The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Hello, I own two M39s. One shoots better than the other. The less accurate one has the prettier stock. Both are 1943, 1944 Sakos and identical otherwise. Is there a real or perceived loss of value or integrity by swapping stocks? My gut says changing anything on a somewhat historical rifle is bad. But my brain says that who knows if it's been already mixed and matched on stocks or minor parts to begin with, and to do what I want. Any thoughts as I'm debating this. Thank you.

Its called humping stocks. You can do what you want with your rifle, but it would be a deal breaker for me if you wanted to sell me one.

In addition, stock fitment has a great deal to do with accuracy. There is no guarantee that they would shoot as before when the stocks are humped.

Austin26:

I agree with Millman on this one. The Finnish did all stock work at their arsenals and would insert shims and such into the stocks of each rifle until they passed their ridged criteria for accuracy before sending them out to the field. More likely than not, you will wreck the accuracy of your better shooting M39.

That's interesting and I'm disappointed that I didn't realize that it could alter accuracy. This is why I am glad for y'all's help. Thank you. It shall remain as it is.

On a side note, would shooting a 91/30 with a bayonet attached potentially help with its accuracy? I know some have said they were meant to be fired with bayonets attached but I've also heard it was only for the side folding one, I think M44. I thought about corking and playing with it but thought about starting with a bayonet if it may do any good. Thank you in advance.

Austin26 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:26 pm
On a side note, would shooting a 91/30 with a bayonet attached potentially help with its accuracy? I know some have said they were meant to be fired with bayonets attached but I've also heard it was only for the side folding one, I think M44. I thought about corking and playing with it but thought about starting with a bayonet if it may do any good. Thank you in advance.

When 91/30's and M44's were zeroed at the factory it was done with the bayonet attached or extended in the M44's case. Shooting it without the bayonet alters the point of impact. This assumes of course that the sights on your rifles haven't been adjusted since the last time the Soviets zeroed them. Those Mosin's I use as shooters have had the sights re-zeroed for use without the bayonets. The bayonet in and of itself doesn't help or hurt accuracy but you can only zero it with the bayonet or without, not both.

It's also dangerous to be maneuvering around a range with a deployed bayonet. The 91/30 bayonet is intended to be a tight fit on the rifle, and it was supposed to be kept on the rifle as no scabbards were issued for them. This is why the Soviets zeroed the rifles with bayonet deployed, we don't have to do that today as tools do exist to aid in adjusting the front sight.

Victory Arms website might be worth a view. They list an accurizing kit in the Mosin Nagant section. I have not personally used this item myself and you could probably make shims yourself with some tin snips and an empty beverage can, but it wouldn't hurt to look at the kit and investigate for yourself.

As a side note, have you experimented with different ammunition? If you find your prettier rifle prefers and shoots better with a different brand or bullet weight, that would be a whole lot simpler than rebedding a barrel.

I won't be zeroing with the bayonet in that case.

I have experimented with different ammo and they all like, unremarkably, the S&B match the best. But you are correct that playing with it before giving up on the prettier M39 would be a good idea. It doesn't shoot poorly, just the other shoots better despite a poor trigger.

As far as the 91/30 and accurizing, I have that kit or perhaps a different brand but is essentially ways to cork and bed the barrel. I haven't yet started playing with it yet as I have taken on too many projects at once lately.