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Enfield No. 4 vs Mosin-Nagant M44

knightriderknightrider Member Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
OK here comes a reduntant question. Which should I focus on getting next, the Enfield 4 or the Mosin-Nagant M44? Here are the pros and cons that I can come up with for both.

Enfield 4

Pros:
Price is good for rifle
Well built
10 rounds in the mag
Not overly heavy rifle
Recoil is lighter than the Mosin-Nagant
The safety is easy
Easy cheap regular scope mount and the iron sights can still be used.

cons:
Ammo is getting harder and harder to find and for a good price.
Harder to find one that is in good shape other than gun shows and J&G.

Mosin-Nagant

Pros:
Well built (hey if it is still being used as a sniper rife it has to be good, doesn't it?)
Price is better than Enfield
Ammo is cheap and available
They are easy found on many sites.
Lighter than the Enfield, but.....

Cons:
RECOIL!(Being lighter does not mean better with a rifle of this type.)
Safety is hard to use.
The 1891/59 version is out due to the barrel being heaver than rest of the rifle and it wants to fall forward.
Long eye relief sight must be used if a scope is mounted and iron sights are not usable in that form.
It is expensive for a scope to be mounted and iron sights still usable.

There is the list, what is your option?

Comments

  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Mosin, purely on the ammo and cheapness fronts.

    The 91/59 has a heavier barrel than the M44, true, but I don't find that it tips forward. What then would a 91/30 long rifle do? M38 is also an option.
  • iwannausernameiwannausername Member Posts: 7,131
    edited November -1
    Option 3, get one of the ishapore enfields in 308 - cheap, easy to get ammo
  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ditto on the 308.

    I bought a few Enfields in 303 - could never really keep straight what ammo was corrosive, what was not. Compared to 308 it's a pain tracking down 303 ammo anyway. I didn't want to reload 303 because of short case life.

    I have a clean & new looking Ishapore and whenever I get the need for "3" groups @ 100 yds is OK" military style shooting its my favorite.
  • Old FoolOld Fool Member Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +2 on the Isahapore
  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Question was asked of me where is a good source for cheap 308. Cheaper Than Dirt is out - anyone have any suggestions on it?
  • jbw1776jbw1776 Member Posts: 3,056
    edited November -1
    +10 on the Ishapore

    But back to your original question.

    I've had both. Absolutely love the Enfield, consider the Mosin a POS, for one reason and one reason only.

    Enfield: One of the fastest, nicest bolts on a military rifle.

    Mosin: Piss poor, stiffer than heck, design to get around a patent.
    On a side none, my 44 didn't kick all that hard to me.

    I personally would rather have an Enfield with no availible ammo hanging on the wall, than have a mosin, but that's juat me, some folks LOVE them.

    Ben
  • gotstolefromgotstolefrom Member Posts: 1,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I no longer have an enfield...as per my site-name.
    The Mosin has some dedicated followers...I bit on one for $50 that was in good shape. It reminded me of the toy guns we had as a kid (when they were still made of wood and steel -- no plastic, and yeah I'm getting old) Before getting one I considered it a POC.

    Now I have a couple (how'd that happen?)...it is really unbelievable how well these P'sOC shoot..so I'll have to quit with my POC talk.

    Get the Enfield, nice gun and history. I'm gonna think about it too.
    Get the Mosin, for $65 (a tank of gas) it's hard to go wrong.
    ENJOY !
  • jbw1776jbw1776 Member Posts: 3,056
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by gotstolefrom
    I no longer have an enfield...as per my site-name.
    The Mosin has some dedicated followers...I bit on one for $50 that was in good shape. It reminded me of the toy guns we had as a kid (when they were still made of wood and steel -- no plastic, and yeah I'm getting old) Before getting one I considered it a POC.

    Now I have a couple (how'd that happen?)...it is really unbelievable how well these P'sOC shoot..so I'll have to quit with my POC talk.

    Get the Enfield, nice gun and history. I'm gonna think about it too.
    Get the Mosin, for $65 (a tank of gas) it's hard to go wrong.
    ENJOY !



    Can't really argue with that, good advise![8D]

    Ben
  • El KabongEl Kabong Member Posts: 246 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have both..the SMLE is faster, probably the fastest bolt action ever issued..and the peep sights are a plus...but I don't think mine is particulary accurate

    The Soviet M44 isn't as smooth an action, and the sights are harder for me to see, but it's very accurate...yeah, it kicks more than the SMLE, but so what, its WWAAYYY cheaper to shoot

    M44, best buy IMHO
  • knightriderknightrider Member Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for replies. For the most part the argument is split. I guess I will have to toss a coin or something.[:D] Also I don't know where iwannausername gets his ammo but I want some too if he can get 308 ammo cheap.
  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FWIW- the M44 was not a sniper- it's a carbine. The 91/30 WAS used as a sniper. The MN actions are stiff- triggers could be improved (see surplusrifle.com for good trigger article) The MNs tend to be in better shape (bore) than a lot of the Enfields. Enfield bolt is slicker than snot. Ballistically, ammo is almost a draw. M-N ammo is cheaper than a politician's promise. But at today's prices, get both. And the .308 Enfield. Get a 91/30 and a 38 or 44. If you have a C&R, this is happy shopping time.
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