M1895 Nagant Revolvers

[tjtM38]

I saw that Classic Firearms had a few of these. They priced them at $399 and were sold out in less than a day. I guess my two are starting to become somewhat valuable. Hard to believe when they used to sell for $69 apiece.

[Longcolt44]

They have been gaining in $$$ for some time now, goodie, goodie.

[bunkysdad]

If they flood the market again for 99 bucks I'll get one, otherwise fahgetaboutit!

[Junk Yard Dog]

They are an interesting historical curiosity, collectors item, but not something I would willingly choose to stake my life on. For near $400 I would want one of the non refurbs, one of the ones with a nice original patina, and most of it's original from the arsenal parts.

[Ironnewt]

I have to agree with JYD on his assessment. $400.00 is a lot for a underpowered curiosity.

[SA1911a1]

My last one is on consignment. 1915, Imperial markings intact, no refurb, no import marks.

I am reading the book Penalty Strike, written by a young Soviet Officer about leading a platoon, then a company of troops in a punishment battalion. He told of over running a German position when he was really new to battle. I German was dodging through the woods trying to escape while the Soviet was shooting at him with a PPSH. (and missing) He said at the last possible moment he dropped the PPSH and grabbed his Nagant for what he describes as a 100 Meter kill. He said that it gave him a lot of faith in his weapon. (I am betting someone else popped the German. ;) )

The book is really a good read, and is available on Kindle if anyone is interested. It is really surprising to read what really went on in the punishment units.

[tjtM38]

This is an interesting story in the first couple of paragraphs. Don't know the source, but it is at least believable. At best, the Nagant was an up close and personal weapon for shooting the foe when there was nothing left. Can't imagine a 100 meter shot with the little wheel gun.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/nagant_revolver.htm

Edit: I guess it was also suitable for shooting traitors to the Motherland in the back of the head or as they were running away to surrender to the enemy.

[etprescottazusa91]

Somebody out there has one for sale and it's not $400.00

[steelbuttplate]

I have to agree with JYD on his assessment. $400.00 is a lot for a underpowered curiosity.

How many are there here ? If there were only 200,000 91/30's ever imported, what would be the price on them ?

[AMCHornet]

Some of the original military loads for 7.62x38r are no joke. The two main variants were 108 grain at 1000 feet per second and 85 grain (literally a 7.62x25 Tokarev bullet) at 1200 feet per second. That's only 200 feet per second less than the same bullet from a Tokarev pistol.

The modern commercial loads are very weak. We're talking 98 grain at 700 feet per second.

I've owned two and the accuracy always impressed me. I had no trouble popping apples at ten or fifteen yards.

But honestly, for purposes other than the historical, the power or accuracy of these guns is irrelevant from a collector's standpoint. You buy one because you think it is neat, you like it, and you maybe enjoy shooting it. Very few people intend to ever kill something with a Nagant.

[neal45]

Nagants were designed for smokeless powder but shortages of powder in WW1 led to many using black powder because it was available.

I found that I could get amazing results and power.

I did some testing with BP a few years ago, using cast lead 102g bullets. I was able to get 1250 fps using a full case of FFFg powder and magnum rifle primers. Regular primers gave very low velocities (200 - 300 fps) and mag pistol primers gave velocities of 300 - 1200 fps on a seven shot string. Magnum rifle primers were much more consistent, from 1237 to 1256 with an average of 1249.

[steelbuttplate]

Rifle primers are the way to go.

[etprescottazusa91]

I have to agree with JYD on his assessment. $400.00 is a lot for a underpowered curiosity.

How many are there here ? If there were only 200,000 91/30's ever imported, what would be the price on them ?

Think about this, only 200,000 Springfield Krag rifles produced over seven years period, with half probably being sporterized

[steelbuttplate]

I have to agree with JYD on his assessment. $400.00 is a lot for a underpowered curiosity.

How many are there here ? If there were only 200,000 91/30's ever imported, what would be the price on them ?

Think about this, only 200,000 Springfield Krag rifles produced over seven years period, with half probably being sporterized

Around 40 of those listed on GB, most around a thousand, 3 for $550 each. I'm gonna sell my Nagant scout sniper someday for as much wampum as I can. $995 sounds good.

[SA1911a1]

I could never shoot a Nagant straight because by the time I can get the trigger to break my hand is shaking from the strain. Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson have spoiled me rotten.

I have had the 1915 non-refurbished on consignment for about four months at $500.00 with no takers. I think I am going to go to Ga. and take back possession of it next week. It may as well sit on my shelf as his.

[richboise]

Bought two from SOG years ago when they were less than $99.00 each. Have a '42 Tula and a '44 Izhevsk.
Lucky if I get to shoot a cylinders worth of ammo each once a year.