Another sucker falls for the MN

[NotThatOne]

I'll get some pics for the proof, but for now take my word for it.

I now have a "new" Soviet 1944 Izhevsk 91/30

This one appears to have a toe-stock that I would rate Good + overall, I'm still trying to figure out if it's possible to have a pre-war stock with a toe...because I believe the stock is prewar.

The hardware appears to be matched (not forced) except the butt plate. The butt plate appears to be etched.

I admit; I've read 100s of pages of information and realize that if I retained half of it, I know nothing about these war machines.

My next steps are to strip it and clean it. I'm still reading several forums to get my plan\method worked out and then also get a headspace gauge.

Their is no counterbore, it passed the bullet test, but the rifling doesn't appear crisp, hopefully cleaning may change that.

[Legion_Prime]

. . . but the rifling doesn't appear crisp, hopefully cleaning may change that.

Haha Good luck with that. Be sure to have plenty of patches on hand and make sure you have a good copper cutter handy as well. Once you think it's clean, run some more copper cutter. I spent several days cleaning mine once I got it home. Not in total of course, but I came back to it at least twice over the next five days after my initial cleaning. Be prepared to see plenty of green.

[Underdog]

Congrats on the 91/30 they are legendary. One of my 91/30's bores sounds similar to yours but it shoots fantastic. I hope your shoulder is up to the task of shooting the beast. I call mine the "Dragon Slayer" .........

[tdyoung58]

If the nubers on the bolt match the reciever than your headspace should be good.... I have guages your welcome to come and use, take about 5 minutes... (includes the BS time involved)

[NotThatOne]

If the nubers on the bolt match the reciever than your headspace should be good.... I have guages your welcome to come and use, take about 5 minutes... (includes the BS time involved)

That's where I am confused. I guess it's a Ford v Chevy debate.

For every source that says check the headspace, another says they never checked.

1) How much danger is really involved here? Do these guns actually blow up? Will I get a partial fire ball heading towards my face?

2) So if it is a true matched, and not a forced matched, then the gun is "original" and shouldn't have issues?

maybe I will skip this step then. I appreciate the offer of checking it for me and I may take you up on that...but it is a little bit of a haul for me...40 mins each way.

[kunsunoke]

Haha Good luck with that. (SNIP)

Had the same problem with the M44 when I got it home from the Leesport show. The barrel had really strong rifling, which even showed through the layers of crap on the inside. The gun had matching numbers, too, which was nice. But the barrel was like a sanitary sewer inside. Took me about two hours to clean and loads of patches - but wasn't that bore shiny once the greenish/black crap was removed!

[NotThatOne]

made the genius move of the century this afternoon....

after the detail strip, boiling the smaller parts, and cleaning the wood...I only had the barrel\receiver left. Today I spent a while pouring boiling water through it. Tonight I spent another 2 hrs cleaning the barrel and began reassembly.

I found out that I tossed the ejector\interrupter. I never removed it from it's slot and it found it's way into the bottom of my bucket, which got dumped!

In the daylight I will head out with a magnet and comb the area....

[wizzegun]

Why were you pouring boiling water through it?

I wouldn't worry about a Mosin blowing up. They are pretty tough. I've checked a few headspaces and all were fine. And I would not worry about the bore. I have Mosins with pristine bores that won't hit the broad side of a barn. I have a complete mismatched Chinese T53 (copy of M44) with an almost smoothbore that's a tack driver and has the best trigger of ANY of my rifles. Luck of the draw.

Let the collection begin. The more you learn about them, the more you'll NEED all the variations, countries, years, arsenals, different markings, stock types.....

[Stooperzero]

JB Bore paste and a slow speed drill are your friends here......

[NotThatOne]

I found out that I tossed the ejector\interrupter.

found it where I knew it would be...took about 1 minute to spot it

Why were you pouring boiling water through it?

Of all the methods to de-cosmoline the barrel I thought this was the easiest, most economical and fastest.

Worked pretty freakin good.


Everything is cleaned, lubed, shined, assembled and ready for a range trip.
Now I can take a few minutes and get some pictures!