Chinese mosins....

[Travis590A1]

So a local dealer has some Chinese M53 mosins up for sale. Wood stocks, never issued, with bayonets for $139.99 good deal or no? I've always wanted a mosin to use as a camp site gun but I don't like the crazy long barreled 91/30's.

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

[Capybara]

If they are in good shape, that's a good deal. If they are thrashed, you can get them in quantity from the big dealers for $94.00 ea. and I think Century has had U-Fix Ems for as cheap as $69.00 ea. But you have to have your FFL03, if you add in dealer transfer fees, DROS and taxes, you will be over that $139.00 even on a beater.

[Mad-B-Man]

Never issued? That doesn't seem right, as T53s in good conditions are quite expensive compared to other carbine mosins. I've seen an actually unissued one go for like 600 bucks.

These are probably just the beat up ones from the current lot with a new stock. Still good guns though, would by myself if I had space and money.

[Travis590A1]

If they are in good shape, that's a good deal. If they are thrashed, you can get them in quantity from the big dealers for $94.00 ea. and I think Century has had U-Fix Ems for as cheap as $69.00 ea. But you have to have your FFL03, if you add in dealer transfer fees, DROS and taxes, you will be over that $139.00 even on a beater.

Here are some pics, I don't know much about mosins.

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

[Travis590A1]

Never issued? That doesn't seem right, as T53s in good conditions are quite expensive compared to other carbine mosins. I've seen an actually unissued one go for like 600 bucks.

These are probably just the beat up ones from the current lot with a new stock. Still good guns though, would by myself if I had space and money.

Ya the stocks are dinged pretty good but for $139+ fees is it a decent deal? The regular 91/30's go for $180+ around here and I hate those long barrels.

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

[Armistice]

It's the going price. Youll have to do some light sanding to the stock, but that's about it. Buy it and shoot it

[NOTABIKER]

i picked one up T-53 for 150 from a fellow calguner still in the box. i am in the process of refinishing the stock as close to the original look as possible. dings and small scratches do not bother me. chunks of wood missing or cracks do bother me. this is the second mosin i have owned that is not a referb. the bluing is worn but no rust. these make very nice shooters.

[Capybara]

The wood on T53s was called Chu wood, it is a very cheap, soft and porous wood and from what I understand, the Chinese often stored them literally buried in dirt, hence the horrific finish. I personally would like a nice condition T53, but yes, it is not worth $500.00 or $600.00 to me. Good condition T53s are rare.

[6mmintl]

What kind of accuracy do you guys get out of these? I had a friend shoot one at 500 meters once and he seemed to be able to hold 3-4 MOA with surplus but I also believe he was a better shot with iron sights.

Anyone handload for one of these?

[Travis590A1]

Can I sand it down to smooth it out then put a new coating or finish over the wood? Is there any special way to do it or is it like any other kind of wood re-finishing?

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

[Armistice]

Can I sand it down to smooth it out then put a new coating or finish over the wood? Is there any special way to do it or is it like any other kind of wood re-finishing?

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

Do what you want, man! Haters are going to hate, but its YOUR rifle

Fo sanding, I used a 250 grit to knock everything down then a 400 grit to smooth it all out. Stay off the cartouches (stamp markings on the stock) as much as possible

There are then many finishing options like waces or stains. I tried MinWax and don't care too much for it

[Travis590A1]

Do what you want, man! Haters are going to hate, but its YOUR rifle

Fo sanding, I used a 250 grit to knock everything down then a 400 grit to smooth it all out. Stay off the cartouches (stamp markings on the stock) as much as possible

There are then many finishing options like waces or stains. I tried MinWax and don't care too much for it

So excluding watching for the markings, do I treat it like any other wood? Can I refinish it like a patio deck? Lol or is there a special process to it?

Sent from FighterPilot's basement

[The Bubble]

My type 53 is a pretty darn good shooter, blindfolded I can't tell my type 53 from my m44. Performance, both are on par. If you can find someone who is selling them, get one!! They're cheap enough to restore or bubba it. I refinished my stock damn well. Removed the comolene, used sherwin Williams deskscape stain and sealer remover, and discovered my stock was made out of teak wood. Talk about an awesome finding...

[Capybara]

...and discovered my stock was made out of teak wood. Talk about an awesome finding...

I bet all of us would be interested to see some pics!

[NOTABIKER]

the stock i am doing right now i started by sanding with 220 sand paper. i took special care to protect stampings, ser # etc. then i used black cherry stain, then i used ebony black stain. after 24 hrs i used Tung oil over the stain. 0000 steel wool very lightly between coats. i will post pics when finished. it will look like it did before i started, just not greasy and splintered.