Mosin Nagant: M44 or M91/30 @ 200 - 400 yards

[maskedman504]

Hi guys- at the end of February there is a gun show in Tampa, FL. I have decided to purchase a Mosin Nagant and I am not sure if I should get a M91/30 or a M44. I do plan on purchasing a PSL-54c and using surplus ammunition in both. I want to mount some sort of optic on the Nagant. I understand that one is a carbine (somewhat) and one is a rifle (time period).

Namely, I own an SKS and I am purchasing this Nagant for shooting 200-400 yards; not for hunting, mainly for enjoyment. Will the shoter barrel length (4 inches from the M44 to M91/30) make a very significant difference?

 

[saturno_v]

I would get the 91/30 (I own 3 of them)
You get more velocity because of the longer barrel and, on average, more accuracy.
On the shorter M44 you need to extend the bayonet to make sure your shots gets where you want them (unless you adjust the front sights for shooting with the bayonet closed).
They were factory sighted with the bayonet extended.
No such problem on the 91/30.

On the other side, the 91/30, because of his lenght, can be a bit more cumbersome to carry in the woods. Personally I do not mind at all and I'm not that tall. I find the 91/30 more balanced to shoot overall.
For long range work the 91/30 is a no brainer.

Once the prices are so low, (around $70-80 here in Western WA) you may want to get both, the 91/30 and the M44!! Be careful, the Mosinitis is an illness with no known cure other then regular assumption of new Mosins!!!

When you get one, just follow the advice posted here several times about what to look for before to commit to the purchase.

This is a video to get you excited about the 91/30...a 350 yards iron sights shot on a wild hog in Florida.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCSDWM0J-L8

 

[KC0QGL]

using surplus ammunition in both.

7.62X54r surplus ammo isn't all that good. Most of the 7.62X54r I've used has a mild steel core, not lead, thus not as good IMO.

On the shorter M44 you need to extend the bayonet to make sure your shots go on target (unless you adjust the sight for shooting with the bayonet closed).
They were sighted with the bayonet extended.

I have never heard this before. I can't see how the bayonet would make a differeance.

 

[maskedman504]

Extending weight beyond the barrel will have a physical effect- adding weight to the rifle will effect everything once the trigger is pulled.

 

[saturno_v]

I have never heard this before. I can't see how the bayonet would make a differeance.

Apparently it has to do with the barrel harmonics. I believe All M44 owners experience that when they get their rifles unless the front sight was corrected previously. Personally I own only 1891/30

http://www.7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinFAQ.htm

Go to Question #13

 

[KC0QGL]

Go to Question #13

OK that makes sence. I've just never noticed the differeance.

 

[Franco2shoot]

barrel harmonics

Both 91/30 and M44 are influenced by having the Bayonet extended. It's not a big deal to me. I found that the pattern remaind fairly consistent. I worked long and hard to get the 91/30 barrel as clean as possible while retaining what rifling remained. It is a 1 moa shooter (from a bench rest). Attaching the bayonet moves the pattern up and to the right by almost and inch. I could dial this out with the scope I have attached, but most times I shoot with the bayonet in the bag. My M44 is Iron sights only and with my poor eyesight, I would have trouble hitting a cow, bayonet extended or folded. My son, who's the marksman in the family, can keep a pretty good pattern with the M44 even at 100 yards, but the 91/30 is by far more accurate. get the 91/30 you'll love shooting it... I can also recommend the ATI rail mount system:

KKKKFL

 

[Duke of Doubt]

The M44 is affected even MORE than the M91/30 by failure to fix bayonet before firing, as the weight of the folded bayonet drags the barrel to that side while the bullet travels down the bore, and the bayonet itself slaps the stock under recoil. I still prefer it for range work, as most of my shooting is done at only 200 yards, and I don't have to remember to bring the bayonet along.

"Fix bayonets! Charge!"

 

[tipsovr]

I've just got to say thanks to you all for posting this! I've been putting some rounds down range with my M44 recently and always had a very consitent pattern, just wasn't were I aimed. I will try with the bayonet extended and see how she does....

 

[lencac]

Mask if you get the M44 I'll show you how to very cleanly remove the bayo assembly and still retain the original front sights. It's pretty easy and it makes the rifle shoot better and way more fun to handle and shoot. The bayo is a useless appendage.

 

[woodvillebum]

Just wanted to state that muzzle brakes are readily available and make it even more fun to shoot, I also shoot much tighter groups with one on. It's always nice to be able to shoot more than ten rounds a day, as recoil is heavy. They also don't alter the collectability of the rifle just a squeeze mount and very easy to take back off.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Get both!! For under $200 how can you go wrong? Zombies hate bayonets.

 

[foghornl]

My M-44 has about a 3.5"-4" windage shift with bayo folded vs extended.

Plus, I can fend off 1 or 2 zombies while stuffing in another stripper clip of ammo if I have the bayo extended....