Is my M44 good for shooting?

How do I know if my Mosin-Nagant is in good enough condition to use it as a long-distance target rifle? It was purchased at Big 5 a few years ago for $85. At the time I knew little about guns and just wanted a large-caliber gun that went boom when I pulled the trigger.

I am thinking about buying a scope mount and a scope, but before I do, I want to make sure the gun is in good enough shape to shoot accurately at distance. Should I take it to a gunsmith and simply ask him to evaluate its condition?

'How do I know if my Mosin-Nagant is in good enough condition to use it as a long-distance target rifle? Should I take it to a gunsmith and simply ask him to evaluate its condition?'

You want to pay someone to target shoot your rifle? Bring it to the 100 yard range and put a 6 inch orange pasty up as a target, then shoot that from the bench. If you can hit it every time, then scope it. If you can't hit it, ask the rangemaster to try. If he can hit it, get some more practice in, then scope the rifle. If no one can hit the target, then swap the rifle.

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An M44, and most Mosin's are not tack drivers. They're meant for the peasant-farmer to be able to deliver fire.

This doesn't mean some aren't capable of decent accuracy, but you'd likely have to have a notable factory origin, great barrel, etc....

Most of the surplus M44's in country are average all around. A scope will narrow its shot grouping, but nowhere near level a modern rifle likely will.

Also - most 7.62x54R ammo is surplus, old and made to ignite, not be accurate - you've got everything working against this combination.

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I agree that the M44 is not a tack driver, nless you consider the stock to be a tack and getting it driven into your shoulder! What a rush!...Anyway, up to 100yds you should be ok after that it's iffy, but not impossible.

Muzzle brakes for a M44 would be a great idea, but you would have to resight. M44's were designed and sighted at the factory with the bayonet extended. Most of the M44's will group better with the bayonet extended. If you put a muzzle break on it then you will not be able to extend the bayonet. Take your pick. Personally I think the M44 is plenty loud enough without adding to it witha a muzzle break. It would however increase the cool light show at the end of the barrel! Either way, try it shooti have fun with it. If you want a tack driver at longer ranges then you are going to have to start looking at som Finnish MN's or some Swedish or Swiss Mausers. Good luck

-Klaus

> ... able > ... yards, > ... for > ... fun > ...