I thought they made millions upon millions of these from nearly every commie country you could name? Are they more expensive now because of import restrictions, or are they just getting rare globally?
I don't know about globally, but most of the Russian 91/30s and M44s that came to this country were bought up by collectors and shooters (including me). I bought mine when they were $100, but even that was missing the boat -- the first crated Mosins I ever saw were selling for $69, and I kicked myself for not having bought my $100 guns earlier!
The 91/30 is seriously underrated for power and accuracy, probably because they were once considered "cheap Russian junk." I never use the bayonet on mine; 91/30s are long enough as it is. Yeah, I know they were originally sighted in with the bayonet in place, but that's why the front sight is adjustable for windage. It's a simple operation.
If you want a Mosin badly enough, get a Finnish M39 Mosin. They've got beautiful stocks and they can actually hit the broad side of a barn as well. All of their M39s are built with an m91 receiver, and using Finnish-made barrels - the whole gun was essentially rebuilt to be accurate. The Fins built their own stocks out of their arboreal artic birch with an improved profile, and they have different sling mounting method which looks cooler and functions better.
I have a Fin M39 built by Valmet from a Tula receiver, and I have a 91/30 Izhmash, and I'd take the Fin model any day of the week.
I primarily wanted the Mosin because they were dirt cheap, though Ive heard them called garbage rods lol. I’ve also heard great things about Finnish Mosins and I know that Simo Hayha used one to great effect as well. Not sure how much any of these rifles go for nowadays, but I think if I get a bolt gun I’d get a Mauser Karabiner 98k or a Lee-Enfield first. First ww2-era rifle I hope to get though is a Garand, always wanted one as a kid playing Medal of Honor games
The Lee-Enfields and the 98ks are some of the most complex rifles to get into as a collector. There are like 2,000 revisions and updates made to the Lee-Enfield over its service life, and so getting the one you want - or even knowing what you've got - can be rough. I've been tempted by a few but you need several books to really nail down what you're looking at, and that's just too intimidating for me.
The 98k are slightly less rough but with the downside of being significantly more expensive, so making a purchasing mistake can really hurt. Similar to people who buy m1 paratroopers only to later discover that it's a reproduction/faked stock on a m1 carbine receiver.
M1 Garands aren't as bad but there's still a ton to know about them, depending on what you're after with it. Sadly a lot of them got fucked overre-worked by CMP with new barrels and finish, but those are fine if you just want a shooter-grade model.
I personally am a fan of the Model of 1917. Same rifle that Sargent York was issued and used, and the receiver on it is as strong as anything. You can shoot any kind of .30-06 load that you want out of it, unlike the 1903 and m1 Garand, and the weight of the rifle makes recoil management easy. I prefer it a lot vs the 1903 or 8mm out of a 98k. And there's not a ton to know about them in terms of collecting - almost alll the parts are stamped with 1 of 3 manufacturers, so getting one that has most of the same stuff isn't too hard.
Late response, but I appreciate the reply and info you provided. I'd like to collect these rifles someday when I have the funds, however I'm more interested in just having something to shoot honestly. I do appreciate the historical value of these weapons, but as long as it looks close to what was used during that era (and isn't complete garbage) I'd be happy with it. I wish there were no import restrictions, that'd give us more options and availability.
I remember the 1917 rifle being used by Danish dog sled patrols for their reliability in the arctic, pretty cool!
Rick Scott raised the age limit to 21 back in 2018 so I had to wait a while until I was old enough. Total unnecessary infringement. We were just born during the wrong time.
Wish I was old enough to buy one when these were $100 😢
I thought they made millions upon millions of these from nearly every commie country you could name? Are they more expensive now because of import restrictions, or are they just getting rare globally?
I don't know about globally, but most of the Russian 91/30s and M44s that came to this country were bought up by collectors and shooters (including me). I bought mine when they were $100, but even that was missing the boat -- the first crated Mosins I ever saw were selling for $69, and I kicked myself for not having bought my $100 guns earlier!
The 91/30 is seriously underrated for power and accuracy, probably because they were once considered "cheap Russian junk." I never use the bayonet on mine; 91/30s are long enough as it is. Yeah, I know they were originally sighted in with the bayonet in place, but that's why the front sight is adjustable for windage. It's a simple operation.
If you want a Mosin badly enough, get a Finnish M39 Mosin. They've got beautiful stocks and they can actually hit the broad side of a barn as well. All of their M39s are built with an m91 receiver, and using Finnish-made barrels - the whole gun was essentially rebuilt to be accurate. The Fins built their own stocks out of their arboreal artic birch with an improved profile, and they have different sling mounting method which looks cooler and functions better.
I have a Fin M39 built by Valmet from a Tula receiver, and I have a 91/30 Izhmash, and I'd take the Fin model any day of the week.
I primarily wanted the Mosin because they were dirt cheap, though Ive heard them called garbage rods lol. I’ve also heard great things about Finnish Mosins and I know that Simo Hayha used one to great effect as well. Not sure how much any of these rifles go for nowadays, but I think if I get a bolt gun I’d get a Mauser Karabiner 98k or a Lee-Enfield first. First ww2-era rifle I hope to get though is a Garand, always wanted one as a kid playing Medal of Honor games
The Lee-Enfields and the 98ks are some of the most complex rifles to get into as a collector. There are like 2,000 revisions and updates made to the Lee-Enfield over its service life, and so getting the one you want - or even knowing what you've got - can be rough. I've been tempted by a few but you need several books to really nail down what you're looking at, and that's just too intimidating for me.
The 98k are slightly less rough but with the downside of being significantly more expensive, so making a purchasing mistake can really hurt. Similar to people who buy m1 paratroopers only to later discover that it's a reproduction/faked stock on a m1 carbine receiver.
M1 Garands aren't as bad but there's still a ton to know about them, depending on what you're after with it. Sadly a lot of them got
fucked overre-worked by CMP with new barrels and finish, but those are fine if you just want a shooter-grade model.I personally am a fan of the Model of 1917. Same rifle that Sargent York was issued and used, and the receiver on it is as strong as anything. You can shoot any kind of .30-06 load that you want out of it, unlike the 1903 and m1 Garand, and the weight of the rifle makes recoil management easy. I prefer it a lot vs the 1903 or 8mm out of a 98k. And there's not a ton to know about them in terms of collecting - almost alll the parts are stamped with 1 of 3 manufacturers, so getting one that has most of the same stuff isn't too hard.
Late response, but I appreciate the reply and info you provided. I'd like to collect these rifles someday when I have the funds, however I'm more interested in just having something to shoot honestly. I do appreciate the historical value of these weapons, but as long as it looks close to what was used during that era (and isn't complete garbage) I'd be happy with it. I wish there were no import restrictions, that'd give us more options and availability.
I remember the 1917 rifle being used by Danish dog sled patrols for their reliability in the arctic, pretty cool!
I miss those days when it was an every week sale on Mosins down at the Big 5
$50
As do I, Pede. I only got into guns when I turned 20 and I'm 24 now.
Rick Scott raised the age limit to 21 back in 2018 so I had to wait a while until I was old enough. Total unnecessary infringement. We were just born during the wrong time.