[lowcountrygarand]

I guess you could say I am new to Finn fever. I've been wanting a Finn mosin and from what I've read it seems most people say the m39 is one of the more inherently accurate mosin variations. Is there anything in particular, other than barrel quality, that I should look for. Since these finnish manufactures did such a fine job of fit and finish for such a good reputation of accuracy, what are some of the hallmarks of unissued or still in original condition rifles. I've been checking out the finnish area of mosinnagant.net but any advice for a novice would be appreciated. I will probably avoid gunbroker since I could easily be duped and will stick to looking at some of the gunboards sponsors websites. Any recommendations for reputable dealers is welcome. This is intended as a shooter and will be frequently at the range with me hopefully. Most of the time when looking for a good shooter I wouldn't care about original conditions but since the Finn manufacturers have a good reputation for accuracy I would like one that hasn't been molested. Curious if my assumptions are correct in what I need to look for for a good shooter.
thanks

[email protected]

 

[Spaxspore]

You pretty much can't go wrong with any m39. Its one of the easiest rifles to jump into and not worry about getting burned.

Here is a great run down on the m39-

http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/finnish_mosin_nagantm39.asp

As for dealers.. i do not believe any current sponsors have or had m39s for sometime. Your best bet is use 3rd party methods and use the trader. M39s are pretty common on there.

 

[Doby]

I shoot almost every day, out to 1200 meters, and for the past two weeks at up to 1500. For the past few months I have shot mostly Finnish Mosins almost every day. My PARTICULAR Finns have not shown the pattern that I expected. The heavier barrels of some models (M39, M28, M27) may hold a tighter string since it takes longer to heat the barrel, but for slow fire, I have a couple of finned 91-30s and five M91s that shoot just as well as my particular M39s. A couple of them have better triggers than my M39s as well.


And my most accurate ones at long range? A lowly refurbed ex-sniper, and a Finned 91-30. If I told you how accurate they are, you would accuse me of lying.

I may shoot the longer barreled rifles better because of my eyes of course. I just like a really long sight radius and a good trigger. the rest can be tuned if you have a good barrel to start with.

Just my opinion. I'm new to Mosins but not to shooting.

 

[Lancebear]

LCG,

I like the SAKO M39 best, have a few and shot two, very accurate and tight original rifles I think.

What to look for in a SAKO M39 is a fine bore first, pretty stock, and a sharp SAKO cartouche on a wartime stock. And a Finnish matchin' numbered bolt. Wartime stock without the cartouche would be a replacement, wartime wood and later.

Some have little to no original bluin' left, like that, rifle that was maybe never reworked and maybe an original rifle and still with a great bore. Like that look, almost no bluin' to much more, even hundred percent on an unissued rifle. And unissued ones are out there, but seldom come up for sale.

I would put up a want to buy a M39 on our trader board first, a member might give ya' a good deal on a fine unmessed with rifle. Many generous people here who will help out other members.

Another source, Empire Arms owned by member and former sponsor Dennis Kroh. Kroh will do ya' right.

Good luck, fine rifles.

Lancebear

 

[redeuce]

Don't rule out GB if you want to buy M39's. You won't find any at the big box stores, very few at pawn shops and gun shows. If you do your homework, and watch GB every day, deals do come up. Just be aware that on GB any M39 in excellent condition will go high. However if you like them with a "been there" used condition, deals come up once in the while. I picked up a '41 VKT a few weeks back. Good stock, war time, with some wear. Some wear on the bluing. But overall a nice rifle for $275. Only other option is PB.

Always watch the Trader, but you have to be really quick there.

 

[Doby]

Lol, better move quickly!

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?357169-WTS-1944-SK-Y-M39-PPU-7-62x54r

 

[lowcountrygarand]

Thanks for all the info and Happy Easter to everybody!

 

[milprileb]

I shoot almost every day, out to 1200 meters, and for the past two weeks at up to 1500. For the past few months I have shot mostly Finnish Mosins almost every day. My PARTICULAR Finns have not shown the pattern that I expected. The heavier barrels of some models (M39, M28, M27) may hold a tighter string since it takes longer to heat the barrel, but for slow fire, I have a couple of finned 91-30s and five M91s that shoot just as well as my particular M39s. A couple of them have better triggers than my M39s as well. And my most accurate ones at long range? A lowly refurbed ex-sniper, and a Finned 91-30. If I told you how accurate they are, you would accuse me of lying. I may shoot the longer barreled rifles better because of my eyes of course. I just like a really long sight radius and a good trigger. the rest can be tuned if you have a good barrel to start with. Just my opinion. I'm new to Mosins but not to shooting.

I would not be surprised at all. If one actually shoots these rifles , he finds some shoot well and some fall by the wayside and its not a matter of whether its a $99 Mosin 91/30 or a $390 Finn M39. I have similar results and while I like the Finn M39 for its perfection of the Mosin design, its not automatic just cause it "Finn" that it shoots well or better than a 91/30. Furthermore, the ammo you use does influence if your M39 shoots to its (On this board mindset) legendary accuracy and the reality is line up 3 each M39 and feed them your best match loads of 762x54R and results will be all different at 300 yds. Different...yeah , anything shoots good out of a fine condition M39 at 100 yds but go to 300 and watch the results. Same for 91/30. If you want a M39, go for it but don't automatically assume its accuracy will be automatically better than a fine 91/30 at 300 yds.

If you like / collect / shoot Mosins, buy a M39 and 91/30. Find best condition you can .

 

[ole fred]

I'd like to correct one misconception than started at least twenty years ago..........and won't die.

The m/39's are not heavy barrels. Nominally, there are two different barrels weights of Finn's. They may vary a few thousands, but definitely fall into two catagories. The heavy ones are the stepped m/91-24's, late 1927 Tikka m/91's and the m/27's, m/28's and m/28-30's. The light one's are the unstepped SIG m/91-24's, the early m/91 Tikka's, all of the P26 & 27's, all of the 40's dated Tikka and VKT m/91's, all of the "B" barrels and all of the Tikka m/91-30's. All of the m/39's are of the lighter variety since many of the VKT and "B" barrels are cut down m/91 barrels.

Century started this misconseption back when the m/39 first started being imported, and like I said, it just won't die.