Need Quick Mosin Input

[IntoForever]

I have a 91/30 and love shooting it, If you want to check it out/test fire it let me know we can meet at Angeles or Oak Tree. Since I can't stand the smell of cosmoline and the orange hands after shooting it I use a plastic stock with a nice cushy recoil pad. Hopefully soon I'll put an original style 91/30 recoil pad on it (steel plate) for the old school feel and I have the wood stock safely stored, stinking up the corner of my closet.

[desertmedic]

+2 on the M39. look for a Sako or a Tikka over the VKTs.

if your son is set on the shorter carbine length either the m38 or the m44... just depends if you want that bayonet or not. I hope he is a big 15 year old. The recoil is very sharp on those shorter rifles.

Enlighten me as to why you say that? I have a '42 VKT that I got at Big 5 20 years ago. Ive shot all three makes in one session off hand and from sandbags and the VKT was the more accurate out of the three (Sako, Tikka, VKT). All were in similar shape... Meaning good bores, barrels/rifling, and actions.

[mauser98k]

Enlighten me as to why you say that? I have a '42 VKT that I got at Big 5 20 years ago. Ive shot all three makes in one session off hand and from sandbags and the VKT was the more accurate out of the three (Sako, Tikka, VKT). All were in similar shape... Meaning good bores, barrels/rifling, and actions.

if it's for rarity, VKT actually made fewer rifles than Sako. people just assume Sako is harder to find or better somehow because of their high end, precision rifles they make today. Tikka is truly hard to find.

[paul0660]

I got an M38 (shortest model) from Big5 for $139. I didn't really care about getting a Finish model that shoots better, I just wanted a short model cause it makes a HUGE fireball out the front.

Yes they do.

[Justintoxicated]

If you have a C&R you can get them here for cheap ->

http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=256&name=Russian+1891%2f30+7.62x54R+Mosin+Nagant+Rifles

Although it's not the short model, it the 91/30

[Rekrab]

I find the recoil on my M44 to be much more manageable than the M91/30s so I can't discredit your son's desires for a carbine length. My M44 weighs much more than any other Mosin I've handled.

I really, really, recommend you find someone with one so your son can shoot it though. These things DO kick pretty hard and if he keeps it in original condition he'll only have that steel plate on the butt for "padding." I love mine though. I shoot it wearing T-shirts and got used to the recoil fast since it was my first rifle. Be wary though, your son will never want to shoot small bore rifles again if he gets hooked on the Mosin.

[paul0660]

Be wary though, your son will never want to shoot small bore rifles again if he gets hooked on the Mosin.

Unless he buys his own ammo.

[C&Rtrader]

Enlighten me as to why you say that? I have a '42 VKT that I got at Big 5 20 years ago. Ive shot all three makes in one session off hand and from sandbags and the VKT was the more accurate out of the three (Sako, Tikka, VKT). All were in similar shape... Meaning good bores, barrels/rifling, and actions.

Its a reference to overall quality, not rarity. It sounds like this gun is going to be shot and not "collected." From my experience (I own several of each) the VKTs had rougher triggers\bolts\parts (yes i know many contain russian parts). I don't doubt there are exceptional VKTs out there that can outshoot sakos etc... but if you were to take the average of 100 Sakos vs 100 VKTs I think the Sakos\Tikkas would come out ahead in terms of quality. Just an opinion like everyone else here

[IrishPirate]

I find the recoil on my M44 to be much more manageable than the M91/30s so I can't discredit your son's desires for a carbine length. My M44 weighs much more than any other Mosin I've handled.

I really, really, recommend you find someone with one so your son can shoot it though. These things DO kick pretty hard and if he keeps it in original condition he'll only have that steel plate on the butt for "padding." I love mine though. I shoot it wearing T-shirts and got used to the recoil fast since it was my first rifle. Be wary though, your son will never want to shoot small bore rifles again if he gets hooked on the Mosin.

interesting....i've never shot an M44 but i've seen bigger guys than me get rocked harder than i do when i shoot my 91/30. Can't wait to pick an M44 up and test it out myself!!

[emgee00]

i scored a great 1939 Tula made 91/30 from Big 5 for $99. Probably going to grab an M44 from there too when they're $130 again. The carbines kick pretty good so either grab a muzzle brake, or hand him a bottle of vodka, a crate of ammo and tell him it's a test of manhood...if he can raise his arm over his head the next day, he's strong like bull!

That is what I am hoping for.....beat the piss out of the little guy. Just kidding, I am blessed with a good boy!

He is looking forward to the stronger kick??? Ever since I let him shoot the .50BMG he has had this strange desire for bull kicking rifles. Who knows, maybe after a few boxes of ammo he won't want it anymore. This is why he is paying for this one .

The Vodka, he will have to wait until he moves out of the house for that one

[emgee00]

How does one under 18 go about owning a rifle. I bought an M44 for my son when he was 12 but I keep it with me and he only has access to it when we go to the range or if he is here visiting. I figure he can have it when he get's his own place but if she who shall not be named was more open to the idea would he be allowed to legally own the carbine before he turns 18?

I obviously will need to buy this for him. I believe if I wanted to I could do an interfamily transfer at some point before he was 18. I have heard of others doing this before then anyways. I am not really concerned with it being in his name and he will also not have access to it until he is 18! I have a good son but would take no chances on getting sued in case he did do something half minded.

[Rekrab]

interesting....i've never shot an M44 but i've seen bigger guys than me get rocked harder than i do when i shoot my 91/30. Can't wait to pick an M44 up and test it out myself!!

Shorter barrel = more wasted powder = lower velocity = smaller kick. The M44s also weigh a good deal more.

Everyone should have an M44, I love taking it to the range, popping out the bayonet, and just blasting to my heart's content.

[desertmedic]

Its a reference to overall quality, not rarity. It sounds like this gun is going to be shot and not "collected." From my experience (I own several of each) the VKTs had rougher triggers\bolts\parts (yes i know many contain russian parts). I don't doubt there are exceptional VKTs out there that can outshoot sakos etc... but if you were to take the average of 100 Sakos vs 100 VKTs I think the Sakos\Tikkas would come out ahead in terms of quality. Just an opinion like everyone else here

Well my boom stick is better then yours!! NYA NYA

Thanks for the explanation....

[BLUE&GOLD]

i'd go with the m38 carbine. It's like 1.5lbs lighter in the front than the m44 because it doesnt have the fixed bayonet. It's a little harder to find than the m44 though and maybe a little pricier. Mosins have sharp kick, but it shouldn't be rocking you around too much if you have good stance

[saigarocks]

m91/30's are cheapest and longest abt $100 ftf - hex receiver 91/30's were made earlier (maybe in the 30's) and are a little more rare and abt $125-150 - m38 and 44 are shorter and abt $150-200 - the finns are supposed to be better but cost $2-300 - they are all great guns for cheap with super cheap ammo. they did a test of wwII sniper rifles including springfield, mauser k98, enfield and mosin and the mosin was the most accurate.