What is the Best Scope for a Mosin Nagant on the Market?

Bodyalive NJ via flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Mosins Nagants are plentiful on the market, and people are always searching for add-ons.

Most hunters would want to upgrade their Nagants for enhanced shooting accuracy. One way of doing this is to get the best scope for a Mosin-Nagant.

Find a good Mosin Nagant scope on Amazon.

Bestseller No. 1
Sniper MG4X20 Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope Svt-40 (Steel Mount and Steel Tube)
  • This set includes Scope, Leather lens covers, drill, tap.
  • Copied exactly from a genuine WWII Russian Mosin Nagant 91/30 scope
  • High Quality Reproduction with new design of optics system that has wide angle and long eye relief.
  • New design of side focus for long distance. Diopter ring for users with different visions.
  • Nitrogen purged scope body, completely sealed with o-ring, rendering scope waterproof, and fogproof.
Bestseller No. 2
TACFUN 3-9x42 Long Eye Relief Scope/w Ring for Mosin Nagant M44 M91/30 M38 1891/30 (Black)
  • Milled from one solid piece of aircraft grade aluminum to withstand constant heavy recoil
  • Fog proof and shock-resistant housing; Nitrogen charged with weather resistant seals
  • Green fused multi-coated lens provides superior light transmission, resolution and scratch resistance
  • Windage and elevation adjustment, New design, pull out the knob to unlock
  • 8.5 - 10.5 Inch eye relief provides safety from heavy recoil and enables fast target acquisition
Bestseller No. 3
Mosin Nagant 2-7x32 Long Eye Relief Scope + Scout Rail Mount for Mosin Nagant 91/30 M38 M44 1891 91/30 1891/30 Rifles +1 Inch Ring + 7.62 x 54R Caliber Cartridge Laser Bore Sighter (Combo of 5)
  • Fully coated optics, nitrogen purged tube and resistant to fog, moisture and the effects of punishing recoil. Avoid direct eye exposure
  • 2 to 7 power magnification, 1260mm objective lens. No more wasting ammo and money to see or scratch your iron sights, red dots, or sights. A common misconception that the rifle is seen from the factory. Accurate observation and zero your range to 299.9 ft.
  • 2-7 x 32 Long Eye Relief Sight with Scout Rail Mount for Mosin Nagant 91/30 M38 M44 1891. Class IIIa 635nM less than 5mw
  • Long eye relief suitable for scout rifles and pistols. Waterproof, fog and shock proof
  • The Mosin Nagant Combo Kit is a slightly more affordable kit for the Mosin owner
Bestseller No. 4
TACFUN Mosin Nagant 2-7x32 Long Eye Relief Scope + M44 M91 30 Scout Mount Package
  • Mosin Nagant Long Eye Relief 2-7x32 duplex reticle rifle scope and new generation weaver style Mosin Nagant scope mount for M44 M91 30 . Comes with a pair of rings and see through scope lens cover.
  • Milled from one solid piece of aircraft grade aluminum body to withstand constant heavy recoil Fog proof and shock-resistant housing
  • Nitrogen charged with weather resistant seals Blue fused multi-coated lens provides superior light transmission, resolution and scratch resistance Windage and elevation adjustment
  • 8.5 - 10.5 Inch eye relief provides safety from heavy recoil and enables fast target acquisition Weaver / Picatinny 1913 ring mounts included
  • SCOPE Length: 10.5" Weight: 9 oz ; MOUNT Length: 6" Weight: 2.3 oz.
Bestseller No. 5
360 Tactical 2-7×32 Long Eye Relief Scope P4 with Low Profile Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope Mount | Tapered 13mm Dovetail Rail and 1” Scope Tube Diameter – Black Color
  • Material:Aircraft grade aluminum
  • Color: Black
  • Easy installation: Mounts to rear sight of models 91/30
  • Length: 4.92 inches
  • Weight: 1.3oz
Bestseller No. 6
Gotical Combo of 1'' Diameter Low Profile Rifle Scope Rings Picatinny Mount System with M38, M39 and M44/Mosin Nagant 91/30 Scope Mount Picatinny Rail (Rail Only)
  • ✔ One Pair of Rifle Rings to Fit 12mm Diameter Tubes. These well-made rings will fit any Picatinny rail and provide a secure platform to attach your rifle to your mounting system.
  • ✔ One Pair of Rifle Rings to Fit 12mm Diameter Tubes. These well-made rings will fit any Picatinny rail and provide a secure platform to attach your rifle to your mounting system.
  • ✔ With sensitive hex screws and full length security plate to ensure easy mounting and adequate protection.
  • ✔ Gotical 8mm Rail Mount is compatible with all Mosin Nagant M44 M91 / 30 M39 M38.
  • ✔ Our Nagant mounting rail is made from high quality aircraft grade anodized aluminum.
Bestseller No. 7
TACFUN 3-9x42 Long Eye Relief Scope w/Ring & M44 M91 30 Scout Mount for Mosin Nagant (Black)
  • Milled from one solid piece of aircraft grade aluminum to withstand constant heavy recoil
  • Fog proof and shock-resistant housing; Nitrogen charged with weather resistant seals
  • Green fused multi-coated lens provides superior light transmission, resolution and scratch resistance
  • Windage and elevation adjustment, New design, pull out the knob to unlock
  • 8.5 - 10.5 Inch eye relief provides safety from heavy recoil and enables fast target acquisition
Bestseller No. 8
Low Profile NDT Picatinny Rail for Mosin Nagant M9130 Round Receiver
  • NOTE: This full-length scope mount requires a bent bolt to clear the regular eye-relief scope
  • The picatinny rail is CNC-milled from a whole block of aluminum alloy for maximum rigidity
  • Solid steel base nut guarantees rock-solid mounting; The arc-shape base design ensures perfect bore alignment
  • Works with any stocks and bent bolts and retains the original military format
  • No drilling and tapping; No permanent modification to your Mosin Nagant; No Gunsmith required, easy Installation in 20 minutes
Bestseller No. 9
BadAce Mosin Nagant No Drill Picatinny Rail Scout Mount for M9130,M44,M38,T53 (Aluminum)
  • Works with stripper clips for speed loading; Fits Mosin Nagant M91/30, M44, M38 and T53
  • No permanent modification and no gunsmith required; Solid Steel Base Nut guarantees rock-solid mounting
  • Easy 20 minutes installation - simple remove the rear sight leaf and replace it with the BadAce NDT scoout mount
  • Fully elevation adjustable to accommodate different Mosin Nagant variations and requires zero modification
  • Precision CNC milled picatinny rail
Bestseller No. 10
TACFUN 3-9x42 Long Eye Relief Scope w/Ring & M44 M91 30 Scout Mount for Mosin Nagant Black
  • Milled from one solid piece of aircraft grade aluminum to withstand constant heavy recoil
  • Fog proof and shock-resistant housing; Nitrogen charged with weather resistant seals
  • Green fused multi-coated lens provides superior light transmission, resolution and scratch resistance
  • Windage and elevation adjustment, New design, pull out the knob to unlock
  • 8.5 - 10.5 Inch eye relief provides safety from heavy recoil and enables fast target acquisition

