The original story is these were arsenal-stored 1891/30s that were converted by Ighevsk factory to M1938 length to be issued to police and civilian organizations usage, also to free up the arsenal storage for SKS carbines that were coming into storage at that time. It was indeed not intended for any military purpose. Would not be surprising if they were also sent to satellite states. Funny story is that we had Mosins in the school (soviet schools had guns and gun range in the basement sometimes), and these were most likely the models. I remember there was no bayonet on it.
+RuBear USA Чего только не выдумают. В 1959г. винтовки со сладов укоротили для охраны гражданских организаций, в итоге 1891/59. КГБ делать не хер, как старые винтовки на вооружение брать :) Когда я учился, Мосинок уже не было.
MortifiedDumplin That used the be the case before 1990s - we had civil defense as part of school education, tactics, firearm shooting and grenade throwing. They removed all of those classes in early 90s so younger generations don't have that knowledge.
+MortifiedDumplin It's not completely that way + things are a bit different now. Even back in the days it was more like "just give them the basics in case of ground war". Teenagers were taught to shoot rifles (mosins, SKS, I think some had deactivated AKs) also, sometimes, through grenades and use gasmasks+ basic physical training, so it was basically an enhanced PT lesson. Apart from this if you wanted a gun for personal use ("hunting")- you had to get a license and register it. And the number of gun owners today compared to Soviet times increased (though the number of ppl who know at least the basics decreased, cause there are no Civil defence lessons mentioned above now)
OTOH, in US the kids used to bring their own guns to school for shooting practice. If this happened today it would be alike a national disaster (pun intended).
Great video. I love the Mosin and have had many over the years. The 91/59 has always been my favorite due to accuracy and quality. No one I've ever talked to knew much about them. This is the most interesting information i've heard of about the 59. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it and your interest in it as well. Thanks
I never cared much about the carbine versions before, but actually seeing one makes me want one now. That one in particular does have a nice look to it.
Most WW2 standard rifles were bolt-action carbines! The Germans conquered Europe with these rifles and the Japanese used two types of full length rifles, not carbines, to conquer Asia. Do not lose sight of this fact.
I'm from the UK and really enjoy your videos. Educational and fun what's not to like! If I ever find myself in Georgia I will have to pop in and say hello. After seeing the 3 guns video I am quite jealous that we don't have the options you guys have for sporting competition over here it would make a very satisfying hobby.
This has nothing to do with KGB. it's a version made by Izhevsk in 1959 for security guard services and sport organisations. By that time this rifle was out of government service.
+GratefulSledHead He didn't ban the import of mosins they are just running out. The price on each unit is based on Russia charges. They charge as much as we are willing to pay.
+GratefulSledHead I used to think the same until I looked it up for myself. What he banned was the import of Saiga and Kalashnikov products, as well as 5.45 ammunition. The law didnt explicitly ban Mosins, unless I missed something. Although in 2008 you could still find them on sale at Big 5 for $100. I have an old ad to prove it. I think the sad fact is they havent been made in 70 years, demand has gone up while supply is the same. There just arent many more to import. Same thing happened to Nagant revolvers. You used to be able to get them for $99. Good luck finding one under 250 bucks now!
Cool video. I went to the range today and they had 2 of these. I bought one immediately. I have been collecting Mosins for years and this was the first time I saw the M91/59 rifle. Mine in a 1942 in really nice condition. Im going back to the range next week to fire it. One thing I noticed and checked it has a 4 lb trigger pull. A huge difference from the 91/30's
Years ago in the 80's Mosin Nagant Rifles were $80.00 and a 440 tin was $90.00 dollars out the door !!! You could shoot all day long and share it with your friends and never care about running out of ammo :D Today everyone's choice for a great time :))) Thumbs up !!!!
+The Exile I was buying spam for $95 each or a crate for $180 just 1 year ago. Now the spam is gone! At a show last month I could only find 2 spam for $180 each. So that is 2X. Is that what ya'll are seeing? (hard to find and $180 pre spam when you can find it)
wackattack180 I remember being in middle school, just before Sandy Hook, seeing Mosin 91/30s for $79 all the time in Big 5 catalogues. Asked my parents to get me one numerous times when they were cheap because I knew the price would rise. They didn’t and I ended up getting one at age 18 for $275 and now they’re going for even more.
I have several k98s cut up into some awesome deer rifle . The last one I chambered to 65/55 . Now Eric has got me wanting to mod one of these Ruskies machines .
Most believe these were border guard and police rifles. People who didn't need an SKS or AK47s. Also the idea of the Soviet Union being a 'Worker's Paradise' wouldn't hold any water if people didn't have some work to do. This was part of the reason of keeping the refurb programs on the Mosins going into the 70's. That would be like a 1990's era Navy SEAL using an M1 Garand. By 1959 the AK47 and SKS was already around in significant enough number and this way out dated rifle would NOT have been used by any special ops besides the 91/30 PU. Those guys would get the fancy stuff. The "lack" of markings was just because the Soviets refinished them. So many of the markings were sanded or ground off simply because the guys doing it either didn't care or didn't know any better. I've seen 91/59s with so many markings it would make a beginning collector's head spin. I have a 91/30 that was "scrubbed" and it is BLANK. Only thing is a new serial they stamped on. When Ivan didn't want you to know something he didn't half ass it. THESE ARE NOT KGB MOSIN NAGANTS.
+Targetpopper I agree. These were kept as backup firearms for our equivalent of National Guard/reserve units. Another possibility of scrubbed markings is actually a bit more nefarious. During the Cold War, both the USA and USSR were engaged in proxy wars. Many conflicts they were arming a certain side but didnt want the weapons to be traced back if they were captured. The Russians sent many of these 'clean' Mosins to Vietnam for example.
