Nagant Revolver?

[gunnerjacky]

Nagant is one of my favorite and I suggest you should buy it before it gets more expensive. I used to have one and I always cherished using it. However, there’s a fatal flaw in revolver design: the cylinder gap.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Cylinder gap is not a problem with the gas seal design used in the Nagant revolver. This feature only works when you use the original gas seal cartridge the revolver was intended to fire. The bullet is set down inside the case, there is a lip of case visible above the bullet nose. When you pull the trigger the cylinder is forced forward so that protruding cartridge lip is forced into the cone forming a seal when it's fired.

[tjtM38]

Cylinder gap is not a problem with the gas seal design used in the Nagant revolver. This feature only works when you use the original gas seal cartridge the revolver was intended to fire. The bullet is set down inside the case, there is a lip of case visible above the bullet nose. When you pull the trigger the cylinder is forced forward so that protruding cartridge lip is forced into the cone forming a seal when it's fired.

Yeah; what JYD said. The problem with that gap is the resulting heavy double action pull. I can fire my S&W Model 10 all day double action, but the Nagant? Forget it. I think the real fatal design flaw was the reloading procedure. Imagine trying to load this revolver on horseback; on the move. The cavalry soldier might have been tempted to shoot his seven shots and throw the thing at the enemy. Like I said; take it for what it is worth -- a unique firearms design of the 19th century and a significant piece of military history.

[rayjd2]

What amazes me is that the Nagant replaced a Smith and Wesson; the Number 3 (Russian Model)

[millman]

Starting with the ones we all know... on the bottom: one on the left is a 1945 Izhevsk, last year of production. The one on the right is a 1919 Tula. No Imperial or Soviet stamps (except for the refurbishment box). That one was made during the Civil War years when no one knew who would rule the Rodina.

Now for the top...

One on the Right is a Swedish M1887 Nagant made by Husqvarna. Bore is fabulous though the exterior has some blemishes. Does have the Landsturm serial number on the frame.



The one on the left is pretty rare and I am still amazed I have one in my possesion, though it has been kinda Bubba'd. It is an Brazilian M1893 Nagant. The only large-frame model of Nagant ever made. Mine is made by Nagant for Brazil, while Simpson & Suhl was sub-contracted to make them for Argentina. It is in the caliber known as .44 Nagant though it is also called .44 Brazilian or .440 Argentine. All the same caliber.

From what I know, they were surplused to the South American market in 1937, so the vast majority of them remained in the continent, while a few have slipped to the US.

The only ones I have seen in original configuration have been the Argentines, while all the Brazilians have been Bubba'd or perhaps... Jose'd...

Mine has been reblued with the hammer and trigger jeweled. Also has an after-market ejector rod. This is the norm for them, sadly.

Very cool!

[Joeinthehills]

I wish that I could have stopped during my desire to obtain more pieces of history, and now 7 of the little pistols are among my Russian militia possessions, along with a brick of the ammo.

[gunnerjacky]

What do gun professionals have to say about its stiffness, gritty trigger, and lack of ammo availability? Nagant’s cylinder does not swing out of the frame. You have to load and unload one chamber at a time. Nagant does not include a fixed ejector perfectly positioned to knock the spent cases out of the cylinder when the loading gate is open. Instead, the same rod that locks the cylinder in place inside the frame unscrews, pivots, and doubles as the ejector.

[Junk Yard Dog]

The "gun professionals" would say it's a piece of shit Jacky, but then they would be comparing it with modern design firearms that they are familiar with. This revolver was an outdated design even before WW2, it only stayed in production because the Soviets needed small arms very badly and they were already set up to make these revolvers. You have to look at the 1895 Nagant as a relic of history, a revolver from a time when small arms technology was rapidly evolving and most everything was still experimental. There were better designs available in 1895, but they would require that the cash strapped Russians import them from other countries, or pay the licensing fees to produce them themselves. The Nagant was not a purely Russian design, Nagant was a Belgian, they adapted his design to something more Russian in style, and because it wasn't a Colt, or S&W they could aquire the rights to produce it much cheaper. .32 was not considered a weak round at that time, .32 revolvers all over the world far outnumbered the larger caliber designs in the late 19th century. Who used sidearms and how they were used has also changed greatly since that time. Todays military and police heavily emphasize the use of pistols, back then soldiers had a rifle and bayonet, police ( outside of western movie characters) used pocket revolvers and carried heavy clubs. Sidearms were for officers, or cavalry, officers carried them as more a badge of rank rather than something they expected to use regularly. The .32 round was also well suited for use by the Chekka, and later NKVD as the small bullet is perfectly adequate when fired into the back of a mans head at less than a foot.

