Picked up a Mosin-Nagant

MagicMan · February 25, 2009, 12:17 AM

Found myself a nice Mosin-Nagant 91/30 tonight. Anyone have any links for me on how to clean & lube this thing properly. There is also a bag of metal parts included with that &, I'll be honest, I have no idea what they are for.

fortkevin2 · February 25, 2009, 12:56 AM

Awesome Magicman. You'll like it. It's fun and fairly cheap to shoot. Here's one of my M38 Mosin's shooting Bulgarian heavy ball surplus.

Big Bill · February 25, 2009, 01:11 AM

When I got mine, I bought a handbook. Then I took it all apart and cleaned it. Then I sanded and refinished the stock. Next, I took the bolt apart and cleaned the parts of the bolt and checked the firing pin to make sure it was within tolerances (very important).

There are some good videos on YouTube that will explain most of it to you.

Ignition Override · February 25, 2009, 02:03 AM

Mr. MagicMan: Good-lucking Russian babe you found. The surplus ammo is gradually going up in price, and hope you order at least a few cans.
A regular seller on 'Gunbroker' (Ammo dept.) always has multiple cans of it at a decent price.

You will find some very enthusiastic MN fans at Gunandgame who are also quite well-versed with many series.
The MNs have their own forum and those guys really enjoy helping people out and joking about 'Mosinitis which, sadly has never been cured, even at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I met one of the young guys and enjoyed shooting with him at a club range. Tried out his 91/30s and 91/59.
Plan to let him try my 44s and SKS.

dm1333 · February 25, 2009, 06:05 AM

Surplusrifle.com has quite a bit about the 91/30. Stand by for the inevitable comments about MN, accuracy and weight.

RamSlammer · February 25, 2009, 08:03 AM

Go to http://www.7.62x54r.net

All the info you'll ever want or need about Mosin Nagant's.

joyrock · February 25, 2009, 08:27 AM

It looks like a good one! Do all the numbers match? That adds 0.05$ to the value! Now go get some ammo! 182gr stuff from the 50's are really fun to shoot throo stuff, like cars, schools, APC's etc., etc.... The 203gr SP are good for hunting, HD, there not as good for punching holes throo 3/8" steel

Now the 147gr stuff is faster and lighter. And get some tracer ammo for the night time shootouts! And watchout those bullets will travel about 5 miles, give or take. And most of all, have fun!

Tamara · February 25, 2009, 08:57 AM

Maybe the best value for the dollar in a centerfire rifle these days. And you can actually get ammo for them.

outdoorman63 · February 25, 2009, 10:04 AM

thye are a blast,cheap,cheap on ammo but after a few rounds the shoulder sure feels it

NYPD13 · February 25, 2009, 10:25 AM

Best value rifle these days. Fun and cheap to shoot. In that bag of goodies should be the solvent/oil can, bolt take down tool with firing pin protrusion gauge, crown cap, cleaning jag, punch/rod handle, dog collar sling, double clip pouch, and bayonet. SurplusRifle.com also has take down instructions for these rifles. Enjoy.

MagicMan · February 25, 2009, 11:11 AM

Who has the best deals on 7.62x54 ammo?

carguychris · February 25, 2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

In that bag of goodies should be the solvent/oil can, bolt take down tool with firing pin protrusion gauge, crown cap, cleaning jag, punch/rod handle, dog collar sling, double clip pouch, and bayonet.

FWIW the only one of these items that you really need is the bolt takedown tool aka multi-tool; it's the teardrop-shaped doodad with 4 notches cut in one side. It's needed to check the firing pin protrusion by centering the bolt head in one of the middle two notches. One notch is minimum depth, which the firing pin should touch, and the other notch is maximum depth, which the firing pin should not touch. One of the outer notches doubles as a firing pin wrench for making adjustments, and the pointy end of the teardrop is a screwdriver.

This tool and a block of hardwood are the only tools you really need to fieldstrip the rifle and bolt, although I prefer to use proper screwdrivers for disassembly because the multi-tool screwdriver doesn't fit perfectly in any particular screw on the gun. Instead it fits all of them badly. Evidently the Soviets didn't care if their troops buggered up the screws on their rifles.

FWIW if you're wondering how troops were supposed to use the funny-looking cleaning jag, it's meant to have a loop of hemp or sisal twine threaded through the hole and then wrapped around the jag.

Sulaco2 · February 27, 2009, 04:10 PM

I always have to wonder about the head spacing on these old imports, most are WWII era and older. Asked a dealer one time if the MN's he was selling had been safety head spaced...he looked at me like I had two heads and then mumbled something about thinking they must have been at "some time".

I had a Mauser 8mm german rifle that (TG) I had head spaced prior to shooting. Thing might have blown up had I not had the chamber reset after seeing the headspace guage disappear when the bolt closed over it!!
May have to invest in a guage just for me, cheep insurance to keep your face where you normally do...

