The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

What’s the group consensus regarding Swiss Vetterli centerfire conversions? Necessary evil or taboo?

Keep the original bolt if it matches, and then buy a replacement and have it converted. This is based on replacement bolts being available. I always weigh these things against the thought that once it is altered its altered. The unmolested one went up in value a bit.

I have six unmolested 69/71's, I also have several Bannerman, or other altered rifles that could give up bolts if I wanted to shoot the Vetterlis. There are so many of these that got chopped up by Bubba that bolts shouldn't be hard to find.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Unfortunately I have already tried 2 other complete bolts, and neither one or a compilation of parts of all 3 bolts would work with my rifle. It’s an older 69/71 model and from what I have read, parts interchangeability was slim.

JYD- you are correct, thousands of them were bubba’d so bolts aren’t the hardest thing to find, they are just very expensive. Most hitting the $2-300 range for complete examples. I just can’t bring myself to shell out that much scratch for something that more than likely won’t work.

But at any rate, I was just curious on what the general feeling was towards the issue. I hate to not fire this rifle but at the end of the day it will make a very handsome wall hanger.