MosinNagant

The Mosin-Nagant is a family of bolt-action rifles and carbines developed by Imperial Russia in the 1890s. Named after designers Sergei Mosin and Léon Nagant, the system entered service as the M1891 and became the standard rifle of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union. Over the decades many variants were produced for different roles and armies.

Chambered for 7.62×54mmR, the Mosin-Nagant uses a five-round internal magazine loaded with stripper clips. It employs a turning bolt and a robust, straightforward construction. Sights are a traditional iron setup, with a front blade and an adjustable rear tangent sight. A bayonet was commonly issued with many versions, and several variants adapted the rifle for squad and infantry use in diverse theaters.

The Mosin-Nagant saw extensive combat and deployment from the late 19th century onward. It participated in the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, the Russian Civil War, and the Winter War. In World War II the M91/30 and later carbine variants were widely produced for Soviet forces; the rifle was also supplied to or copied by allied states and used by resistance movements and various militaries around the world.

Numerous variants were produced for different theaters and needs, including long-service infantry rifles (such as the M1891 and M91/30), compact carbines (M38, M44), and sniper configurations equipped with a scope such as the PU. The Finnish variant M39 is noted for accuracy. The Mosin-Nagant remains a recognizable and historically significant firearm, widely encountered in museums, collections, and civilian markets.

Today the Mosin-Nagant is primarily seen as a historical firearm and collector’s item. The 7.62×54mmR cartridge it chambered remains in service in several countries, and the rifles continue to be discussed in military history and firearms communities.