Member sees the light, but need headspace

rjarms · January 18, 2009, 02:23 AM

I finally convinced my brother-in-law to take steps and protect his family and our country by purchasing a rifle. This was no easy task given he's in academia. I'm really hoping to bring a new brothers-in-arms to our elite fraternity of members

So ignoring my advice to purchase an M1 Garand he purchased a Mosin Nagant.

The rifle and accessories was $110 out the door.
But I told him about head space gauges and not to shoot unless he head spaced the rifle. Is there anybody out there with 7.62x54R head space gauges (go, no-go) that would be willing to ship them to me (I'll pay postage both ways) to gauge his rifle? I would return them in 5 days.
Regards, Joe

kraigwy · January 19, 2009, 03:55 PM

I bet you a gun smith will check the headspace for less then the postage and insurance both ways.

fisherman66 · January 19, 2009, 03:58 PM

I agree with Kraig. A professional "once over" is a added benefit.

Harry Bonar · January 19, 2009, 10:25 PM

Sir;
The Monsin is a good rifle in my opinion.
Do the serial numbers match on the bolt and barrel? If they do you Should (?) be O.K. However, these rifles are very strong and I've used many and have never heard of any problem with one.
They are a powerful rifle and have been in service for many years. The Russiand killed eight out of every German soldiers in the war with them and female snipers were greatly feared and they used the rifle you have.
However, as a choice for home defense it is greatly overpowered and will shoot through a number of home walls! For outside use it's O.K.
"Acedemia" aren't all that gun stupid; I've worked on a number of pistols for Ohio University genre.
I have one of the short Monsins with the folding bayonet and really like it.
I feel your dissapointment that he didn't walk out with a good 1911 but it is what it is!
Harry B.

rjarms · January 20, 2009, 02:08 AM

Yes, the numbers are matching on the rifle to the bolt. That is one thing I made sure of before he purchased it. The rifle looks outstanding. I'll ask the Smith about checking the headspace, they wanted something like $70 for it if I recall which was silly.

I'll just keep my eyes peeled for one, I know not many people are checking headspace on Mosin's because they are inexpensive rifles.

He just wanted the rifle to "keep up" with his brother-in-law.

Harry Bonar · January 20, 2009, 08:18 PM

Sir;
I'd get some military surplus ammo and clean all the grease out of barrel and chamber and SHOOT it! With numbers matching it's certainly O.K. and particularly if it's new looking! This rifle "headspaces" on the rim of the case and there is so little chance of it being unsafe I would personally shoot it!
Take your buddy out to a range and do some shooting. He's not going to "keep up with anyone" with the Monsin! He will, however have lots of fun because I have never fired a more pleasant rifle, even with a steel butplate! Is it the long one, or the carbine. The long rifle shoots very sweet - I truly love mine! Make sure he cleans the barrel and chambe as some ammo may be corrosive.
Good shooting.
Harry B.

Sam Harrison · January 21, 2009, 12:52 AM

Mosins can be fine rifles. Like any "cheap" gun, sometimes you'll get a lemon but then again, they're not expensive and pretty easy to find, so you can't really mess up too much unless you live somewhere you can't shoot it much or there are many houses nearby, since it is powerful. If he's familiar with guns you may want to hold onto it for fun shooting. From what I recall, shotguns with the right shells are a safer choice for home defense, though.

**Unclenick** · January 21, 2009, 02:13 AM

A flat point 180 grain cast bullet loaded down to around 17-1800 fps with 16 or 17 grains of Unique would be suitable for home defense unless you live in an apartment, and be an easy shooting plinking load for younger folk to learn on.

January 18, 2009, 02:23 AM	#1
rjarms Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 30	Member sees the light, but need headspace I finally convinced my brother-in-law to take steps and protect his family and our country by purchasing a rifle. This was no easy task given he's in academia. I'm really hoping to bring a new brothers-in-arms to our elite fraternity of members So ignoring my advice to purchase an M1 Garand he purchased a Mosin Nagant. The rifle and accessories was $110 out the door. But I told him about head space gauges and not to shoot unless he head spaced the rifle. Is there anybody out there with 7.62x54R head space gauges (go, no-go) that would be willing to ship them to me (I'll pay postage both ways) to gauge his rifle? I would return them in 5 days. Regards, Joe

January 19, 2009, 03:55 PM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I bet you a gun smith will check the headspace for less then the postage and insurance both ways. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 19, 2009, 03:58 PM	#3
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	I agree with Kraig. A professional "once over" is a added benefit. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

January 19, 2009, 10:25 PM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	Monsin Nagant? Sir; The Monsin is a good rifle in my opinion. Do the serial numbers match on the bolt and barrel? If they do you Should (?) be O.K. However, these rifles are very strong and I've used many and have never heard of any problem with one. They are a powerful rifle and have been in service for many years. The Russiand killed eight out of every German soldiers in the war with them and female snipers were greatly feared and they used the rifle you have. However, as a choice for home defense it is greatly overpowered and will shoot through a number of home walls! For outside use it's O.K. "Acedemia" aren't all that gun stupid; I've worked on a number of pistols for Ohio University genre. I have one of the short Monsins with the folding bayonet and really like it. I feel your dissapointment that he didn't walk out with a good 1911 but it is what it is! Harry B.

January 20, 2009, 02:08 AM	#5
rjarms Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 30	Smith Yes, the numbers are matching on the rifle to the bolt. That is one thing I made sure of before he purchased it. The rifle looks outstanding. I'll ask the Smith about checking the headspace, they wanted something like $70 for it if I recall which was silly. I'll just keep my eyes peeled for one, I know not many people are checking headspace on Mosin's because they are inexpensive rifles. He just wanted the rifle to "keep up" with his brother-in-law.

January 20, 2009, 08:18 PM	#6
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	Monsuin Nagant Sir; I'd get some military surplus ammo and clean all the grease out of barrel and chamber and SHOOT it! With numbers matching it's certainly O.K. and particularly if it's new looking! This rifle "headspaces" on the rim of the case and there is so little chance of it being unsafe I would personally shoot it! Take your buddy out to a range and do some shooting. He's not going to "keep up with anyone" with the Monsin! He will, however have lots of fun because I have never fired a more pleasant rifle, even with a steel butplate! Is it the long one, or the carbine. The long rifle shoots very sweet - I truly love mine! Make sure he cleans the barrel and chambe as some ammo may be corrosive. Good shooting. Harry B.

January 21, 2009, 12:52 AM	#7
Sam Harrison Member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Location: WV Posts: 26	Mosins can be fine rifles. Like any "cheap" gun, sometimes you'll get a lemon but then again, they're not expensive and pretty easy to find, so you can't really mess up too much unless you live somewhere you can't shoot it much or there are many houses nearby, since it is powerful. If he's familiar with guns you may want to hold onto it for fun shooting. From what I recall, shotguns with the right shells are a safer choice for home defense, though.

January 21, 2009, 02:13 AM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	A flat point 180 grain cast bullet loaded down to around 17-1800 fps with 16 or 17 grains of Unique would be suitable for home defense unless you live in an apartment, and be an easy shooting plinking load for younger folk to learn on. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

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