Description of the Mosin sniper rifle. Mosin sniper rifle, properties and design, history of creation

On initial stage During the war, the Mosin rifle was the main weapon of the Red Army. Despite the advent of automatic weapons (Shpagin submachine gun (PPSh); Sudaev submachine gun (PPS); SVT), it did not lose its relevance and was indispensable in long-range combat.

TTX (tactical and technical characteristics)

Model 1891 7.62 mm (3-line) rifle - a repeating rifle adopted by the Russian Imperial Army in 1891.

Actively used from 1891 to the end of the Great Patriotic War, was modernized many times during this period.

Name three-ruler occurs from the caliber of the rifle barrel, which is equal to three Russian lines(old measure of length) - one line is equal to one tenth of an inch, or 2.54 mm - respectively, three lines are equal to 7.62 mm.

By the end of the 19th century, it became obvious that the army needed a repeating rifle, so the Main Artillery Directorate set the task of developing this type of weapon in 1882. In 1883, the “Commission for Testing Magazine Guns” was formed under the chairmanship of Major General N.I. Chagin.

In parallel with the development of a fundamentally new repeating rifle, work was carried out to adapt the magazine to the existing Berdan rifle , however this direction was considered unpromising.

In 1889, Sergei Ivanovich Mosin proposed a three-line (7.62 mm) rifle for the competition, developed on the basis of his earlier single-shot rifle, from which the bolt group and receiver were borrowed practically unchanged. Some ideas regarding the design of the store were borrowed from the newest one tested in the same year Austro-Hungarian rifle systemMannlicher with batch loading of an in-line middle magazine, which was found to fully comply with all the requirements. In addition, a batch of modified (3-line) Nagant rifles was delivered from Belgium, after which large-scale testing of the two systems began in the fall of 1890.

The results of military tests (300 Mosin rifles and 300 Nagant rifles were tested) showed that the Mosin rifles gave 217 delays when feeding cartridges from the magazine, and the Nagant - 557, almost three times more. Considering the fact that the competition essentially boiled down to the search for the optimal design of the store, this clearly indicated the advantage of the Mosin system in terms of reliability, despite any “unfavorable production conditions.”

So in 1891, upon completion of military tests, the Commission made the following decision: a rifle was adopted, developed on the basis of the Mosin design, but with significant changes and additions, both borrowed from the Nagan design and made taking into account the proposals of the Commission members themselves.

From the experimental Mosin rifle, it directly used a locking mechanism bar, a safety cocking device, a bolt, a cut-off reflector, a magazine cover latch, a method of connecting the feeder to the cover, making it possible to disconnect the cover with the feeder from the magazine; from the Nagant system - the idea of ​​​​placing a feed mechanism on the magazine door and opening it down, a method of filling the magazine by lowering cartridges from the clip with a finger - therefore, the grooves for the clip in the receiver and, in fact, the cartridge clip itself. The remaining parts were developed by members of the Commission, with the participation of Mosin.

On April 16, 1891, Emperor Alexander III approved the model. The rifle was finally adopted for service under the name " three-line rifle model 1891».

Mosin retained the rights to the individual parts of the rifle he developed and awarded him the Grand Mikhailov Prize (for outstanding developments in artillery and rifle units).

Subsequently it turned out that such a name ("three-line rifle model 1891") violated the established tradition of naming small arms models of the Russian army, since the name of the designer was crossed out from the name of the model adopted for service. As a result, in 1924, Mosin’s surname appeared in the name of the rifle.

Production of the rifle began in 1892 at the Tula, Sestroretsk and Izhevsk arms factories.

After adoption in 1891 and until 1910, improvements were made to existing rifles and new designs were developed. So, in 1893, a wooden barrel guard was introduced to protect the shooter’s hands from burns. In 1896, a new, longer ramrod was introduced. The notch on the sides of the magazine box lid, which would wipe the uniform when carrying a weapon, was eliminated.

As a result of modification of the dragoon version of the rifle, as shorter and more convenient, a single model appeared - rifle model 1891/1930(GAU index - 56-B-222).

By the early 1940s. samples of automatic weapons appear (SVT - Tokarev self-loading rifle). It was assumed that they would replace the “three-line”.

However, plans for the complete rearmament of the Red Army with automatic weapons were not destined to come true due to the outbreak of hostilities - since 1941, the production of SVT, as more complex in comparison with the repeating rifle and submachine gun, was reduced significantly, and one of the main types of weapons of the Soviet infantry in that war, the modernized rifle model remained. 1891, although supplemented by very significant quantities of self-loading rifles and submachine guns.