+sergeantbigmac oh like the US buying chinese aks for the mujahadeen in Afghanistan and m16s from iran. but i dont think US was fooling anyone with the stinger missiles.
they probably intended for this rifle to be give to allied countries that share the soviet common interest. they would airdrop supplies and weapons to help them fight if need be. this rifle seems like that was its intent and not for a "black ops" guy to use. those guys get the best and newest rifles or any gun they desire to get the job done.
and keep in mind that the KGB secretly did do supply drops to allied commies. they did so in Vietnam. the KGB helped get Russian guns into the hands of the North Vietnamese to fight against Americans. these supply and weapon drops were done in secrecy to uphold the whole idea of plausible deniability. The KGB is an excellent group to have do things in secret because secrecy is their specialty.
Targetpopper What the fuck are you even talking about "workers paradise wouldn't hold any water if people didn't have to work for it" What the fuck are you saying?
Love the videos guys! Keep up the great work! I find myself just watching you guys, Hickock45, Sootch00, and NuttinFancy.You guys rock, keep up the good work. God bless!!!
The ban on expanding bullets is not from the Geneva Conventions - it is from the Hague Convention of 1899. Interestingly, the US did not sign that portion of it, although as you say US forces mostly adhere to it anyway.
IMHO...What you have there is a weapon that was "Cleaned". Meaning that the numbers were ground off by the "Purchasing Country . This was a pretty common practice with countries wishing not to be identified with the USSR. After WWII, the same thing was done to Nazi marked Mausers. I have a pair of K98's, one still retaining the Nazi War Eagles, Etc., and one that has been cleaned of all offensive markings. Both are excellent weapons.
Loved the video Eric! I didnt realize it was a sawed downed 30! I think I actuallt saw one in a pawn shop and giving the price he didnt know what he had either. But I was in the middle of my 30 rebuild and I had my 44 for awhile and didnt need just another plain mosin. Kicking my self in the ass now!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just this past weekend purchased a rifle nearly identical to this one. My stock is very close to this one, barrel is the same length, however mine has the USSR stamp on it on two locations. There’s a date of 1943 stamped on it, serial numbers all match, original sling is dated 1959 with the USSR stamp next to the date. My sights don’t look like the ones on this rifle, it’s not been milled down. Just stops at 10. Action is remarkably smooth and it’s a heavy sucker. Not cheap either!
One reason why they're going through the watermelon is that rounds can actually slow down if the barrel is to long. Perhaps the shorter version is a better length for velocity? That would be interesting to see.
I have 2 mosins with a .309 bore.I slugged them,and had professional gunsmiths cast the bore. I decided to try .308 diameter handloads,and the guns shot very accurately.I then tried the same handloads in my Tula 91/30,and still no problems. After researching closer,I found out that the Russians used the tooling till they were well worn then change tooling.Hence some being311-312,and some were from 309-310.Guns had to go in soldiers hands,so they made do.I guess they did something right.The design survived this many years.
91/59 is the best . Very good shooter and much nicer to handle. Kicks a lil' bit more, but so what, it screams cool. Trigger spring broke one day out shooting. Thank's to Eric's video, I was able to replace the trigger spring and get it nice and crisp.
I went to a gun show today in Georgia(supposedly the largest in the state) looking for a 9130. There were literally 3 full length ones there and I got mine for 200. There were probably 5 carbines there all for 330 and up. It seems the supply is drying up. I also got a can of surplus ammo and had a hell of a time trying to open it without the can opener.
Dunno why ive never thought of this before, but with 7.62x54r being rimmed...how has no one made a revolver shooting this round? That would be awesome...
It's able to chamber Nagant M1895 revolver with one 7.62x54r cartridge if you remove cylinder. I didn't try to do it myself, but I know one guy who was talking about that...)
Interesting that "Short" mosin is accurate as it is. I have to wonder if getting the barrel length down in the 20 inch range (plus or minus) might be a strategy to get those old bears more accurate. My "war time" rough Mosin (1941) cut down to 20.5 inch out shoots ALL my other mosins..after is was cut down. Not before.
My first rifle pick it up a year ago for $260.00 out the door at a local gun shop. Battle sights 0/300 yards right on, 400 yards hold a little higher, 550 yards a little tricky but can be done buy the fifth round. I do my shooting open handed and standing just fun that way. It's true about the screws, I've tried thread tape and blue thread lock with no luck, after about 20 rounds their starting to back out.
I have a new england westinghouse mosin from 1915,still shoots accurately with a questionable bore,but is a tack driver with mil surp silver tip,love it😊
My 91/59 is the only surplus rifle I would NEVER sell off/get rid of. There's just something about the shortening of a 91/30 that made it a PERFECT walkabout rifle!
I refinished my 91/30 with Lindseed and smoothed the bolt and the rifle "Rocks". Very pleased with it. Great rifle for the price. And a shoulder buster too!
I own a 91/59 and it shoots much better than my other Mosins. Mostly because the bore is the tightest of all of them. Average Mosins have a bore of about .314. My 91/59 is .312, which is excellent. I found that by taking Russian ammo and removing the powder and replacing it with 24 grains of 2400 behind the original 150 grain bullet shoots much better. Also 48 grains of 4831 behind the original 150 grain bullet woks very well. Both loads reduce the velocity down to about the same as a 30-30 with is much easier on the shoulder.
not bad as for shorty im live in belarus and here this short mosin cost 300 usd and sniper version is about 500 usd for 1942 but im think that Molot factory now producing mosin new bild and in my view its better for accuracy than gun that was in battle and then spend a half of century in storage Крутой канал респект
Hi Bro, I have a 91/30 and an M44 , I noticed when I first shot my M44 it shot to the left quite noticeably. I did some research on the web and some say that they were adjusted to shoot off to the left to compensate for the bayonet. I would be inclined to believe you rather than some of the bs on the web. Can you advise if this is true or not, I bet some of the other guys are wondering as well, thank you for your Service, your Information, you Great Videos and I wish you well. Many Thanks,
Interestingly, a lot of countries behind the Iron Curtain had squirreled away enormous stockpiles of surplus bolt rifles. The Soviets had tens of millions of Mosin-Nagant Model 91\30s, 38s,44s, and 59s. They also had millions of arsenal refurbished Mauser K98s captured during World War II. No doubt, the plan was to quickly arm civilian militias and cadres in the event of a World War III scenario. Eastern European Warsaw Pact countries and People's Republic of China did much the same. The post-War Yugoslavian Model 48 is a good example of a militia/cadre weapon during the age of the SKS-45 and AK-47. Finally, bolt action rifles don't expend a lot of ammunition, are easy to learn on short notice, and require less armory support.
