m91/30 scope project

[indymadcaster]

I have a 1942 tula m91/30 (have several)       I need to scope one to hunt with (old eyes) I have a couple of options    ROCKSOLID  mount appears pretty durable(needs a modified bolt handle) and pricey
 a psop side rail and needs bolt handle modified too very pricey,  or Kalinkina?  has a side mount weaver  drill and tap mount (uses stock bolt handle and you can use the iron sights
it looks kinda like this
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=435151

 or will the one from midway work???

  it will be used for hunting and plinking and a loaner gun         i am still keeping the original stock   i have a spare stock to use for this project                                     
                                                                                    indymadcaster

[Lon371]

 On my M44 posted pict here{ http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,185875.0.html  } I chose to mount on top the reciever. It was the kit that comes with the bolt handle about $39. Then I cut my bolt handle off and extended and swept it back. I went a little over kill on the scope, so I had to use rings that are a little tall. I loctited the base screws and have not a problem with the mount coming loose. Bought mine back when they were $65. So I had no problem haveing it drilled and tapped.

Center Fire systems scope mount
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/MNTMOI01.aspx

Anouther option is the scout mount that replaces your rear site. No permenant changes needed.

Lonny

[1911crazy]

If you can do a little cutting, welding, grinding, filing and rebluing you can make the mosin style scopemount fit the mosin.  Go to www.polytechparts.com and look in the ak accessorie section for the scopemount. Look at the second page its the redstar mount($21).  It can be cut and lowered to fit the mosin.  I tried this a while back and i'm not sure if it needs to be offset or not but i remember lowering it one hole at the center of the lower hole, i actually cut both holes in the upper mount in half to weld it up again to lower it.  You can't even tell i lowered it.  I did purchase the politically correct bent bolt frim Jim the bolt man on www.gunboards.com  Sorry with my new puter i can't post pics right now.  I did knotch out the stock like on the orginal mosin sniper too it now looks exactly the same.  Gun $79, scopemount $19 at the time, bolt handle $ i don't remember but it was a time when no mosin snipers were to be found.

[Larry Gibson]

I've old eyes too and have come to the conclusion it is useless trying to use a high mount so I can use the issue sights also.  I went to the scope because i can't use the issue sights anymore so I mount the scope as low as possible.  This is to give me a good stock weld position for the head so I don't have to search for the view through the scope when i should be shooting.  I've put several of the Centerfire mounts on M91/30s and M44 and they work fine.  I also used a couple of the bolt handles from Jim the bolt guy and they are best but spendy considering what most pay for the whole rifle.  The bolt handle that comes with the scope base works well if you file/gind the cut of bolt handle stup down for a correct flush fit.  I also fille the void around the cut off with JB Steel weld or Steel Bed before ataching the new bolt handle.  This makes it rock solid and I've not had one come loose yet. 

I like to use Weaver low rings and use a sensible lower powered scope or just a plain 3x9x40 scope.  They mount low and with the correct eye relief.  I have also modified the base so a couple scopes could be mounted low in the Weaver rings and with the right eye relief.  It entails grinding/filing a bit on one end of the base or the other and is easy to do.  With milsurp stocks stock weld is pretty good but a sick on cheek piece (Brownell's) makes them perfect.  With the after market sporter stocks the stock weld id very good with the low mounted scopes.  I've seen a lot of large crew served scopes mounted on MNs that were not very good for hunting and I stay clear of those.  A good picture of what I mean is the logo one on the Centerfire site.  My favorite was a 2.5X Weaver with duplex on a Polish M44 I put on for a guy.  It was in the after market stock and makes for a very good hunting rifle.  It shoots moa with the Winchester factory 180s and his reloads also.  He is so happy with it he has ordered on of the new triggers w/safety. 

Larry Gibson

[Curt Dawson]

Which scout scope would those with expierence recomend?

[mrussel]

On my M44 posted pict here{ http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,185875.0.html  } I chose to mount on top the reciever. It was the kit that comes with the bolt handle about $39. Then I cut my bolt handle off and extended and swept it back. I went a little over kill on the scope, so I had to use rings that are a little tall. I loctited the base screws and have not a problem with the mount coming loose. Bought mine back when they were $65. So I had no problem haveing it drilled and tapped.