Mass production also began in 1932 sniper rifle mod. 1891/31(GAU index - 56-V-222A), distinguished by improved quality of processing of the barrel bore, the presence of an optical sight PE, PB or PU and a bolt handle bent down. A total of 108,345 units were produced. sniper rifles, they were intensively used during the Soviet-Finnish and World War II and proved to be a reliable and effective weapon. Currently, Mosin sniper rifles are of collectible value (especially the “registered” rifles, which were awarded to the best Soviet snipers during the Great Patriotic War).

Device:

Rifle barrel- rifled (4 grooves, curving from left to top to right). Early samples have a trapezoidal rifling shape. Later - the simplest rectangular one. At the rear of the barrel is a smooth-walled chamber designed to accommodate the cartridge when fired. It is connected to the rifled part of the barrel using a bullet entrance. Above the chamber there is a factory mark that allows you to identify the manufacturer and year of manufacture of the rifle.

At the back, onto the threaded stump of the barrel, it is tightly screwed receiver, which serves to place the shutter. To it, in turn, are attached magazine case with feeding mechanism, cut-off reflector And trigger.

Magazine case(magazine) serves to accommodate 4 cartridges and a feeding mechanism. It has cheeks, a square, a trigger guard and a cover on which the feed mechanism is mounted.

The cartridges in the magazine are located in one row, in such a position that their edges do not interfere with the feed, which is associated with the unusual, by modern standards, shape of the magazine.

Cut-off reflector is controlled by the movement of the bolt and serves to separate the cartridges fed from the magazine box into the receiver, preventing possible delays in feeding caused by the edges of the cartridges engaging each other, and also plays the role of a reflector of spent cartridges. Before the modernization of 1930, it was a single part, after which it consisted of a blade with a reflective protrusion and a spring part.

The reflector cut-off is considered one of the key parts of the rifle design introduced by Mosin, ensuring the reliability and trouble-free operation of the weapon in any conditions. At the same time, its very presence was caused by the use of outdated cartridges with a rim, which were not very convenient for feeding from a magazine.

Gate rifle is used to send a cartridge into the chamber, lock the barrel at the moment of firing, fire a shot, remove a spent cartridge case or misfired cartridge from the chamber.

It consists of a stem with a comb and a handle, a combat cylinder, an ejector, a trigger, a firing pin, a mainspring and a connecting strip. On a sniper rifle, the bolt handle is elongated and bent downward to improve the convenience of reloading the weapon and the ability to install an optical sight.

The bolt contains a firing pin and twisted cylindrical mainspring. The mainspring is compressed when the bolt is unlocked by turning the handle; when locked, the striker's combat platoon rests on the sear. It is possible to cock the firing pin manually with the bolt closed; to do this, you need to pull the trigger back (in in this case The trigger is the tip screwed onto the shank of the firing pin). To engage the safety, the trigger must be pulled back as far as it will go and turned counterclockwise.

Lodge connects the parts of the weapon together, consists of the forearm, neck and butt. The Mosin rifle stock is solid, made of birch or walnut wood. The neck of the stock is straight, more durable and suitable for bayonet fighting, although less comfortable when shooting than the semi-pistol necks of many later models. Since 1894, a separate part was introduced - a barrel guard, which covers the barrel from above, protecting it from damage, and the shooter's hands from burns. The butt of the dragoon modification is somewhat narrower, and the forend is thinner than the infantry modification.

The stock and receiver are attached to the weapon mechanisms using two screws and two stock rings with ring springs. The stock rings are split on most rifles and blind on the Dragoon model. 1891.

Aim- stepped on a rifle mod. 1891, sector on a rifle mod. 1891/30. Consists of an aiming bar with a clamp, an aiming block and a spring.

Front sight located on the barrel near the muzzle. At arr. 1891/30 received a ring ear muff.

Bayonet. Serves to defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. It has a tetrahedral blade with fullers, a tube with a stepped slot and a spring latch that attaches the bayonet to the barrel, and a neck connecting them.

The rifle was sighted with a bayonet, that is, when shooting it had to be attached, otherwise the point of impact would shift significantly. When shooting with a bayonet at a distance of 100 m, the average point of impact (MPO) on a rifle zeroed without it deviates to the left by 6-8 cm and down by 8-10 cm, which is compensated by a new zeroing.

