Model 1895 Nagant Revolver

[S.S.]

Anybody seen any surplus 7.62x38R ammo for this revolver,
the Fiocchi "Custom Shop" stuff costs LOTS!
I really like shooting it but at about 70 cts. a pop
(not a very loud POP either) I can't afford to shoot it  much.

[Mikey]

Hay SS:  Haven't heard from you in a while - hope all is well.  With that Nagant you sure picked up a strange one BUT, there is a place called "Quality Cartridge" at (301 - 373-3719) and www.qual-cart.com that might be able to provide you with brass/ammo for your Naggie.  I recently read where they provided 8mm French revolver and 38/200 ammo for a fella, in addition to some other obsolete calibers.

Also, I seem to recall that you might be able to make ammo for that revolver from 32-20 brass.  I guess the trick is to seat the bullets deeply enough to allow the end of the case to form a gas seal as the cylinder moves forward.  You may have to play with the brass a bit to get it to the right length but I think it can be done.  And I also saw an article on those revolvers (7 shot???) in either the Shotgun News (ask the gun guy) or one of the shooting magazines.  I can't recall now but I think that was the gun that Rasputin, the Evil Russian Monk was shot with.  I don't think it killed him, they had to beat him with a brick and drop him in the water after just to make sure.  

Hope this helps.  Mikey.

[Oldtimer]

I saw an ad in a recent issue of Shotgun News that had replacement cylinders, so you could shoot .32 auto ammo out of a Nagant.  It seems that the cylinder was around $30-$40, which is a little more than one box of Fiocchi.  It does not call for any modification of the gun, so you could drop the original cylinder back in.

[S.S.]

I fired a cylinder full today (7 rounds) of the expensive
FIOCCHI stuff. to see about the accuracy of the Nagant.
I was not disappointed, but I was not impressed either.
At 25 yards I could just about cover all seven holes with
my hand (Fingers out-streched) I was shooting off hand,
no rest. If I ever reload for this pistol I will mike the bore
and make sure it is not "OVERSIZED" as most Russian
weapons are!
It is an ugly weapon, But I wanted it anyway!
I am living proof that ugly things need love too!

[S.S.]

Forgot this in my last post!

I have one of those 38/200 Enfields also.
Mine is a No2 Mk1* and is deadly accurate with
South African (PMP) Surplus ammo. (hard to find now but
I have "ENOUGH to last me")
Mine will shoot into 1 1/2 inches at 25 yards
and hit point of aim, not low.
The .38 S&W (Not Special) ammo does not perform nearly as
well with the 148 grain lead slugs as it does with the heavy
180 - 200 grainers.
This is actually my "house gun" it stays right next to the bed.
It too is an ugly weapon but I am real partial to this one.

[1911crazy]

I don't know too much about these yet but is this the handgun that the cylinder mover forward  against the barrel and seals?   As far as grouping with handguns I can put 6 shots in a 10" circle with both my ruger redhawks 5 1/2" & 7 1/2" barrels @ 100yds. without any practice and I haven't shot them much.  I just sighted them in when new and they just sit until hunting season one is my sidearm for bear the other is my night outhouse gun just incase but I really think it is safer in the wilds in VT. than living in populated areas in CT. for sure.  (think about it?)                                   BigBill

I haven't any C&R handguns yet I have been looking at them at AIM SURPLUS.com and CENTURY ARMS .COM too.  "just looking"

[Mikey]

Hay SS:  Quality Cartridge will or can supply you with the 38/200, to what I believe are the original or mil-spec loads ( 200 grain bullet at about 650'/sec from a 4" bbl).  Their number is (301) 373-3719 and they can be found at www.qual-cart.com.  The 38/200 used a heavy slow moving bullet to obtain its battlefield effectiveness.  Colonel Charles Askins used two calibers - the 38/200 or the 45 auto.  That oughta tell ya something.

Mikey.