It's just an old Russian rifle

[I Swan]

So what have you ever found because of the ignorance or prejudice against Mosin Nagants? I'm somewhat surprised with the internet that these days I can still find deals on rarer Mosins occasionally. Last Dec got a very early serial number no prefix Finn Tula 1934 91-30 for $150 no tax combined DROS. FFL informed me it was a POS Russian rifle.

Just picked up a Finn 28-30 for $200 on a combined DROS as well. What was strange was FFL knew it was Finn but I think he thought was a M39 he was also confusing the civil guard number for a serial number. You would think he would have charged more at least knowing it was a M39 of some sort.

On a gun like a Finn 91 which I've picked up for $125 before in 2011 you can understand a seller not in to milsurp thinking it was just a Big 5 91-30 but strangely I've had seller sell me a M39 for $100 a couple of times well in to the internet era.

M39's look quite different from a 91 or 91-30 so you would think sellers would think to do more research. In a couple of instances they did start getting wary and noticing the Finn markings but still completed the deal.

I'm also always looking for non import marked guns priced lower than normal. I recently found a M38 non import marked and original m38 stock $125 but unfortunately sanded. Also I have a non import marked M39 that seems quite uncommon. I have many more Mosin Nagant success stories but I'm curious what you have all found due to this they are all junk Big 5 guns attitude.

[Armistice]

I have not been that lucky to find something misidentified or "junk". I've just gotten a few lucky breaks on prices (and have over paid a few times as well), so I'm sure I've evened out

[McNally M.]

I have never been very lucky myself in finding deals that good. But I have benefitted from seller ignorance more than once. I recall snagging an early Hex Tula ('21) for $90 and another Tula ('38) for $60 about three years ago here on Calguns. You can bet that I felt like a winner walking away with two rifles for those prices.

Perhaps the best deal I scored was a beat up but complete and parts matching Chilean 1895 Mauser Carbine for $100 about three years as well. It was so ugly and my lack of interest in 7mm at the time almost prevented me from getting it. But my "why-not" mentality won out and I took it home. It remains unshot by me but I'm glad I nabbed it, because for $100, why not?

[jthesby]

While I've not scored a nice rifle due to "its only an old russian rifle". I have luckily purchased a couple that while the seller knew what it was, they had it priced lower than the current going rate, and I happened upon them before others have.

[I Swan]

These deals do involve luck but you have to get off the couch and look for them. I've also cultivated relationships with many sellers over the years which can help. I was just going to stay home the day I got 28-30 would have been a mistake as I picked up other gun deals and stuff too. Had some back pain but I toughed it out made a long day of looking for guns and deals.

I also have a Chilean like yours but had to pay $150 and fees like 1.5 years ago. Seller refused to sell as an antique. Seems common that they look like hell but have real nice bores. My numbers match too. I've had a lot of luck with clueless sellers on rare Mauser's too.

[BigPimping]

I am hoping to come upon deals like the ones you describe OP. Seems you have luck.

[McNally M.]

Because of the varity of Mausers out there I can understand why some sellers don't know what they have so finding relative value is tough. I've probably gotten more consistently lucky on Mauser deals than on Mosins. My favorite instance was two years ago when I met a guy who said he had a Yugo M24/47 that he bought from Big 5 long ago. Years past and he never shot the rifle nor even bothered to clean the cosmoline off it. When I asked him about the price, he said he'd part with it for the same price he bought it for, $99. And that was for the rifle, bayonet and all the fixins.

It was a great deal, but then again it was a common rifle. I have never really struck a home run on a rare or especially coveted C&R weapon.

[Rickrock1]

I picked up my original M39 (that is not a Mosin Nagant) for less than $50 about 25 years ago.
No import marks.

m39 not a Mosin

[fal_762x51]

I got a Finn 91/30 that was disassembled and missing a few small parts for $35. Still have not shot that one yet.

[Danodog]

MY first C&R was a beautiful Swedish Mauser. I bought a Mosin shortly after. I didn't like the fit and finish of the Mosin, or the recoil. The Mosin was a 3 MOA rifle and my Swede was sub MOA. With that being said, I don't hate on the Mosin, I was just spoiled by the Swede. I owned a unissued Polish M44, that I sold recently. It was pretty and new, but I couldn't have the heart to shoot it. It sat in my safe for over 20 years without taking a shot.

[81turbota]

I have found a few deals like that...overlooked Waffenampts, "POS ruskie" rifles and a few others.

What gets me every time is people snickering at the range. "That's one of them Russian guns isn't it?" - when I'm shooting a Finn variant. The look on their face is priceless when I bring back a tighter target than their tacti-cool rifle.

[I Swan]

Overlooked Nazi markings have gotten me a few deals also. Guns should have been 25-50% more in pricing if they were noted.

[Emdawg]

Hehe got a rare 1938 Tikka M27 with a ski-trooper stock due to that ignorance.

[mdib870]

[IEatZ28]

Not mosin, but I bought my 86 Krink with a blue jack v5 barrel for a very good price and then that week rguns ran out. Also, a psl kit with Romy barrel for a screaming deal.