How to Tell If Your Mosin Nagant 91/30 Is the Ex-Sniper Version?

The standard-issue Mosin Nagant 1891/30, often called the 91/30, was a bolt-action 7.62 mm rifle designed in 1891. It was adopted by the Russian military and saw service in World War I and the 1917 Russian Revolution. The 1930 update of the 1891 design was the standard long rifle utilized by the Soviet infantry against German troops in World War II. It was in continuous use in various countries under the Soviet sphere of influence until 1965, when it was replaced by the AK-47. Beginning in 1937, over 300,000 select 1891/30 Mosin Nagants were pulled off the standard production line and converted to use as highly accurate long-range sniper rifles. Several factors distinguish the sniper variants from the standard-issue Mosin Nagants.

Instructions

    • 1

      Note the configuration of the bolt. The standard straight 1891/30 Mosin Nagant bolt handle protrudes at a 90-degree angle to the stock. Because the telescopic sight mounted on the sniper variants interfered with the rotation of the straight bolt, all 1891/30 sniper rifles have a non-protruding bolt handle bent sharply downward to conform with the stock. Operation of the sniper bolt is not hindered by the telescopic sight.

    • 2

      Verify the power and origin of the scope. 3.5x PU scopes, manufactured at the NPZ Optics Plant in Novobirisk, Russia, were mated with all 1891/30 Mosin Nagant sniper rifles at the factory. PU scopes bear NPZ markings and date codes, and have a distinctive three-post reticle instead of standard crosshairs.

    • 3

      Check the scope mounts and alignment. The PU scope mounts on Mosin Nagant sniper rifles were machined to match the rifle and produce perfect alignment during manufacture in the factory. Scope mounts added later in an attempt to pass off standard Mosin Nagants as the more valuable sniper variant are not factory-matched and machined. These aftermarket mounts often display inferior alignment and require large windage adjustments to compensate.

    • 4

      Test-fire the rifle under controlled conditions at a shooting range and evaluate the results. The barrels of the sniper variant were factory tested and selected for a standard of consistent high accuracy far exceeding standard 1891/30 Mosin Nagant barrels. Genuine Russian sniper barrels were required to put 10 shots into a 3.5-centimeter circle at 100 meters, a 7.5-centimeter circle at 200 meters, an 18-centimeter circle at 400 meters and a 35-centimeter circle at 600 meters.