I had one, good shooter too, they are 91/30 cut down. Different from a Carbine in that a 44 carbine has a barrel that is made short, these are the long barrel cut short. Makes a good shooter
Back in the mid 1990's or so, Century sent me an Indian 2a Enfield with a burst barrel. When I asked for a replacement, they sent me a 1891/59. I think I spent around $75 on the deal. The 2a was pretty well used, but the 1891/59 is in pristine condition. I've only shot it a few times, because it is a punisher, but it sure is cool.
BTW, mine has markings all over it, so it has not been sanitized in any way. I tend to think these were NKVD border guard carbines. The guys who carried these were the ones who asked you for your papers at the train station.
That looks like it would be a fantastic truck rifle. Lightweight, compact, and accurate. Id have a heavy leather scabbard made for it. Thats a great, go anywhere rifle. Robust and reliable.
My 91/59 is not scrubbed. It was originally a 1943 Izhevsk 91/30. Why some were scrubbed and others weren't is a question we likely will never have an answer for. They also scrubbed 91/30s, particularly in the balkans I believe.
That was a really fun video to watch Eric. I love watching these old guns and going back into time with you. Part of shooting will always be fantasy, especially for the civilian shooter, and it's cool to see these weapons and think about the different stories it would tell. Hickock does the same thing. He says that weapons shouldn't be given personalities because it helps the "anti-gunners" (which I don't like to use as a term because it creates division, and we have too much of that as it is). I don't really wade into the politics of the gun stuff in this country, I just buy my shit, shoot my shit, and keep to myself. Personally, I love to give inanimate objects personalty and to respect and admire an objects life and purpose. We all have a beginning, a middle, and an end and guns are just another thing that (like us and other organic creatures) follows that circle of life. Thanks for your videos and knowledge, Eric!
+Bikkus Dikkus I don't know about "Black Ops" but the Communists were known for keeping around obsolete designs in stock just in case and often times modifying them or upgrading the design(Which is the reason we have been so lucky to get many of these WWII firearms). The Russians learned this lesson the hard way during the two World Wars when they had massive firearm shortages. Bolt action rifles are easy to train even the dullest "rock" on. Its manually operated and all it needs is ammo for it to go bang. No magazines, no complex gas systems nothing. Just piss down the barrel to get rid of the corrosive salts! The VC would use .308 (7.62x51) ammo in Mosins and punch the shells out with cleaning rods.....
the "R" in 7.62x 54R is for "rim lock" trust me. Yes I know push it to the very back of the magazine and gently feed it in you still get rim lock it's like Christmas even if you say no presents you still get a present and then have to buy one
1. it was the Hague Convention in 1899 that prohibited the use of hollow point/soft point ammo or as they say "easily expanding bullets" and the USA only signed the 1907 which did not include the 1899 provisions. 2. No the Mosins are not bad, but next to a new par quality bolt rifle are not good.
Hey, IV8888 My belief is it was use for a covert sniper rifle. Bolt action rifle is one of the most accurate action, and it is small enough to go unnoticed used by the KGB:-).
Hicock45's most recent Mosin video had similar results on cinder blocks as yours on watermelons, ironically!. It would initially just punch thru the cinder block, rather than bust it up like the 7.62x39 round would.
sure , I have facts , but do you have facts for your story?? LOL here new Mosin rifle called КО-91/30М Russina made by Molot I can translate in cause you do not speak Russian molot.biz/goods/ko-91-30m.html#550
Hello Americans, can i have a question? I'm planning on becoming a firearm technician in a few years, is there a place for a person with firearm repair/modification/manufacturing skills in the western world? I live in a country where a Mosin costs a lot, and i mean A LOT more than one there, and i've mostly seen American guns in the hands of .. well.. everyone. (except for some taurues and glocks) and since it is common here to travel to another country and i speak decent english, if your politicians don't destroy gun industry in a few years, do you people think there will be a place for someone like me?
So basically gunsmithing? Hell yes there is. We got this thing called capitalism. Get a go fund me page, rent a workshop, make good friends with local businesses, pass out business cards, advertise your handiwork and watch the profits roll in.
+〈--- Literally FAST food ™ (mɐin chɐnnǝl) Do you have any industrial experience, welding and machinist experience is necessary to be an armorer with most of the big companies. Right now the industry is recovering from extremely low sales, and on the manufacturing side, almost no orders from retailers. As far as politics go; the largest firearms conglomerate Freedom Group, is being ripped apart by shareholders who more than likely fear gun bans, or the poor management of Cerberus Capital.
I see no problem getting into the country. Just go to Mexico and walk across with everyone else. As to guns, best hurry right along before this moron in the white house rids the country of evil guns.
+Michael Dimodica NO NO NO. Hes The Best. Hes The Wises. YUCK YUCK. Yeah. i admit i like SOME of his hiking videos. but Still like you said hes too arrogant.
+Michael Dimodica agreed. i mean im certain he means well. but i think all the fame hes gained. has gone to his head. and Sometimes. Hes has a valid point. otherwise. his points are limited. i mean Okay so he takes a M-N 91-30. Maybe he tweeks the trigger. but otherwise all he does is paint it and puts a pistol scope on it. and then complains about the lack of accuracy.
d graham nutn is just saying the system is obsolete and shutting up the mosin fanboys who claim and expect their $100 rifle to shoot better than an AR15 or what have you. Mosin Nagants are called Garbage Rods for a reason lol. He's no bs, can't knock on honesty.
