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Well everybody I had a chance to get my rar end over to R-Guns this weekend and see what was up with all the buzz about the PU snipers. I was fortunate enough to have an invite to inspect the rifles and give my opinion. It was also a very fruitful meeting in that I got the tour and had a chance to sit down with the owner and discuss a business relationship between R-Guns and Gunboards that should prove to be beneficial to both parties and our membership. I can say that we did reach an agreement and R-Guns has graciously accepted a position as a sponsor of Gunboards.com. (big round of applause please 
)
I had a chance to see the facility and the rifles that R-Guns has for sale and the selection is nice and the quality was excellent. Roger tells me that his passion is black rifles and that was evident and his selection was very nice. Along with these rifles there is an expansive assortment of ammo and surplus rifles to be had at R-Guns. Primary amount these are Mosin Nagant's in the m/44 and 91/30 types as well as the much sought after 91/30 PU models. In addition there are 1895 Nagant pistols and Russian captured K-98 Mauser's in several grades ranging from good with peened markings to very good to excellent and markings intact. You need to check into the web site to see what other items are there as it would be too much to list here.
Now onto the PU sniper rifles. I had an opportunity to look at many of the rifles that are for sale to you the collector and member of Gunboards.com
I was also fortunate enough to actually look at the rifles being unpacked and marked with the import markings that are required by ATF law and that was eye opening.
View attachment 392002
I spent the afternoon inspecting and sorting through some rifles that were unpacked from the original military storage crates in R-Guns facility. The crates were wire banded and lead sealed to prevent unauthorized opening and tampering during storage or transit. The crates were also fully military marked and and nailed and screwed shut. When opened the contents were encapsulated in oil paper and a desiccant paper for long term storage. The accessories like slings and pouches for the rifles were included one for each rifle.
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My first impression of the rifles was that they were in very nice condition and I looked at them a bit suspiciously. But after looking at more and more they all were in the same well cared for condition. Both rifle's of Tula make and Izhvesk make were included in the appropriate ratio that one would expect. All of the rifles I looked at had matching optics. The Izhvesk guns had the scope serial number added to the barrel shank-either as its original number or as a later replacement with the original lined out and the new scope number of the replacement unit placed above it. Some rifles even had three scope numbers! The Izhvesk rifle had for the most part all Izhvesk made mounts with a variety of common scope makers spread across the gamut. The rifles for the most part carried original wood and had nice Izhvesk cartouches present. Some carried the replacement stocks we are accustomed to when stock replacement was necessary and those of course carried the familiar box and slash proof marking. Some rifle were in refinished stocks of a darker shellac that had a very attractive look to them with a rich grain pattern.
View attachment 12220
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The Tula rifles I observed where again properly marked and in the correct date ranges. The guns in this series differed as they should in that the scope mounts were serial numbered to the rifle with a Cyrillic prefix and number. Most if not all were two or three digit serial numbers as expected in series runs of 999. With the scope being mated to the rifle via the scope mount and an EP serial number on the receiver the serial number of the scope itself is lined out. Both makers mounts showed signs of a witness mark indicating proper scope rotation settings in the mount. The Tula rifles I examined all fell in the typical range of 43 and 44 as did the Izhvesk rifles. The stocks on the Tula rifles for the most part carried Tula cartouches as well dated to the rifles date. Stock proofing was prolific on many stocks.
View attachment 12222
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The optics on all rifles appeared to be in good order and clear. It is hard to tell though when one is wearing rubber gloves to check when the optics have oil paper inside the leather scope caps to create a seal and sometimes oil gets on the lens'. I would say that I saw only a few scopes that lacked finish on them or mounts that lacked less then 80% or more bluing. This was a bonus for me actually as many of the rifles did not look like little if any refurbishment had been necessary and none looked heavily worked over. A very positive sign of authenticity in my book. Fake rifles don't come in military crates and with less then 100% blue on them and not one scope or mount I examined out of many was not authentic. All seemed to my eye to be authentic rifles.
