Anyone know how to get an upgraded Mosin barrel?

[Kappy]

The title says it all. I have a sporterized 91/30. I don't like the thin barrel. It doesn't hold up well once it gets hot (after... say... 10 rounds of full house loads in 5 minutes). I want to upgrade it to a heavier barrel.

I know I could buy a barrel blank and have it reamed, but I've been told that the blank and reamer together would cost me as little as $350 and as much as $450.

So... can anyone point me in the right direction?

[zomie]

Perhaps I should build a water jacket for these? :P

Nah just subscribing...

[Aaron707]

I think what you are looking for is:
BARRELS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY MANUFACTURED FOR THE
CZECH UK59 UNIVERSAL MACHINE GUN
CHAMBERED IN 7.62X54r.

Classic Arms used to sell these brand new for about $75-80 a while back. They have been out of stock for some time. Possibly another supplier has them.

Edit: This thread may be worth reading as well:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=465146

[paul0660]

It doesn't hold up well

Have you notice a real deterioration in accuracy after 10-20 rounds?

If so, you would probably be ahead by buying a good Finn.

[Roccobro]

There was a nice thread on Weaponsguild on a heavy profile Mosin that was a tack driver.

I've re-profiled a Czech MG barrel weighing 9lbs to work on a 16" heavy contour PSL using RPK components. Not for the faint of heart!

Justin

ETA: Aaron posted the details and faster than I could type!

[Richard Erichsen]

A lot of research that went into this topic as applied to the PSL is applicable to the Mosin Nagant, Enfield SMLE, Arisaka Type 99 7.7 mm and Belgian/Argentine 7.65 mm. Same bore/groove specs for all of the above.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=594302

You can have the barrel profiled as you choose and threaded for the receiver, or even the muzzle end to use a brake (the clip on type are hard to locate and somewhat rare). The stock would need to be inletted for the larger profile and the barrel bands and other bits would need to be modified, but it can all be done. The M30 and M39 barrels were marginally larger at .630" diameter instead of the .600" at the muzzle that the Model 1891 and 91/30 ordinarily have.

Cheapest options are the Green Mountain blanks, though the cost of the gunsmithing is the same regardless of the barrel blank, with better blanks costing between $165 and $410. You can probably get a barrel for under $250 installed if you opt for the lower cost barrel blanks as your starting point.

R

[wash]

I think Lothar Walther makes Mosin profile barrels but they are not cheap.

The UK59 barrels look nice but they need a fair amount of work to really be done right.

A chamber reamer and a green mountain blank is probably the cheapest custom barrel and should shoot very well if the machining is done right but it might make sense to spend more on the blank to get the most for your money.

[kcstott]

Bear in mind that a machine gun barrel is not going to be a very accurate barrel.
Machine gun barrels are built on the high side of the tolerance and maybe even more. This allows them to still function while extremely hot. Now you may have good luck with one but I would not hope for much.
The other consideration is the cartridge. Rimed cases have never beenn known for being very accurate. Although neck sizing and reloading will help.

I'm going to sound like a jerk but I just find it funny that people want top accuracy out of a rifle that was never designed to be anything more then a battle rifle. And just because they used them as a sniper rifle way back when you need to understand what level of accuracy was expected back then.

The other thing is, wanting good accuracy without having to pay for it. I put a rifle on a shelf for 16 years till I could rebarrel it correctly. I did it on the cheep but it still cost close to $300 with reamer rental and the barrel.

Personally i'd use the mosin as is and not screw with it. Go get a cheep Remington BDL in .308 an be done.

[wash]

Surprisingly, there have been reports of amazing accuracy from UK59 barreled Mosins despite their machine gun origin and chrome lining.

They are hard to find now unless you find someone willing to sell.

[Richard Erichsen]

Bear in mind that a machine gun barrel is not going to be a very accurate barrel.
Machine gun barrels are built on the high side of the tolerance and maybe even more. This allows them to still function while extremely hot. Now you may have good luck with one but I would not hope for much.
The other consideration is the cartridge. Rimed cases have never beenn known for being very accurate. Although neck sizing and reloading will help.

I'm going to sound like a jerk but I just find it funny that people what top accuracy out of a rifle that was never designed to be anything more then a battle rifle. And just because they used them as a snippet rifle way back when you need to understand what level of accuracy was expected back then.

The other thin is, wanting good accuracy with having to pay for it. I put a rifle on a shelf for 16 years till I could rebarrel it correctly

The theory promulgated is that an exceptionally well made and modern barrel blank, with a more appropriate twist (1:12.6") that has been properly chambered, will shoot a whole lot tighter than even the tight end of the old Soviet specs, even when using bog ordinary ball ammo.

Bolt face lapping and the rest may be part of the full blue-printing effort for some. However, most folks on this thread and the PSL thread probably just want a heavier barrel for improved barrel harmonics and thermal management that is of decent to better than average quality. For those that can undertake their own work, it will be an opportunity to apply what has been done on modern bolt actions and comparing notes. For everyone else, it will be determining what needs to be done by a gunsmith and determine if they are ready to spend another few hundred dollars on what may have been a $100 or so investment.

R

[kcstott]

Well and I don't think anyone really expects the Mosin to be a MOA rifle.
Like I said a Machine gun barrel may improve accuracy just from be stiffer. But again I would not expect much.

[the707kid]

Saved

[kcstott]

But KC! What fun would this all be if we weren't taking a $89.00 war horse and trying to make it shoot like Hathcock would be proud!

Same as Hotrodding an old Model T or putting lipstick on some of my old girlfriends!

Ugly is ugly... but can sometimes be fun

I hear you. That rifle I shelved for sixteen years, It was a 1891 Argentine Mauser. It's the red head stepchild of the Mosin. Not really liked by anyone, Cheep as hell, and hard to get parts for.

Well after $600 in parts, bluing and my labor it's fully rebuilt. I completely agree with the having fun aspect. But I would like to advise someone of dumping good money after bad. And I'm guilty as charged on my rifle but it has sentimental value. And anyone is perfectly able to do anything they want with their rifle. I would just like them to know their options.

Argentine build

[Peter.Steele]

Well and I don't think anyone really expects the Mosin to be a MOA rifle.

heh.

Those people haven't shot my '44 PU. Off a bench, on a good day, it'll do .75 MOA easy with 70's Polish light ball.

[Richard Erichsen]

I hear you. That rifle I shelved for sixteen years, It was a 1891 Argentine Mauser. It's the red head stepchild of the Mosin. Not really liked by anyone, Cheep as hell, and hard to get parts for.

Well after $600 in parts, bluing and my labor it's fully rebuilt. I completely agree with the having fun aspect. But I would like to advise someone of dumping good money after bad. And I'm guilty as charged on my rifle but it has sentimental value. And anyone is perfectly able to do anything they want with their rifle. I would just like them to know their options.

Argentine build

I missed the link. I have to commend you for a job well done. Excellent quality work! What steps did you take to finish the stock? The color and finish are excellent and not at all overly done. Your machine work and detail finishing is excellent as well.

R