I'm going to be buying an M44 Mosin Nagant carbine soon. I want to mount a scope on it, but the gun doesn't come with scope mounts. ATI sells a scope mount along with a bent bolt handle (because the straight one won't clear a scope) for around $40. Both the scope mount and bolt handle require drilling and tapping, which I have done before, but I'm not an expert, and I have never done it on a firearm. I have a full welding shop to use, so I have all the proper tools. Do you think I can do it myself, or should I leave it to a professional? I just don't want to screw up the gun in any way.

 

I have a Moisin Nagant also - not the carbine tho - and I've thought a few times about mounting a scope. But since it would need to be mounted a bit high (even with a turned down bolt handle all the mounts I've seen are high) I've just shot it with the iron sights. The stocks on these rifles aren't made for holding a high sight picture.

I've also seen scopes on these mounted on the side of the receiver, but I've never been a fan of side-mounting a scope.

I think $40 for both the mounts and bolt handle is a great price.

I'd definetly take it in to a shop that has a good rep for 'smithing tho to get everything drilled and tapped. I'm gonna guess no more than another $50 or so to have them do it.

 

Hell man, I've no doubt I could perform open heart surgery.

Point being, unless you want to spend the time learning from an "expert" and then applying it to "dead bodies" for practice, pay someone that has the experience to do the work and get it done right the first time.

 

I'm also getting the ATI Monte Carlo stock, so everything should fit together pretty well. The instructions for the mount and bolt handle say it can be done with good results as long as you take your time. I'm going to the local gun shop in a bit and I'll talk to them.

 

Oh and here's what it'll look like when I'm done.

 

That's gonna look niiice!!

I'd still be a little concerned about the stock smacking your cheek, as that is a high mount for the scope. Mine is huge, the full-size battle rifle, weighs like 10 lbs., so not much recoil. But the cartridge is 30.06 class so in a light rifle I'd think you'd want your cheek solidly on the stock.

All that said, those things tend to be accurate rifles. I can generally hold 3 rounds in 2 inches at 100 yrds. with the iron sights. Just beware of old soviet surplus ammo, corrosive primers.. I've used some and had the necks split. Plus you can't reload that old brass.

 

I spoke to a gunsmith yesterday and after explaining what I wanted to do, he said "Buy a real gun". The fact is that even after I buy all this crap, this gun will still cost me well under $250. Compare that to buying the cheapest deer rifle you can get, which would run around $350 to $400. However, he did say that the bolt handle and scope mount were easy. He told me to just take my time and it would be fine.

 

Find another gunsmith. MNs are deadly accurate and well worth what you'll put into it. He just sounds like one of those snobbish types that take offense to working on something worth less than a new f-150.

 

http://www.sirmailorder.com/

Look under "Shooting/Hunting Firearms" then "Military/Surplus" they sell a scope mount for MNs. Not sure if its exactly what your looking for but could be worth looking into.

 

Yeah he did **** me off. I didn't go in and ask for his opinion on the gun, I asked how much he would charge to do the work. It amazes me how people like that stay in business.

Oh and did you mean to say F-150?

I looked at it, but it didn't really give much of a description, and there was no picture, so I don't really know much about it. It did say it was a "scout" scope mount, which generally means it places the scope between the two iron sights, not over the bolt. I don't really like that look, and I'd probably have to buy a different kind of scope to go with it. I already have a scope to use.

The way I look at it, 2" groups at 100 yards with iron sights is pretty damn good. With a scope and some good ammunition, I could probably cut that down to one inch. I'm not trying to pick off squirrels from 300 yards (okay, I probably will) so I don't really need anything more accurate than that.

 

All depends on the quality of the barrel, the crown, the chamber you get with yours, but yeah, they're capable of very fine accuracy.

And that response from a gunsmith is just unacceptable, tells me he doesn't want your business, ever.

Post up your thoughts here when you get that rifle with the stock and scope.

 

It'll be a little while before I get everything. I'm trying to order, but I can't find an FFL that will do the transfer. They all would rather sell me the stuff themselves than just make the $30 off the paperwork. I'll have to keep calling around.

 

Wow, man you got some sorry dealers around there..

I'd sure look around some, neighboring towns, anything... That's just very poor service..

I'd also try and have a look at any gun shows around there, the Moisin Nagant qualifies as an "antique/collectible" and I guarantee there will be people at a gun show with that license who can make the transfer for you.

Hell, they'll probably have the rifle you want for sale. And a little haggle over the price is half the fun!!

 

Unfortunately the local gun show was a couple weeks ago and I was out of town. It's almost like nobody wants me to get this gun...

 

i just went to Bass Pro Shops and bought a savage 110..it was alot easier than going through all that crap you are talking about...