I was thinking of replacing my stolen SKS and my stolen .30-06 with a Mosin Nagant, two birds with one stone. Idea being it is cheap, and cheap to shoot, interesting in its own right as a piece of history and a military gun. My opportunities to hunt and shoot are fewer than they once were so I'm trying to scale back but still cover all the bases.
I even ordered a Mosin from Classic Firearms, but got cold feet and canceled the order. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward a modern rifle being a better fit for me, maybe in a .308.
In short, I think the $100 price tag is an illusion... shipping, transfer, elbow grease, refinishing supplies... As a hunting gun it's not an ideal platform for a scope if I wanted one; and it is long and heavy, with lots of recoil.
A modern bolt gun with synthetic stock and a scope can be had for $300 new. But how much might one cost in a pawn shop, in cosmetic condition akin to a surplus Mosin?
If I expected to have a lot of time at the range, the ammo cost savings could be huge with a Mosin. But I really don't. And if I did, it might be more attractive to shoot something with lighter recoil; and I'd not be as sensitive to the purchase price of the gun itself.
The Mosin seems like the sort of gun that one might really enjoy tinkering with, that could become a hobby in its own right. But I have a lot of other toys crying out for use, and for maintenance, so maybe I need something I can wipe with oil and put away.
Anxious to hear what insurance is going to give me for my SKS. I paid $150 for it, shiny new, and didn't put much wear on it to speak of.
I even ordered a Mosin from Classic Firearms, but got cold feet and canceled the order. I'm still on the fence, but leaning toward a modern rifle being a better fit for me, maybe in a .308.
In short, I think the $100 price tag is an illusion... shipping, transfer, elbow grease, refinishing supplies... As a hunting gun it's not an ideal platform for a scope if I wanted one; and it is long and heavy, with lots of recoil.
A modern bolt gun with synthetic stock and a scope can be had for $300 new. But how much might one cost in a pawn shop, in cosmetic condition akin to a surplus Mosin?
If I expected to have a lot of time at the range, the ammo cost savings could be huge with a Mosin. But I really don't. And if I did, it might be more attractive to shoot something with lighter recoil; and I'd not be as sensitive to the purchase price of the gun itself.
The Mosin seems like the sort of gun that one might really enjoy tinkering with, that could become a hobby in its own right. But I have a lot of other toys crying out for use, and for maintenance, so maybe I need something I can wipe with oil and put away.
Anxious to hear what insurance is going to give me for my SKS. I paid $150 for it, shiny new, and didn't put much wear on it to speak of.