Center Fire systems scope mount
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/MNTMOI01.aspx

Anouther option is the scout mount that replaces your rear site. No permenant changes needed.

Lonny

The handle that comes with those ATI kits is seriously cheezy. I have one and I was so dissapointed with how cheezy it was that I haven't even bothered to install the scope mount until I decide what to do with the handle. The mount itself looks ok though. Im a little concerned about how its held by two screws when the Russians felt it needed six to hold a similar style of mount on,but people say it works ok.

Ive talked to a few people who have tried the scout mounts and say they wont hold a zero more than a few shots. That does not mean they are all bad,but I take it as meaning that there are alot of bad ones out there so be careful what you get and maybe try to get one that someone can definitively say works well.

[Junior1942]

When mounting a scout scope on a M-N remember Newton's law: an object at rest tends to stay at rest.  In the case of a M-N, it recoils to the rear, and the scope wants to stay at rest.  So you better tie down/make solid the front of the mount or the scope will twist counterclockwise.  The result: re-tighten mount screws, re-zero scope every third shot.

[gandog56]

I got two with scopes. A 91/30 with a Red Dot on a Darrell's mount, and a NC Star 2X7 on another 91/30 with an el cheapo mount that is getting replaced by another Darrell's mount as soon as I can afford it!

[Lon371]

Gandog56,
 What is the stock on the top one? can you post a pict of side view?

Lonny

[godogz]

No special mount needed on a 91/30 (or any 91 model).  Use the dovetail underneath the rear sight assembly.  Remove pins that hold the assembly down and the whole rear mount will come off.  Takes a good pound towards the muzzle (these are old guns), and you might have to remove a screw under the adjustable sight depending on what year it was made.  Don't use rings, but buy the Leapers bi-directional 3/8 dovetail mount and it will hold a LER scope rock solid.  I am going on my 4th year w/ my 91/30 and it works better than any set-up that you attach to the rear sight assembly.  This past Sunday I put rounds downrange to make sure it will be ready for Deer Season, yup its fine.  Had some others who wanted to shoot it, because they couldn't believe a cheap Milsurp w/ a LER would be so accurate.  I have less than $100 invested in this gun and leave it at my camp for back-up, rainy days, or for those who don't have a rifle to use.  Don't just take my word - Check some other forums and you will even see step by step instructions and even which Leapers mount to order and where.  Gun and Game forums has a nice MN forum that explains this option and other set-ups.  This does not work for the m-44, they used smaller rear sight assemblies - just the 91/30 rifle and 91/59 carbines.

[Merle]

I got two with scopes. A 91/30 with a Red Dot on a Darrell's mount, and a NC Star 2X7 on another 91/30 with an el cheapo mount that is getting replaced by another Darrell's mount as soon as I can afford it!

+1 on the Darrells mount. I have had one on my M44 for three years now & it hasn't budged.

    

[mrussel]

I got two with scopes. A 91/30 with a Red Dot on a Darrell's mount, and a NC Star 2X7 on another 91/30 with an el cheapo mount that is getting replaced by another Darrell's mount as soon as I can afford it!

I wouldnt bother with those mounts. Get some of these http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=360568&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Optics%20-%20Scope%20Rings%2C%20Bases%2C%20Mounting%20%26%20Accessories-_-PriceCompListing-_-360568. They are available on ebay (generic but they are clearly the exact same part) for around 10 dollars a pair. Drift out the two pins and drift off the rear sight and drift these on in its place and tighten the screws down with a drop of locktite. I just put them one of mine (an Ishevesk ex sniper) and its 120% solid. They are not coming off. I put a AIM 2x7 LER scope (probably the exact same as yours) on it and it looks great. Im going to take it out tomorrow and see how it performs. I have a red dot on another one that I just switched over from a higher rise 3/8 dovetail-weaver base to the Bsquared style ones and its seriously solid as well. Its 100% superior to the sigh blade scout mounts. There is no chance its going to work loose and the price is cheaper than even the cheapest of them.