S&T Mosin-Nagant M1938 Bolt-Action Rifle

Known in the West as the Mosin-Nagant, and in the East as "Mosin's Rifle", the Mosin-Nagant M1938 is a platform that saw the Soviet Union through WW2, it has also been seen in many popular videogames such as ''Call of Duty World at War''. It is based on the M1891/30, the staple of the Soviet Army, but with a shorter barrel as the more compact length better suited the standard infantry trooper. This model was then later redesigned in 1944 to accommodate a bayonet attachment on the barrel.

The real M1938 fires the powerful 7.62x54R cartridge which is still used in more modern Dragunov SVD and PKM medium machine guns. The Mosin-Nagant is one of the most widely produced rifles in history, with production numbers being quoted as roughly 37 million rifles, and they have been used in practically every conflict around the world since their conception in 1891. The Mosin is affectionately known as the "Garbage rod" in the States, due to its low cost yet surprising effectiveness, and the disregard that more pompous shooters view it with!

The S&T M1938 has a beautiful antique finish applied to its metal parts, and a magnificent real wood stock, heatshield and forestock assembly. Believe us when we say, this luxury replica rifle would look just as good mounted on the wall at the Imperial War Museum as it would in the hands of a Red Army reenactor! All the metal exterior parts on the real Mosin-Nagant rifle are also metal on this replica S&T M1891/30, giving an authentic, robust feel and a realistic weight.

Starting at the front end of the outer barrel we can find the front sight block, which mounts to the barrel via a pin and provides a fine front sight post, protected against damage with a protective hood machined into the sight block itself. The barrel of the Mosin-Nagant M1938 is not threaded, this keeps it true to the real steel Russian Rifle but also means that suppressor and tracer units can't be added without extensive modification (like anyone would want to spoil such an accurate replica!).

Beneath the outer barrel, we can find the steel dummy cleaning rod, although it is non-functional on this replica, it keeps it looking accurate. The cleaning rod is fixed in place and secured to the rear barrel band, so it won't fall out during a skirmish and get lost. The stock of the M1938 Mosin-Nagant is constructed from real wood and looks marvellous. The wood grain on this stock is deep and varied and looks exactly like how a real Mosin M1938 would come, fresh from the factory. Between the two barrel bands, on the forestock, the Mosin-Nagant has a sling slot which penetrates the entire forestock, allowing a sling to be attached on either side of the rifle, depending on your preference. The stock also includes a finger groove just in front of the magazine well, matching the real Rifle and providing a comfortable place for your support hand.

The rear sight of the Mosin-Nagant M1938 is a tangent type sight, a common sight seen on most Soviet-era firearms, it provides adjustment for range with authentic graduation markings from 100 to 2000 meters. Of course, an Airsoft replica will not shoot that far, but regardless this still provides the ability to aim at longer ranges with some consistency, allowing semi-accurate volley fire to be carried out. The sight can be adjusted by pressing the two textured buttons on either side together, after which the sight can be raised and lowered by moving the adjuster forward and backward.

Following the rear sight, we come to the receiver and trunnion. Across the top of the trunnion, where you would expect to find markings on any genuine rifle from this era, we can find Russian Cyrillic markings which are laser engraved over the antique finish. After the trunnion, we come to the receiver, which is finished with the same fantastic antique finish as the other metal parts of the rifle. The bolt handle is authentically positioned horizontally when in battery and requires a 90-degree turn to open. The design of the bolt mimics the real Mosin-Nagant Rifles with its single, huge locking lug which braces against the receiver, providing a strong yet simple design to manufacture.

The safety of the Mosin can be hard to figure out from just observing the receiver, but it is quite simple to function once you know how it works. To activate the safety, pull the cocking piece at the rear of the bolt back and rotate it counterclockwise slightly. This will both lock the bolt handle, preventing the rifle from being cycled and lock the trigger. To take the safety back off, simply pull the cocking piece back, and rotate it back into the central position, after which your trigger will come back to life. The safety can be engaged with the rifle cocked or uncocked. We recommend not attempting to cock the rifle whilst the safety is engaged, as this could result in damaging the M1938.

The magazine of the S&T M1938 Mosin-Nagant differs from the real rifle in that it is a detachable magazine that is concealed inside a mock fixed magazine which serves as the magazine well. To remove the magazine, simply push forward on the magazine catch which is built into the bottom of the magazine itself. Inserting the magazine requires you to first index the front of the magazine into the mock magazine/magazine well and rotate the rear up to lock. The real Mosin uses a fixed magazine fed from stripper clips, which would be difficult to replicate in Airsoft form but thankfully S&T's intuitive design has managed to keep the authentic look of the Mosin's fixed magazine design whilst also achieving a fully functional Airsoft sniper rifle. The magazine holds 37 BBs and can be loaded either by hand or using a standard speed loader.

The rifle's stock is a traditional design, with no "semi-pistol grip", but it maintains a comfortable gripping surface with a cut-out in the trigger guard shaped to match a human hand. The stock also includes a second sling slot, designed to interface with the sling slot on the forestock and mount a replica Mosin-Nagant two-point sling on this exceptional Rifle. Each sling slot has a steel insert which is authentically coloured to match the brass inserts in the real Mosin. This ensures that any sling cannot cause damage or cracks to the wooden stock. At the rear of the stock, we are treated to a full steel butt plate that has a smooth finish without any texturing, which is a period-correct design.

From a performance standpoint, we were extremely impressed when we assessed this rifle, particularly with its shot-to-shot consistency, maintaining a consistent 400+ FPS. This stems from it being a spring-powered bolt action rifle rather than the previously released gas Mosins from other brands. Spring bolt action rifles make the best sniper rifles, and if you want to do some sniping with the Mosin-Nagant you are certainly well equipped for the task, with a 480mm inner barrel and TDC grub key adjustable HOP-up unit. If you still aren't convinced about this replica, how about this, the S&T M1938 Mosin-Nagant is compatible with VSR-10/GBB type tightbore inner barrels and HOP-up rubbers so you can maximise the performance of your Mosin and make those VSR-10 users jealous!

In conclusion, if you are looking for an authentic Rifle for your Red Army or rebel remnant loadout, due to the real rifles' prevalence on worldwide black markets, the S&T M1938 Mosin-Nagant will suit that look. You will be happy to discover that this S&T Mosin-Nagant M1938 is fully compatible with VSR-10/GBB type inner barrels and HOP-up rubbers making it perfect for everyone, even those who are more performance-oriented skirmishers!

Features

• Full metal construction
• An Airsoft "Garbage Rod" - How insulting!
• Real wood stock, heat shield and forestock - Just like the real thing
• Realistic Soviet era Mosin Nagant markings
• Antiqued finish on all the metal - Looks stunning and keeps it true to the original
• Trigger lock safety - Turn the cocking piece to the left to lock
• Bolt action operated
• Spring-powered bolt action - Very consistent & performs in all weather!
• Adjustable tangent open iron sights - Similar to AK rifles
• Relatively long inner barrel & sight base - Snipe with just iron sights!
• Steel mock cleaning rod below the barrel - Completes the Mosin look
• Steel front and rear sling slots - Brass colouration, ideal for Mosin-Nagant replica slings
• Horizontal bolt with 90-degree turn to open - Authentic for the M1938 Mosin-Nagant
• Compatible with VSR-10/GBB type inner barrels and HOP-up rubbers/buckings
• Compatible with S&T Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 magazines (not compatible with BO Dynamics)

Package Includes

• S&T Mosin-Nagant M1938 Bolt-Action Rifle Replica
• 37rnd Low-cap magazine