The Mosin Nagant (aka the "Moist Nugget") is a Russian bolt-action rifle and perhaps the most well-known firearm on /k/. It has achieved near-legendary status for its reliability, simple design, it's glorious 7.62x54R cartridge, and the fact that it is relatively cheap. All three of these qualities are invaluable to the anon who wants to stop Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids from breaking into his house but doesn't want to take out a second mortgage for a new weapon.
History
During the Russo-Ottoman war (1877-1878), Russian troops were equipped with shitty Berdan single-shot rifles, and, as such, they suffered heavy casualties at the hands of the Ottomans, who were armed with Winchester 1873 repeating rifles. Russian commanders, seeing the obvious need to modernize their arsenal, began accepting proposals for a new rifle to be fielded for the Russian army. Russian Captain Sergei Ivanovich Mosin submitted a 7.62mm rifle prototype, while Belgian firearms maker Leon Nagant submitted a 9mm design. In true slav fashion, the Russians ended up neger-rigging the bolt action of Mosin's rifle onto the base of Nagant's rifle, thus birthing the "Three-Line Rifle, Model of the Year 1891", or M91, the predecessor of the glorious Moist Nugget that we know and love today.
Relationship with /k/
The Mosin Nagant is commonly referred to by /k/ommandos as the "Moist Nugget", an intentionally-misspelled nickname that stems from the early years of the board *(specifics needed)*. As stated previously, the Mosin Nagant's rugged construction, hefty caliber, and ease-of-use have made it the most popular military surplus rifle on /k/, challenged only by its cousin, the SKS. However, the paramount reason for the nugget's status as a classic "/k/ weapon" has been its affordable price-tag. Up until the mid-2010s, the average unmolested 91/30 Mosin Nagant cost around $70-$100 and typically came with a bayonet, sling, and cleaning kit, perhaps even an ammo pouch. This meant that, barring ammunition, one could in theory arm a ten-man group for about $1,000 USD. Couple this with the fact that Mosin Nagants were often sold at gun shows in crates of 10-20 rifles each, and it is easy to see why /k/ came to adore this weapon. As of 2020, a basic bitch nugget now costs around $300, but it is not unheard of to find them in the <$250 range, provided you know where to look.
Variants
Since the advent of the Mosin Nagant in 1891, several alterations have been made to this classic service rifle. The following are only a few of the nugget variants that have existed throughout history:
Finland
- Finnish M/91 - early models are the same as a Soviet M91. Later models often have unusual swing swivels mounted into old swing slots. "Hex" and round versions are known to exist.
- M24 - same as a Soviet M91 except for German or Swiss barrel shank markings, as these two countries were the source of the M24's barrels.
- M24rv - carbine version of the M24. Had the front sight of an M28. Very hard to find.
- M27 - unique Finnish take on the nugget. Featured a heavy barrel, triple-bladed front sight, and a nose-cap/barrel band combo.
- M28 - same as the M27 except for a reinforced barrel band.
- M28/30 - updated version of the M28 with improved sights and a magazine designed to reduce jams. Identified by the barrel shank marking of the letter "S" set within a gear.
- Finnish M91/30 - same as a Soviet M91/30 except for a triple-bladed front sight. "Hex" and round versions are known to exist, but "hex" barrel shanks are far more common.
- M39 - yet another update, this time with an improved barrel band and new sling swivels. Regarded as an extremely accurate rifle, with many being produced commercially up to the early 1970's.
- P-Series - same as a Soviet M91 except for relined barrels marked with either "P-26" or "P-27".
Hungarian People's Republic
- Hungarian M91/30 - resembles a Soviet M91/30, with the only major difference being a "02" marking and HPR national crest on the barrel shank. Produced from 1950-1954.
- Hungarian M91/30 PU - sniper variant of the Hungarian M91/30. Produced from 1950-1954.
- Hungarian M44 - same as a Soviet M44. Produced from 1952-1953.
People's Republic of Albania
- Albanian M91/30 - resembles a Soviet M91/30 but has minimalist barrel shank markings and a distinctive pronounced comb on the stock. Only produced in 1961.
People's Republic of China (Red China)
- T53 - same as a Soviet M44 except for Chinese barrel shank markings. Produced from 1953-1956 & again in 1960.
Polish People's Republic
- Polish M44 - same as a Soviet M44. Produced from 1951-1955.
Romanian People's Republic
- Romanian M91/30 - resembles a Soviet M91/30, but actually has an M44-style receiver. Unique in that it has a bladed front sight. Only produced in 1955.
- Romanian M44 - same as a Soviet M44. Produced from 1953-1955.
Soviet Union (USSR)
- M91 - the OG nugget. The earliest models had sling swivels instead of slots cut into the stock, lacked an upper wooden handguard, and had no recoil bolt. Features a hexagonal barrel shank.
- M91 Dragoon - a slightly shorter version of the M91. Was issued with a bayonet. Most were updated in the 1930s into 91/30s, thus earning the term 'ex-dragoon'.
- M91 Cossack - same as the Dragoon except for two things: 1) it was not issued with a bayonet, and 2) a distinctive "Ka3" marking is present on the top of the barrel shank. They are pretty rare nowadays.
- M91/38 - a batch of M91's that were sent to Czechoslovakia and hacked into carbines. Identified by their Czech markings on the barrel shank.
- M91/30 - the electric boogaloo update of the M91. Featured new sights (front & rear), new barrel bands, and a rounded barrel shank beginning in 1935/1936, depending on the factory. It is the most common nugget, and as such,it is typically the cheapest. This is the variant that has become synonymous with /k/ and flat broke college students.
- M38 - despite its name, this rifle was first produced in 1939. It was designed as the carbine version of the M91/30. "Hex" and round versions are known to exist. Not capable of accepting a bayonet.
- M44 - same as the M38 except for an attached side-folder bayonet.
- M91/59 - resembles the M38 and M91/38, but it is actually either an M91 or M91/30 that has been chop-shopped into a carbine. "Hex" and round versions are known to exist, though the rounds are far more common. Not capable of accepting a bayonet.
United States of America (USA)
- M91 (Remington Arms Contract) - a variant of M91 produced by Remington Arms in the USA from around 1915 to 1917 under pre-Soviet Russian contract. Hexagonal receivers and unique markings, such as "Remington Armory 1917" on the face of the receiver & 'screaming eagle' just forward of the magazine tang. Some of these were also purchased as training rifles for the US military.