My guess would be that melons and bottles are too soft for a hollowpoint to expand. Maybe you can put an inch of plywood in front of the targets and then try again with FMJs and hollowpoints for comparison.
I'm going to agree with the Stop Gap rifle theory. USSR was really the first nation to learn the lessons from ww2. They saw that another world war would almost definitely lead to another invasion of the Motherland, and saw the need for a last ditch gun like the volksturm weapons. Having acquired at least a few of the guns, they probably figured that "we should have some of these in the back room of the storehouse in case the capitalist pigs get close to the Motherland". And with all the older Mosins lying around from ww2 production, it's not like they lacked the rifles. As for the length of the barrel, same thing. The USSR had more close in combat than on the western front in ww2, so a longer weapon wasn't seen as necessary.
I have a question. During the Soviet-Afghan War, the Draganov was the primary soviet sniper, but was the Mosin ever used by the soviets in the war? Similar to how the M1903 was used as a sniper rifle in WW2 and Vietnam.
Been awhile since I've viewed the channel, but I really enjoyed this video. I'll have to be on the lookout for one of these Mosin's. it's been a couple years since I've added one to the collection.
I do know that during the Cold War the British devised (and produced a few prototype) 7.62 weapons based off the Sterling sub machine gun basically as a cheap and easy to manufacture stand in for the Bren light machine gun. Very odd looking thing that just goes to show the desperation at the time and how seriously they considered the threat of Soviet invasion
I don't think this has anything to do with KGB... For a time these were offered to civilian hunters that had the required rifle permit, ie usually professional hunters and herdsmen in Siberia, until SKS was made available to the civilian market, - this explains the generally better quality than the mil surp oned.. I remember seeing some in hunting stores in the late 1980s
Not to be rude or annoying, but a long while back you said that you would do an advanced mosin nagant trigger job video. I would still like you to make it if possible. I have done a lot of research on mosin triggers but would like to see your take.
I like this video. Not knowing any more truth than the rest of you, one thing I was told about the 91/59 was that it was built for duty on the Berlin wall. One source said there are photos of soldiers totting them. I don't. know. I do know it is my favorite mosin in my collection. More milsup please.
This is my dream mosin, if I could ever find one for a good price..which I haven't been able to do lately. Action of the '91, punch of the 54R, handling of a carbine. Just seems like such a fun gun to shoot for fun. I like these over the 44s. Just better fit and finish all around.
If you look at history of military rifles as time went on there was more of a demand for shorter rifles. Cutting down existing 91/30s is alot cheaper than building brand new carbines.
The original story is these were arsenal-stored 1891/30s that were converted by Ighevsk factory to M1938 length to be issued to police and civilian organizations usage, also to free up the arsenal storage for SKS carbines that were coming into storage at that time. It was indeed not intended for any military purpose. Would not be surprising if they were also sent to satellite states.
Funny story is that we had Mosins in the school (soviet schools had guns and gun range in the basement sometimes), and these were most likely the models. I remember there was no bayonet on it.
+RuBear USA Чего только не выдумают. В 1959г. винтовки со сладов укоротили для охраны гражданских организаций, в итоге 1891/59. КГБ делать не хер, как старые винтовки на вооружение брать :)
Когда я учился, Мосинок уже не было.
КАРЛОС Я именно это и написал - у меня в школе они еще были, но это был Питер...
MortifiedDumplin That used the be the case before 1990s - we had civil defense as part of school education, tactics, firearm shooting and grenade throwing. They removed all of those classes in early 90s so younger generations don't have that knowledge.
+MortifiedDumplin It's not completely that way + things are a bit different now. Even back in the days it was more like "just give them the basics in case of ground war". Teenagers were taught to shoot rifles (mosins, SKS, I think some had deactivated AKs) also, sometimes, through grenades and use gasmasks+ basic physical training, so it was basically an enhanced PT lesson. Apart from this if you wanted a gun for personal use ("hunting")- you had to get a license and register it. And the number of gun owners today compared to Soviet times increased (though the number of ppl who know at least the basics decreased, cause there are no Civil defence lessons mentioned above now)
OTOH, in US the kids used to bring their own guns to school for shooting practice. If this happened today it would be alike a national disaster (pun intended).
Hickok45 and IraqVeteran need to do a collab video.
Yes that would be amazing
Agreed!
For reals!
Great video. I love the Mosin and have had many over the years. The 91/59 has always been my favorite due to accuracy and quality. No one I've ever talked to knew much about them. This is the most interesting information i've heard of about the 59. Thanks for the video I really enjoyed it and your interest in it as well. Thanks
I never cared much about the carbine versions before, but actually seeing one makes me want one now. That one in particular does have a nice look to it.
Most WW2 standard rifles were bolt-action carbines! The Germans conquered Europe with these rifles and the Japanese used two types of full length rifles, not carbines, to conquer Asia. Do not lose sight of this fact.
I'm from the UK and really enjoy your videos. Educational and fun what's not to like! If I ever find myself in Georgia I will have to pop in and say hello. After seeing the 3 guns video I am quite jealous that we don't have the options you guys have for sporting competition over here it would make a very satisfying hobby.
This has nothing to do with KGB. it's a version made by Izhevsk in 1959 for security guard services and sport organisations. By that time this rifle was out of government service.
A survivor It was probably stripped and sent out to other countries and pro Soviet groups by the Goverment
+A survivor it wasn't doctored, just made in no rush, long after ww2 in a better production culture.
Bulgaria cut these, maybe 100k units. Izhevsk had nothing to do with the 91/59 in 1959.
Man, I wish I could go back 15 years ago when the C&R market was good. They had these for $99.00 at a local shop. Damn Obama.
you mean Bush ? mosin's increased by almost 150%under his administration.
Nick Graham I meant Obama. He severely restricted and banned some imports.
+Nick Graham To be fair Obama put the sanctions on Russia. Not bush.
+GratefulSledHead He didn't ban the import of mosins they are just running out. The price on each unit is based on Russia charges. They charge as much as we are willing to pay.