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Nagant history

Russia first introduced the rifle sometime in 1891, and was greatly enhanced in 1930 (hence, 91/30).

In no time, it became the Russian soldiers’ go-to sniper rifle, which reputedly helped win the Battle of Stalingrad during the Second World War.

After WW2, though, production of these Mosins were phased-out making way for more technologically advanced rifles to proliferate.

Still, a good number of these Mosins remain available in the market.

The rifle’s downside, however, is that it does not have the reputation for outstanding accuracy.

So if you have the monster sleeping somewhere in your armory, we’re going to help you improve that Mosin Nagant’s accuracy.

Important considerations

Mosin Nagants, are not only notoriously loud, rough and ugly, they’re also some of the most challenging rifles to scope or mount a scope on.

That’s not surprising considering that Mosins were designed when riflescopes were not yet in vogue, especially not for frontline combatants.

Modification will be necessary and even expensive. You don’t want your Russian old-timer and a high-end scope lying around unused because they can’t be attached effectively.

So before you go investing heavily on a scope, consider first how you will have it mounted on the Mosin.

Consider a scout scope

There are a variety of scopes marketed for the Mosin Nagant rifle.

The scout scope, however, has been found to be the easiest to use because it can be mounted over the chamber and it has long eye relief.

You’ll want to find one of the best long eye relief scopes for Mosin Nagant rifles because of its kick.

When shopping for a scout scope, look for one that includes a scout scope mount.

