My 1st Mosin lots of questions

[Chas100]

Good price? Depends, I would have a stroke if I had to pay $14 for 20 rounds of 7.62x54, but then I am a guy who clearly recalls paying .10 a round for some of this stuff, and lets say I have a good supply of it on hand. I believe that Tula stuff is recent commercial manufacture over there in Russia, I have trust issues with new ammo that looks exactly like the commie era surplus stuff. I treat any ammo that does not come from the big three, Remington, Winchester, Federal, as if it has corrosive primers and I clean the weapon accordingly.

I have a pretty good stash of HXP 30-06 in sealed spam cans, 22LR, 7.62X39 and most handgun ammo. It seems that the 7.62X54r will be harder to find than 30 Carbine!! I order a lot of ammo through Cabelas online website and have it shipped free to a store (Columbus or Wheeling). That way I know when I visit I will have my online order at a minimum.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I stocked up heavily on M2 ball and 7.61x51mm back in the day, well before prices shot up, I have my lifetime supply at current rates of use and I reload as well for some rounds. 7.62x54r is short right now due to hoarding, and diminishing imports.

[oldarmyguy65]

I suggest you look on the barrel above the receiver and see if the makers mark is the Russian Imperial Eagle crest which would date it WWI or earlier. It may also give you the arsenal where it was made, including those made in the United States by Remington or Winchester for the Czarist government during WWI. I recommend buying a small booklet titled "7.62mmR Mosin-Nagant." This is a handbook for identification, stripping and assembly, service and maintenance, operation and function, etc. etc. It is published by Arms & Militaria Press, PO Box 5014, Grants Pass, OR 97527. On the internet, contact Ray Riling Arms Books: www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com If you really want detail, purchase the Soviet Mosin-Nagant Manual. It is the official Soviet Handbook for the M1891/30 rifle series, translated from the Russian: contact Hyrax Publishers, LLC.

[Chas100]

I stocked up heavily on M2 ball and 7.61x51mm back in the day, well before prices shot up, I have my lifetime supply at current rates of use and I reload as well for some rounds. 7.62x54r is short right now due to hoarding, and diminishing imports.

Reloading is my next project. My Daughter and Son in Law purchased the whole setup (single stage) for me but I've not had time to spend learning how to. I do have 5,000 RNDs + of 556 brass, 1000 + HXP 30-06 brass, 2000 + 30 carbine brass, 200 give or take RNDs 30-30 and quite a bit of 9mm and 40 cal. I will have a full time job when I retire LOL.

I stocked up with very close to a lifetime supply of 22LR (my 1st love prior to all the craziness) and a good supply of the HXP but just to be sure I almost have my CMP limit for the year of the 192 RND cans with 4 bandos with 8 Enblocs on each bando and 8 RNDs in each Enbloc and cardboard covers. Still not bad at $115 per sealed spam can shipped. Of course I get to pay Ohio tax since I live here. I also have 2 50 cal ammo cans of 7.62X39.

I did spend a little over an hour today at Cabelas. They had 7.62X54r in 4 different flavors. The Tula was the same at $13.99 they had PPU (I think it was) at $12.99. I picked up another box of 30 carbine.

I love looking through the used firearms racks at Cabelas. They had 15 or so 91/30's priced at $299 to $329. They all looked to be hex receivers with 1920 and 1930 dates. They had some that had the gold color in the markings. They were listed as 5 line hex receivers. Not sure what that is.

[Chas100]

I suggest you look on the barrel above the receiver and see if the makers mark is the Russian Imperial Eagle crest which would date it WWI or earlier. It may also give you the arsenal where it was made, including those made in the United States by Remington or Winchester for the Czarist government during WWI. I recommend buying a small booklet titled "7.62mmR Mosin-Nagant." This is a handbook for identification, stripping and assembly, service and maintenance, operation and function, etc. etc. It is published by Arms & Militaria Press, PO Box 5014, Grants Pass, OR 97527. On the internet, contact Ray Riling Arms Books: http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com If you really want detail, purchase the Soviet Mosin-Nagant Manual. It is the official Soviet Handbook for the M1891/30 rifle series, translated from the Russian: contact Hyrax Publishers, LLC.