+GratefulSledHead I used to think the same until I looked it up for myself. What he banned was the import of Saiga and Kalashnikov products, as well as 5.45 ammunition. The law didnt explicitly ban Mosins, unless I missed something. Although in 2008 you could still find them on sale at Big 5 for $100. I have an old ad to prove it.
I think the sad fact is they havent been made in 70 years, demand has gone up while supply is the same. There just arent many more to import. Same thing happened to Nagant revolvers. You used to be able to get them for $99. Good luck finding one under 250 bucks now!
What's with all the mosin videos lately nutn, hickok, and now eric all in 24 hours. I can't be the only one who noticed this
+Ilir L. Because reasons.
+Ilir L. Everyone needs a nugget in their life, that's why.
It's a conspiracy.
+Ilir L. I am guessing because TFB put out a video bashing the Mosin basically. pretty much saying its only good thing about is that its cheap.
+Ilir L. Fulfilling the Russian agenda.
Cool video. I went to the range today and they had 2 of these. I bought one immediately. I have been collecting Mosins for years and this was the first time I saw the M91/59 rifle. Mine in a 1942 in really nice condition. Im going back to the range next week to fire it. One thing I noticed and checked it has a 4 lb trigger pull. A huge difference from the 91/30's
Years ago in the 80's Mosin Nagant Rifles were $80.00 and a 440 tin was $90.00 dollars out the door !!! You could shoot all day long and share it with your friends and never care about running out of ammo :D Today everyone's choice for a great time :))) Thumbs up !!!!
+wackattack180 Those were the prices back in the early 2000s. I remember my dad looking at mosins at BIg5 for $80. Cans are about $150 today.
+wackattack180 A spam can of 7.62R has doubled in price since last year anyway.
ThatXoneXguy Lucky
+The Exile I was buying spam for $95 each or a crate for $180 just 1 year ago. Now the spam is gone! At a show last month I could only find 2 spam for $180 each. So that is 2X. Is that what ya'll are seeing? (hard to find and $180 pre spam when you can find it)
wackattack180 I remember being in middle school, just before Sandy Hook, seeing Mosin 91/30s for $79 all the time in Big 5 catalogues. Asked my parents to get me one numerous times when they were cheap because I knew the price would rise. They didn’t and I ended up getting one at age 18 for $275 and now they’re going for even more.
I love the Mosin videos, man. My 91/30 was my first firearm and it's still the one I go to when I'm dreaming at night.
I have several k98s cut up into some awesome deer rifle . The last one I chambered to 65/55 . Now Eric has got me wanting to mod one of these Ruskies machines .
I got a m9130 for my 16th birthday after watching all your vidoes of these awesome rifles, still watching years later!
Most believe these were border guard and police rifles. People who didn't need an SKS or AK47s. Also the idea of the Soviet Union being a 'Worker's Paradise' wouldn't hold any water if people didn't have some work to do. This was part of the reason of keeping the refurb programs on the Mosins going into the 70's.
That would be like a 1990's era Navy SEAL using an M1 Garand. By 1959 the AK47 and SKS was already around in significant enough number and this way out dated rifle would NOT have been used by any special ops besides the 91/30 PU. Those guys would get the fancy stuff.
The "lack" of markings was just because the Soviets refinished them. So many of the markings were sanded or ground off simply because the guys doing it either didn't care or didn't know any better. I've seen 91/59s with so many markings it would make a beginning collector's head spin.
I have a 91/30 that was "scrubbed" and it is BLANK. Only thing is a new serial they stamped on. When Ivan didn't want you to know something he didn't half ass it.
THESE ARE NOT KGB MOSIN NAGANTS.
+Targetpopper I agree. These were kept as backup firearms for our equivalent of National Guard/reserve units.
Another possibility of scrubbed markings is actually a bit more nefarious. During the Cold War, both the USA and USSR were engaged in proxy wars. Many conflicts they were arming a certain side but didnt want the weapons to be traced back if they were captured. The Russians sent many of these 'clean' Mosins to Vietnam for example.
+sergeantbigmac oh like the US buying chinese aks for the mujahadeen in Afghanistan and m16s from iran. but i dont think US was fooling anyone with the stinger missiles.
they probably intended for this rifle to be give to allied countries that share the soviet common interest. they would airdrop supplies and weapons to help them fight if need be. this rifle seems like that was its intent and not for a "black ops" guy to use. those guys get the best and newest rifles or any gun they desire to get the job done.
and keep in mind that the KGB secretly did do supply drops to allied commies. they did so in Vietnam. the KGB helped get Russian guns into the hands of the North Vietnamese to fight against Americans. these supply and weapon drops were done in secrecy to uphold the whole idea of plausible deniability. The KGB is an excellent group to have do things in secret because secrecy is their specialty.
Targetpopper What the fuck are you even talking about "workers paradise wouldn't hold any water if people didn't have to work for it" What the fuck are you saying?
Love the videos guys! Keep up the great work! I find myself just watching you guys, Hickock45, Sootch00, and NuttinFancy.You guys rock, keep up the good work. God bless!!!
@5:40 the fire finally went out,awesome bro.
8 years later. Still a great vid, and a great rifle. Thank's for posting
Very smooth action on this example's bolt. Much less notchy and ratchety than I've seen on most other Mosins. Well done, Eric!
You are the best advocate for this hobby.
The ban on expanding bullets is not from the Geneva Conventions - it is from the Hague Convention of 1899. Interestingly, the US did not sign that portion of it, although as you say US forces mostly adhere to it anyway.
IMHO...What you have there is a weapon that was "Cleaned". Meaning that the numbers were ground off by the "Purchasing Country . This was a pretty common practice with countries wishing not to be identified with the USSR.
After WWII, the same thing was done to Nazi marked Mausers. I have a pair of K98's, one still retaining the Nazi War Eagles, Etc., and one that has been cleaned of all offensive markings. Both are excellent weapons.
