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I am thinking about buying a Mosin Nagant long rifle. I really wanted a Finnish or American Mosin but I can’t find the former and can’t afford the later. But I know a bloke that has a Russian one for sale, I haven’t had a real good look at it yet but I’m told it was ‘cherry picked’ from a dozen or so (how many times have you heard that?) and is in really good condition. I think it’s a M91/30, built in the early 30s and it has the hex receiver, bayonet, sling and oil bottle. The asking price is £220 but I should get it for £200.

I know Ryton Arms are doing a similar rifle for £175 but it’s too far for me to go chose and pick it up so I’d have to pay around £30-£40 in transfer fees.

Do you think it’s worth a closer look?

And if so are there any Mosin related issues I should I look out for?

Dave

Sounds pretty cheap to me, I wish I knew about the one's that are available now as I paid £650 for mine with scope.

lasbrisas wrote:Sounds pretty cheap to me, I wish I knew about the one's that are available now as I paid £650 for mine with scope.

By and large Mosin rifles and carbines are cheap as chips... until you get one with a period scope on. So don't feel too hard done by.

David-mauser wrote:
And if so are there any Mosin related issues I should I look out for?

Dave

By and large the earlier (pre WWII) Mosins are better, I believe. During the war they became somewhat more "agricultural" shall we say, and I don't think that the steel was necessarily of as good a quality.

You could always check out http://www.7.62x54r.net/, but whatever you do, don't ask about modifying/refinishing :)

It sounds like a very reasonable price for a Pre war Hex receiver however it is worth checking the condition, bore etc, before parting with your cash.

Ask him what he shoots through it as well.

1930's possibly an Ex Dragoon, way to tell is look for a gap between the rear sight base and the barrel on the back edge, (gap ex dragoon) worth a bit more money than your standard 91/30. £200 a good price. Most will be refurbed so look for matching serial stamped numbers on the parts, if electro penciled numbers just means parts were changed during refurb.
As ovenpaa said ask what ammo he has used, look at some of the fired brass if possible look for score or scratch marks around the neck and just up from the base, could be a head space issue.
If he has used milsurp ammo ask to put a patch through the barrel see if it's rusty if so not been cleaned correctly, milsurp ammo use corrosive primers this kills barrels if not washed out with very hot water, then cleaned and oiled like you do normally.
Hope this helps.
Neil

Wow thanks guys! I really appreciate the advice. :cheers:

I will go look at it over the weekend, give it a thorough inspection and maybe take some pictures of it.

Dave

Here's a Finnish M39 for sale, not knowing what your price range is though, it comes in at £695

http://www.byswordandmusket.co.uk/fac-r ... sh-nagant/

dave_303 wrote:Here's a Finnish M39 for sale, not knowing what your price range is though, it comes in at £695

http://www.byswordandmusket.co.uk/fac-r ... sh-nagant/

I'd be all over that if it was about £450 cheaper!!

dave_303 wrote:Here's a Finnish M39 for sale, not knowing what your price range is though, it comes in at £695

http://www.byswordandmusket.co.uk/fac-r ... sh-nagant/

Thanks Dave_303 :cheers:

I had seen a while back but considered it very overpriced as I can buy a pre-revolution Westinghouse or Remington for less.

Dave