Scored big time yesterday

[Vintovka]

Sorry about the delay. I really didn't want to post pictures taken inside because they didn't look as nice, and definitely didn't want to take this gorgeous rifle out in the snow. Remembered to bring my camera with me today. I first shot it last weekend, benched and at paper. Shot a 2.5" group at 100 yards with Prvi Partisan 182 grain FMJ. Shot about a 2.25" group with Novosibirsk Extra 200 grain FMJ. Very happy with those results out of a 1942 vintage combat rifle with open sights.

Today I added 1970s production Russian 147 grain silvertip light ball to the equation. Didn't shoot paper, but it shot really well at hard targets (rocks) out to a lasered 337 yards. The smallest rock at 337 yards that I could reliably hit 5/5 times measured about 10"x10". Keep in mind that this is shooting without any sort of rest in the sitting position. I'm so incredibly happy with this purchase.

As an interesting side note, the point of impact did not change at all with 147, 182 or 200 grain loads today. Seems that the 182 and 200 grain rounds are loaded a bit hotter than the 147 grain light ball. All three shot remarkably well though




The purplish-orange plum color of the Belgian "B" barrel really stands out.

[sgtrock82]

Beautiful m39! I like the outdoor pictures too they really show off the rifle in its natural environment. IIRC the russians calibrated their infantry rifles using the type "L" ball which is the 148gr. The finns did things a little different and chose to calibrate the m39 and later rifles with the russian type "D" 182gr heavy"long range" ball and rifles so calibrated are usually marked with a small "D" on the chamber or rear sight. The Finns also improved the trigger and made reliability modifications to the magazine box assembly

[Vintovka]

Beautiful m39! I like the outdoor pictures too they really show off the rifle in its natural environment. IIRC the russians calibrated their infantry rifles using the type "L" ball which is the 148gr. The finns did things a little different and chose to calibrate the m39 and later rifles with the russian type "D" 182gr heavy"long range" ball and rifles so calibrated are usually marked with a small "D" on the chamber or rear sight. The Finns also improved the trigger and made reliability modifications to the magazine box assembly

Trigger is definitely way improved compared to a standard Soviet 91/30. That said, my 1932 Izhmash Hex receiver 91/30 keeps up with the M39 out to 337 yards quite easily. They feel like totally different rifles; it's funny to think that they're both Mosin-Nagants. The weather is finally starting to really turn for the better, so some group photos will be in order. Glad 7.62x54R is still pretty cheap. These are so much fun that it's nothing to go through 100-200 rounds in a trip to the range. Rocks really make for fun targets.

[Straight Shooter]

As an avid MN fan....I SALUTE you! Good job on finding a gorgeous rifle!!

[Doc. Holiday]

Omg! That is a surplus rifle I would not mind owning!! I guess it is true, good things come to those who wait!