Modern combat with bolt action?

[shevrock]

I was wondering how usefully a bolt action [say a mosin] would be in modern combat? I'm don't think i'll be able to get an ak anytime soon, so i was looking more at ww2 rifles. the mo0sin is cheaper, and seems to be the most versatile. So is it truly worth the money, if it has to be used in modern combat. Now I'm not talking about door to door stuff, for the mosin. I have a shotgun for that

 

[AStone]

Better than throwing rocks.

 

[308sc]

you mean like SHTF or a country using it for war? If it was a situation like China invaded the US and you had to abandon your house a flee for the woods/mountains, then the Mosin would not be your best bet, but if you can't afford a semi-auto, then learn to become extremely proficient with you Mosin, hec, the way I look at it I would rather have a bolt action I was familiar with then a semi-auto I didn't know squat about. Just something to think about!

 

[fireflyfather]

Modern combat? You planning on going to war, son?

That's the kind of weapon that's really useful for a single shot from ambush, then getting the owner shredded by fire from artillery and/or crew served weapons. Insurgents love them. Great if you're willing to get killed over one or two killed enemies.

Now, a sniper-grade weapon with a decent optic is a different story. Then again, those mosins aren't of the $89 variety.

Your call.

 

[Funderb]

If you can handle it well, and efficiently, it is better than any weapon you are not familiar with.

Your post sounds like you are going to war, and I might be wrong in thinking that you aren't, but mosins are excellent plinkers too.

 

[Hoppy590]

Better than throwing rocks.

gun always > no gun.

you throw rocks, il throw lead.

 

[dmazur]

Modern combat has abandoned the bolt-action except for snipers, where the slow rate of fire is apparently acceptable and the sniper's ability to shoot from a concealed position provides protection.

Also, as far as I know, the military supplies weapons for its soldiers, so you use what you're issued.

For personal protection and "defending one's castle", it's hard to beat a shotgun, and you already have that.

 

[win71]

There can't be modern combat with a bolt rifle !!!!

 

[shevrock]

I'm not really worried about rate of fire [ I can use a bolt action really fast, and accurately], mostly damage. I figure any military grade weapon is better than none. also this is sorta like a "oh we've been invaded by country x [most like china. their still pissed because they thought we ate dog food to. no racism intended.]


EDIT: i'm not going to war [i hope]. To freaking fat atm [working on that]. Just working on rebuilding my fortress. My mums getting divorced and were moving to Lawrenceburg. So i'm worried about things happening.

 

[308sc]

lol dog food, and don't forget the prisoner toothpaste

 

[goon]

For what you're thinking of as modern combat, bolt action like the Mosin is next to useless.
But in that scenario, one guy acting alone is next to useless too.
Many maneuvers require a lot of bodies shooting a lot of rounds at where the bad guys are believed to be hiding. This works best if a couple of your bodies are using belt fed MG's. Then while almost everyone is shooting at the bad guys and keeping them from firing effectively or getting away, a couple somebodies move around and shoot them.
The Mosin is next to useless for that because of its low rate of fire. Even if you were the genetic clone of Simo Haya and you pumped yourself up on speed so that you could somehow shoot it fast enough, good luck reloading with any kind of speed. Yes, theoretically you could use stripper clips to reload, but I've never seen a stripper for a Mosin that worked like it should have.
And if you're one guy alone, it mostly doesn't matter what weapon you have unless you could wipe out all of the enemy before they even know you're there. And you can't count on that happening often enough to keep you alive.
For modern combat to work, you need lots of guys with lots of ammo.

But if you just need a functional rifle for a scenario where maybe you need to place a couple well aimed shots at something maybe 250 yards or so away, just about any old milsurp is great for that.
If that is your intended purpose and you really like the Mosin, check on a Finn M-39. Or add about $100 and get one of the Savage package deals.
If all you can afford is $80...
Well, the Mosin is archaic. But they are durable, they generally work, they're usually somewhat accurate, and they beat a sharp stick.

 

[AStone]

... were moving to Lawrenceburg.
So i'm worried about things happening.

We hear you.

Your questions are reasonable and relevant.
Hang in there. Answers will come.

Deep breath, now, as if you're about to
squeeze one off on a target at 300 ...

 

[fireflyfather]

If you're just trying to defend the castle, then you have ZERO need for a long high-powered rifle. You MIGHT conceivably use an M44 type mosin (carbine with folding bayonet). Still, shotgun and handgun are much better choices for your situation. Defending your home doesn't require 100 yard accuracy unless you live out in the sticks. A mosin would be overkill.

 

[AStone]

Still, shotgun and handgun are much better choices for your situation.

Ditto that.

I currently have lever guns instead of shotguns
filling that long gun niche, but plan to add an O/U or SxS.

Still, a lever or revolver in some .3x would be my gtg ...