Loved the video Eric! I didnt realize it was a sawed downed 30! I think I actuallt saw one in a pawn shop and giving the price he didnt know what he had either. But I was in the middle of my 30 rebuild and I had my 44 for awhile and didnt need just another plain mosin. Kicking my self in the ass now!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just this past weekend purchased a rifle nearly identical to this one. My stock is very close to this one, barrel is the same length, however mine has the USSR stamp on it on two locations. There’s a date of 1943 stamped on it, serial numbers all match, original sling is dated 1959 with the USSR stamp next to the date. My sights don’t look like the ones on this rifle, it’s not been milled down. Just stops at 10. Action is remarkably smooth and it’s a heavy sucker. Not cheap either!
One reason why they're going through the watermelon is that rounds can actually slow down if the barrel is to long. Perhaps the shorter version is a better length for velocity? That would be interesting to see.
I have 2 mosins with a .309 bore.I slugged them,and had professional gunsmiths cast the bore. I decided to try .308 diameter handloads,and the guns shot very accurately.I then tried the same handloads in my Tula 91/30,and still no problems. After researching closer,I found out that the Russians used the tooling till they were well worn then change tooling.Hence some being311-312,and some were from 309-310.Guns had to go in soldiers hands,so they made do.I guess they did something right.The design survived this many years.
Gotta love the Mosin man!!!
91/59 is the best . Very good shooter and much nicer to handle. Kicks a lil' bit more, but so what, it screams cool. Trigger spring broke one day out shooting. Thank's to Eric's video, I was able to replace the trigger spring and get it nice and crisp.
GPH not better than the Finnish M28-30.
91/59 compared to m44?
Nearly same kick and accurate?
I went to a gun show today in Georgia(supposedly the largest in the state) looking for a 9130. There were literally 3 full length ones there and I got mine for 200. There were probably 5 carbines there all for 330 and up. It seems the supply is drying up. I also got a can of surplus ammo and had a hell of a time trying to open it without the can opener.
Was it at the Civic Center? I'm disappointed that my doc didn't tell me when the next gun show was. Lol.
Dunno why ive never thought of this before, but with 7.62x54r being rimmed...how has no one made a revolver shooting this round? That would be awesome...
haha well, people tend to like their wrists
joe735 it'd take your damn hands off.
Aint no worse than a S&W .500 Lol
It's able to chamber Nagant M1895 revolver with one 7.62x54r cartridge if you remove cylinder. I didn't try to do it myself, but I know one guy who was talking about that...)
Interesting that "Short" mosin is accurate as it is. I have to wonder if getting the barrel length down in the 20 inch range (plus or minus) might be a strategy to get those old bears more accurate. My "war time" rough Mosin (1941) cut down to 20.5 inch out shoots ALL my other mosins..after is was cut down. Not before.
+afleetcommand A common method to regain accuracy was to counter bore the weapon, many of the mosin have this done to them.
My first rifle pick it up a year ago for $260.00 out the door at a local gun shop. Battle sights 0/300 yards right on, 400 yards hold a little higher, 550 yards a little tricky but can be done buy the fifth round. I do my shooting open handed and standing just fun that way. It's true about the screws, I've tried thread tape and blue thread lock with no luck, after about 20 rounds their starting to back out.
I have a new england westinghouse mosin from 1915,still shoots accurately with a questionable bore,but is a tack driver with mil surp silver tip,love it😊
I’m glad someone else shares a liking in these rifles
My 91/59 is the only surplus rifle I would NEVER sell off/get rid of. There's just something about the shortening of a 91/30 that made it a PERFECT walkabout rifle!
Love the mil surplus vids. I love the Mosins myself.
I was getting a Mosin itch then everybody started to upload Mosin vids! it's a dream come true! :D
I refinished my 91/30 with Lindseed and smoothed the bolt and the rifle "Rocks".
Very pleased with it. Great rifle for the price. And a shoulder buster too!
I own a 91/59 and it shoots much better than my other Mosins. Mostly because the bore is the tightest of all of them. Average Mosins have a bore of about .314. My 91/59 is .312, which is excellent. I found that by taking Russian ammo and removing the powder and replacing it with 24 grains of 2400 behind the original 150 grain bullet shoots much better. Also 48 grains of 4831 behind the original 150 grain bullet woks very well. Both loads reduce the velocity down to about the same as a 30-30 with is much easier on the shoulder.
not bad as for shorty im live in belarus and here this short mosin cost 300 usd and sniper version is about 500 usd for 1942 but im think that Molot factory now producing mosin new bild and in my view its better for accuracy than gun that was in battle and then spend a half of century in storage Крутой канал респект
Really enjoy your MilSurp video's.... glad you built this one.
Hi Bro, I have a 91/30 and an M44 , I noticed when I first shot my M44 it shot to the left quite noticeably. I did some research on the web and some say that they were adjusted to shoot off to the left to compensate for the bayonet. I would be inclined to believe you rather than some of the bs on the web. Can you advise if this is true or not, I bet some of the other guys are wondering as well, thank you for your Service, your Information, you Great Videos and I wish you well. Many Thanks,
Interestingly, a lot of countries behind the Iron Curtain had squirreled away enormous stockpiles of surplus bolt rifles. The Soviets had tens of millions of Mosin-Nagant Model 91\30s, 38s,44s, and 59s. They also had millions of arsenal refurbished Mauser K98s captured during World War II. No doubt, the plan was to quickly arm civilian militias and cadres in the event of a World War III scenario. Eastern European Warsaw Pact countries and People's Republic of China did much the same. The post-War Yugoslavian Model 48 is a good example of a militia/cadre weapon during the age of the SKS-45 and AK-47. Finally, bolt action rifles don't expend a lot of ammunition, are easy to learn on short notice, and require less armory support.
Iraqveteran8888 likes the mosin so much, they even used the PU sniper version as their logo!
