My First ATI Mosin-Nagant Sporter

[Dolph92]

I finally put the time, effort, and $ into my old Mosin sporter project I started about 3 years ago..

It turned out really well so far. I originally purchased this gun and had plans to just play with it for fun and maybe it would be a good backup medium/larger game gun for me if it shot ok.

I paid 89.99 for the rifle and I was able to hold about 1" groups with the iron sights at 50 yards and some cheap 203gr soft point ammo. So I decided I might as well get this done finally.

As expected for 1942 the rifle was ROUGH tool chatter all over it but it shot well enough, the bore is clean and the bolt locks tight as can be.

The local Fleet Farm had the ATI stock and bolt/scope mount kit in stock for less that $120 for both so I added those to the rifle.

I sanded down the barrel and receiver and polished it up nice, rebluing it with cold bluing.

I have a few afternoons and about $220 into it so I figure that's a pretty good deal. I need a scope and can't decide on a 3-9 or just a straight 4 power.

More info on the project is here.

 

[xfyrfiter]

Really nice for an old Mosin. Good job.

 

[LAGS]

@ Dolph92
Did you Glass bed the front lug of the receiver into the stock , and glass bed the ATI scope mount to the top of the receiver , then Free float your barrel channel ?
It makes them shoot better and the bedding of the scope mount to fit the top of the receiver keeps it from shaking loose even if you use Locktite on the two screws.
Also, for better accuracy, try a Timney trigger with the side Safety.
It takes a little work to inlet your rear tang area of the stock, but they are worth it for the safety alone.

 

[NCsmitty]

Nicely done, and it should be a bit easier on the shoulder with the integrated recoil pad. I have an ATI on one of my M44's, and removed the bayonet bracket to cut some weight. Still heavy, but the ATI stock does look and feel good.


NCsmitty

 

[tahunua001]

I personally had horrible experience with ATI parts.

the bolt handle unscrews itself so I was forced to use JB weld to get the bolt handle to stay on after 30 rounds and 2 detachements. the scope mount was so angled that I ran out of downward adjustment on the scope and it still held about a foot and a half high at 100 yards.

I hope you have better luck with yours but I will never buy another ATI product.

 

[LAGS]

The ATI parts IMO are fine for the home gunsmith who wants to do his own work.
But, Like I said with the Stocks, and the scope mounts, they can be improved by the average guy some JB weld, and Johnson's Paste Wax as a release agent.
I had forgot about the bolt handles coming loose, because my design that esentually bolts on (that I was building for 10 years before ATI came out with their design) uses Two Screws, or I silver solder mine on with two 1/4" locating Pins and dont use the ATI bolt Handles.
In ATI's defense, they have to make these Home Gunsmithing Parts to fit almost every model of Mosin Nagant.
But the Parts are good, and if you want precision and durability, then some fitting and Gunsnithing will be required.
The stocks when Fitted , Glass Bedded, and Free Floated are comfortable, and easy to shoot.
The scope mounts when FITTED for YOUR action, and Barrel, plus glass bedded to reduce movement on the two screws, are very accurate.
You can Not build a Custom, Precision Rifle with Bolt on Aftermarket No Gunsmithing Required Parts.
To get Precision, and Durability, you have to do some work.
But the Parts are still workable by the average Home Gunsmith with a little common sense and firearms knowledge.

 

[Dolph92]

Yep I did free float the barrel channel already. I am going to glass bed the stock too. I never heard of glass bedding the scope mount! Great idea! The next one I do I will probably do a longer turned bolt handle and use my dads shop and welder to build that. This one I did with hand tools on my kitchen table I am not sure my screws will turn out on me as I used lock-tite red. Red requires 500 degree heat to loosen. I will see how this works out once I get some range time.

 

[LAGS]

@ Dolph92.
If you look at the bottom of your scope mount and the actual surface area that is touching your receiver then you will understand why it is a good idea to glass, or epoxy ( JB Weld ) Bed the scope base to the receiver.
Be sure to use wax or paste wax as a release agent on your receiver.
Your base is made to fit BOTH the round and Hex Receivers.
If you get more surface area, and mold the scope base so it fits exact to your receiver, then it can not move.
The only force on the two screws is straight down.
You will not hurt your bolt by taking it to 550 degress with a heat gun ot in and oven disassembled, to loosen the Locktite.
You will probably have to re free Float you barrel channel once you bed the action.
But I have found on these stocks, all you need to do is the area around the recoil lug , bottom of the front of the receiver and the chamber area of the barrel.
You get no advantage trying to glass bed the whole action on these plastic stocks.
You just want a soild base for the front of the action to locate the recoil lug and prevent the action from moving down into the stock when you tighten the front screw, thus, screwing up your Free Floating.

 

[Dolph92]

Sweet! Thanks Lags! I did notice the base of the mount was grooved and it seemed weird to me. I would think a solid piece would be better. I can't wait to run it through its paces!