In general, the bayonet had to be on the rifle at all times, including during storage and on the march, with the exception of movement by rail or by road transport. Therefore, it was very practical that its edges were not sharpened, like those of knife-shaped bayonets, since with the established method of carrying this could create significant inconvenience when using the weapon and cause injuries when handling it.

The manual prescribed that the bayonet should be removed, in addition to the cases noted above, only when disassembling the rifle for cleaning, and it was assumed that it could be difficult to remove due to its constant presence on the weapon.

The sharpened tip of the bayonet was used as a screwdriver during complete disassembly.

Carbine arr. 1944 had an integral switch bayonet own sample Semin's designs.

An interesting fact is that the sniper version of the Mosin rifle also had a bayonet, and it was set extremely tightly. In this case, it served as a muzzle weight, which significantly reduced the vibration of the barrel when fired, which had a positive effect on the accuracy of the battle. The slightest loosening of the mount had a negative impact on the rifle’s performance.

The famous “three-line” has gone through its difficult path from the moment of its creation to the hardest battles Great War. More than once it has proven its reliability and ease of manufacture, having been in the hands of those who defended their Motherland and the interests of their country for more than half a century.

Since ancient times, man and weapons have been inseparable, and this is not strange, because wars always go on - both thousands of years ago and today. With the growth of progress and technology, people invented more and more new weapons of defense and attack. Analyzing history, we understand that there were not so many talented inventors of firearms, but they did exist. One of these legendary designers is Sergei Ivanovich Mosin, the inventor of the legendary three-ruler.

The history of the Mosin rifle

At the end of the 19th century, many European countries were armed with repeating rifles, which allowed their soldiers to fight much more effectively. At that time, the Russian army still used single-shot weapons using a large-caliber cartridge and black powder. Based on experience Russian-Turkish war, during which soldiers used a single-shot Berdan rifle, the Russian authorities announced a competition to create the latest type of weapon. The event was held in 1890 and featured approximately 20 examples of repeating weapons. After testing, two finalists were selected: the rifle of Captain Mosin and the rifle of the Belgian Leon Nagant. After all the necessary tests, already in 1891, a vote was held, as a result of which the Belgian development won (14 votes against 10), but influential Russian officers insisted on the approval of a domestic model. As a result, it was the Mosin rifle that was adopted, but slightly improved by Nagan’s ideas, namely the cartridge feeding mechanism. This weapon was in service with Russia for many years; the army went through many wars with it: two world wars, the Russian-Japanese and the Finnish. The caliber of the Mosin rifle is 7.62 mm (three lines of 2.54 mm).

Rifle production

At the end of the 19th century, most armies of the world had already rearmed and had magazine weapons in their arsenal. The Russian army needed to carry out a large-scale update of its firearms arsenal as soon as possible. That is why, after all the tests were carried out and the sample was approved for mass production, Mosin rifles began to be mass produced in 1892. Three arms factories were engaged in this simultaneously: Sestroretsk, Izhevsk and Tula. But they did not have enough power to quickly provide a huge army, so it was decided to place an order in the amount of 500 thousand rifles from France. The weapons were manufactured by the military factories Manufacture Nationale d’Armes. Before the start of the Russo-Japanese War, the army received more than 3,800,000 guns. After the start of mass production - according to some sources - already in 1893 the rifle was tested in battle against the Afghans in the Pamirs, according to others - in China only in 1900-1901. One thing is certain: already in the early years, designers began to make small changes to the design of the Mosin rifle. A wooden barrel guard was added to the basic configuration, which protected the soldier’s hands from burns; in 1896, for more convenient cleaning of the weapon, the design of the cleaning rod was changed, and in 1910, after the transition to pointed cartridges, the sight was changed.

At the time of Russia's entry into the war, the army had more than 4,500,000 rifles in its arsenal. They were produced in four types: carbine, Cossack, dragoon and infantry. During the war, more than 3,000,000 guns were produced in the country and more than 200,000 were repaired. During these hard times There was a huge shortage of weapons, and industrial capabilities did not allow them to produce the required quantity, so the government was forced to buy weapons from foreign companies. The United States ordered the production of 1.5 million Mosin rifles of the 1891-1910 model, but not all of them ended up in Russia, since the US government confiscated some of the weapons after the revolution.