If your budget’s tight, you’ll want a base (along with the scout scope package) that can be mounted over the rifle’s chamber. Otherwise, it’ll cost you a gunsmith’s expertise to do the works.

Magnification power

Another thing is to rummage around for an illuminated scope that’s in the mold of the true concept of a scout rifle.

It should have low magnification levels and varying magnification ranges that can take mid- and long-range shots accurately; preferably one that uses a duplex reticle with crosshair patterns and an extended eye relief.

For crystal-clear light transmission, you’ll want at least a 30mm objective lens and scope rings for more reliability and quick target-acquisition inside of 300 meters.

Sturdy construction

The Mosin-Nagant has one of the loudest shots and the harshest recoils among rifles.

Scopes of lesser makes are mincemeat for these rifles. Obviously, you’ll need a tough and durable scope that’s preferably constructed with solid single-piece tube – the less moving parts, the less points of damage.

It would be well if it were shockproof, water-resistant, and fog-proof to withstand the harshest of elements. And its lenses are fully multi-coated for crystal-clear light transmission.

Authentic military scopes designed for Mosins

Sniper versions of the Mosin Nagant are sometimes sold, and they come with pre-installed scope.

These are the easiest way to acquire scoped Mosins, albeit they can be expensive.

Scope and scope mount often marketed as “authentic” WW II scopes are actually replicas.

There are very few authentic military scopes for sniper versions of Mosin Nagants that exist today, but even those scopes don’t offer the accuracy enhancement that the Mosin needs.

These scopes come either as the top-mounted PE scope or side-mounted PU scope, with magnifications of 4x and 3.5x, respectively.

For the vintage value that they add to your collection, they’d do great. For hunting purposes, though, level up to modern scout scopes.

How Can I Improve Mosin Nagant Accuracy?

The Mosin Nagant 91/30 was Russia’s former leading infantry rifle during the past two world wars.

It is big and sturdy, heavy and loud, and it packs a wallop — a beast of a gun that certainly won’t bag any beauty crown. But it has character.

I wondered how to improve Mosin Nagant accuracy. This article is a summary of information and researched compiled from gun forums about how to upgrade a Nagant to make it more accurate.

Three main ways are below:

  • Reduce the trigger’s weight
  • Add optics
  • Free-float the barrel

Modify the trigger

The Mosin’s trigger is usually heavy, and the heavier the trigger, the more is accuracy diminished.

It also has a long and cranky pull and the trigger return spring may be considered ineffectual after such long abuse.

You can replace the trigger with a match-grade one from Timney Triggers or at Huber Concepts for a ball-bearing trigger modification.

While at it, you may also have your spring upgraded for less than $10.

Mount a scout scope

Buying a scope for a Mosin is one thing; mounting is another. And no one says it’s easy.

You’ll need the expertise of a gunsmith to drill and tap the receiver.

This also entails buying a bent bolt to clear the eyepiece of the scope – a scheme which can cost you over $200 and bleed your pockets dry.

Modifying a rifle more than twice the price you bought it for sounds insanely impractical.

Instead, you can buy and mount a scout scope with a long eye relief without need for the bent bolt, and for less than a hundred bucks!

Look for stores and dealers of scout scope mounts for the Mosin Nagant 91/30.

Most mounts that don’t require gun-smithing will be rather flimsy, so carefully choose those sturdily made.

Free-floating the barrel

For enhanced accuracy, the rule of thumb should be that the barrel should not, in any way, touch the stock.

To do this without cutting out much of the stock’s forefront, you need to sand a fine layer from the inside channel of the bottom part, detach the hand guard and insert a piece of corkboard between the tip of the stock and the barrel.

To ensure the barrel does not come in contact with the stock, do a test by inserting a paper or dollar bill between the stock and barrel to the fore of the corkboard shim and slip it in the direction of the receiver.

If there’s no contact, the paper or bill should slide without a hitch.

There is a dynamic after-sales market out there for Mosin Nagant rifles.

This is simply because many are like you who’ve opted for this big and loud beast of a gun, not to mention that the price is quite cheap for such a big guy.

Avoid unnecessary trappings, such as bolting muzzle brakes to the rifle. They are useless on the Mosin’s recoil and gases.

Those three areas mentioned should be your first concerns to increase Mosin Nagant accuracy.

Find the best scope for Mosin Nagant rifles in 2023 on Amazon.

Originally posted 2023-01-06 12:50:31.