Really enjoying the channel lately…
I had one, good shooter too, they are 91/30 cut down. Different from a Carbine in that a 44 carbine has a barrel that is made short, these are the long barrel cut short. Makes a good shooter
Back in the mid 1990's or so, Century sent me an Indian 2a Enfield with a burst barrel. When I asked for a replacement, they sent me a 1891/59. I think I spent around $75 on the deal. The 2a was pretty well used, but the 1891/59 is in pristine condition. I've only shot it a few times, because it is a punisher, but it sure is cool.
BTW, mine has markings all over it, so it has not been sanitized in any way. I tend to think these were NKVD border guard carbines. The guys who carried these were the ones who asked you for your papers at the train station.
That looks like it would be a fantastic truck rifle. Lightweight, compact, and accurate. Id have a heavy leather scabbard made for it. Thats a great, go anywhere rifle. Robust and reliable.
My 91/59 is not scrubbed. It was originally a 1943 Izhevsk 91/30. Why some were scrubbed and others weren't is a question we likely will never have an answer for. They also scrubbed 91/30s, particularly in the balkans I believe.
Lots of mosin videos recently
Kudos for the video on the 91/59 I've had mine for 15 years and never seen a video on it .
I can imagine this thing grouping nicely with a scope. Sweet little Mosin.
ERIC thanks for giving your rear sight settings. would like to see more of this info included in your great videos
That was a really fun video to watch Eric. I love watching these old guns and going back into time with you. Part of shooting will always be fantasy, especially for the civilian shooter, and it's cool to see these weapons and think about the different stories it would tell. Hickock does the same thing. He says that weapons shouldn't be given personalities because it helps the "anti-gunners" (which I don't like to use as a term because it creates division, and we have too much of that as it is). I don't really wade into the politics of the gun stuff in this country, I just buy my shit, shoot my shit, and keep to myself. Personally, I love to give inanimate objects personalty and to respect and admire an objects life and purpose. We all have a beginning, a middle, and an end and guns are just another thing that (like us and other organic creatures) follows that circle of life. Thanks for your videos and knowledge, Eric!
M-1 Garand qualification course went out to 500 yards on irons. Target was pretty big, though.
91/59 was the first rifle I ever bought. I ended up selling it to a friend because I had no local ranges where I could shoot it. I really miss it.
Why would somebody use bolt rifle for black ops?
Why not Semi Auto?
+Scarecrow more accuracy, easier maintenance, have you seen the mosin torture test, cheap af, common rifle that nobody cares about.
+〈--- Literally FAST food ™ (mɐin chɐnnǝl) Sure, but it was Cold War. Would you not like something with full auto or semi auto option?
+Scarecrow "black ops", HA!
Bolt actions are just as accurate as semis or even autos.
+Bikkus Dikkus I don't know about "Black Ops" but the Communists were known for keeping around obsolete designs in stock just in case and often times modifying them or upgrading the design(Which is the reason we have been so lucky to get many of these WWII firearms). The Russians learned this lesson the hard way during the two World Wars when they had massive firearm shortages. Bolt action rifles are easy to train even the dullest "rock" on. Its manually operated and all it needs is ammo for it to go bang. No magazines, no complex gas systems nothing. Just piss down the barrel to get rid of the corrosive salts! The VC would use .308 (7.62x51) ammo in Mosins and punch the shells out with cleaning rods.....
the "R" in 7.62x 54R is for "rim lock" trust me. Yes I know push it to the very back of the magazine and gently feed it in you still get rim lock it's like Christmas even if you say no presents you still get a present and then have to buy one
That shell ejection at 16:26 :D
Great Video...never seen this model. Never met a Mosin I didn't like!
1. it was the Hague Convention in 1899 that prohibited the use of hollow point/soft point ammo or as they say "easily expanding bullets" and the USA only signed the 1907 which did not include the 1899 provisions.
2. No the Mosins are not bad, but next to a new par quality bolt rifle are not good.
This gun is from East Germany. Thank You. Happy to help.
Hey, IV8888 My belief is it was use for a covert sniper rifle. Bolt action rifle is one of the most accurate action, and it is small enough to go unnoticed used by the KGB:-).
Hicock45's most recent Mosin video had similar results on cinder blocks as yours on watermelons, ironically!. It would initially just punch thru the cinder block, rather than bust it up like the 7.62x39 round would.
Enjoyed seeing this particular Mosin.
I have see that this rifle M44 still in the production in small quantities even in 2016 in Russia and Poland for sure.
Really.. I believe you but can I have a link to something I wanna see one
sure , I have facts , but do you have facts for your story?? LOL
here new Mosin rifle called КО-91/30М Russina made by Molot I can translate in cause you do not speak Russian molot.biz/goods/ko-91-30m.html#550
Sergey Khochay holy shit that's awesome. I do not speak Russian saddly but how much are they in usd or cad?
they seem to be around R30,900 that US$500.00
Hello Americans, can i have a question?
I'm planning on becoming a firearm technician in a few years, is there a place for a person with firearm repair/modification/manufacturing skills in the western world?
I live in a country where a Mosin costs a lot, and i mean A LOT more than one there, and i've mostly seen American guns in the hands of .. well.. everyone. (except for some taurues and glocks) and since it is common here to travel to another country and i speak decent english, if your politicians don't destroy gun industry in a few years, do you people think there will be a place for someone like me?
+〈--- Literally FAST food ™ (mɐin chɐnnǝl) There definitely would be, but you need to have something lined up before you come to the US.
So basically gunsmithing? Hell yes there is. We got this thing called capitalism. Get a go fund me page, rent a workshop, make good friends with local businesses, pass out business cards, advertise your handiwork and watch the profits roll in.
I would work at Bluejays gun's they will teach you the best way to do that. nc
+〈--- Literally FAST food ™ (mɐin chɐnnǝl) Do you have any industrial experience, welding and machinist experience is necessary to be an armorer with most of the big companies. Right now the industry is recovering from extremely low sales, and on the manufacturing side, almost no orders from retailers. As far as politics go; the largest firearms conglomerate Freedom Group, is being ripped apart by shareholders who more than likely fear gun bans, or the poor management of Cerberus Capital.
