Should I buy a Mosin Nagant?

[Augustine]

I took a break from studying today and went into Midwest Gun Exchange and looked around at some of the rifles. I have recently become nostalgic about my rifles from my childhood (which I no longer have). I spent a lot of time out in the woods with my .22 and my .30-30. I went into Midwest to look for a cheap .22 rifle that I could go out and shoot. I think I've come to the conclusion that if I go that route, I should buy a Ruger 10/22 or possibly a Winchester 190 or 290 (which is what I had as a kid).

At any rate, I saw that Midwest has boxes of Mosin Nagants (with bayonets, cleaning kits, etc) for $109. I've read a lot about these things and it seems like loads of people own them. The ammo seems pretty cheap (though not as cheap as the .22). So, as my title says: should I buy one of these instead of a .22? If you own one, can you imagine yourself using it for anything other than a range/hunting gun? If I'm just looking for a plinker, should I just buy a 10/22 or some other incarnation of the .22?

 

[pinshooter45]

They are just plain fun to have and shoot! Get both! I love my 32/hex receiver.

 

[Augustine]

I should note that I don't really hunt at all anymore. I don't even know if I can hunt on game lands here in Indiana since I'm not a resident and want to keep my NC residency while I'm here for school. I suspect if I can find a rifle range, I would go shoot a few times a year, and I would shoot a lot when I go back home to NC.

 

[Que]

Get one if only to remind you of your time as a Hoosier. They are great guns and you will love the fireball at dusk.

 

[mjblazor]

a .22 is a more versatile plinker. I have 3 .22's and 3 mosins. for the price i would get a mosin. you probably won't shoot more than 20 rounds at a time because of the wollop but you love every pull of the trigger and look forward to next range visit. The nostalgia adds to the lure and the guns are just plain fun to own.

 

[Augustine]

a .22 is a more versatile plinker. I have 3 .22's and 3 mosins. for the price i would get a mosin. you probably won't shoot more than 20 rounds at a time because of the wollop but you love every pull of the trigger and look forward to next range visit. The nostalgia adds to the lure and the guns are just plain fun to own.

The fact that the guns have such a history is part of the appeal to buy one. I figured this would be a "hey, let's shoot a few rounds" kind of gun rather than 2-3 hours of shooting. I think I may have to get the Mosin tomorrow and maybe pick up a .22 this summer.

I probably should have titled this thread, "Give me the flimsiest reason to go buy one of these guns" since it seems pretty obvious I want to.

 

[easy]

Should you?
Yes.
Flimsiest answer - 'cause they are inexpensive(cheap) and built like a tank.

 

[Scutter01]

I think some of them are built FROM tanks.

 

[bigboomstick]

I buy as many as I can. They are cheap as hell to purchase and feed. Great rifle to play with when you take friends out.

 

[tv1217]

If you're taking them out they must not be very good friends.

 

[Augustine]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I think I know what I'll be doing tomorrow during a study break.

 

[msirelan]

They are nice and fun to shoot both all of that military surplus ammo is corrosive. You can find newer ammo that isn't corrosive but it cost more. The biggest problem is you have to buy 7.62x54R which is different than standard 7.62x54

 

[throttletony]

Man, y'all just talked me into one too.... now who wants to inform my wife for me?

 

[Scutter01]

Man, y'all just talked me into one too.... now who wants to inform my wife for me?

I'll do it, but I expect you to pick up an extra MN for me.

 

[tv1217]

They are nice and fun to shoot both all of that military surplus ammo is corrosive. You can find newer ammo that isn't corrosive but it cost more. The biggest problem is you have to buy 7.62x54R which is different than standard 7.62x54

Standard 7.62x54? 7.62x54R is the only 7.62x54 caliber out there.

 

[Mosinowner]

BUY BUY BUY. lOOK AT MY NAME!



EDIT: I'm always late to the party

 

[Augustine]

Is it as much of a pain to clean all the Cosmoline off of the gun as it looks? I've seen some videos on Youtube. It looks labor-intensive.

 

[Mosinowner]

Is it as much of a pain to clean all the Cosmoline off of the gun as it looks? I've seen some videos on Youtube. It looks labor-intensive.

No its not. Take everything apart and put the small parts in HOPPS 9# and the larger parts in boiling water or just clean regularly if you put in boiling water just make sure to clean it real good

 

[handgun]

I wish i would have never sold mine to a friend. But, I will say i will be getting another before they go up in price.. Its a quality bolt action, and well it doesn't get any cheaper than that!

 

[BlueEagle]

Standard 7.62x54? 7.62x54R is the only 7.62x54 caliber out there.

He probably meant 7.62x51.