 

[goon]

Depends on the scenario.
I recently sold my shotgun because it had become "obsolete" for my purposes.
Shotguns are great up close and mine even did well with slugs out to 80 or so yards, but I just came to a point where I asked myself "Why use this bead sighted shotgun that is only good to 80 yards max when I could get myself a carbine that will be fine at 10 yards and still dangerous to an attacker at 200 yards?"
Granted, it's difficult to make a case for defense at that kind of range. But as they say, it's better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Personally, I'm leaning heavily toward a Marlin 30-30 to replace the shotgun.
Lever actions still have good handling and they're still about as quick to cycle as a pump action shotgun. They are effective from contact distance to 200 or so yards and there is no doubt on my mind that the 30-30 will handle any threat I'm likely to come across in my area. Overpenetration could be a concern that may not have been as great as with a shotgun, but I also don't have several 00 pellets flying off into the darkness to hit whatever happens to be there to stop them. I'll also have better control over where that one projectile goes.

To the OP, after having owned numerous examples of Mosins and lever action rifles, I think that maybe you consider a lever action for your rifle.
Strange as it sounds, they are more user friendly than a Mosin IMO.

 

[lions]

I'm not sure exactly what kind of "modern combat" you mean but you could always use a mosin kind of like a liberator. Just use it to acquire a more suitable weapon.

 

[ugaarguy]

Is it a cost issue, or a parent not wanting you to have a military looking semi-auto issue? If cost is the issue then your buddies the pump shotgun and the lever action rifle are very nice options. If it's a military looking semi-auto issue then I'd suggest you look into a Remington 7615.

The 7615 is a 7600 carbine in .223 Rem that is compatible with AR-15 magazines. In stock form with the factory supplied mag (can't remember if it's 5 or 10 rounds) it looks much like a black synthetic stock 870 pump shotgun. Drop in a 30 round AR mag and you now have the capacity to match the pump action's potential rate of fire.

 

[jws527]

I have several military pattern bolt action rifles of varying quality. Believe me when I say that none of them would be of any sustained use against an army, platoon, or squad equipped with modern infantry weapons. Armies didn't transition from full length battle rifles to carbines and eventually semi-auto carbines for no reason: as it turns out, a rifle with a 600+ meter effective range isn't necessary when most combat takes place well inside of 300 meters. Easy handling and a high rate of (relatively) accurate fire is much more valuable than sheer accuracy or cartridge power, particularly when the latter two tend to require an awkward weapon of considerable size.

Now, if I were forced to choose one, I'd take my K31 and outfit it with optics and use it as a sniper weapon - and I'd spend most (if not all) of my time attempting to evade a confrontation.

If you want a semi-auto on the cheap, why not an SKS?

 

[shevrock]

Yes price is an object [not the action] i just want something powerful, yet rugged. I almost want to say beefy, but it doesn't fit what i'm thinking. Also i may try my hand at hunting. as i've never hunted before and may go out with some freinds. also leverguns are out mostly because their supposedly difficult to feild strip. I figure a bolt gun can't be to difficult. The ak my stepdad sold i could strip down in less than a minute on a bad day.

 

[AStone]

Also i may try my hand at hunting. as i've never hunted before and may go out with some freinds.

Hypothesis: Bolt rifles have killed less game than lever guns.

For example, .30-30 Win has probably killed more deer than all bolt guns combined.
(I have zero data to back that up. Just seems a reasonable guess.)

also leverguns are out mostly because their supposedly difficult to feild strip.

The relevant word there is "supposedly".
(Also known as "conjecture" or "misinformation".)

Given a screwdriver, I can field strip my 336
faster than a zombie* can field strip a Mosin.

(* metaphor )

 

[ugaarguy]

With the exception of needing a screwdriver a Marlin lever gun is as easy to field strip as an AK. Buying a Mosin because you want a rugged hunting rifle is like buying a T-72 tank because you want a rugged off road vehicle. Much like a 1/2 ton 4x4 pickup is plenty rugged as an off road vehicle, the Marlin lever guns are plenty rugged as hunting rifles.

The SKS suggestion above is also very good. The 7.62x39 and .30-30 are near ballistic twins, the SKS is rugged, and it's easy to field strip.

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

FROM GOONThe Mosin is next to useless for that because of its low rate of fire. Even if you were the genetic clone of Simo Haya and you pumped yourself up on speed so that you could somehow shoot it fast enough, good luck reloading with any kind of speed. Yes, theoretically you could use stripper clips to reload, but I've never seen a stripper for a Mosin that worked like it should have.

I disagree. I'll find someone with a video camera and I'll show you a 20 round string of shots from strippers. If you do it right, you'll have no problems.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

well, with a mosin, you can take shots beyond the effective range of most semiautos in use today.

 

[shevrock]

I may look at a 30-30, it looks pretty cool.also mosin freak nice sig.

 

[wulfbyte]

I find myself compelled to wonder why so many who answer these types of questions are so limited in their answers. Give me any firearm, no matter how poor or unsuitable for "modern" combat, and I will use it to get a better firearm.

Granted I would rather start any conflict with the best tools available to me and a proper logistical train, but that isn't possible most of the time. In those instances, use what you have and take your supplies from what's available.

How useful is a bolt action in modern combat? If you can kill the enemy and take his gun and his bullets, very useful indeed.