Mosin Nagant Rusted Bore ?

[flyboy1788]

I have a MN made in 1909 and the bore only confirms its old age. the exterior of the gun and the chamber(chrome lined?) are in great condition. The bore on the other hand is heavily pitted. although when I shine a light down the barrel, all the grooves become very visible. Is this dangerous to shoot, or is bad accuracy the biggest concern I should have??

 

[Deus Machina]

You may want to have it checked, but in all the time I've heard of Nagants with bad bores, I've still never heard of one failing.

The problem is probably the corrosive ammo these things shoot. The salts and residues obviously get into the bore, but not-so-obviously, the chamber is sealed away from the bore at that point, so it doesn't get corroded. I'd have to check, but I doubt the chamber is chromed.

 

[flyboy1788]

I havent heard of a MN failing either, but I wouldnt want to be the first "story". I should clarify that it is all surface rust, or pitting, whatever you want to call it, and it is very consistant throughout the whole bore, no 'blisters' of rust or anything like that... And yes, I would have to imagine that it is a result of corrosive ammunition as well. Quite honestly, I dont care if I cant hit a barn from the inside with it, I just want to ensure that it wont turn into one of those M1891 grenades and blow my hand off.

 

[okespe04]

Its fine. I have a yugo sks with a pitted bore that shoots great and my 1944 mosin m44 also has some pitting and it shoots fine. I tend to choose rifles with pitted barrels. They are usually really cheap.

 

[jpwilly]

The worst bore in my collection is actually a Lee Enfield. The bore looks like a cruddy sewer pipe. We shoot the rifle all the time.

 

[flyboy1788]

Hmmm, I am now almost convinced....go on, keep reassuring me I did get it pretty cheap.... it was 105 from a place that was charging $300 for yugo sks's about 5 years ago Like I said the exterior is in very nice shape, its just that pesky bore. But heck, its a mosin nagant, those things are so rugged they dont even need bores, right

 

[chuwee81]

my 91/30 has very sharp rifling but worn muzzle. I do not have a bore scope but after cleaning it, the bore is shiny again. I did see some rough spots, some light pitting here and there but accuracy is wonderful. at 50 yds with open sights, grapefruit size groups are the norm, with a better shooter, i believe it can do better.