Got a Moisin Nagant 91/30 today

Picked up my first MN 91/30 today at Cooks gun shop in Diberville. Came with cosomline still all over the rifle and bayonet. Also had 4 ammo pouches, tool kit (not sure what its for yet) twin bottles and sling.All for $99. I think its was a good deal. I cleaned the cosomline off the bayonet and the little twin bottles with gas, worked great. Anyone know if I can use gas to clean the bolt and barrell outside? Would it cause any damage or problems.

all i can say is: even when you think you have all the cosmonline off...more will appear. id soak everything (except the stock) in hot soapy water and wipe it off thoroughly. the stock is the tricky part. you're going to have to use either an iron or some sort of steamer to steam all the cosmoline out of the wood. it may sound like a pain in the rear but it is what it is.

as far as the "tool kit," im under the impression that it is novelty item rather than anything useful. there should be one item in the kit that can be used as a headspace gauge but i would not rely on it; instead rely on a no-go gauge.

congrats on your first Mosin. if you're like many of us on this forum... this Mosin will not be your last.

what are the details on your 91/30? tula or izmash? what year? etc. i always enjoy hearing about other peoples finds.

also....for any serious questions about your rifle i would suggest asking the Doug Bowser (he is a member on this forum). i learn something new on just about every one of his posts concerning c&r firearms

Use break cleaner to clean the metal surfaces .... use some mineral spirts for the wood .....

Congrats on the 91/30 -- they ARE fun to shoot!!

Tree of Liberty wrote:all i can say is: even when you think you have all the cosmonline off...more will appear. id soak everything (except the stock) in hot soapy water and wipe it off thoroughly. the stock is the tricky part. you're going to have to use either an iron or some sort of steamer to steam all the cosmoline out of the wood. it may sound like a pain in the rear but it is what it is.

as far as the "tool kit," im under the impression that it is novelty item rather than anything useful. there should be one item in the kit that can be used as a headspace gauge but i would not rely on it; instead rely on a no-go gauge.

congrats on your first Mosin. if you're like many of us on this forum... this Mosin will not be your last.

what are the details on your 91/30? tula or izmash? what year? etc. i always enjoy hearing about other peoples finds.

also....for any serious questions about your rifle i would suggest asking the Doug Bowser (he is a member on this forum). i learn something new on just about every one of his posts concerning c&r firearms

A headspace gauge? I know there's a tool in there that's used for a firing pin protrusion gauge, but didn't know about a headspace gauge.

Neat.

Its a 1943 model and has a hammer and sickle stamped on top of the receiver and a triangle. Once I get her cleaned up I'll try and see if there is anymore markings. Do I need to completely break down bolt assembly or could I soak it in gas or mineral spirits to get rid of any cosmoline? It doesn't seem to have much comoline on it.

i have the same yr same manufacture plant as that one. sweet. mine has the appearance of being battle used as well. you have an izmash (which is the american way of saying izhevsk i suppose).


if i were you i would break the bolt down all the way. but like i said prior...make sure the headspace is checked you disassemble the bolt and adjust the bolt head any.

you could choose not to break the bolt down, but thats your call. at least soak it in water/soap. or do as capt says and w/ brake cleaner (never tried that way yet)

Congrats on your new purchase!
Here is a link to a step by step on how to break down your Mosin. It helped me out... hope it helps you, too. Lots of historical and maintenance information here:
http://russian-mosin-nagant.com/clean.htm (Maintenance Page)
http://russian-mosin-nagant.com/index.html (Home Page)

Also check out: http://7.62x54r.net/ Tons of info...

captain-03 wrote:Use break cleaner to clean the metal surfaces .... use some mineral spirts for the wood .....

Capt - I thought this was where you opened the dishwasher and inserted firearm

PapaDawg wrote:[Capt - I thought this was where you opened the dishwasher and inserted firearm

Them dang 91/30s are just TOO LONG!!!!! ... now if it were only an M44!!

Thanks for links. Got her cleaned up and going to the range thur. The bore looks like its never had a round fired through it. Thanks to all for your info.

simple green and water cuts the cosomo!!

Doggy1953 : what about a range report!
Would like to know what you think of your new toy!!!

Going to the range thur, if I can. I'll post the results.

I trick I found that works really well on a cosmoline soaked wood stock is to put a couple of old towels on your dashboard & put the stock on those & park in the direst sunlight with the windows up.

The radiant heat & temperature reached in the car will sweat a good portion of it out. Wipe periodically.

Beware the car will smell like Cosmoline for a couple of days!


Good to use on old truck like mine.

The stock underneath the cosmoline is probably varnished or shellacked -- I'd be careful with using solvents on that. Soapy water and the above hot car trick might be better.

Or y'all could save yourselves all this trouble and just buy a Mauser instead.

Gitschlag wrote:Or y'all could save yourselves all this trouble and just buy a Mauser instead.

G-man and his Mausers lol. We know deep down you love the Mosins don't lie!