuff, and it's getting harder to come by with the fact that it's not made anymore...

BTW-- that's a beautiful rifle you've got there. If I didn't have my teeth sunk into too many things right now, I'd probably help you with one of those extras you've got...

....PM...

I really enjoy my Mosin, but be prepared for quite a kick on the shoulder. The short stock and steel butt plate combination is something else. I made a little pad for my shoulder that I haven't had a chance to try out yet, but there are aftermarket rubber pads available on line for about $15 that use the original screws and fit pretty well. I'm just frugal (cheap). They also extend the stock out about 1 1/2 inch or so. Apparently all the old russians had short arms....

Mine is pretty accurate, everything in 3" at 30 yards open sights (even with my bifocals), haven't had a chance to go further as Elm Fork requires optics and soft point ammo for the longer range, and I would rather try it out as far as possible with iron sights. Mine is the M44, which is carbine length, and the other shooters comment on A) the loud "Boom!" and B) the big fireball coming out of the barrel when fired.

Surplus ammo has corrosive salts in the gunpowder, so clean appropriately after shooting.

Enjoy!

Range report eagerly being waited for!

lonewolf wrote:I really enjoy my Mosin, but be prepared for quite a kick on the shoulder. The short stock and steel butt plate combination is something else. I made a little pad for my shoulder that I haven't had a chance to try out yet, but there are aftermarket rubber pads available on line for about $15 that use the original screws and fit pretty well. I'm just frugal (cheap). They also extend the stock out about 1 1/2 inch or so. Apparently all the old russians had short arms....

The medium Pachymar slip-on recoil pads work well too.

Thanks! I was going to get one, but haven't sized them yet. Medium works for me.

For the sights, I'd recommend getting a set of Mojo sights. I got as set for each of mine a few years ago, and absolutely love them. I recommend the full MicroClick SnapSight set, and the add-on Aperture Pack for better precision at distance.

http://www.mojosights.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Had one. Got it for 80bucks at a gunshow 1943year....but the barrel was messed up didn't notice until I shot it. No matter what the bullet always shot up and to the right. Strong rifling but near the end of the muzzle about an inch in... it was all torn up....either corrosive ammo and inproper storage...even bore sighted with a laser everything lined up...shot..up and right. not just a little bit but way off target everytime even at 20yards, if I aimed well below the targe and to the left I hit..nice groups but something wasn't right....and no it wasn't me. traded it for a Rossi .357.

WHEN I do get another one....I know what to look for.

frogbones wrote:Had one. Got it for 80bucks at a gunshow 1943year....but the barrel was messed up didn't notice until I shot it. No matter what the bullet always shot up and to the right. Strong rifling but near the end of the muzzle about an inch in... it was all torn up....either corrosive ammo and inproper storage...

Are you sure it wasn't counterbored? The bore and crown were checked and fixed when they werer refurbed at the arsenal. If the rifling near the muzzle was messed up bad enough they would counterbore it. It hurts the collector value but should shoot fine, so that may not be what was up with your rifle.

frogbones wrote:Had one. Got it for 80bucks at a gunshow 1943year....but the barrel was messed up didn't notice until I shot it. No matter what the bullet always shot up and to the right. Strong rifling but near the end of the muzzle about an inch in... it was all torn up....either corrosive ammo and inproper storage...even bore sighted with a laser everything lined up...shot..up and right. not just a little bit but way off target everytime even at 20yards, if I aimed well below the targe and to the left I hit..nice groups but something wasn't right....and no it wasn't me. traded it for a Rossi .357.

WHEN I do get another one....I know what to look for.

Did you try firing it with the bayonet installed? I read somewhere that they were often, though not always, sighted in with the bayonet "fixed". Of course, I'm not sure about which ranges allow this kind of stuff...I bought one of these rifles, but the range I go to won't allow FMJ rifle ammo and soft points are EXPENSIVE in 7.62x54R. Now I have 880 FMJ rounds of the stuff and no where to put any downrange...very sad, indeed.

Heartland Patriot wrote:

frogbones wrote:Had one. Got it for 80bucks at a gunshow 1943year....but the barrel was messed up didn't notice until I shot it. No matter what the bullet always shot up and to the right. Strong rifling but near the end of the muzzle about an inch in... it was all torn up....either corrosive ammo and inproper storage...even bore sighted with a laser everything lined up...shot..up and right. not just a little bit but way off target everytime even at 20yards, if I aimed well below the targe and to the left I hit..nice groups but something wasn't right....and no it wasn't me. traded it for a Rossi .357.

WHEN I do get another one....I know what to look for.

Did you try firing it with the bayonet installed? I read somewhere that they were often, though not always, sighted in with the bayonet "fixed". Of course, I'm not sure about which ranges allow this kind of stuff...I bought one of these rifles, but the range I go to won't allow FMJ rifle ammo and soft points are EXPENSIVE in 7.62x54R. Now I have 880 FMJ rounds of the stuff and no where to put any downrange...very sad, indeed.

They'll let you shoot the surplus FMJ on the "tactical" range at Elm Fork. Iron sights, 30 yards or so, no problem. Need to get back out there soon myself for some more Mosin fun. Fort Worth isn't that far away.

Start reading here...

http://www.7.62x54r.net/

Everything you want to know about the Mosin.

Russian stocks on the Mosin, and the AK are short to compensate for the heavy wool jackets and winter clothing that Combloc soldiers wear.

Russian bayonet doctrine stated that the bayonet was always mounted unless in storage or in a vehicle. Which is why it's a real pain to remove and install. POI will be affected by not having the bayonet mounted, since the huge hunk of metal on the front end is missing.

The counterbored crown can be more accurate than ones that weren't, as it means the rifle went through an arsenal refit, often by the Finnish. The website above will help you decipher all of the stamps and marks so that you can trace your rifles history somewhat.