How to buy a mosin nagant

[ironsniper1]

Edited October 22, 2014 by luke9511

[No_0ne]

First, thanks for posting this, I'm sure it has some valuable information for novice buyers of Mosin rifles. Having said that, I would offer a couple of observations of the author's assertions:

1. Buying a rifle with a good bore is typically a good idea, but doesn't always indicate how good it shoots.  There are plenty of these old rifles with less than good bores that are excellent shooters, and not all mirror bores shoot well, ammo selection probably has more to do with accuracy than bore condition.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with counterbored rifles, most of them shoot considerably better than the non-counterbored rifles, as crown problems are eliminated, and the armorers often selected rifles for counterboring from those with the best bores.

2. Looking for matching numbers is a complete waste of time unless you are very knowledgeable about these guns.  Upon refurbing the rifles, parts were mixed and matched without regards to "matching" parts from the rifles they tore down, part of the refurbishing process was to grind old numbers off and stamp, or electropencil "matching" numbers on.  Collectors can almost always spot minor differences between the fonts of the stamps, few non-collectors can.  Virtually 100% of the rifles being sold today do not have matching numbers, regardless of the claims of the sellers.

3. Hex receivers are no better, stronger, accurate or reliable than round receivers.  The change was made circa 1935-36 to make manufacturing cheaper and easier.  Wartime barrels and receivers often have rough tool marks on the exterior, this makes no difference in the function of the rifle.

4. Headspace is essentially never an issue, these rifles were built to military standards with huge tolerances.  There's nothing wrong with checking headspace, but most collectors and shooters who have a lot of experience with these report that they have never seen one with headspace problems.

5. Laminated stocks, markings, accessories, etc. have no bearing on function, if it's a shooter you want don't pay extra for any of that.  If you find an imperial era dragoon rifle in original condition though, pm me at once!

Edited October 23, 2014 by No_0ne