Here is a pic of the barrel,shank. I will have a better pic soon. This was taken with the grease still on it. It's a 1926 date


Thanks for the heads up on the book.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I always bought a lot of .22lr whenever I saw a sale, I would buy by the 5000 round lots. I would use some then put away the remainder for later and then forget I had it and buy more. When the shit hit the fan over in Newtown and .22 became the new money I had just bought 5000 round's, during a recent cleanup I consolidated my various junk piles and discovered myself sitting on a mountain of .22. Thanks to arthritis and back issues my rack of .22's are the rifles I shoot the most now. I do most of my reloading using the simple Lee hand press, I work slow and reload mostly for the rifles like the French Lebel that use hard to find ammo. I will never need to reload or buy M2 ball, 7,62x51, .303, 7.62x54, 7.62x39, 8mm Mauser, 7mm Mauser, 7.65 Argentine. I do mostly pistol rounds and black powder stuff like the 45/70, 50/70, .577 Snider and so on. I am set to start producing .30 carbine, I have all the components ready and the dies, but I have been busy lately. I still have enough ammo on hand for my needs but the carbine is a rifle I like to shoot.

[racerguy00]

Never mind, lol. You're in PA. not IL.

I'm actually in NE Ohio but I'm in sales and travel anywhere from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and all places in between !!

You probably drive right past me!

[Chas100]

I always bought a lot of .22lr whenever I saw a sale, I would buy by the 5000 round lots. I would use some then put away the remainder for later and then forget I had it and buy more. When the shit hit the fan over in Newtown and .22 became the new money I had just bought 5000 round's, during a recent cleanup I consolidated my various junk piles and discovered myself sitting on a mountain of .22. Thanks to arthritis and back issues my rack of .22's are the rifles I shoot the most now.

I learned my lesson after the 1st 22LR drought a few years prior to the latest one. I have my allotted stash of mid grade ammo that I feel comfortable with. All I buy anymore is just to replace what I use. The only exception is if I run into some SK +. I have a 10/22 that was modified by CPC (Conneticut Precision Chambering). Randy made this my most accurate firearm I own at 50 yards and a CZ Lux that love the SK and CCI SV. They both shoot other flavors well but they definitely like these 2 the best. I had CPC do another one of my 10/22's and although it's accurate and flawless the CZ and other 10/22 is much more consistent. The work Randy does is nothing short of amazing using Ruger OE parts.

I have a few military training rifles from the 40's and they love CCI MM's. My Mossy US44's are great to take to the range and use CCI SV. Although not as accurate as using CCI MM's you can barley detect any sound with SV ammo.

When I get the time to go to the range I normally take 7 to 10 firearms and stay for 3 to 5 hours. It would get (and somewhat still is) rather costly shooting CF only.

[capt14k]

Are those regular Russian 91/30 Mosins that are going for $300+? If so what is a 1944 Finnish Tikka 91/30 matching and likely unissued worth today? Finnish 91/30 were selling for 2.5-3x the price of a Russian 91/30 a couple years ago.

Good luck OP with the grease. If you can run metal through dishwasher I have read that works great; just don't let your wife catch you, she likely will not be very happy. Best to try and sweat the stock in black garbage bag on dash of old truck if you have that option. Take it out each day, empty the oil, wipe it down with a rag and do that for about a week. Even then you will probably still need to wipe the grease off you after a day at the range.


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[Junk Yard Dog]

The best shooting .22 I own is a training rifle, Lithgow took their No1 MKIII and gave it a bull barrel in .22, modified the bolt head for .22, and made the heaviest and most accurate .22 in my collection.

[Longcolt44]

"Are those regular Russian 91/30 Mosins that are going for $300+? If so what is a 1944 Finnish Tikka 91/30 matching and likely unissued worth today? Finnish 91/30 were selling for 2.5-3x the price of a Russian 91/30 a couple years ago."