Mosin rifle design

The Mosin rifle is a weapon that has a manual reloader and a clip. The barrel of the rifle is locked by a sliding, rotating and stop-mounted bolt. Mosin rifles are equipped with a bolt with two stops, which are located in different places, the first in the front of the bolt, the second in the horizontal plane. The bolt of the rifle houses a cylindrical combat spring and a firing pin, which has a very simple design. As for the reloading handle, it is located in the middle of the bolt. The fuse was not provided; its role is played by the drummer. The Mosin rifle has a box magazine, the cartridges in which are arranged in one row. It holds a maximum of five cartridges - they can be inserted either with a clip from below, or one at a time through the hole when the bolt is open. It is worth noting that the magazine has in its design such a part as a cut-off, which is designed to block the lower cartridges while the upper cartridge is fed into the barrel. The stock is made of wood, usually birch. In 1891, three variants of the Mosin rifle were adopted by the army: infantry, dragoon and Cossack.

Rifle Specifications

Mosin rifles entering service Russian army, had a huge advantage over their predecessors. The new weapon had a three-line cartridge (7.62 mm) that used smokeless powder. The old single-shot rifles had a caliber of 10.67 mm and used black powder. Over the years, the three-ruler (as the Mosin rifle was popularly called) was modernized several times to improve its use and production. Let's look at two main variants of this weapon.

1. Model 1891 - Mosin rifle, the characteristics of which are as follows:

• caliber - 7.62 mm (3 lines);
• cartridge - 7.62x54 R;
• length of the rifle with and without a bayonet, respectively, mm - 1734/1306;
• barrel length, mm - 800;
• weight of the rifle with/without bayonet, g - 4300/3990;
• sighting range, in steps - 2700 (about 1900 m);
• initial bullet speed, m/s - 620;
• magazine, cartridges - 5.

2. Model 1944 - Mosin carbine, its characteristics are as follows:

• caliber, mm - 7.62;
• cartridge - 7.62x54 R;
• weapon length, mm - 1020;
• rifle barrel length, mm - 510;
• rifle weight, g - 3900 (with fixed bayonet);
• sighting range, m - 2000;
• initial bullet speed, m/s - 810;
• rate of fire, v/m - 20-35;
• magazine, cartridges - 5.

Rifle upgrade options

As mentioned earlier, the Mosin rifle (its photo can be seen below) was adopted for service in 1891. Her main feature was simple and easy to use; it could be disassembled easily and without any tools. The bayonet of the Mosin rifle served as a good and reliable weapon in close combat. In 1910, it had a new sighting frame (suggested by V.P. Konovalov). This change was caused by the earlier transition to pointed bullets, the trajectory of which was slightly different from the trajectory of blunt bullets.

The Red Army used only one type of rifle - the dragoon. After several changes, already in 1930, it began to be called the model of 1891-1930. The rifle has become more convenient, and its production has become much simpler. Firstly, a front sight appeared, and secondly, the shape of the front sight itself changed, which facilitated the process of aimed shooting. Due to the fact that the receiver began to be produced round (previously it was faceted), and the cut-off reflector was assembled from two parts, the production technology was simplified.

In 1931, Soviet snipers also received the Mosin rifle. It was distinguished, naturally, by the presence of an optical sight, a bent bolt handle, and improved processing of the barrel bore. The latest modification of this weapon is the 1944 carbine. But even today, the rifle designed by Mosin has not left the stage: many designers both in Russia and abroad continue to modify this weapon. For example, in the 90s of the twentieth century, the Finns released the SSG-96 sniper rifle, which was based on the three-line rifle. By the way, some versions of these weapons are still considered one of the best in the world today.

Sawed-off Mosin rifle

During excavations in the battlefields of the Red Army, weapons are often found, but one of the unusual, at first glance, finds is a sawn-off shotgun of a Mosin rifle. Similar weapons are also found in our time, because they were one of the most common in the first half of the twentieth century; many people kept a rifle at home. As for the sawn-off shotgun, we can say that many people made it - both soldiers and ordinary people. Unlike a long and not very convenient rifle, it had many advantages, as it was simple and easy to use. This weapon was most popular among peasants, bandits and even partisans. The people called the sawn-off shotgun “kulak”. Almost every man at that time knew how to make a Mosin rifle, or rather a sawn-off shotgun, especially since it is not difficult - you just need to cut off part of the barrel and butt. The shortened Mosin rifle also had disadvantages - the aiming characteristics and firing range were much reduced.

Mosin carbine: model 1944

In 1944, the last modernization of the invention of designer Mosin was made: the carbine was equipped with a bayonet, which was not removable, but was folding. During the Great Patriotic War, the new improved rifle received its name - “Carbine of the 1944 model”. The weapon was a shortened version dragoon version Mosin. This carbine was released based on many years of experience in warfare. After the start of production of the 1944 model carbine, the previous version of the rifle was discontinued.

