First off,

sixtysix-B'cuda

Hello. I've watched these boards for a while, but didn't have much to say...so I kept my yap shut.Second, I actually do have a question. I've been looking at various old military rifles at shows, looking for soemthing that will be a fun shooter, as well as having potential for sporterizing into something a little more interesting down the line (I'm thinking .25-06). Originally, I was considering a Mauser (Czech or German), or a P14 Enfield. But those $70 Nagant 1891's have something to them as well (mainly, they're cheap, as is their ammo...). Do the Nagant actions adapt well to modification, or is the classic addage of "you get what you pay for" ring true?Anyway, hello to all, and any responses will be appreciated.

scott5792

I bought a nagant a few years back. 7.62 x 54 rimmed or something like that.Broke the shell everytime I shot it and wouldn't eject. I tried it 10-12 times. Sold it for 40 bux. hated it. Maybe yours will do better, But mine was a hunk of crap.Was in exc. jsut not a good experience.Scott

pikeal1

Welcome aboard. You sure picked the right place for asking questions. These good people are full of answers...some of them true I don't know much about the nagants, but I have seen stocks and some other add ons in catalogs and online stores. Tapco recently put out a catalog dedicated to these rifles. I'm not too familiar with them, but they had a couple of pages strictly on them. might want to check them out.Alex

Tailgunner1954

The first thing to consider when buying a rifle to convert is the bolt face (and how much has to be done to it) the second thing is action strength and 3rd is cost.The Nagant action is a rimmed design and unless your going to make a wildcat .25-54R would be a poor choice.The mauser rifles would be a better choice for conversion due to a standard boltface size and they are noted for their strength (esp the VZ-24 & CZ-24).Cost to sporterize ? lets just say you can buy a brand new in the box CZ rifle in your choice of caliber for the same or less money than doing a basic cheap sporter job.All that said the Nagant is a fun little shooter, but (like all weapons of unknown history) you should have a gunsmith examine it before using it.If you decide to sporter a rifle consult with your local gunsmith first, his opinion can save you a lot of money and grief during the project.

sixtysix-B'cuda

Thanks so far...I guess it would help if I said I wasn't looking at sporterizing right this instant. I go to the range with some buddies, and expending several hundred rounds apiece between rifle, pistol, and shotgun in an afternoon isn't that uncommon. I figured on getting a rifle and using it until it got pretty much shot out, and then converting.Good point about the rimmed cartridge; I have friends that handload, but haven't gotten into it myself. The only CZ rifles I've really looked at are the 550's, simply because I love the .416 Rigby cartridge...speaking of which...has anyone heard of the reliabilty if the 550's with that heavy of a cartridge? I get a little nervous comparing them with a Hannibal (mainly, the CZ seems a little under-built)...but, the $2000 price difference does pique my interest.Thanks again, everyone.

sixtysix-B'cuda

Saxonpig--Thanks for the replies. I bought my '66 in 1984 (when I was all of 14), it's Citron Bronze/white, and originally had the 225 leaning tower of power...but I've upgraded to a 273. Beyond that, it's all original.Glassbacks rule!

Tailgunner1954

The vz /cz-24's are m-98 mausers made in chezkosolveca. M-98, yugo, and vz's mausers are available at around 100-150 (mil surp)CZ-24 (mil surp) is not the same as the new CZ (one is a govt arsonal, one is a private company). Theres a lot of surplus 8x57 Mauser ammo out their right now alsoThe CZ-550 safari mag in 416 rigby seems to be a nice piece, have put a little more than 50 shots thru mine without problem or complaint.I just fiished doing a budget conversion on a M-98 that was in a Bishop stock (turned it into a 308win). My total cost was in the $500 range, and I did all the stock work and bluing, smith did the barrel work, bolt forging and drilling.[This message has been edited by Tailgunner1954 (edited 04-01-2002).]

