Why should I not get a Big 5 Mosin?

[Cato]

I never got a Mosin because

1) K98s are cooler and better made

2) Mosins are too common

3) Get an AK if you want something Commie.

[greasemonkey]

I know AK's are cool; but they also cost 4 times as much, I still plan to get one eventually, though. By your definition 'too common', you should add AKs and ARs to the 'never get' list, too. Because those are both very, very common.

Seriously, it's a $99 rifle with some history, that reliably shoots a big round, what else is there in that price range that's even worth picking up to look at?

[cmaher55]

Mosins are just great, cheap, and beautiful...! I can't see why some here think they are ugly...? My first Mosin was a Big 5 91/59 Tula. It kicked like a mule, belched fire like a dragon, but was beautiful. Unpleasant to shoot because of the short barrel so I sold it for $350. Cost me $79. My second one was a 91/30 again from Big 5. Picked out a nice one for $79 and when I brought her home I noticed she had the sniper screws on the reciever. An ex sniper for $79, hard to beat...! Still have this one. My next Mosin was a Finn and I paid $500 for her as she is a gorgeous Hex receivered rifle, dated 1943, with a Tikka barrel. The Finn can hit a paper plate at 300 meters no problem on the first shot. Regards

[biglos61]

i just bought my first one and im in love hope that doesnt sound weird hahaha

[Jimmy310]

If you don't have a C&R FFL, then I think you're crazy to not pick one up. If you have a C&R, you have no excuse to not order one online.

For ~$250 or less, you can have a rifle & a ton of ammo. If plinking with a .22 doesn't do it for you, I don't think there is a cheaper way to enjoy shooting.

If the one on display doesn't suit your fancy, ask for one from the back.

Plinking with a .22lr most definitely does not do it for me. Hopefully somewhere down the line there will be a awesome bolt action .50bmg surplus rifle you can get at big 5 for $100......until then i declare the mosin nagant and its 7.62x54r round the ultimate in economy plinking.

[Francis Marion]

If you are a shooter, Don't get a Mosin from Big 5 if:
You don't know how to inspect the barrel condition to assess its accuracy potential.

How do you inspect that barrel? You'll need a towel, cleaning rod, patches, solvent, oil. Extra fancy kit includes a bristle brush and a newspaper. Towel protects their counter, and newspaper folded around the muzzle catches solvent flung out the bore by the brush. Check that the rod is long enough to protrude past the muzzle as you clean the rifle from the breech end. Once the barrel is clean and dry, look through the barrel at a light source or at a white paper.
Examples of barrel condition on Finn Mosins, see post #14:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?123787-Inspecting-Rifling&highlight=M39%20bore%20inspection

They'll need to remove the trigger lock so you can remove the bolt.

Yes, some people will tell you that their favorite pitted, rusted, worn-out bore shoots "great". You too can easily settle for "great" and avoid a brand spanking new bore, if you so choose. (And if rust, pitting, and wear are so "great", why don't custom barrel makers pre-rust, pit, and wear out the barrels they sell?)

If you're a collecter, you have to spend time studying up, using books and poring over collecter forums, to learn what's valuable (irrespective of barrel condition.)

[SVPRApps]

everyone should get one. its so simple....its so easy to look at it and tell if its working or not, the whole firing is easy too.

just bolt action, very few moving parts

[iareConfusE]

If you are a shooter, Don't get a Mosin from Big 5 if:
You don't know how to inspect the barrel condition to assess its accuracy potential.

How do you inspect that barrel? You'll need a towel, cleaning rod, patches, solvent, oil. Extra fancy kit includes a bristle brush and a newspaper. Towel protects their counter, and newspaper folded around the muzzle catches solvent flung out the bore by the brush. Check that the rod is long enough to protrude past the muzzle as you clean the rifle from the breech end. Once the barrel is clean and dry, look through the barrel at a light source or at a white paper.
Examples of barrel condition on Finn Mosins, see post #14:

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?123787-Inspecting-Rifling&highlight=M39%20bore%20inspection

They'll need to remove the trigger lock so you can remove the bolt.

Yes, some people will tell you that their favorite pitted, rusted, worn-out bore shoots "great". You too can easily settle for "great" and avoid a brand spanking new bore, if you so choose. (And if rust, pitting, and wear are so "great", why don't custom barrel makers pre-rust, pit, and wear out the barrels they sell?)

If you're a collecter, you have to spend time studying up, using books and poring over collecter forums, to learn what's valuable (irrespective of barrel condition.)

Big 5 would never let you do all that... At least not the one that I went to. I've never heard of Big 5 ever removing the trigger lock for anybody and allowing them to inspect it with such detail. Those glorified shoe salesmen don't have all day to make a sale on a $99 rifle. They wouldn't even remove the trigger lock for me so I could remove the bolt.

[cruddymutt]

I personally have not bought any of my Mosins from Big 5 but I do periodicly check the ones they have. Sometimes you can find some rarer marked ones. I have heard reports of people finding ex-dragoons and such at Big 5. I actually found an MO double date Tula at mine but didnt buy it, kickin myself ever since.

[John Browning]

Can't believe this thread is still around. I answered my own question on this a few months ago, and didn't get a Mosin from Big 5 for $100. I picked up a Finn marked 1896 Tula M91 in carried, but never abused shape for $100 instead. It has the wartime splice on the stock, and all the original 1896 markings all look like they were stamped yesterday. Aside from finish (or is that Finnish) wear, it is a beauty. It also has no import stamp. The history is strong with this one.

Don't get a Big 5 Mosin, people.

[PanchoVilla]

big5 let me remove the trigger lock, but they would only give me toe bolt or the rifle at one time. Not both. He let me cherry pick too, but that was because I was buying 3 of them. So I looked at the 5 they had in stock and picked the best 3. I got the impression he only let me sort through them because I was buying 3. I got 3 pretty decent ones. I know a Mosin guy who took a look at them with his borescope too and they are all in decent shape. Finally got some ammo, now I just need to get out to shoot them.