Mosin Nagant dry firing

[tercel89]

My son has become an A/B student and is about to graduate high school and has been accepted to college and will study to be a history teacher so I am a proud daddy ! So I have given him a few presents and one is a Mosin Nagant M44 . He always liked their ruggedness and simple design . I am asking you guys if dry firing is ok for the Mosins ? I have dry fired a few of mine only to "decock" them . But will it affect or hurt the firing pins or chamber ? His is still covered in cosmoline and well preserved. He will have a time cleaning it LOL .

 Any information is appreciated !

[Garufa]

It's not going to hurt anything.

Edited January 27, 2016 by Garufa

[tartanphantom]

I own several Mosins, and I've never heard of any short-term issues with dry-firing. As you say, they are pretty rugged and, while not totally indestructible, they were designed to take lots and lots of abuse. 

 

The biggest issue I can see with continued repeated dry-firing is the potential to cause issues with firing pin over-penetration due to a weakened or damaged pin spring or mis-calibrated firing pin shaft (the screw adjustment at very the rear of the bolt), and possible headspace issues if the bolt is worn or mis-matched to the firearm. Headspace can be checked or monitored with headspace gauges, and the firing pin penetration depth can be easily checked as go/no go with the standard Mosin multi-tool. Granted, the issues I mention are pretty rare with most arsenal-refurbished examples, but if the serial number on the bolt doesn't match the number on the barrel, it's not a bad idea to check the headspace just to be on the safe side.

 

Of course, the phrase "continued repeated dry-firing" is somewhat subjective, occasional dry-fire sighting practice and dry-firing during the cleaning/ ops-check procedure shouldn't be an issue at all.

 

As far as cleaning the cosmoline, it's a great father/son project-- I did the same with my son when I gave him a Mosin for Christmas when he was 21. He truly learned to appreciate the benefits of a thorough cleaning job, and in turn it fostered in him a sense of responsibility and diligence in terms of general firearms maintenance.

Edited January 27, 2016 by tartanphantom

[Pete123]

I see no problem whatever with dry firing the Mosin.  The firing pin is a big piece of steel.

 

The previous poster mentioned that head space issues could develop.  A mosin headspace guage is inexpensive and easy to use. 

 

Here's a link:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mosin-Nagant-action-rifle-cleaning/dp/B001FKUL4E  kit, $8.20, includes headspace gauge.

 

I would dry fire any of mine as much as I wanted.  My understanding is that the risk, which is small, is that the firing pin could break, though Mosin firing pins don't cost much.

[gregintenn]

Shouldn't hut a thing, but if you're concerned, get a snap cap.

 

       

http://www.amazon.com/A-Zoom-Snap-Caps-7-62x54-Russian/dp/B002L9GB56

[BigK]

I deprimed a cartridge and shoved a piece of leather down into the primer pocket, because I'm way too cheap to pay for a snap cap, LOL.

[dcloudy777]

I'm pretty sure you can't break an M1891 without power tools.

[Pete123]

I deprimed a cartridge and shoved a piece of leather down into the primer pocket, because I'm way too cheap to pay for a snap cap, LOL.

 

I appreciate your cheapness as I'm the same way.   ^_^

[tercel89]

Cool and thanks guys. He isn't going to constantly dry fire it like you would with a Glock practicing and all but I figure I'd ask just to make sure. Since it will be new to him and he will probably be excited I figure he will dry fire it a few times . I'm gonna let him get the cosmoline off the way I usually do by using kerosene and scrubbing it with a toothbrush.

[Pete123]

I'm a fan of mineral spirits for cosomoline removal.  Less 0ffensive odor.  I think it is also less flammable

[gregintenn]

Cool and thanks guys. He isn't going to constantly dry fire it like you would with a Glock practicing and all but I figure I'd ask just to make sure. Since it will be new to him and he will probably be excited I figure he will dry fire it a few times . I'm gonna let him get the cosmoline off the way I usually do by using kerosene and scrubbing it with a toothbrush.

It hasn't hurt either of mine. They are the proverbial anvil of the bolt action rifle world.

[bucnball]

So , can you tell me a simple way to de-prime a Berdan primed case that doesn't require too many tools I do't have ? Thanks !

[MP5_Rizzo]

So , can you tell me a simple way to de-prime a Berdan primed case that doesn't require too many tools I do't have ? Thanks !

 

RCBS makes A berdan decapping tool.  http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Accessories/Berdan-Decapping-Tool.aspx

 

I've done it placing the case in a vise with some leather around the case and a small center punch.  Another way is hydraulics.  Using a wood dowel, does not have to be an exact fit but close to filling the mouth of the case.  Fill the case with water and rest the case on a washer that with a hole that's just slightly larger than the primmer.  give the dowel a good smack with a persuasion tool.  The primmer will pop out and you may receive a little splatter of water.  This method is not recommended for large quantities but it works.