gruntled

I remember well the 66 Baracudas. I worked on the upstairs trim line at that time and the Baracudas were the hardest car to work on. None of the parts that were only for that car fit. Yes we did laugh ourselves sick over the yellow & the purple cars. We also had a major problem getting the crome trim to stay on the cars with the vinyl top.

sixtysix-B'cuda

Thanks, Gruntled. Hearing a little bit about how my car was put together always makes my day...You know, I've only seen one factory vinyl roof '66 (a LOT of the interior parts on my car came off it...body was a basket case (rolled)). Heck, the Plymouth sales brochure doesn't even list it as an option. They must've been rarer 'n hen's teeth...

beachmaster73

Cuda....10 million Russians can't be wrong! In the hands of Russian soldiers, despite being led by the idiot Stalin, The Soviet Union stopped the Nazi juggernaut cold(of course the Germans were led by the idiot Hitler so maybe it evens out!). The quality of the Mauser no doubt is superior but that particular Nagant cartridge 7.62x54 is still one of the best out there. You know if you buy one weapon you probably will buy another and another and another...so just go ahead and get started....you can get the Mauser next time around. The important thing is to get out to the range and put bullets down range. Oh and welcome to the board! Beach

Lowrider

Hey 'Cuda: Back in '68 I bought a new Barracuda coupe. Formula "S" with a 340 and a Torqueflite. Emerald green with a black vinyl top. Man, I loved that car. Love to have it back.

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Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.

Hans Grueber

I recently bought a Russian M-44 and a Czech Mauser. I have no complaints about either gun. The Mauser has a much smoother action but both are the same where accuracy is concerned. The M-44 is much shorter and easier to handle in a vehicle and makes a better "truck gun". I do not shoot from inside my vehicle (for the record) I was simply implying that the M-44 traveles better in a truck than a Mauser. All in all they are both good, accurate guns (to a degree) but I would say the Mauser would make a better "project" gun for long term ownership.

barto

i have a mod 38 turk mauser that shoots 2" groups @ 7 cents a round. sure cant beat that. small ring reciever, though. not so many aftermarket barrels, etc. available for it. i sure like those old mausers, tho. barto

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the hard stuff we do right away - the impossible takes a little longer

bhayes420

A few days ago I posed a question on the "Ask the Experts" forum about Mosin Nagants. Got lots of good advice. Should be on the second or third page by now if you are interested in reading the comments. Just picked up my M44 Nagant (Finnish)yesterday, based on what I learned. Still trying to get all the d*** cosmoline off it! When those Fins rebuild something and store it, they are liberal with the stuff!

bwa

If you end up looking for a Mauser 98, find out when and where it was made before taking the plunge. My dad brought one home from his army days and thought it would become the perfect first hunting rifle for me. I didn't know anything about them and so just rode along to the gunsmith's shop for the ride. Got a great barrel and a decent walnut stock which I finished myself, but then learned that the year stamped on the receiver(1944) was not one of the original Mauser plant's better years. I was told that the Germans were in retreat and their factories were being bombed like crazy, so the manufacturers became a little less particular. The receiver was carved up with unsightly toolmarks, which wasn't that big of a deal, but one knowledgeable man suggested I have the headspace checked(which made me a bit nervous), and the trigger was terrible(that is an understatement, too). Probably good that I never got a shot at a deer before selling the thing; don't know if I could have kept the thing steady while trying to get that trigger to let go.Having said all that, I'm sure that there are many, many more good 98's than bad one's, as others have suggested here. Wish you well in your search.

sixtysix-B'cuda

Thanks for all the replies. Those M44's look better all of the time...and I'll just have to keep my eye open for a Mauser down the line.Thanks again.

groundhog devastation

Know why there are more Remington, Winchester actons out there than Ruger??? Rugers are based on Mausers!!!!! Enough said to keep the boards lit up tonight!!! GHD

YankeeClipper

Right now the 8m/m are plentyful. and a good one to shoot. In fact they are all fun ifyou have an interest in military firearms. I'm going to use a 7.5 French this year.