Opinions on Mosin Nagant M91-30?

[onecrazyfoo4u]

I've got a co-worker that wants to sell me one for $50. He bought 2 a couple years ago, and never even opened this one up, still int he box, and still packed in cosmoline I'm sure. I've heard they're pretty good rifles. What should I be on the lookout for as far as common problems go?

How's the maintanence on them, anything special I need to do? I've heard that most 7.62x54r ammo is corrosive, so you need to clean the barrel real good after each use. What's best to clean these guns regularly, and to get rid of the cosmoline?

Also, where's the cheapest place to get ammo for it? Best I've seen is like $9 for 20 rounds....I was hopeing for a bit cheaper. I'm just going to use it for fun, shooting crap out in the desert! Thanks all!

[gregorylucas]

I would definitely buy this rifle for $50.00. There's not much to worry about it as it is a pretty solid bolt gun.

As far as ammo I would look here, at AIM surplus. I'm almost positive it's corrosive but the ammo I get from them shoots well.

Greg

[hybridatsun350]

[5968]

I would pick it up. I too get my ammo from AIM.

[Francis Marion]

For $50, buy it; and since it's a friend, maybe you can ask him for an escape clause- offer to clean up the rifle for him, so you can inspect the barrel. If the barrel is in good shape, buy it. If the barrel is poor, don't waste $50.
If it's full of cosmoline as you think, it's more likely that the barrel is in good shape because the rifle received some attention to be stored properly.

Don't abrade the muzzle with a cleaning rod or you'll damage the crown, the critical last part of the bore that the bullet touches before exiting the muzzle. Asymmetry caused by rod wear kills accuracy. Make sure the previous owner (soldier) didn't damage the crown. Clean from the chamber end to minimize crown damage.

This is a good link on barrel inspection, especially the photos in Post #14:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=123787

You can mail order the ammo for roughly 30 cents a shot, just shop around.
Of course that's for ammo that attracts a magnet which most southern CA ranges won't allow.

[Z ME FLY]

For $50? You shouldn't buy it... Instead give me the info so I can buy it LOL JK! Buy it get a spam can for $110 shipped, some windex and some patches and you are good to go

[hybridatsun350]

For $50, buy it; and since it's a friend, maybe you can ask him for an escape clause- offer to clean up the rifle for him, so you can inspect the barrel. If the barrel is in good shape, buy it. If the barrel is poor, don't waste $50.
If it's full of cosmoline as you think, it's more likely that the barrel is in good shape because the rifle received some attention to be stored properly.

Don't abrade the muzzle with a cleaning rod or you'll damage the crown, the critical last part of the bore that the bullet touches before exiting the muzzle. Asymmetry caused by rod wear kills accuracy. Make sure the previous owner (soldier) didn't damage the crown. Clean from the chamber end to minimize crown damage.

This is a good link on barrel inspection, especially the photos in Post #14:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=123787

You can mail order the ammo for roughly 30 cents a shot, just shop around.
Of course that's for ammo that attracts a magnet which most southern CA ranges won't allow.

We're talking about a $50 rifle here, lol.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

Thanks for the input all, I'll most likely be buying it. He's going to through in 80 rounds with it also! So you're saying not to clean the barrel out with a cleaning rod? How else would you clean it? I heard that you should use Windex to clean the barrel after each use, is that okay to do?

So you wouldn't be able to use this gun at a range, as in they don't allow 7.62x54r ammo? Or are you just talking about the older surplus corrosive ammo that's not allowed? Thanks!

[Z ME FLY]

Thanks for the input all, I'll most likely be buying it. He's going to through in 80 rounds with it also! So you're saying not to clean the barrel out with a cleaning rod? How else would you clean it? I heard that you should use Windex to clean the barrel after each use, is that okay to do?

So you wouldn't be able to use this gun at a range, as in they don't allow 7.62x54r ammo? Or are you just talking about the older surplus corrosive ammo that's not allowed? Thanks!

You can use the cleaning rod. I use it with a bunch of patches to help clean it. I spray windex after I am done shooting or when it starts to get sticky. I then spray some CLP on it just to be safe. It depends on the range if they will let you shoot the mosin. Best thing is post where you are going to shoot and others can chime in.

[onecrazyfoo4u]

You can use the cleaning rod. I use it with a bunch of patches to help clean it. I spray windex after I am done shooting or when it starts to get sticky. I then spray some CLP on it just to be safe. It depends on the range if they will let you shoot the mosin. Best thing is post where you are going to shoot and others can chime in.

Cool thanks for the help.

I actually live in the Mojave desert, up north of Edwards AFB, so I'm trying to find a good place to shoot around there locally. I know the base has an outdoor and indoor range, but not sure what they're requirements/rules are. It's pretty desolate outdoors up here, so I think I can pretty much go anywhere as long as there's a hill/mountain as a backdrop.

[Dr.Mauser]

Dude buy the sucker! I had 3 of them, 2 M91/30s, and a M91/59 (Carbine) the M91/30s were battlefield pick up from the war (My both my opas served in the Waffen SS in WWII, they lied souvenirs) Anyway, they shot amazingly, although, just ready yourself to get sucked into the C&R collectors club lol, my opa gave me the M91/30s, the he gave me his K98s, now I cant stop getting C&R guns!

[caldude]

So you're saying not to clean the barrel out with a cleaning rod? How else would you clean it? I heard that you should use Windex to clean the barrel after each use, is that okay to do?

What the previous poster meant was don't clean from the muzzle end, clean from the chamber end. After shooting spray some Windex or hot water down the barrel a run a few patches through to get rid of the corrosive salts before doing a normal cleaning.

[Dr.Mauser]

Unless your looking to spend a fortune on ammo, the cheapest 7.62x54 is surplus so make sure your barrel is clean as a whistle before you put it away otherwise your going to start getting pitting going on inside, and thats no fun

[Z ME FLY]

Ask to see if he has the tools that sometimes comes with it. It makes taking the mosin apart a lot easier. I would probably take it apart once I get it to clean it really good.

[Z ME FLY]

There you go! Have fun