Finnish Mosin Nagant OK to shoot? Longevity of M39?

Mancid Rilk · January 30, 2013, 02:50 PM

I'm extremely interested in purchasing a Finnish Mosin Nagant, either M39 or preferably a M28/30 (if I can find one). I've been corresponding with a guy that has one for sale and it appears that there is pitting near the chamber. .I wanted to know if the gun was alright to shoot and if it could have the longevity that I was looking for (thousands of rounds fired). The pics are included below.

Also, if anyone has a M39 or M28/30 for sale, or know of one that could be promising as a weekend shooter, please let me know!

Mancid Rilk · January 30, 2013, 02:51 PM

Additional pictures, also, how does the rifling look?

seanc · January 30, 2013, 06:25 PM

What pitting? That looks factory new to me. Of course, I'm used to looking at Russian MNs.

The rifling looks good too. Unfortunately, the pictures you display do not show the muzzle's rifling, which would be the most important (last force on the projectile). If it's as strong and clear as what the rest of the rifle is, it looks like a good rifle. Even if the muzzle is munged a little, you can easily get that dressed up either by yourself or a smith. If you just want a shooter, which it sounds like, dressing the muzzle shouldn't be an issue for you. However, some Fin MN purists will have just lost their breath with that last statement.

Enjoy! Your next assignment is to slug that barrel!

EIGHTYDUECE · January 30, 2013, 07:01 PM

That M39 looks to be in fantastic shape based on the very few pictures. The chamber looks normal to me. What does the rest of the rifle look like. The M39 is the most accurate Mosin Nagant made, just make sure you shoot quality ammo (Hornady Vintage Match, S&B...etc) thru it before passing judgement. Russian made modern 7.62x54R is not very accurate IMO. What is the price on that one? What does it say on the barrelhood right in front of the reciever?

Here is a good link with info on the M39 as well as all MN from around the world:

http://mosinnagant.net/finland/default.asp

the rifleer · January 30, 2013, 07:46 PM

You would have to make shooting that rifle your full time job for the next few years to wear it out.

Don't worry about it, it looks good to go.

Slamfire · January 30, 2013, 07:50 PM

Looks good to me. As long as you use good brass and keep your velocities within military specifications, you should be able to shoot that rifle till the throat is gone.

The Finns picked the best actions to build their rifles.

rduckwor · January 30, 2013, 07:59 PM

Great rifles. The Fins reworked them for the long run.

Mancid Rilk · January 31, 2013, 05:08 PM

Got a few more pics for everyone. Also, are the Sako models the only to come with the windage adjustment on the front sight? Would the 1968 unissued training models (non Sako) also come with adjustable windage?

EIGHTYDUECE · January 31, 2013, 07:15 PM

All the M39s come with those sights. My VKT (Valmet) SA 1944 has a Sako front sight like that. I would jump on that rifle if I were you unless it was marked up rediculously high. The Sako like that one and the Tikkas are the most sought after. That rifle looks to be in excellent shape.

Here is mine

Look at the difference in accuracy as compared to my Tula Hex 1933 91/30 open sights at 100 yards. Ammo was Hornady Vintage Match 174gr. HPBT. That day no groups with my M39 were larger than 2.5". I think this rifle is as accurate as my Colt HBAR that I used to have.

P.S. I intentionally shot to the right with my M39 to seperate the grouping from the 91/30.

Let us know If you buy the rifle and please give us a range report.

Mancid Rilk · January 31, 2013, 09:10 PM

What's a good price for a Finn? The one pictured is going for $465 and I have a chance to purchase an unissued (but non Sako, Sake would be preferable for me) 1968 that's rated at 100% excellent + condition for $459, but I've seen no pics of the internals, just the externals, pics attached. The last pic is the body of the '41.

Thanks for all of your help guys! I'll make sure to keep you updated.

EIGHTYDUECE · January 31, 2013, 09:29 PM

I paid $350 for my VKT three weeks ago. It was listed at $399. $465 isn't bad but not a deal either. I would try and haggle down to $400 but I would still pay the $465 if that didn't work

Check to see if the number on the bolt ball matches the serial on the barrel. The other one is alittle high, I think. $350 ish for that one.

