Nagant M44 or M91/30, which is more accurate?

[bulletsneverlie]

Hey guys, I'm a new member from Jackson, NC. I'm looking to get a Nagant for Christmas. I'm trying to decide whether to start with a M44 or an M91/30. I'm wondering what you guys think. I've been looking at the M44 hardwood round receiver, the M91/30 laminate round receiver, and a M91/30 with the Monte Carlo stock already installed (just because it looks comfortable, modern, and so darn sexy). I'm only interested in the Monte Carlo if I get a M91/30. I've found a couple of good distributors, and I have setup a local shop to receive it for me.

I read that shimming the barrel improves accuracy. I 've already researched the trigger upgrades, and the scope and bolt options, and the fact that you need to recalibrate an M44 front site if you don't plan on firing with the bayonet up. I've read about cleaning the cosmoline too. So I've done some homework, read ALOT of different forums, about 3 or four of them up here, but no one seems to be really decisive.

I'm wondering which would be more accurate? I want to hunt with the rifle, and do a little bit of plinking. I want to also know if the Monte Carlo stock would hinder accuracy on a M91/30, since the barrel sticks out so far without support. I love the history of the rifle, but I want it for more practical uses. The obvious answer would be to buy all 3, but the budget just doesn't allow it. So basically I'm asking, for hunting and accuracy, should I buy the M44 hardwood round receiver, the M91/30 laminate round receiver, or a M91/30 with the Monte Carlo stock already installed. What are your opinions?

[Kaos]

If you're looking for utter accuracy out of a milsurp bolt gun the mosin isnt going to be what you're going to want to shoot. The huber triggers cost as much as the guns do. Then if you want to scope it...add in the scope mount and if you're going proper having your bolt bent instead of the ATI drill + tap kit. You're getting close to the bottom end rem 700's(770 maybe) in price now. If you were going stock on mosins I'd say the 91/30 because of the longer sight plane, and these are what the ruskies turned into their sniper rifles.

If you want milsurp:
You could go to an ishapore enfield in .308 and have pretty decent accuracy.
If accuracy is your goal I wouldnt start out with a mosin, if you want a project gun you might be looking at the right gun.

With the upgrades you were naming though you honestly could buy all 3.

If you want it for hunting mainly and plinking secondly I would maybe look at the remington 770's. They usually come with a bushnell scope to boot and are pretty accurate. A friend of mine has one. We ran some greek cmp surplus through it and that's some pretty cheap shooting right there.

[338winmag]

If you're looking for utter accuracy out of a milsurp bolt gun the mosin isnt going to be what you're going to want to shoot. The huber triggers cost as much as the guns do. Then if you want to scope it...add in the scope mount and if you're going proper having your bolt bent instead of the ATI drill + tap kit. You're getting close to the bottom end rem 700's(770 maybe) in price now. If you were going stock on mosins I'd say the 91/30 because of the longer sight plane, and these are what the ruskies turned into their sniper rifles.

If you want milsurp:
You could go to an ishapore enfield in .308 and have pretty decent accuracy.
If accuracy is your goal I wouldnt start out with a mosin, if you want a project gun you might be looking at the right gun.

With the upgrades you were naming though you honestly could buy all 3.

If you want it for hunting mainly and plinking secondly I would maybe look at the remington 770's. They usually come with a bushnell scope to boot and are pretty accurate. A friend of mine has one. We ran some greek cmp surplus through it and that's some pretty cheap shooting right there.

thats not totally true i happen to have a m44 that is very accurate id trust my life on it if it came down to it.because its shoots good and you cant break the damn things.

[wizzegun]

For average range shots (50-150 yds) I would say they are both about the same accuracy. Longer shots would favor the 91/30. But remember these are battle rifles and not sniper rifles. Your definition of accurate is probably different than mine or others. At 100 yds, I can hit a clay bird 2 outta 3 shots. Thats accurate enough for me. I think in general you can expect a 2-4 inch spread depending on ammo. And no matter what you buy, that particular rifle may like one ammo over another. Also the M44 was designed to be fired with the bayo out but you can adjust the sight to compensate.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a Mosin. They are great rifles and like you said the history is fantastic. I say get one of each (originals but I am biased ) and see which you prefer. From there you can make your hunting decision. BE WARNED. Mosins are very addictive. Good luck!

[Karl/PA]

If you want accuracy and addiction then look at the Schmidt-Rubin K31. Ain't gonna do any better.

[bulletsneverlie]

thats not totally true i happen to have a m44 that is very accurate id trust my life on it if it came down to it.because its shoots good and you cant break the damn things.

Quotes like this reassure me on the Nagant decision. These are the "pry my gun from my cold dead hands" guys. That's the love.


But wow! you guys are fast to respond. Yeah, not quite sold on the Remington idea, I've shot alot of different rifles, and I'm looking for something with personality, though I like the 30 .06 and the 270. I'll look into the Enfield angle. You were right to assume a project , I think most people with an eye on a Mosin have that itch. I'll be machining the trigger myself, pretty much any work done will be shade tree bubba work. I just can't leave well enough alone, it's my nature. I will leave the gun in it's original form long enough to appreciate it though, maybe I will decide to stay with the original design, depending on how it performs. Thanks for the knowledge so far though.

And to wizzegun, so I've heard about the addictive property! LOL I hear they breed like rabbits. If I had the money I'd buy 4, an M91/30, and M91/30 "Sporterized", an M38, and an M44, just to try 'em. Thanks for the info.

The M38 are just M44 without bayonets, right? No other changes?

[338winmag]

Quotes like this reassure me on the Nagant decision. These are the "pry my gun from my cold dead hands" guys. That's the love.


But wow! you guys are fast to respond. Yeah, not quite sold on the Remington idea, I've shot alot of different rifles, and I'm looking for something with personality, though I like the 30 .06 and the 270. I'll look into the Enfield angle. You were right to assume a project , I think most people with an eye on a Mosin have that itch. I'll be machining the trigger myself, pretty much any work done will be shade tree bubba work. I just can't leave well enough alone, it's my nature. I will leave the gun in it's original form long enough to appreciate it though, maybe I will decide to stay with the original design, depending on how it performs. Thanks for the knowledge so far though.

And to wizzegun, so I've heard about the addictive property! LOL I hear they breed like rabbits. If I had the money I'd buy 4, an M91/30, and M91/30 "Sporterized", an M38, and an M44, just to try 'em. Thanks for the info.

The M38 are just M44 without bayonets, right? No other changes?

one hint of advice on the m44 is that they all shoot to the left unless the bayonet is extended.so you will have to scope it unless you want to walk around with the bayo out all the time.

[bulletsneverlie]

one hint of advice on the m44 is that they all shoot to the left unless the bayonet is extended.so you will have to scope it unless you want to walk around with the bayo out all the time.

Yeah, I've read that too. I've got a set of new cold chisels standing by to tap that site over a little if I get it. Gifts from holidays past.

[indianjack]

Yeah, I've read that too. I've got a set of new cold chisels standing by to tap that site over a little if I get it. Gifts from holidays past.

Do your rifle a favor and use a brass drift punch.

[PA Rifleman]

This is one does pretty well.



The vast majority of scoped Nagants were 91/30s.