M39 and Headspace

[zvardan]

Hello All!

I've had an M39 for a couple weeks now (from SOG). I finally got it all cleaned up and went to check the head space using my nogo gauge... I can still close the bolt.

Just to double check, the M39's would use the standard nogo gauge as the Mosins, correct?

Not sure what to do since I've had it for almost 2 weeks now.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Do you have a field gauge?

[zvardan]

That is one thing I don't have...guess it's time to invest.

[zvardan]

I did notice that the bolt head on the m39 looks different from that of a standard mosin. The m39 is larger in diameter...not sure if that makes any difference.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Worst case scenario, if it fails the field gauge, you can just swap around bolt heads until you find one that will pass.

[zvardan]

And that did the trick!

I'm dumb

Forgot I had about 3 bolts worth of spare parts in my bin.

[Crunch130]

Yeah, but if you're like most of us Mosin owners, you're just going to crank steel-cased surplus ammo through it. I suspect even with a bit excessive headspace, you're not likely to have a problem. You fire the case once, it stretches a bit, and you throw the empty away. Problem?

I have a .303 Brit, a 6.5X55 Swede, an 8 mm Mauser, and a 7.62 NATO (Israeli K98) that I handload for. I wanted one rifle, bigger than a .22, that I wouldn't need to handload for to be cheap to shoot. That's why I bought a Mosin.

Crunch

[zvardan]

Well, it's an M39 and at some point I'd like to handload for it.

[Crunch130]

Sure. Mine's an M39 also. And it can put 3 rounds of Russian light ball into less than 1.5 inches off a sandbag at 100 yards with the issue sights. (Which pretty much duplicates the Finn accuracy spec of 3 cm at 100 meters for 3 rounds.)

Some day I might get the urge to handload for it also. But it's nice to know it can shoot so well with widely available surplus ammo for twenty something cents per round.

Regards,
Crunch

[6mmintl]

http://www.sacvalley.org/clubs/military_rifle_silhouette.html

[havegonetooz]

Yeah, but if you're like most of us Mosin owners, you're just going to crank steel-cased surplus ammo through it. I suspect even with a bit excessive headspace, you're not likely to have a problem. You fire the case once, it stretches a bit, and you throw the empty away. Problem?

I have a .303 Brit, a 6.5X55 Swede, an 8 mm Mauser, and a 7.62 NATO (Israeli K98) that I handload for. I wanted one rifle, bigger than a .22, that I wouldn't need to handload for to be cheap to shoot. That's why I bought a Mosin.

Crunch

That's crazy...especially since he just got the gun and he doesn't know the history behind it. Don't shoot the gun if it fails the field gauge!

[sakosf]

The nice thing about a Mosin is, if you have a head space problem, you just have to replace the bolt head and they are available from several sources at a reasonable cost. Why risk injury to yourself and/or damage to your rifle ??

[nitewing117]

If you're ever down in South Bay, I have a field gauge you can use.