New member, new (to me) 91/30

[lowercase]

Hi everybody
I just found this forum while researching Mosin Nagant rifles. Yesterday, I went out and bought a M1891/30 at a local sporting goods store (Big 5). This gun is in great shape. It was made in 1943 at the Tula Arsenal and all the serial numbers match. After looking this gun over, I have to think that it was either an unissued weapon, or it was rebuilt at some time. I also got a bayonet, sling, ammo pouches, tools, and a double spout oil bottle (all in new condition). I know that there are probably better deals out there, but I think that this was a good grab for 89 dollars. I can't wait to get this gun cleaned up and go shooting!

I'm just wondering if there is any way to tell if this gun went directly from factory to storage, or if it was remanufactured and stored away after being used. This gun, to my untrained eyes, is in shockingly good shape.

I had to be nice to the budget yesterday, or else I would have bought an M44, too!

[JSnover]

Welcome aboard, Lowercase. I can't tell you anything about Mosin rifles but there are a lot of fans here. You won't be disappointed.

[.22guy]

Welcome to the site lowercase. You might as well start saving for the M44 now, you'll be getting one before you know it.

[two-70]

welcome to the site, have fun

[marion57]

welcome !! sounds like your rifle is a factory refurbishedI have 4 of them and looking for more they are fine weapons ..Just wait till you shoot it

[bigbuddy21]

THEY ALL WERE ISSUED, THEN RE-ARSANELLED,AND THEY ARE A BLAST TO SHOOT.

[squirrelbaster]

bigbuddy is correct. the rusians had more soldiers than guns in ww2, and to everything i know they where not made after ww2, however i amnot all knowing................yet

[NRAJOE]

Does your bayo # match also...some do, some don't...mine does...just curious...have fun!

[lowercase]

My bayonet numbers don't match the rifle. Oh, well. My rifle came to Big 5 via Century Arms, and their website says that all guns were previously issued and have been arsenal refurbished. I wonder what stories this rifle would tell if it could talk.

[marion57]

some rifles were made and stored directly and never issued (correct if wrong but seems that is what is posted on the net)..My understanding that there are about 17 million 91x30s and many m44 out there either in storage or in shipment or being refurbed.. I doubt the russians are going to run out soon
more knowlegable replys ? Please

[Dennis]

89.00? you did well I remember when the bayonets where Most rare about 20 years ago.
These rifles are way cool, fun to shoot, cheap to shoot too.
I enjoy haveing our former enemys military weapons avalible for sale CHEAP.
getting to have their stuff just for my personal enjoyment is cool
At least we get something for winning the cold war.
You can now afford to practice and get Good with your highpowered Soviet infantry rifle.
be careful it will shoot through a car end to end through the engine block.
It will shoot through a 6feet diameter tree easy.
Welcome and have a fun time getting to know your Mosin Nagant

[lowercase]

Thanks. I figured that since they were normally listed for 179, and I got mine for 89, that I was ahead of the game, so I grabbed another one today.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by lowercase

Thanks. I figured that since they were normally listed for 179, and I got mine for 89, that I was ahead of the game, so I grabbed another one today.

That's how I got hooked on them a few years ago, lowercase. Saw them on sale at Big 5 for 79.95, complete with cleaning gear, sling and bayonet, and even got another five bucks knocked off for being an earlybird. I wonder why they even bother to put a regular price on them; everyone waits until they go on sale anyway (which they do regularly...).

Anyway, be warned: that was nine Mosins ago. And I'm still looking for more...hasn't anyone explained to you yet that Mosinitis is contagious? You catch it from your first rifle, and there's no known cure. It can be held in check with regular treatment, though; such treatment involves shooting them regularly, and buying another when the disease overwhelms you temporarily...

[Cyrano]

T2K, you're lucky. If they show up around here at all, they are in nothing special condition, they're going for $150 plus, and that's for just the rifle, period. No sling, no oil bottle, no cleaning kit, no bayonet, no stripper clips. And they're still in the cosmoline and have to be cleaned up, yet!

If I could get one with all the extras (preferably a M38, but the M91/30s are nice too; I don't like the M44, though, I hate the sidefolding bayonet because I think it destroys the symmetry of the weapon) for what you guys have been paying OTD without having to wait for the BATFE to get off the dime and issue my C&R so I don't get soaked for the transfer fees, I'd be happy. I have an entire file on Mosin sites for rifles, aftermarket accessories and ammo I've gleaned from Guns & Game against the day my C&R finally comes through, but it sure looks like I'll have to wait until then to buy one at a price that won't give me hives.

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by Cyrano

T2K, you're lucky. If they show up around here at all, they are in nothing special condition, they're going for $150 plus, and that's for just the rifle, period. No sling, no oil bottle, no cleaning kit, no bayonet, no stripper clips. And they're still in the cosmoline and have to be cleaned up, yet!
If I could get one with all the extras (preferably a M38, but the M91/30s are nice too; I don't like the M44, though, I hate the sidefolding bayonet because I think it destroys the symmetry of the weapon) for what you guys have been paying OTD without having to wait for the BATFE to get off the dime and issue my C&R so I don't get soaked for the transfer fees, I'd be happy. I have an entire file on Mosin sites for rifles, aftermarket accessories and ammo I've gleaned from Guns & Game against the day my C&R finally comes through, but it sure looks like I'll have to wait until then to buy one at a price that won't give me hives.

Yep. Big 5 isn't really worth much otherwise as a sporting goods store, but that little corner with a handful of Mosins and other milsurps from Century Arms justifies their existence. Their "normal" prices are absurd, but I doubt they ever sell any at full retail. What they do is cycle through their limited stock of milsurps, putting one on sale each week for a very reasonable price.

I haven't seen the package deal for a Mosin there for a while, though. When I got mine it included bayonet, sling and dog collars, double ammo pouch, double flask for lubricant and cleaning solution, muzzle guard and t-handle for the cleaning rod, and the little screwdriver/firing pin gauge multi-tool. The only thing they missed was a package of stripper clips...

And I lucked out. That first one was a 1944 91/30, that as far as I can tell was unissued vs being re-arsenaled. Even the bayonet number matched.

I have two thoughts on why it was pristine: one, being dated 1944 it was one of the last off the line, and may have just gotten shoved aside because they were issuing M44's. But it also has a slightly misshapen chamber that leaves the casings bulged a little on one side back toward the rim, so some inspector may have flagged it. It's never split a casing, but I wouldn't shoot anything reloadable through it.

Interestingly, the outside of the barrel is so rough it could be used as a file; they didn't even try to get rid of the lathe marks. But the stock is a very nice, very smooth one; much better than the average Russian furniture.

[marion57]

Cyrano,
here is a complete list of about every surplus dealer and importer in the states
http://www.mouseguns.com/milsurp.htm(I keep it book marked in case mosinitis gets really bad)