Are these rifles refurbished? Yes they are in some degree or fashion. These rifles are typical rifles that were placed into long term storage after being rebuilt to front line service grade condition-some more then others. These are in all my years of collecting Russian sniper rifle the first rifles I have ever examined in all of the imports that had matching serial number scopes to the rifles. Some crates had rifles in them with mismatched scopes and when removed and placed on a table with the rifles they correct rifle could be found in that crate to recreate the match. I did a lot of that during the day with the friend I was with to keep the proper scope package with the proper rifle. R-Gun's also did a lot of that in making sure each rifle when import marked had its proper scope replaced before being repacked in the crate so they would remain proper. Kudos to R-Gun for caring about the collector and keeping these rifles together as they should be. Its not an easy thing and they went the extra mile to assure that for you guys as it would have been a lot easier to just whip them off and put them back on in a hap hazard way.
It is my opinion that these rifles are a very rare chance for you the collector to get an authentic PU sniper rifle in the condition they were put away in for later use. These are not in my opinion purposely built guns that are reproductions made for the collector market in the US. These are the real deal guys. These are also incredibly desirable with the matching scope mounts/scope package to the rifle-the first time these have ever been offered in the configuration or shape. As a collector of these kinds of rifles I can tell you with out hesitation that I personally purchased several of the rifles for my own personal collection. I was that pleased with them.
I want to thank R-Gun for their hospitality and allowing me to view the rifles and present a in depth review for you the collector here on Gunboards.com. I also want to let you know that the guys at R-Guns have Russian 1895 revolvers in stock and m/44 and 91/30 rifles as well. They have also been gracious enough to allow me to organize a group buy on some rare m/44 carbines for you the membership. On a side note and a possible perk for you the membership that is not afforded to anybody else-if you ask specifically it is possible that you can receive one of the limited numbers of scope covers that are available for the PU in addition to the normal sling and ammo pouch that comes with the rifle as standard. You must be a Gunboards member and you must mention that you wish to receive a cover specifically to get one of the limited numbers available. This is not a guarantee but rather a suggestion as numbers are limited and this is based on R-Guns sole discretion.
View attachment 12213
So if you order please let them know you are a Gunboards member and that you saw the product here and are anxious to make one of these rare rifles a part of your collection. Good luck and I know you will be satisfied. I am very pleased with the examples I added to my collection and with the R-guns outfit and ownership as a whole. Also please check the sponsors group deal section for the m/44 carbine deal that is in the works. That will make a great addition to your Russian collection for a very attractive price.
) I had a chance to see the facility and the rifles that R-Guns has for sale and the selection is nice and the quality was excellent. Roger tells me that his passion is black rifles and that was evident and his selection was very nice. Along with these rifles there is an expansive assortment of ammo and surplus rifles to be had at R-Guns. Primary amount these are Mosin Nagant's in the m/44 and 91/30 types as well as the much sought after 91/30 PU models. In addition there are 1895 Nagant pistols and Russian captured K-98 Mauser's in several grades ranging from good with peened markings to very good to excellent and markings intact. You need to check into the web site to see what other items are there as it would be too much to list here.
Now onto the PU sniper rifles. I had an opportunity to look at many of the rifles that are for sale to you the collector and member of Gunboards.com
I was also fortunate enough to actually look at the rifles being unpacked and marked with the import markings that are required by ATF law and that was eye opening.
View attachment 392002
I spent the afternoon inspecting and sorting through some rifles that were unpacked from the original military storage crates in R-Guns facility. The crates were wire banded and lead sealed to prevent unauthorized opening and tampering during storage or transit. The crates were also fully military marked and and nailed and screwed shut. When opened the contents were encapsulated in oil paper and a desiccant paper for long term storage. The accessories like slings and pouches for the rifles were included one for each rifle.
View attachment 12216
View attachment 12217
View attachment 12219
My first impression of the rifles was that they were in very nice condition and I looked at them a bit suspiciously. But after looking at more and more they all were in the same well cared for condition. Both rifle's of Tula make and Izhvesk make were included in the appropriate ratio that one would expect. All of the rifles I looked at had matching optics. The Izhvesk guns had the scope serial number added to the barrel shank-either as its original number or as a later replacement with the original lined out and the new scope number of the replacement unit placed above it. Some rifles even had three scope numbers! The Izhvesk rifle had for the most part all Izhvesk made mounts with a variety of common scope makers spread across the gamut. The rifles for the most part carried original wood and had nice Izhvesk cartouches present. Some carried the replacement stocks we are accustomed to when stock replacement was necessary and those of course carried the familiar box and slash proof marking. Some rifle were in refinished stocks of a darker shellac that had a very attractive look to them with a rich grain pattern.
