50's surplus ammo

[Guest Revelator]

AIM has 880 round crates of 7.62 Mosin for a good price and free shipping. Was thinking of getting one. It's from the 1950's and is Polish, and of course it comes in the spam can. I know that sealed ammo lasts a long time, but will this be good stuff? I've got ammo from as far back as the 70's but nothing that was around the same time as Buddy Holly. Thoughts, experiences?

[Garufa]

Looks like AIM has 600 round cases on clips with free shipping. A little high, but the chargers are worth at least $1 apeice. The only reason I don't like it is because the cases are lacquered.

Have never shot the Polish ammo and was excited when they first listed some time ago. Apparently the reputation of that ammo is not all that great but it does go bang every time, from what I've seen on the www.

Don't worry about the age, I've shot plenty of '40's, '50's and '60's ammo.

[Guest Revelator]

Never mind it's now SOLD OUT. Jeez Louise I just got the email about it three hours ago!

Maybe I'll just stick with the Russian and Bulgarian made in the '80's. Heck that's brand freakin' new.

Edited April 30, 2010 by P. Stegall

[Mike.357]

I dunno about the chargers either. For range use it is easier on my thumb to just load them one at a time.

[Guest Revelator]

I just bought a bunch of Mosin chargers and on a whim I decided to try loading them on my Swiss K31. I'm not real good with clips yet but it seems to work, but I am fumbling with it some. I guess that's not what they're meant for. Plus the K31 holds one more round than the Nagant. I'll probably just break down and buy some Swiss chargers.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Hmm saw some of this Polish stuff at the last Goodman show. Very Green. Felt lighter than the other 7.62x54r - I almost bought some for the clips... Typically, shooting 50-60 year surplus should be fine, as long as it was stored properly. If stored properly, I believe 100 year old ammo would shoot fine, too.

Where you get the clips/chargers?

[Guest Revelator]

On amazon through a place called Global Sportsman. They had good reviews and were about a buck fifty each. I don't know from clips. I'm new at this. I've now got a bunch a chargers and a crate of 7.62x54, but I haven't actually bought a Mosin yet. I'm going to apply for the C&R.

I lied to my wife and told her the crate of ammo was for one of my other guns. I don't know how I'm going to hide a Mosin Nagant when it shows up at my door.

[TripleDigitRide]

On amazon through a place called Global Sportsman. They had good reviews and were about a buck fifty each. I don't know from clips. I'm new at this. I've now got a bunch a chargers and a crate of 7.62x54, but I haven't actually bought a Mosin yet. I'm going to apply for the C&R.

I lied to my wife and told her the crate of ammo was for one of my other guns. I don't know how I'm going to hide a Mosin Nagant when it shows up at my door.

You're a lawyer, so I'm sure you'll manage to muster up some kind of BS story.

I was just kidding. Really. I couldn't resist.

[Oh Shoot]

... a Mosin Nagant when it shows up at my door.

Imagine how Berliners felt when Mosins showed up at their doors in 1945!

- OS

[Guest 70below]

I had some of the newer steel clips and they didn't work worth a crap, they were too flimsy in my opinion. I've heard the true mil-surp ones work much better.

[Garufa]

OK, I revisted AIM this morning, did a little Googlin' and maybe the reports of the Polish 50's stuff aren't all that bad. Looks to be about average ammo.

I don't like the idea of lacquered cases (good way to get sticky-bolt) but that didn't keep me from ordering the 880 case, which is in stock BTW.

I have no restraint. How can you pass up free shipping and 18 cents/round?

My experience with Mosin chargers is that they all suck and appear to be a good way to slice your thumb open.

[TripleDigitRide]

Can the lacquer be removed with lacquer remover?

[Guest jackdm3]

I lied to my wife and told her the crate of ammo was for one of my other guns. I don't know how I'm going to hide a Mosin Nagant when it shows up at my door.

When it arrives, you tell her not to touch the package, as it's case evidence and was sent to your residence for further review, and as cases go on and on for months or years, you're responsible to protect integrity of the weapon until a verdict has been reached. Yes?

[Garufa]

Can the lacquer be removed with lacquer remover?

Good old Hoppe's should dissolve it if too much builds up. The lacquer only seems to be a problem if you go out for a session of power-shootin', chamber warms up, and the stuff starts melting.

Have never shot this stuff so I'm assuming the above holds true as is does with other kinds of lacquered ammo.

[Guest Revelator]

Hmmm...I don't think she'll buy that, Jack. I do see that the 880 count crates are back in stock at AIM. Last night it said Sold Out. So here I am about to buy another almost thousand rounds and remember I still don't even have a Mosin. But for various reasons I think it is prudent to buy things like this now rather than wait. I'm do believe I'm gonna have to keep it in my office (that's where I have all my ammo delivered). If I bring home another one of these the old lady's gonna hit the ceiling.

[peejman]

You're a lawyer, so I'm sure you'll manage to muster up some kind of BS story.

I was just kidding. Really. I couldn't resist.

[ttocswob]

I bought a 300 round can on clips - good stuff for the $, IMO

And that was before the free shipping case deal...

Bought mainly for the clips - 60 of 'em - which turned out not too loose, not too tight, just right.

(got clips from CTD once - too high at $14.95/10, too tight, unusable )

Something a little odd about opening a tin can that was sealed 4 years before I was born, though.

Edited April 30, 2010 by ttocswob
more info

[Garufa]

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[Jasongar8]

But for various reasons I think it is prudent to buy things like this now rather than wait.

This is the best way to think. If it is a good deal and you think you might ever own a gun in that caliber buy it. And if you already have a gun in the cailber buy as much as you can afford. I remember when South African .308 was $150 per 1250 rounds. I only bought a little bit. And now it is over $600 a case. Same with some Greek .30-06.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Mr. Stegall, Esquire, Sir. BE careful buying a Mosin Nagant. They are addictive. Bought 2 in 2 weeks (1897 receiver Finn M39 and a 1943 Izzy 91/30 full matching) and want more. Last I counted, there seems to be a bunch of different versions, all interesting. AND they are AFFORDABLE.

So, fair warning! The ammo will beg to be shot... and then you will have Mosinitis...

[Mike.357]

I don't know how I'm going to hide a Mosin Nagant when it shows up at my door.

A 91/30 is not going to cost but a little over 100 bucks to your door.

Is your wife going to give your crap over 100 bucks?

[Guest Revelator]

A little bit. Not too much. I know what you're saying; not exactly an AR we're talking here. It's just that we really watch our spending and she knows how many guns I have. I think I told her a few weeks back, before I got the idea to get a C&R, that I wouldn't be buying any more guns this year. Shyeah! But if I said it, even if I don't remember it she sure will.

[Guest 70below]

I think you should just skip all that Mosin nonsense and go straight for a PSL

[Garufa]

I think you should just skip all that Mosin nonsense and go straight for a PSL

Then he'd buy up all the ammo and there'd be havoc in the house.

[Mike.357]

A little bit. Not too much. I know what you're saying; not exactly an AR we're talking here. It's just that we really watch our spending and she knows how many guns I have. I think I told her a few weeks back, before I got the idea to get a C&R, that I wouldn't be buying any more guns this year. Shyeah! But if I said it, even if I don't remember it she sure will.

I follow you, but this one will not count since it will be to test out your C&R. And deny deny deny that you ever said no more guns this year.