Recommend a scope

[cwatson]

I have a 91/30 Mosin Nagant I use for hunting. (Wasn't sure if I should post this here or hunting but figured I would try here.) I have just been using the iron sites to this point but have been thinking of putting a scope on it. I know nothing about scopes so input would be welcomed. Funds are limited so those high dollar fancy ones are out from the start. If there is something specific you need to know to make a recommendation fire away :)

[jason1911]

There are a couple of routes to take when mounting a scope on a Mosin. The first and easiest way is to use a mount that replaces the rear sight and uses a long eye relief scope, such as a handgun scope.
Here is the rear sight mount http://www.tickbitesupply.com/mos.html
and here http://www.opticsplanet.net/pistol-scopes.html is a nice selection of handgun scopes. You will be somewhat limited in the power of the scope, but any scope made for a magnum handgun should work fine.

The other option involves drilling and tapping the receiver to add a standard Weaver rail to the top. If your rifle has the straight bolt handle, it will need to be cut and a different handle either bolted on or welded. Once you do that, you can then use any standard scope and ring set to mount on the Weaver rail.
Here is a link to the rail and bent bolt all in one kit http://www.cabelas.com/p-0003643221836a.shtml

The first option will probably be a bit cheaper, but most of the less expensive handgun scopes are only 2-8 power or so. By tapping the receiver and putting on a standard rail, you could use any rifle scope of any power you wanted. I personally use Nikon scopes, but they can be a bit pricey.
Opticsplanet.com is a good website to see prices and specs of nearly every scope brand and type. I have purchased a scope from them before and never had a problem. They are usually the same price or a little cheaper than you can find at most retail stores.
Once you know which option would work best for you, I may have a few more suggestions as to specific models.

[jim]

SWFA is another good source, as is http://www.knifesupplycompany.com/optics.html.

jim

[Pitdog]

I did up an M44 for a guy here recently, and the screw on handle is pretty much a joke. I actually turned a handle out of a recycled car part (don't laugh) and MIG welded it on and it is just dandy, longer, sturdier, and better looking. The scope base itself is typical aluminum weaver type and gets bolted on with three screws. I recommend loctiting it together after drilling and tapping.

[Pitdog]

As far as scopes go, a decent Bushnell or Simmons will work for this type of work, shy away from true cheapies like NC Star, but a Banner series Bushnell will be a decent deer scope, or the Simmons 8 Point.
Or get a nice Leupold or Nikon...... kind of like putting a Chandalier in the Outhouse.... but hey.

[cwatson]

Thank you all for your help.

Here is a link to one that I was looking at. But I couldn't find any information on a Target scope.


http://cgi.ebay.com/MOSIN-NAGANT-SCOUT-PACKAGE-4X30-ILLUM-SCOPE-W-MOUNT_W0QQitemZ390084956261QQcategoryZ31714QQcmdZV iewItem

I like the idea of using the rear site ears.

[jason1911]

That's actually a decent price for a complete kit. I have never used that scope brand, or even heard of it, but if the glass is clear, and has a good sight picture, it should be fine.
I would be a little leery of buying one off e-bay. If the scope is not clear, or is parallaxed, the seller will probably not refund your money. I would opt for spending a little more and buying from a reputable dealer, or even Wally World, as you can try it out before you buy it. I'm just kinda paranoid about buying a brand I've never tried from somewhere I can't return it. Just my 2 cents.
Whatever you decide, let us know how it works out.

[Pitdog]

You will be poorly disappointed with this rig if you purchase it. The quality as well as effectiveness of the mount and the scope itself will leave much to be desired as well as the accuracy potential of that type of mount coupled with the LOW quality of the scope is a recipe for disaster.

[cwatson]

Buying off of ebay doesn't worry me. You use a credit card and if they won't refund if there is a problem you contact your credit card and do a charge back on then. I have been buying on ebay for about 8 years and only had one problem. I did a charge back and problem solved.

I just don't know about that scope. I really do not want to replace the bolt on my mosin to put a different mount and scope on. But maybe I will just take it to take it in and let the professionals do it :) Though I would rather not.