I see no problem getting into the country. Just go to Mexico and walk across with everyone else. As to guns, best hurry right along before this moron in the white house rids the country of evil guns.
what I appreciate about you guys is your love for the mosins. unlike Nuntfancy. who bashes them over the fancy 300 win-mag.
Ive tried really hard to get into nutnfancy but the guys a joke. I cant take any gun opinion he has seriously.
+Michael Dimodica NO NO NO. Hes The Best. Hes The Wises. YUCK YUCK. Yeah. i admit i like SOME of his hiking videos. but Still like you said hes too arrogant.
Im sorry I just cant stand that attitude. When you do a comparison there should be some means of bias and that doesnt come through with him
+Michael Dimodica agreed. i mean im certain he means well. but i think all the fame hes gained. has gone to his head. and Sometimes. Hes has a valid point. otherwise. his points are limited. i mean Okay so he takes a M-N 91-30. Maybe he tweeks the trigger. but otherwise all he does is paint it and puts a pistol scope on it. and then complains about the lack of accuracy.
d graham nutn is just saying the system is obsolete and shutting up the mosin fanboys who claim and expect their $100 rifle to shoot better than an AR15 or what have you. Mosin Nagants are called Garbage Rods for a reason lol. He's no bs, can't knock on honesty.
this would be a great addition to my carbine Mosin collection. great video
Impressive shooting with a shorty Mosin. Really enjoy the channel brother
My guess would be that melons and bottles are too soft for a hollowpoint to expand. Maybe you can put an inch of plywood in front of the targets and then try again with FMJs and hollowpoints for comparison.
This vid makes me miss my Romanian 55. another very interesting part of the m44s history, and Mosin in general. only made them for two years.
I love how 5mins in the fire is still burning
Love the vids,man cans,info vids , and grips. Big fan of the Mosin. keep up the great work,been watching for years
Thank god. A Mosin video! Mosin dry spell.
I'm going to agree with the Stop Gap rifle theory. USSR was really the first nation to learn the lessons from ww2. They saw that another world war would almost definitely lead to another invasion of the Motherland, and saw the need for a last ditch gun like the volksturm weapons. Having acquired at least a few of the guns, they probably figured that "we should have some of these in the back room of the storehouse in case the capitalist pigs get close to the Motherland". And with all the older Mosins lying around from ww2 production, it's not like they lacked the rifles. As for the length of the barrel, same thing. The USSR had more close in combat than on the western front in ww2, so a longer weapon wasn't seen as necessary.
I have a question. During the Soviet-Afghan War, the Draganov was the primary soviet sniper, but was the Mosin ever used by the soviets in the war? Similar to how the M1903 was used as a sniper rifle in WW2 and Vietnam.
Yes.
Some troops were still using mosins.
Dammit Eric!!!..You & NuttinFancy Have Made Me Really Want To Have 1 of These!..
I'll Call IT My Bucket List!. Thanks For The Video!.. God Bless.
I love my Mosin. I shoot in the UK. Great fun to shoot and versatile calibre.
An old guy at my local range had one of these. Good God was that thing loud and it shot a nice fireball. He even took it to Quantico abd shot it.
Been awhile since I've viewed the channel, but I really enjoyed this video. I'll have to be on the lookout for one of these Mosin's. it's been a couple years since I've added one to the collection.
Just realized you keep both eyes open when shooting long range...I was never taught the technique growing up and really need to look into it
its the best way to shoot, with two eyes your sight picture is twice as good.
This one showed up right, but the three gun video you did didn't show up in my subscriptions. It has been a bit inconsistent lately.
I do know that during the Cold War the British devised (and produced a few prototype) 7.62 weapons based off the Sterling sub machine gun basically as a cheap and easy to manufacture stand in for the Bren light machine gun. Very odd looking thing that just goes to show the desperation at the time and how seriously they considered the threat of Soviet invasion
man, that 7.62x51r is screaming toward that 450 yard gong, pretty cool!
I got a 44 and love it. They look about the same size.
AMAZING camera work Chad. Mind if i ask what you camera& lens combo you used to shoot Eric at the bench?
Ever try cast bullets with the Mosin ? At 100 /200 yards.Great shooter.
Mosins were also found in Vietnam as well. Lots and lots of them.
Мосин крутая винтовка даже сегодня! Mosin cool guys!
That is the best looking nugget I have ever seen!
Eric is a true gun lover
I don't think this has anything to do with KGB... For a time these were offered to civilian hunters that had the required rifle permit, ie usually professional hunters and herdsmen in Siberia, until SKS was made available to the civilian market, - this explains the generally better quality than the mil surp oned.. I remember seeing some in hunting stores in the late 1980s
I love how mosin needs a good smacking to properly use, no matter how well made and smooth the bolt is.
Truly, a well polished garbage rod
"I love how a mosin needs a good smacking to properly use". Just like a Russian woman...
I always thought the square with the line through on the rear stock meant that the rifle was refurbished with mixed parts and put in to storage.
that's a damn smooth bolt i tell ya
This was a very interesting one; thanks IV888
Not to be rude or annoying, but a long while back you said that you would do an advanced mosin nagant trigger job video. I would still like you to make it if possible. I have done a lot of research on mosin triggers but would like to see your take.
I like this video. Not knowing any more truth than the rest of you, one thing I was told about the 91/59 was that it was built for duty on the Berlin wall. One source said there are photos of soldiers totting them. I don't. know. I do know it is my favorite mosin in my collection. More milsup please.
This is my dream mosin, if I could ever find one for a good price..which I haven't been able to do lately. Action of the '91, punch of the 54R, handling of a carbine. Just seems like such a fun gun to shoot for fun. I like these over the 44s. Just better fit and finish all around.
If you look at history of military rifles as time went on there was more of a demand for shorter rifles. Cutting down existing 91/30s is alot cheaper than building brand new carbines.