[rayjd2]

Also remember:

Sergei Mosin's rifle was adopted, and Nagant sued because of one or two things Mosin "borrowed" from his design, think it was the interrupter and something.

The Nagant revolver might've been seen as a consolation prize by the Russian Powers That Be, or he could've made them an offer they couldn't refuse. They desperately needed a smokeless revolver.

[entropy]

Sidearms were for officers, or cavalry, officers carried them as more a badge of rank rather than something they expected to use regularly.

They were issued to NCOs also; an SA version was made for this, with the DA version reserved for officers up until 1918, the SA version dropped from production then.

What amazes me is that the Nagant replaced a Smith and Wesson; the Number 3 (Russian Model)

I agree; a far superior sidearm in every regard, except the ability to be sucessfully supressed. Somehow, I don't think that was the reason for it's adoption, however. I think you are right; it was a concession to Leon Nagant for Col. S.I. Mosin 'borrowing' his I/E design. (Curious, since Mosin deliberately designed the bolt to avoid Mauser's patent)

Imagine, if you will, an Imperial Russian Army with the Win. M1895 as it's issue rifle, with yataghan bayonet, the S&W #3 as it's issue sidearm for both officers and NCO's, with a moon clip adaptation for even faster reloads. Now imagine it without Generals with their heads up their a$$es, and Nicky leaving them alone to do their job........

[Longcolt44]

I explain the poor trigger this way to new prospective buyers. " This revolver was only made to put behind someone's ear and fire."

[MeatMarket]

So much negativity... Look on the bright side, you're making your finger stronger with each trigger pull. The Russians wanted things that worked, not things that are comfortable. I love my Nagant revolver because it's interesting, historic, and fun. It's a non-refurb so it cost me a bit more. Also non import marked.

[SA1911a1]

So much negativity... Look on the bright side, you're making your finger stronger with each trigger pull. The Russians wanted things that worked, not things that are comfortable. I love my Nagant revolver because it's interesting, historic, and fun. It's a non-refurb so it cost me a bit more. Also non import marked.

Oh yea! You love it like a mother loves an ugly child. They have to be one of the worst weapons of war ever fielded, but both of mine have a special place in my heart.

[gunnerjacky]

So much negativity... Look on the bright side, you're making your finger stronger with each trigger pull. The Russians wanted things that worked, not things that are comfortable. I love my Nagant revolver because it's interesting, historic, and fun. It's a non-refurb so it cost me a bit more. Also non import marked.

It is about a perception. However, you sounded to me a real GUN LOVER. Most people don't like the uncomfortable trigger of that , while others may say Nagant Revolver is better than most other brands. It is what suits you! I love Ruger and Nagant both!

[Ironnewt]

Starting with the ones we all know... on the bottom: one on the left is a 1945 Izhevsk, last year of production. The one on the right is a 1919 Tula. No Imperial or Soviet stamps (except for the refurbishment box). That one was made during the Civil War years when no one knew who would rule the Rodina.

Now for the top...

One on the Right is a Swedish M1887 Nagant made by Husqvarna. Bore is fabulous though the exterior has some blemishes. Does have the Landsturm serial number on the frame.



The one on the left is pretty rare and I am still amazed I have one in my possesion, though it has been kinda Bubba'd. It is an Brazilian M1893 Nagant. The only large-frame model of Nagant ever made. Mine is made by Nagant for Brazil, while Simpson & Suhl was sub-contracted to make them for Argentina. It is in the caliber known as .44 Nagant though it is also called .44 Brazilian or .440 Argentine. All the same caliber.

From what I know, they were surplused to the South American market in 1937, so the vast majority of them remained in the continent, while a few have slipped to the US.
e pix
The only ones I have seen in original configuration have been the Argentines, while all the Brazilians have been Bubba'd or perhaps... Jose'd...

Mine has been reblued with the hammer and trigger jeweled. Also has an after-market ejector rod. This is the norm for them, sadly.

For what it is worth the "Jewel Work" looks good in the pix

[bunkysdad]

Like all of my firearms my love for this revolver will increase once I get the chance to buy one. For now maybe just securing some ammo is a good idea.

[gunnerjacky]

And... Nagant is 100 times better than Zip .22 LR

[mojotrain1]

In case of attack I won't be reaching for this revolver or for that matter any other revolver. I bought it for history and looks but found out it's as much fun to punch holes in paper as anything I own. I've been able to get ammo all along. I love mine.

[Joeinthehills]

I purchased 7 and a spam can of ammo before the passion passed, and then went onto the MAK's.

Don't regret it one bit; just wish I'd gotten on the wagon sooner.