Refurbished 91/30 have had their price driven up by The milsurp sellers. Finns, with the exception of the recent Classic M39's, are usually in the hands of individual collectors and have not taken any jump like the 91/30's. Your Tikka's are the same value as a year ago.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yes, however dealing with collectors can be problematic. The dealer is motivated to sell what's on the shelf, the collector spent years searching for " the precious" and if they don't want to sell it then good luck. To get the precious away from one of the collector/gun hoarder types you will find yourself handing over a wad of cash and signing a scroll here... ...and here...

[millman]

Yes, however dealing with collectors can be problematic. The dealer is motivated to sell what's on the shelf, the collector spent years searching for " the precious" and if they don't want to sell it then good luck. To get the precious away from one of the collector/gun hoarder types you will find yourself handing over a wad of cash and signing a scroll here... ...and here...

That is the truth right there.

[bunkysdad]

Congrats on a nice rifle. How has the black bag in the sun method worked so far? I have found a lot of hidden grease and junk hiding inside of most of the bolts small parts after completely taking them apart. I bought a rifle in a similar state of grease coating as yours and the firing pin moved in slow motion until I took the bolt completely apart and cleaned it, including removal of the extractor to clean under the extractor, and let me tell ya you have to be careful or the extractor can get bent or broken when punching it out of the slot. You'll see what I man when you attempt it.

looking for 8mm Mauser, 7.5 Swiss, and 7.62x54R brass

[Chas100]

Congrats on a nice rifle. How has the black bag in the sun method worked so far? I have found a lot of hidden grease and junk hiding inside of most of the bolts small parts after completely taking them apart. I bought a rifle in a similar state of grease coating as yours and the firing pin moved in slow motion until I took the bolt completely apart and cleaned it, including removal of the extractor to clean under the extractor, and let me tell ya you have to be careful or the extractor can get bent or broken when punching it out of the slot. You'll see what I man when you attempt it.

looking for 8mm Mauser, 7.5 Swiss, and 7.62x54R brass

It worked very well. In fact I have an excellent condition RMC carbine stock soaking up some sun now. Thanks for the tip

My plan is to remove the trigger and sear tonight for a good cleaning and some VERY light polishing then next up will be the bolt. Other than a little detail cleaning on the stock and barrel it's about ready.

Thank You again for the tip

[bunkysdad]

I regret not moving on the M1 and M1 carbines years ago when they could be bought reasonable. Now I still don't have either one, so I share with my brother when I can. He bought one of each.

[bunkysdad]

My brother bought a nice Korean War Era Garand, but his War Baby is a WWII era Inland if my memory serves me correctly.

[Chas100]

I regret not moving on the M1 and M1 carbines years ago when they could be bought reasonable. Now I still don't have either one, so I share with my brother when I can. He bought one of each.

I wish I had gotten that bug a little,sooner also. I'm 2.5 HRs from The CMP North store. I have managed over the last few years to obtain a few of each from the CMP. They are a lot of fun !!

I can recall scanning the racks of Mosins at Cabelas for less than $100 but I didn't know enough about them but at least I have one now. At $249 with a bayonet, dog collar sling, pouched cleaning kit, oiler and 2 mag or accessories belt pouches I don't think it was too much for today's prices. Also a bonus (I think)is that it's a Dragoon hex receiver with a 1926 date.

I didn't have time to work on anything on the Mosin tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I can get to it. There is a lot of grease around the cross bolt that needs to be removed. It's about 75% to 25%, with the 75% saying not to remove it. I'm debating as to if I should remove it to clean it or try a tooth pic and Q tip.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I was buying US milsurps like that once, but back then I was getting some of them for less than $150, and the sun would have exploded if someone had dared ask me for over $200. That was another world, alien from today in so many ways, build me a way back machine 'cause I don't wanna play anymore, I wanna to go home.

[Fledge]

That was another world, alien from today in so many ways, build me a way back machine 'cause I don't wanna play anymore, I wanna to go home.