The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

After i spent a few days thoroughly cleaning my nugget and tonight cleaning the barrel again im gunna take it out tomorrow. Little hesitant to shoot it, because i never fired one before but i have 40 rounds ready to go. Anything i should know before hand? I hope the bolt doesnt become an issue, because i seen youtube videos and after a little use it seemed to get a little sticky.

Im using surplus ammo so ill make sure to clean the barrel with some windex or hot water to remove the salt residue.

Sticky bolt is usualy caused by not cleaning the chamber thoroughly. Check the chamber really good with good light and make sure all the dried crap is out of there and you should not have an issue. Did you clean the bolt good too?

Good luck. My first time shooting a MN I tapped out after 20 rounds. Shoulder was sore as can be. But, I've got used to it and aren't nearly as sore when I come home from the range, unless I take my M44 - that thing kicks a little harder than the M91/30. Aim low!

Don't worry. They're built like tanks. You'll have fun.

There are slip on recoil pads but honestly, a short towel over the shoulder works fine. Just make sure that the butt has solid contact with your shoulder, otherwise...you will really be sore.

Glad you started this post, my first is on the way and I'm pacing around like expecting dad! Please post your experience for us!

Welcome to the forum and congrats to your gun.
Please give us pics, of gun and targets shot at.
Remember, shooting from a bench or whatever stance, DO NOT HAVE the gun in a 90 degree angle to your shoulder. Try to shorten that angle as far as you can to 60 degrees or less and pull the gun in tightly into the meaty part left of your arm/shoulder link=Joint....never on the top of your arm/shoulder joint.......y'll have 3 shots and be done, if you do that.
Good Luck and tnx for a report!

finloq wrote: Just make sure that the butt has solid contact with your shoulder, otherwise...you will really be sore.

That is the main secret to never suffering any pain or damage the day after and during the shooting. Many people fail to do that and hurt themselves. The Mosin is a high powered rifle and that should be remembered. Good Luck and enjoy yourself! Bill

My son got me into this. He says to be authentic you need a thick heavy Russian trench coat. That's how the Russians survived

Have fun with it!

BrianTSmith99 wrote:My son got me into this. He says to be authentic you need a thick heavy Russian trench coat. That's how the Russians survived

Have fun with it!

Layers will help greatly, but...it's 95 here.

Shooting the 91/30 will kick but nothing like the M38 or M44 Carbines. I do use the slip on recoil pad with them.
Don't forget your eye and ear protection. Hold on tight and just have fun. Send a range report and some pictures.
Good luck.

You will not be able to see the dried layer of old crud that could be stuck to the chamber walls, if it's there you will know it when five or six rounds into the shooting once the chamber heats up the bolt will start to stick when you eject a case. If this happens you will have to take more steps to clean the chamber. 20 gauge bore brush wrapped with OOOO size steel wool mounted on a section of shotgun cleaning rod and chucked into a drill. Soak the wool with JB bore paste or hoppes 9, drill the brush into the chamber for a minute clean it and test fire the rifle, repeat if necessary. Do not allow the drill to touch the rifling, only the chamber.

I've shot plenty of high powered rifles before (30-06, .308, .300, etc). The kick is like a shotgun with a 00 buck load, not bad. Shot 10 rounds off (was hot as hell and bugs were eatin us alive) and only landed 3. But i wasnt being a marksman with it...just getting a feel for it. And i found out the bolt is a bit sticky, so like i was going to, tear it down and clean it again.

Rifle was a good shooter though, just need to go when its a little cooler. When i got home i did a quick clean of the barrel n reciver with some windex then hoppes 9 then some gun oil till i get to break it down tomorrow.

Get a slip on rubber slip on buffer or pad. It will make the shooing a lot more fun. And for God's sake, wear ear protection! I mistakenly shot mine ONCE with out the ears on and I still have a ringing in my ears.

I have found some of the people I introduce weapons to cry like little girls about the "kick" from the 12 gauge firing oo buck, and they hated the mean ol' US M1903, but fought to get to shoot the Mosin M91/59 and 91/30's. This was much to my surprise, I had figured a .22 would be all they could manage being pistol shooters almost exclusively.

I have been staying away from the range lately because all the hunters are sighting in their rifles for the soon to be here season. Heat should break this weekend they are saying! I sure hope so! Glad you at least got to function test it! Bill

optikalillushun wrote:I've shot plenty of high powered rifles before (30-06, .308, .300, etc). The kick is like a shotgun with a 00 buck load, not bad. Shot 10 rounds off (was hot as hell and bugs were eatin us alive) and only landed 3. But i wasnt being a marksman with it...just getting a feel for it. And i found out the bolt is a bit sticky, so like i was going to, tear it down and clean it again.

Rifle was a good shooter though, just need to go when its a little cooler. When i got home i did a quick clean of the barrel n reciver with some windex then hoppes 9 then some gun oil till i get to break it down tomorrow.

What Junkyarddog recommended is the best way and you may need to do it a few times . My first Mosin Nagant 91/30 took a few chamber and locking lug area cleanings before it smoothed out. If you don't have a drill to spin the cleaning rod with you can do what I did because my drill was lent out to a friend at the time is take a paint stick and tape it to the cleaning rod just below the handle and spin it by hand. Takes a little longer but works. Also if you have problems still closing bolt check the extractor for burrs or sharp edges that will dig into brass or steel cartridge. I did that to a couple of mine and it made world of difference. Most of all WELCOME! Enjoy your 91/30 and be safe.

optikalillushun wrote:I've shot plenty of high powered rifles before (30-06, .308, .300, etc). The kick is like a shotgun with a 00 buck load, not bad. Shot 10 rounds off (was hot as hell and bugs were eatin us alive) and only landed 3. But i wasnt being a marksman with it...just getting a feel for it. And i found out the bolt is a bit sticky, so like i was going to, tear it down and clean it again.

Rifle was a good shooter though, just need to go when its a little cooler. When i got home i did a quick clean of the barrel n reciver with some windex then hoppes 9 then some gun oil till i get to break it down tomorrow.

http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... f=5&t=6932

Always clean your weapon after shooting.

I stopped off at the Walmart and got the rubber shoulder slip on pad that best fits for my wife to use with her first time out. I was glad I did . I know use it too if I'm shooting more than a dozen or two. The rubber grips my shirt and gives me a more solid feeling. I don't need it as often in cold weather but it helps a lot with a t-shirt. I think they still only cost about $25.00 at Walmart. Other companies make more permanent and solid models but more expensive and not as easy to install.I bought two different sizes for changing to other guns.Good luck,let us know how you did. JGC