The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

I'm not sure what "big 5" is, so I'll just recommend any source where you can obtain "Russian light ball (147GR) surplus." It comes in a spam can holding 440 rounds. It is copper-washed steel case and I get mine from AIM Surplus. The cost and shipping vary, but expect to pay betw...

If you are going to shoot the gun, make sure you get all the cosmoline out of the chamber/barrel. Otherwise, it may cause "sticky bolt" issues. I had to thouroughly clean the chambers of both my M91/30s and switch to copper washed steel case ammo to keep the action operating freely. Avoid ...

I found this internet source which is an interesting read about Russian vs. German weapons on the Eastern Front:

http://www.theredsoldier.com/snow-steel-weapons.html

I've often wondered how the Mauser 98K fared against it's Russian Mosin Nagant counterpart during the dead of Russian winter. I'm guessing the Russians and there guns were much more prepared for cold weather combat.

I'm no expert on all those markings, but there are a lot of resources online to find out. Looks like you have a typical, nice Izhevsk arsenal refurb M91/30. Clean her up good and enjoy the big bangs.

I have a 1940 Tula M91/30 refurb that has the same shiny crown. My Izhevsk does not have the shiny crown. Maybe the arsenals did their refurbs a little different; who knows. My Tula seems to have slightly better fit and nicer stock finish. Make sure you get all the cosmoline out of the chamber and b...

I bought a M38 that had some neglect and had to get some surface rust off the bolt. I used a soft brass brush and some Kroil oil. The stuff came right off. Make sure use use the Kroil oil with the bolt removed. The "creeping oil" will destroy your shellac finish. I've heard a few MN owners...

My picture is not great, but yes, it is a M38 stock and has a nice finish. The rifle is counterbored (so is my M44), but I think that is pretty common.

The great thing about these guns, especially the arsenal refurbs, is that they are inexpensive (for now) guns and fun to shoot. Since so many coming into this country were arsenal refurbs and so many were made in the first place, they may never have great collector value. If you can prove that one i...

I have been searching for WWI vintage M91s at gun shows and on gunbroker. I'm not a gun dealer and don't have a curio and relic license, but I have a good local dealer that has worked with me to acquire a couple of nice Mosin Nagant arsenal refurbs. In my brief time with these guns, I have noted tha...