When your AK, just isn't winning the war for you!

[Garand]

Break out the Mosin Nagants!

Why is Russia Using Mosin Nagants in Ukraine? - YouTube

[Tugaloo]

Same as all Com Block nations, Mother Russia doesn't value life.

It's no wonder why the Ukrainians have ground Russia down.

[Armyjimbo]

Good rifle but I prefer the SVT 40 to throw the 7.72x54r downrange. Little better ergonomics and it being a semi it doesn't beat up the shooter.

[Tugaloo]

Are the Mosin Nagants being carried by Regulars or called up reservists or Home Guard troops?

Russia switched from the AK-47 to the AK-74; however, they never manufactured enough AK-74s to replace their AK-47s.

Of interest, Russia's advance has been slowed due to their supply lines were over extended.

[Garand]

Good rifle but I prefer the SVT 40 to throw the 7.72x54r downrange. Little better ergonomics and it being a semi it doesn't beat up the shooter.

Reading some of the SVT 40's performance records by various WW2 Russian snipers, apparently it didn't like hard use and abuse in the field over a long period of time.

[Armyjimbo]

Reading some of the SVT 40's performance records by various WW2 Russian snipers, apparently it didn't like hard use and abuse in the field over a long period of time.

Pencil barrel and definitely more complicated over a Mosin, they issued them to the marines on a majority basis. It's not not really any more complicated than a SKS or any DI semiautomatic rifle. But back then they had recruits that came straight off the Eastern plains, so simple was much more gooder.
Given opportunity to clean and maintain with the knowledge of how to, they are a good rifle. Made a great marksman's rifle if you can keep it maintained.

[Tugaloo]

The Russians do things quite differently. They give the best shot in the platoon a Drag. Best shot with what, an AK?

The Dragunov and Dragunov Tiger are quite good. The same applies to the Romak platform.
All the above are ridiculously expensive.

[Armyjimbo]

And prohibited here in Canadaland, them being a VARIANT of an AK. But I did get a few shots on one in AFG, pretty reasonable platform, Better optics would make it very nice.

[Tugaloo]

And prohibited here in Canadaland, them being a VARIANT of an AK. But I did get a few shots on one in AFG, pretty reasonable platform, Better optics would make it very nice.

Definitely better optics!!
The Dragunov solved the side mount problem which was the optic was mounted offset to the bore.

There's a major difference between the West and the old USSR. NASA's need was satisfied by the BIC pen that could write upside down. Russian issued their astronauts a pencil. LOL!


I remember when the Drag etc sold for $1500. Judging by today's prices, they would have been an excellent investment.

https://www.apachearms.us/dragunovs-in-stock-now/

I'm curious is the M1A banned in Canada or is the Garand the only acceptable platform?

[Garand]

The M1A is on the ban list, the Garand is not. Based on my shooting history, back in the '80's I used a TRW M14 & Springfield Armory M1A for service sniper matches in British Columbia, performance was excellent in that capacity. During our gun laws changing in the early '90's I started to use the M1 Garand for 3 gun matches for about 8-10 years which I found to be better suited for matches where the majority of the targets were under 200 yds.

[Tugaloo]

The M1A is on the ban list, the Garand is not. Based on my shooting history, back in the '80's I used a TRW M14 & Springfield Armory M1A for service sniper matches in British Columbia, performance was excellent in that capacity. During our gun laws changing in the early '90's I started to use the M1 Garand for 3 gun matches for about 8-10 years which I found to be better suited for matches where the majority of the targets were under 200 yds.

In Basic, I trained with the M14. They had been over used in many training cycles; however, I still qualified Expert.
For many years, I had a dislike of the M14 based on having to run with one yelling this is my rifle and this is my gun. I'm certain the Canadian Military has their own version for foolish recruits who call a rifle a gun. LOL.

I finally swallowed the grudge and bought a Springfield Armory M1A National Match. It came with a tag stating chamber measurements.
It is extremely accurate or perhaps, I should have said as you know, it is extremely accurate.

I have a Pacific Armament Corporation (PAC) Arms SA58 FAL. Its barrel was replaced with a DSA (https://www.dsarms.com) 21" medium contour barrel by a retired SOCCOM armorer. It gives the NM M14 a run for its money.
The M1A tends to be a more picky eater and the FAL isn't as picky. Although heavy, either is an excellent platform in 7.62,

[Garand]

My M1A NM performed wonders with Lake City match ammo back in the day, I still wish I had my Australian L1A1 SLR, it was far more ergonomic than the M14 series and did a kick ass job out to 500 yds with iron sights.

[Tugaloo]

Lake City match grade is excellent.

I also have a Brit thumbhole stock inch pattern FAL. It is pretty decent breaking clay birds and their pieces at 200 meters.

Believe it or not the PAC Arms FAL was manufactured in California.. It is absolutely wicked to 600 or so.
I still wish I would have had Mike install a DSA barrel on the thumbhole Brit inch FAL. However, the $$$ were lacking.
One of the keys to FAL accuracy is timing.

Mike's story is kind of humorous. He was what he wanted to be an armorer at Ft. Bragg. Here, we have an up or out policy. Or be promoted or get out. As Mike didn't want to be promoted and continue doing what he loved; it was out time.
The short and humorous version, Mike had 20 years or 50% retirement pay and Bragg hired him back as a contractor for $35 to $40.

[Armyjimbo]

Well I joined the semi AK klub.. Picked up a Norinco Type 81. It seems to have a considerable difference in felt recoil pulse from the SKS! That's my initial impression, but I was out 4x4ing with a friend from the coast. Later I'll take it to the range and see what it can do for accuracy, as all we did was hammer tree stumps. But it seems to have center of mass capacity, no idea of group size.

[Tugaloo]

Garand,
I have a L1A1, AFA as accuracy, it is fairly decent. However, it is an inch receiver and a lot heavier that the StG. The Imbel Gear receiver StG 58 is more accurate; however, it has a DS Arms 21" 4150 barrel.

Armyjimbo,
Recoil pulses vary. I'm not a fan of the CETME and its siblings. It addition, the fluted chamber ruins brass.

Most AKs are MOT at best. The longer barrel MAK 91 is more accurate due to the longer sight radius and its 1.5 mm sheet metal as compared to normal 1.0 mm usual. Also, due to the longer barrel, when it hits steel its impact noise is louder. Due to a longer barrel; increased velocity is as would be expected.
The most accurate AK, I've shot is a Molot Vepr in 5.56 with a Bushnell 3x9, it is slightly over a MOA.