Mosin Nagant Scout Scopes
Mosin Nagant Scout Scopes
Mosin Nagant as a Survival/SHTF Gun?
I am going to purchase a Mosin Nagant. Would it make a good SHTF/Survival gun? Which would be better, a 1891/30 or the M44? I plan on upgrading it e.g. synthetic stock, scout scope, bipod, etc. Please give me some input.
PS: I also plan on buying an SKS....
What are you planning on "surviving".....?
I own more Mosins that I care to admit, have every model including some rarities and shoot them often. They are rugged, simple and robust rifles, but not without some shortcomings.
The Finn M39 Mosin reworks are by far the best MNs and easily on par with the Mauser and Enfeild as the top bolt action rifles of WWII. Nearly all the shortcomings of the Mosin design were fixed by the Finnish Armory....improved trigger group, heavier barrels, better sights, stronger wood stocks. They are the cream of the crop and well worth the investment.
You want to inspect a number of them and select the best one you can find. Look for matching numbers, particularly the bolt and receiver. I have found that a match here is a good indicator of fit and operation.
You also want to check the bore thoroughly, rejecting any visually worn lands in the bores.
Also, check for being 'counterbored'.....that is, the bore has been drilled out from the muzzle for a couple of inches. This was a Soviet 'quick fix' for innacurate rifles that had the crown worn or innacurate. You will most often find M38 carbines counterbored, but any model could have been. A counterbored rifle is not necessarily a bad shooter, but you can bet it's had untold thousands of rounds throgh it.
A mis-matched bolt Mosin should always be checked for headspacing. This is done with a 7.62x54r Go-NoGo gauge. A rifle with too much headspacing can blow hot buring gasses back in your face when firing...... and potentially worse.
All things being equal, get the 91/30 rifle.
While it's a bit longer than the carbines, and it doesn't have that bad-ass folding bayonet (which when shooting is a heavy liability you don't need getting in the way) it is going to be more accurate at range and more pleasurable to shoot. You have a longer sight radius and you can shoot accurately with iron sights to hundreds of yards.
If you have never shot a Mosin, be prepared for some teeth-rattling and shoulder bruising. The 7.62x54R is a powerful rifle round of the old school philosophy and a bit easier to handle in the 91/30 rifle format over the carbines. Get a rubber slip-on butt pad that's sold in sporting goods stores and WalMart, it's a needed accessory, given that skinny metal buttplate on the Mosins.
Please think twice about it before you start over-accessorizing the Mosin, especially if you've get a sweet all matching excellent condition one.
Respect the history....this rifle and the man carrying it helped crush the Nazi empire one bayonet charge at a time in brutal fighting and survival conditions.
They are fine looking and shooting rifles as is.......none of that stuff is really required.
That said, I did build a Mosin Scout on a M44 that I bought damaged and it is a fine hog hunting gun for thick brush and cover. ATI stock (that was worked on a lot to free float it), Darrell's Scout Mount, LER scope and a custom machined muzzle break that replaced the entire 'front site and bayo assembly. It's light, handy to bring on target and damn hard-hitting. It is not a setup for over 100 yards though.
Be very careful....some of the scope mounts sold are just junk.
Sorry for the length....I could go on for hours. Please write me via my email in my profile with any more questions.
For a SHTF gun, the SKS is better.
Featured Mosin Nagant Scout Scopes For Sale:
 Mosin Nagant No Gunsmith 25x30B Scout Scope Kit US $78.00 
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 Mosin Nagant 2 7x32 Scout Scope Scope Mount Bipod Retracts LONG EYE RELIEF US $89.95
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More Featured Mosin Nagant Scout Scopes For Sale On Amazon Below:
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UAG Mosin Nagant 2-7x32 Long Eye Relief Scope + New Generation Weaver Rail Mount + Scope Rings+ Lens Covers+Lens Cleaning Kit
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DescriptionOfficial UAG Mosin Nagant 2-7x32 Long Eye relief scope and mount package. Includes the 2-7x32 Duplex Reticle Long Eye Relief scope, Mosin Nagant Weaver Mount, mounting hardware, rings, lens cleaning kit, and lens covers... Features
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NcStar 2-7X32 Pistol Scope/Blue Lens/Ring (SPB2732B)
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DescriptionNcSTAR 2 - 7x32 mm AO Pistol Scope. Variable - power precision for your favorite pistol! Handgun shooters, here's your value-priced alternative to spendy, under-performing scopes! NcSTAR blends superior optical performance and durability in a perfectly-sized affordable package... Features
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Aim Sports M44/Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope Mount (Short)
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DescriptionCompact & Easy To Install. Fits Most Mosin Nagant 4 M91/30 M39 M38. Features
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UTG Mosin Nagant Tri-Rail Mount
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DescriptionLeapers UTG Tactical Mosin Nagant Tri-Rail Mount, Black - No Gunsmithing MNT-MNTR01 Features
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NcSTAR® 2 - 7x32 mm AO Pistol Scope
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DescriptionThis pistol scope from NcSTAR features one-inch aluminum mounting rings, making it easy to affix to your favorite handgun. Blue-coated lenses and a 32-millimeter objective provide distortion-free clarity, while variable power magnification and a long eye relief for extended mounting capability make it a versatile shooting accessory... |