View attachment 12220
View attachment 12221
The Tula rifles I observed where again properly marked and in the correct date ranges. The guns in this series differed as they should in that the scope mounts were serial numbered to the rifle with a Cyrillic prefix and number. Most if not all were two or three digit serial numbers as expected in series runs of 999. With the scope being mated to the rifle via the scope mount and an EP serial number on the receiver the serial number of the scope itself is lined out. Both makers mounts showed signs of a witness mark indicating proper scope rotation settings in the mount. The Tula rifles I examined all fell in the typical range of 43 and 44 as did the Izhvesk rifles. The stocks on the Tula rifles for the most part carried Tula cartouches as well dated to the rifles date. Stock proofing was prolific on many stocks.
View attachment 12222
View attachment 12223
The optics on all rifles appeared to be in good order and clear. It is hard to tell though when one is wearing rubber gloves to check when the optics have oil paper inside the leather scope caps to create a seal and sometimes oil gets on the lens'. I would say that I saw only a few scopes that lacked finish on them or mounts that lacked less then 80% or more bluing. This was a bonus for me actually as many of the rifles did not look like little if any refurbishment had been necessary and none looked heavily worked over. A very positive sign of authenticity in my book. Fake rifles don't come in military crates and with less then 100% blue on them and not one scope or mount I examined out of many was not authentic. All seemed to my eye to be authentic rifles.
Are these rifles refurbished? Yes they are in some degree or fashion. These rifles are typical rifles that were placed into long term storage after being rebuilt to front line service grade condition-some more then others. These are in all my years of collecting Russian sniper rifle the first rifles I have ever examined in all of the imports that had matching serial number scopes to the rifles. Some crates had rifles in them with mismatched scopes and when removed and placed on a table with the rifles they correct rifle could be found in that crate to recreate the match. I did a lot of that during the day with the friend I was with to keep the proper scope package with the proper rifle. R-Gun's also did a lot of that in making sure each rifle when import marked had its proper scope replaced before being repacked in the crate so they would remain proper. Kudos to R-Gun for caring about the collector and keeping these rifles together as they should be. Its not an easy thing and they went the extra mile to assure that for you guys as it would have been a lot easier to just whip them off and put them back on in a hap hazard way.
It is my opinion that these rifles are a very rare chance for you the collector to get an authentic PU sniper rifle in the condition they were put away in for later use. These are not in my opinion purposely built guns that are reproductions made for the collector market in the US. These are the real deal guys. These are also incredibly desirable with the matching scope mounts/scope package to the rifle-the first time these have ever been offered in the configuration or shape. As a collector of these kinds of rifles I can tell you with out hesitation that I personally purchased several of the rifles for my own personal collection. I was that pleased with them.
I want to thank R-Gun for their hospitality and allowing me to view the rifles and present a in depth review for you the collector here on Gunboards.com. I also want to let you know that the guys at R-Guns have Russian 1895 revolvers in stock and m/44 and 91/30 rifles as well. They have also been gracious enough to allow me to organize a group buy on some rare m/44 carbines for you the membership. On a side note and a possible perk for you the membership that is not afforded to anybody else-if you ask specifically it is possible that you can receive one of the limited numbers of scope covers that are available for the PU in addition to the normal sling and ammo pouch that comes with the rifle as standard. You must be a Gunboards member and you must mention that you wish to receive a cover specifically to get one of the limited numbers available. This is not a guarantee but rather a suggestion as numbers are limited and this is based on R-Guns sole discretion.
View attachment 12213
So if you order please let them know you are a Gunboards member and that you saw the product here and are anxious to make one of these rare rifles a part of your collection. Good luck and I know you will be satisfied. I am very pleased with the examples I added to my collection and with the R-guns outfit and ownership as a whole. Also please check the sponsors group deal section for the m/44 carbine deal that is in the works. That will make a great addition to your Russian collection for a very attractive price.
