The Eternal Project Gun...

[Old Ironsights]

When I first landed back in WY I bought a MN 91/30 so I would have something that could, theoretically, reach out farther than the .357 Rossi I had with me until my main "arsenal" followed me.

After I got all my guns here, I decided to (slowly) turn my 91/30 into a '59 Carbine... in pretty much the same way the Russians did... with hand tools & vodka.

Remember, the original 91/30 is about two football fields long (well, OK, 49" without bayonet)...

So, I posted some of the initial conversion about 2 years ago...







But I did not like the LOP of the newly forshortened rifle when I installed the recoil pad, so it sat for a good bit.

Today, with the help of a hand saw, a rusty old round bastard file and vodka, I shortened the stock 2" to compensate for the recoil pad.



Note how much shorter the gun is: The cleaning Rod normally only extends about 3" past the hand guard. OAL is now 43" WITH 2" pad installed.



Eventually I need to get a new front sight on it, along with the Flash hider/muzzle brake that no longer fits the shortened barrel.

It's a never ending project...

[2ndovc]

I like it! Looks a bit like my M38.

If you think the 91/30 try toting around the original '91 or French St.Etienne 1907/15. Now that's a LONG rifle!


Looking forward to a range report.

jb

[Old Ironsights]

One of these days I'll get out and shoot it. Got enough ammo and it's still cheap enough that it's one of the guns I can afford to shoot...

Here's the MN lineup. I'm turning the Top gun into the Bottom gun...



(Or the 3rd from the bottom, take your pick...) 3rd from the bottom is the '38, bottom is the '59. I guess OAL is the final determining factor...

[2ndovc]

Don't forget the Finns!

My Sako '39 (top of photo) will outshoot any K98 that I've ever owned and is second only to my Remington '03A3
in one ragged hole Military bolt gun accuracy.

My '27 and '28s were also very accurate rifles.



jb

[Ysabel Kid]

Great job OI!

[Stan in SC]

My model 39 is the most accurate iron sighted rifle I have ever owned.

Stan in SC

[Old Ironsights]

I'm hoping the crown is as aquare as it looks. One of the reasons Ii cut it down was the full barrel was wallowed out @ the crown ans pitted for the first 2" or so.

[Pete44ru]

.

It looks ready to convert to .45-70................. http://www.downeastgunworks.com/?p=366


.

[Old Ironsights]

.

It looks ready to convert to .45-70................. http://www.downeastgunworks.com/?p=366


.

I guess... but since I have about 1600 rounds of 54R, and 440rd Spam Cans are still less than $100... Why?

I'm still also considering trying convert it from a 90deg bolt to a 60deg bolt. I have the conversion kit, but I'm not ready to try that yet.

If/when I do, then I'll get rid of the Scout rail and put the original rear sight back on and get really focused on correcting the lack of a front sight,

[Nath]

I am glad you found a use for vodka!

Never could understand the stuff. I'll get some and keep it with my gun stuff...what do ya' do with it.....cleaning patches??

N.

[Stan in SC]

I read this post with great interest.I used to be into Mosins BIG TIME.Over the years I have disposed of all of them except one, a Finnish Model 39. It's kinda been in the back of my mind recently to obtain another 91/59 or a 91/30.I just wanted a shooter and as the title of this thread says "The eternal project gun".
Today I went over and had lunch with my friend who runs a gun shop. We looked thru a bunch of 91/30's and finally found a 1942 dated Ishvesk manufactured one with a really good bore.I brought it home and took it apart and cleaned all of the cosmoline off of it and checked it all out.Before I start cutting the barrel(if I ever do) I intend to see how it shoots bone stock just like it was born. I have a scout mount,an eer scope and can scope it right easily.
Thanks old Ironsights for setting me off on what I had been putting off.
Range report will follow at a later date in this thread.

Stan in SC

[Old Ironsights]

Cheap Guns are a joy...

Because you can Bubba them with a clear conscience...

[Old Ironsights]

WOOT!

Found something I've been sorely needing for this project... a way to properly mount the MN Front Sight on a shortened barrel without Welding.

http://www.mountsplus.com/AR-15_Accesso ... -FSAR.html



Happy Dance!

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering why I left so much barrel exposed... I want 1"+ to thread before I get to the front sight...

[m.wun]

OI, I bought that front sight mount and had two problems with it. First was the ring is held in place with a set screw. Second is the dove tail the original sight goes in is not a dovetail.
It kind of just wedges in there. If you want the one I have to try Ill send it to you.PM me if you want it.

[madman4570]

Like it!