[Pitdog]

There is only one answer here- professionals will be the only way you will achieve real satisfaction, and going with a scope that wasn't made in the poorest corner of the People's Republic. So many scopes come from China, but there are choices that will bring about less heartache. I sold some of those once to the 'budget minded' and used on myself as an experiment, first shot the crosshairs made an X and that was it.
Do as you wish though, but remember-

[hunter63]

I did up an M44 for a guy here recently, and the screw on handle is pretty much a joke. I actually turned a handle out of a recycled car part (don't laugh) and MIG welded it on and it is just dandy, longer, sturdier, and better looking. The scope base itself is typical aluminum weaver type and gets bolted on with three screws. I recommend loctiting it together after drilling and tapping.

Did you ever try heating and bending the bolt handle?
My Mauser '98 was done this way, I think(?), not real sure, but it looks real good.
Had a real good gunsmith do it as well as the safety changed, (as well as a whole lot of other stuff).

I looked at the screw on kit for the m44, and can't even imagine it holding up, as to work the bolt, you have to do it like you are mad at it.

I would go with the front sight mount an long eye-relief scope, that way you aren't doing any butchering from original.
Or if you don't care, have a good gunsmith do it, only a couple of bucks more for first class.

[Pitdog]

Hunter, you are right on Target with the Mauser, one of my favorite projects indeed. The bolt handle on the Nagant is too short unfortunately, and the root area of the bolt handle is rounded and would have to be reshaped to actually get it to bend close to the bolt body itself. If one were doing a sporterization and wanted to stick with open sights, or the scout type rig, then it would be ok to just bend it down and maybe reshape it to suit taste.

On my .257 I did on a Swede M96 action I did an acorn on the bolt knob, and used a checkering file to make the top portion of the nut and a center drill to put in the stem hole. Once I did that on the lathe I use a very EXPENSIVE tool LOL (Flat stock with a slot milled in it it) to carefully bend the bolt handle down and the forged out and swept it back. They are left to the individual's imagination and skill.

I still recommend a drilled and tapped mount, be it scout or not, and here is why- The base of the rear sight is silver soldered on, and the it is not a band type like the Mauers, it is just a base and the integrity of the joint is questionable based on the communist's skill and desire to excel at the task. I have seen these fall of with no provocation, and I have seen them be knocked of with little more pressure than a not too hard hammer blow. Got one of those I am drilling and tapping for a set of Williams open sights right now as a matter of fact.

[hunter63]

Here's a pic of the Mauser, looks like the bolt is long, I haven't it out of the safe in a while, so now I gotta go look again, to see if it was welded or bent. LOL.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/hunter63/PICT0415.jpg


I had the work done on this in the late '70, started out as a silhouette rifle with peep sights, and I wanted a scope (sound familiar ?).

Any way started out just working on the bolt and mount for the scope, then the safety, wanted the front blade sight removed, so reblueing was in order.

So now the custom stock had been varnished, looked crappy, so I'm thinking, "Lets redo the stock and glass bed it at the same time!"

Well, the "guy" also has a "guy" the does engraving, so what the heck, trigger guard and floor plate got a custom engraving.

Then the action was sorta sticky, barrel is a Obermeyer custom sport-er, chambered in .225 win. on the Mauser action, short cartridge, so that was next, to get straighten out.

I would go and visit it once a month, for about a year, and give the guy some more money.
Finally the day came and I was waiting to pick it up, and saw it sitting there, and thought, Wow, cool rifle, then he walked in and handed it to me.
I wager it's the only one in the world like it.

Funny, how some things take on a life of their own, isn't it?

[Mr.B]

I wouldnt heat and bend the bolt or tap the rifle for a scope thats me. I use to collect them and still have 6 Mosin Nagants kicking around.

Here is an easy way to throw a scope on your Mosin Nagant I have a friend that hunts with his Chinese Type 53 same as the Mosin Nagant M44 with one of the scope mounts below. This will save you $$ with out having some gunsmith try to sporterize you Mosin Nagant. Sporterizing the Nagant makes it look uglier than it already is and youll spend more $$$ trying to sporterize it than what the gun is worth.




http://www.scopemounts.com/index.html?main.html#

-B

[Pitdog]

Hunter, that aint a bad looking rig at all. Neat round too, always like it.

Mr B I don't disagree with 'leave it alone' but some people just gotta' do this, or that, I would rather see it done correctly and professionally for the sake of service and safety.

[cwatson]

This is what I ended up with. It is a tri-rail for the mosin and required only the rear sight to be removed and the spring. It all seems to work pretty well at this point.