What to do with M1891

[Swandriver]

What to do?

In collecting milsurps, in this case the Mosin-Nagant, there are a number of schools of thought that I have seen on the web.

1. Leave it exactly as you founded it and put it on the wall or in the gun cabinet
2. Replace broken/missing parts to make it a shooter
3. Re-arsenal with same era parts
4. Sporterize it
5. “Bubba” it
6. Other

In this particular case, I have a 1924 Tula M1891 rifle with no refurb or import marks. When obtained, it was missing the recoil bolt, the upper hand guard, the rear hand guard, the cleaning rod and a bayonet. The bolt was a pre-1928 mix of parts and the trigger guard/magazine was post 1928 Tula. This rifle has been discussed in the following forums:

1. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23652
2. http://www.russian-mosin-nagant-forum.c ... =5&t=23304

Here is my question considering the fact that it is a shooter and I will continue to shoot it. Since it’s history is really unknown, would you recommend I [Options 4, 5, 6 are not viable]:
1. Leave it as I bought it - no recoil bolt, no upper hand guard, no rear hand guard, no cleaning rod. (understand it should be fired with a recoil bolt, replace that part only when shooting)
2. Since we don’t know the history, (and it was not re-furbed or import marked) replace all post 1928 parts with pre-1928 Tula parts to make it “authentic”.
3. Suggestions

[Junk Yard Dog]

Just replace the missing or broken parts with whatever parts you can find. That is exactly what any country using these rifles way back would have done.

[clayshooter2]

Exactly what JYD said.

[Sgt lamb]

seconds on that make it work by the way the 24s a nice soviet find

[Lee-online]

I clean and lube them, shoot most of them, take some pictures of them and enjoy them for what they are. I buy them for what they are and appreciate all they have endured. I leave them the way they are.

I replace broken parts to get them to work and will add slings and bayonets if I find them and they are priced right, that said most of mine don't have the accessories.

[Mosinhope]

Yes, definitely replace the missing parts. Think of it (M1891) as having been wounded in battle or while being held prisoner and needing care, isn't that what you would want to happen to you if you were wounded/injured? -Sorry for this analogy but I'm on my 3rd Eggnog!

[entropy]

Ditto.