Ask the guys over at the Gunforums. There are some real M39 gurus there.

http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdis...osin-Nagant-HQ

Duzell · February 7, 2013, 04:09 PM

i still am surprised by the varying accuracy of mosins 87 percent off rest is good.

anyway the finish are typically aclaimed as the best for accuracy , there is also the american made mosins, those are the ones i find as the best in quality but they are harder to find

January 30, 2013, 07:01 PM	#4
EIGHTYDUECE Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2001 Posts: 578	That M39 looks to be in fantastic shape based on the very few pictures. The chamber looks normal to me. What does the rest of the rifle look like. The M39 is the most accurate Mosin Nagant made, just make sure you shoot quality ammo (Hornady Vintage Match, S&B...etc) thru it before passing judgement. Russian made modern 7.62x54R is not very accurate IMO. What is the price on that one? What does it say on the barrelhood right in front of the reciever? Here is a good link with info on the M39 as well as all MN from around the world: http://mosinnagant.net/finland/default.asp __________________ "KNEES IN THE BREEZE" "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart"- ASH

January 30, 2013, 07:46 PM	#5
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	You would have to make shooting that rifle your full time job for the next few years to wear it out. Don't worry about it, it looks good to go. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

January 30, 2013, 07:50 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Looks good to me. As long as you use good brass and keep your velocities within military specifications, you should be able to shoot that rifle till the throat is gone. The Finns picked the best actions to build their rifles. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

January 30, 2013, 07:59 PM	#7
rduckwor Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2008 Location: L.A. - Lower Alabama Posts: 365	Great rifles. The Fins reworked them for the long run. __________________ RMD

January 31, 2013, 07:15 PM	#9
EIGHTYDUECE Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2001 Posts: 578	All the M39s come with those sights. My VKT (Valmet) SA 1944 has a Sako front sight like that. I would jump on that rifle if I were you unless it was marked up rediculously high. The Sako like that one and the Tikkas are the most sought after. That rifle looks to be in excellent shape. Here is mine Look at the difference in accuracy as compared to my Tula Hex 1933 91/30 open sights at 100 yards. Ammo was Hornady Vintage Match 174gr. HPBT. That day no groups with my M39 were larger than 2.5". I think this rifle is as accurate as my Colt HBAR that I used to have. P.S. I intentionally shot to the right with my M39 to seperate the grouping from the 91/30. Let us know If you buy the rifle and please give us a range report. __________________ "KNEES IN THE BREEZE" "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart"- ASH

January 30, 2013, 06:25 PM	#3
seanc Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 590	What pitting? That looks factory new to me. Of course, I'm used to looking at Russian MNs. The rifling looks good too. Unfortunately, the pictures you display do not show the muzzle's rifling, which would be the most important (last force on the projectile). If it's as strong and clear as what the rest of the rifle is, it looks like a good rifle. Even if the muzzle is munged a little, you can easily get that dressed up either by yourself or a smith. If you just want a shooter, which it sounds like, dressing the muzzle shouldn't be an issue for you. However, some Fin MN purists will have just lost their breath with that last statement. Enjoy! Your next assignment is to slug that barrel!

January 31, 2013, 09:29 PM	#11
EIGHTYDUECE Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2001 Posts: 578	I paid $350 for my VKT three weeks ago. It was listed at $399. $465 isn't bad but not a deal either. I would try and haggle down to $400 but I would still pay the $465 if that didn't work Check to see if the number on the bolt ball matches the serial on the barrel. The other one is alittle high, I think. $350 ish for that one. Ask the guys over at the Gunforums. There are some real M39 gurus there. http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdis...osin-Nagant-HQ __________________ "KNEES IN THE BREEZE" "Shop Smart, Shop S-Mart"- ASH

February 7, 2013, 04:09 PM	#12
Duzell Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2011 Location: Monterey Posts: 803	i still am surprised by the varying accuracy of mosins 87 percent off rest is good. anyway the finish are typically aclaimed as the best for accuracy , there is also the american made mosins, those are the ones i find as the best in quality but they are harder to find __________________ Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. -GW