[Old Ironsights]

OI, I bought that front sight mount and had two problems with it. First was the ring is held in place with a set screw. Second is the dove tail the original sight goes in is not a dovetail.
It kind of just wedges in there. If you want the one I have to try Ill send it to you.PM me if you want it.

Do you remember which model you have? From what I understand I need the .6406 nominal ID FSAR-C.

[Streetstar]

I am glad you found a use for vodka!

Never could understand the stuff. I'll get some and keep it with my gun stuff...what do ya' do with it.....cleaning patches??

N.

No -- mix it with tomato juice, Worcestershire and a bit of seasoning salt -- mix with a celery stick ------- they say it cures what ails ya

[Stan in SC]

Wednesday--Hump day--Mike,mike,mike mike,what day is it?I love the camel in the Geico ads.
Anyhow Wednesday is my range day every week that I can.
Today I took the new to me Mosin 91/30.Shooting Bulgarian light ball(147 grain bullet) for the first four shots I was slightly right and high at 50 yards.I adjusted the front sight for windage with the LT2 sight adjuster and used a six o'clock hold and shazam,three shots right in the 2" bull at 50 yards. I dared at that point to try the bowling pin which I had set up at 100 yards.Got it first shot.
Next I moved my target to the 100 yard berm and had to do a wee bit different amount of six o'clock hold.After four shots I had it down pat.I can consistently put four shots in approximately a three inch group at 100 yards.
I next tried 180 grain S&B soft point hunting loads and they seemed a bit stronger recoil wise than the milsurp ammo but hit in the same place.Brown Bear ammo with a 203 grain bullet seemed less strong but hit about the same.
I feel that I got a shooter that will do just what I expect of it and I am happy with the results.

Stan in SC

[m.wun]

I don't know the number but it fit just off the end of the barrel @ 21ish". I will pull it out and measure it this evening.

[m.wun]

Looks like its .634 '' If you want it you can have it.I put a Boyds stock on my rifle and it sit too flat to use iron sights.I also made thin cuts in the bolt
handle,bent it and welded it up. Then cleaned her up and polished it to look factory.

[Old Ironsights]

Looks like its .634 '' If you want it you can have it.I put a Boyds stock on my rifle and it sit too flat to use iron sights.I also made thin cuts in the bolt
handle,bent it and welded it up. Then cleaned her up and polished it to look factory.

.634... interesting. According to the website they sell:

FSAR nominal I.D. sizes: -A).6094″, -B).6250″, -C).6406″, -D).6563″ & -E).6719″

.634 would be in between a "B" & a "C". But I'll give it a try. It will put the sight a little farther forward, but it should work fine.

PM inbound.

I'll put something up on PIF.

Thanks!

[m.wun]

That's what it measured with my plastic caliper (semi accurate).It's in an envelope waiting for mailman!

[Old Ironsights]

Thanks to m.wun, the awkward carrying handle is now gone..

And Glorious Rifle of Revolution has been reborn!



Sadly, the bayonet, which is now nearly as long as the barrel, will not fit. This will someday be remedied...

FWIW, there's 105 rounds right there along with the Russian Surplus cleaning kit & Oil/Solvent bottle...

Next stop: Range. Then on to cutting down and re-turning the cleaning rod so that it fits the gun again, turning the barrel to accept 5/8x24 gear and other minor mods... (like the bayonet)

[m.wun]

Sweeeeeeet!

[Old Ironsights]

That sight ring just slid right on, tapped lightly into place & locked with the set screws. Looks like it will work a peach. Thanks for the extra front sight too. I still had mine in the parts box, but a spare is never a bad thing.

[m.wun]

No problamo, I have a couple of em.

[Stan in SC]

I REALLY liked the look of Old Ironsights' rifle as modified. I now have it's mate but mine has the scout scope on it.
I think my barrel is a bit shorter or looks to be. I had my gunsmith cut 8" off the original barrel and re-crown it.
I am looking forward to getting out to the gun club to sight it in.
Thank you sir for the inspiration.

Stan in SC

[Mescalero]

Nath, I drink it, with 7-up.
I was going to ask how is the recoil? but you indicated you had not shot it.
I have toyed with the idea of rebarreling mine to 6.5 Epps.

[Ji in Hawaii]

I would LOVE to rebarrel a Nagant action to 45/70, heard it has been done and not that difficult.

[Mescalero]

I already have a .45-.70
Ji, there is a video on you tube about the conversion.

[2ndovc]

Way Cool!

Now find some reloadable brass, .315 Hornady round ball or some lead .32-20 bullets and
you've got a nice small game rifle too.

My 39 shoots really well with both.

jb

[Stan in SC]

I don't need any ball small game ammo. I have a small supply of the old low velocity small bullet so called "practice ammo".

Stan in SC