frostytheplebe
Seventh Part of the Seal
I've recently come into posession of the rifle that is the whole reason for getting my license in the first place...
the Mosin Dragoon.
Predecessor to the 91/30 Mosin Nagant which was produced first in 1930. Dragoons, Kossacks, and 1891s being produced previously to that.
Unfortunately finding a Dragoon had become a very tedious assignment, more so then one would hope or expect, why?
Well for one, they look almost exactly like thier successor, the 91/30. The differences are that the Dragoon never had a cylindrical reciever, just a hex one, the Arsenal markings on the breach, bolt and stock are somewhat different, the barrel is an inch or two longer on the dragoon, and if you can find an unmodified one, the sights should be different. Sadly, mine has the modified metric sights, which I am trying to replace. Early 91/30s also had the Hex recievers as well, so it comes down to finding a Mosin that is pre-1930 and has the correct lettering on the breach.
It took some time, but there was a very nice store with a large selection of rifles just north of my town with several Hex mosins. A quick poke through found me staring at the breach of a Izhevsk arsenal 1928 Mosin... BINGO!
The two big arsenals for Mosins were Tula and Izhevsk. The larger being Izhevsk. Tula dating after 1942 are somewhat hard to find because of the destruction of the Arsenal in Tula when the Germans invaded.
Other differences:
Mosin 1891: Is about 6 inches longer then it's counterparts, Hex recievers only, and most have no upper heat guard.
Kossack: Looks identical to Dragoon, except it has a KA3 stamped on the reciever.
Unlike the Dragoon, the 91/30 is among the easiest rifle to find. Almost every gun store has like 3 on consignment for like $100. Which has it's ups and downs...
Pros: The Mosin Nagant 91/30 is an awesome, deadly accurate rifle which I've bullseye'd at 100 yards without a scope. $100 for a piece this reliable, sturdy and well-made is unheard of for almost any other rifle. This is the type of gun you can beat on for years and it will still shoot. It also enabled me to find a dragoon for dirt cheap because the store owner did not know what he had
Cons: Good luck selling a Dragoon for it's actual value. Most stores will just look at it and say, "It's a 91/30, $100" and not listen to reason... thus the only place you can expect a reasonable price is on a collectors/online auction.
I have a little tradition I like to perform with some of the guys I go shooting with. We all bring our Mosins out in the dead of Winter when there is feet of snow on the ground, decked out in old army jackets, and re-enact Russian winter warfare. I love being out there where the only source of heat you get is the barrel of your own rifle, you're covered in snow listening to the sound of gun fire, it's become a real tradition for us. I highly recommend it for any Russian history/ war history buffs.
the Mosin Dragoon.
Predecessor to the 91/30 Mosin Nagant which was produced first in 1930. Dragoons, Kossacks, and 1891s being produced previously to that.
Unfortunately finding a Dragoon had become a very tedious assignment, more so then one would hope or expect, why?
Well for one, they look almost exactly like thier successor, the 91/30. The differences are that the Dragoon never had a cylindrical reciever, just a hex one, the Arsenal markings on the breach, bolt and stock are somewhat different, the barrel is an inch or two longer on the dragoon, and if you can find an unmodified one, the sights should be different. Sadly, mine has the modified metric sights, which I am trying to replace. Early 91/30s also had the Hex recievers as well, so it comes down to finding a Mosin that is pre-1930 and has the correct lettering on the breach.
It took some time, but there was a very nice store with a large selection of rifles just north of my town with several Hex mosins. A quick poke through found me staring at the breach of a Izhevsk arsenal 1928 Mosin... BINGO!
The two big arsenals for Mosins were Tula and Izhevsk. The larger being Izhevsk. Tula dating after 1942 are somewhat hard to find because of the destruction of the Arsenal in Tula when the Germans invaded.
Other differences:
Mosin 1891: Is about 6 inches longer then it's counterparts, Hex recievers only, and most have no upper heat guard.
Kossack: Looks identical to Dragoon, except it has a KA3 stamped on the reciever.
Unlike the Dragoon, the 91/30 is among the easiest rifle to find. Almost every gun store has like 3 on consignment for like $100. Which has it's ups and downs...
Pros: The Mosin Nagant 91/30 is an awesome, deadly accurate rifle which I've bullseye'd at 100 yards without a scope. $100 for a piece this reliable, sturdy and well-made is unheard of for almost any other rifle. This is the type of gun you can beat on for years and it will still shoot. It also enabled me to find a dragoon for dirt cheap because the store owner did not know what he had
Cons: Good luck selling a Dragoon for it's actual value. Most stores will just look at it and say, "It's a 91/30, $100" and not listen to reason... thus the only place you can expect a reasonable price is on a collectors/online auction.
I have a little tradition I like to perform with some of the guys I go shooting with. We all bring our Mosins out in the dead of Winter when there is feet of snow on the ground, decked out in old army jackets, and re-enact Russian winter warfare. I love being out there where the only source of heat you get is the barrel of your own rifle, you're covered in snow listening to the sound of gun fire, it's become a real tradition for us. I highly recommend it for any Russian history/ war history buffs.