MagicMan · February 28, 2009, 12:26 AM

How bad does one need 1 of the micro click sights & how would I go about adding a scopt if I wanted to?

jhenry · February 28, 2009, 11:06 AM

You don't need anything except the issue sights but some folks do enjoy home gunsmithing the Mosins. No harm in it but the issue sights are pretty good once you have them dialed in, much better in my estimation than any issue Mauser sight. Much easier to aquire a good picture. I have not scoped any of mine so I have no first hand experience there. Asking questions on Surplus Rifle dot com will get you a pretty good answer to just about anything.

ksstargazer · March 1, 2009, 04:04 PM

AIM Surplus usually has the best deals on 7.62x54 ammo.

February 25, 2009, 12:17 AM	#1
MagicMan Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: PA Posts: 296	Picked up a Mosin-Nagant Found myself a nice Mosin-Nagant 91/30 tonight. Anyone have any links for me on how to clean & lube this thing properly. There is also a bag of metal parts included with that &, I'll be honest, I have no idea what they are for.

February 25, 2009, 01:11 AM	#3
Big Bill Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,053	When I got mine, I bought a handbook. Then I took it all apart and cleaned it. Then I sanded and refinished the stock. Next, I took the bolt apart and cleaned the parts of the bolt and checked the firing pin to make sure it was within tolerances (very important). There are some good videos on YouTube that will explain most of it to you. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time." - General George Patton Jr

February 25, 2009, 08:27 AM	#7
joyrock Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 153	It looks like a good one! Do all the numbers match? That adds 0.05$ to the value! Now go get some ammo! 182gr stuff from the 50's are really fun to shoot throo stuff, like cars, schools, APC's etc., etc.... The 203gr SP are good for hunting, HD, there not as good for punching holes throo 3/8" steel Now the 147gr stuff is faster and lighter. And get some tracer ammo for the night time shootouts! And watchout those bullets will travel about 5 miles, give or take. And most of all, have fun! __________________ Oleg Volk is my hero!

February 25, 2009, 08:57 AM	#8
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 16,002	Maybe the best value for the dollar in a centerfire rifle these days. And you can actually get ammo for them. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.

February 25, 2009, 10:04 AM	#9
outdoorman63 Member Join Date: September 25, 2004 Location: Mo Posts: 21	thye are a blast,cheap,cheap on ammo but after a few rounds the shoulder sure feels it __________________ Happiness is finding that one gun you always wanted.

February 25, 2009, 02:03 AM	#4
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,884	Mr. MagicMan: Good-lucking Russian babe you found. The surplus ammo is gradually going up in price, and hope you order at least a few cans. A regular seller on 'Gunbroker' (Ammo dept.) always has multiple cans of it at a decent price. You will find some very enthusiastic MN fans at Gunandgame who are also quite well-versed with many series. The MNs have their own forum and those guys really enjoy helping people out and joking about 'Mosinitis which, sadly has never been cured, even at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I met one of the young guys and enjoyed shooting with him at a club range. Tried out his 91/30s and 91/59. Plan to let him try my 44s and SKS.

February 25, 2009, 06:05 AM	#5
dm1333 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2005 Posts: 401	Surplusrifle.com has quite a bit about the 91/30. Stand by for the inevitable comments about MN, accuracy and weight.

February 25, 2009, 08:03 AM	#6
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	Go to http://www.7.62x54r.net All the info you'll ever want or need about Mosin Nagant's.

February 25, 2009, 10:25 AM	#10
NYPD13 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2008 Posts: 370	Best value rifle these days. Fun and cheap to shoot. In that bag of goodies should be the solvent/oil can, bolt take down tool with firing pin protrusion gauge, crown cap, cleaning jag, punch/rod handle, dog collar sling, double clip pouch, and bayonet. SurplusRifle.com also has take down instructions for these rifles. Enjoy. __________________ "THE CONSTITUTION ONLY GIVES PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE HAPPINESS, YOU HAVE TO CATCH IT YOURSELF." ~BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

February 25, 2009, 11:11 AM	#11
MagicMan Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: PA Posts: 296	Who has the best deals on 7.62x54 ammo?

February 27, 2009, 04:10 PM	#13
Sulaco2 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,247	What about Head Space on these Old Warriors?? I always have to wonder about the head spacing on these old imports, most are WWII era and older. Asked a dealer one time if the MN's he was selling had been safety head spaced...he looked at me like I had two heads and then mumbled something about thinking they must have been at "some time". I had a Mauser 8mm german rifle that (TG) I had head spaced prior to shooting. Thing might have blown up had I not had the chamber reset after seeing the headspace guage disappear when the bolt closed over it!! May have to invest in a guage just for me, cheep insurance to keep your face where you normally do...

February 28, 2009, 12:26 AM	#14
MagicMan Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2008 Location: PA Posts: 296	How bad does one need 1 of the micro click sights & how would I go about adding a scopt if I wanted to?

February 28, 2009, 11:06 AM	#15
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	You don't need anything except the issue sights but some folks do enjoy home gunsmithing the Mosins. No harm in it but the issue sights are pretty good once you have them dialed in, much better in my estimation than any issue Mauser sight. Much easier to aquire a good picture. I have not scoped any of mine so I have no first hand experience there. Asking questions on Surplus Rifle dot com will get you a pretty good answer to just about anything. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

March 1, 2009, 04:04 PM	#16
ksstargazer Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2004 Location: Flint Hills of Kansas Posts: 316	AIM Surplus usually has the best deals on 7.62x54 ammo.