Thanks to its design, the new weapon allowed the infantry to fight better, because in the trenches and thickets it was much more convenient for a soldier with a shortened carbine. Despite some changes, the rifle's firing qualities remained virtually unchanged.

The year was 1944 last year in the history of the improvement of the famous rifle, which went through many wars and conflicts. At the end of World War II, Mosin's inventions were no longer in service with the Soviet Army. They were replaced by SKS carbines and AK-47 assault rifles - you will agree, a more advanced weapon. The Mosin rifle, however, continued to be in service with several countries of the PRC and the DPRK, Montenegro and Finland.

Pneumatic version of the Mosin rifle

With the development of technology, a pneumatic model was created on the basis of the Mosin rifle. It is quite popular these days, just as the Mosin rifle was popular in its time. The pneumatic copy is mainly produced as a sawn-off shotgun of the Mosin rifle; it is also called an air pistol. According to the manufacturers, you just need to pick up this barrel and you will not want to part with it, because this is a legend - the Mosin rifle. You can see a photo of the cut-off just below. Such weapons are much easier to acquire than firearms, they are easy to handle and easy to store. There are various modifications of the rifle. Some are capable of shooting only small balls, others are intended for a more serious cartridge, for example, with shot, which is used for hunting. There are also air rifle versions for sport shooting. Each type of weapon is interesting in its own way, but we can say with confidence that all of them are often used these days, since they have a simple and very easy-to-use design.

Weight and size mockup of the Mosin rifle

A rifle model is a product that is produced for collectible souvenirs, museum exhibits and props for theater and cinema. It is produced without a bayonet, but is externally identical to the original. The mockup provides the ability to cock and lower the hammer, but does not have the properties of a military weapon. MMG Mosin rifles are often used in theatrical productions and historical cinema, because it was in service with the army for almost half of the twentieth century. It is also worth remembering that changing the design of the model or converting it into a military weapon is punishable by law! MMG is not a souvenir that looks like a weapon, it is a weapon converted into a souvenir. MMGs are practically irreplaceable in modern cinema - films about the war and the first part of the 19th century have always been popular and are often shot by directors. The Mosin rifle was the most common and accessible weapon for ordinary citizens at that time. A large-sized model of a rifle can serve as a wonderful gift for people who are interested in history. It needs to be looked after and stored just like the real thing. firearms. The rifle is subject to constant inspection, cleaning and lubricating with special oil, and although this is a little troublesome, a true connoisseur should always take care of his exhibits. It is not very difficult to get MMG Mosin rifles - they are sold without special permission. In addition, compared to real weapons, the mockup is inexpensive.

Interesting facts about the designer Mosin and his rifle

The rifle of Sergei Ivanovich Mosin, despite some of its shortcomings, went down in history as a reliable and inexpensive weapon. But few people know about the many interesting cases associated with its creation. For example, when foreigners learned about the invention, or rather about the rack and pinion magazine, they really wanted to buy this new product. Employees of the Richter company, which was located in France, offered to sell the invention to Mosin for 600,000 francs, and after refusal they gave 1,000,000. But Sergei Ivanovich was a true patriot and refused a huge amount of money. As for Mosin himself, he was interested in weapons since childhood, and in 1875 he headed a tool workshop at the Tula Arms Factory. The designer often participated in various competitions and came up with more and more new inventions. Unfortunately, not all weapons from that time have survived, so much is simply unknown to us. Few people know that the main competition in 1891 for a prototype repeating rifle in Russia was between Mosin and Nagan - two brilliant designers. There are many stories about the victory of our designer, but one thing is known for sure - the Mosin rifle was improved by some of Nagan's developments. The designer wrote to Minister Alexei Kuropatkin that his rifle was taken into service, and his competitor received a large sum of money for the design of the clip - as much as 200,000 rubles, while Mosin was given only 30,000 rubles for all the work. But, despite all the rumors and stories that circulate around the creation of the legendary three-line, it was precisely this model that was manufactured by the Russian designer Mosin, adopted by the government and remained in service for a very long time. Only new models of magazine weapons, which were invented by no less famous designers, for example, Mikhail Kalashnikov, were able to replace it.

The world continues to develop, technologies become more and more accurate. Today there is large number automatic weapons, but many believe that it was the Mosin rifle that laid the foundation for many modern inventions. One thing is for sure, Sergei Ivanovich himself and his famous three-ruler have taken an honorable place in history. And this is not surprising, because the designer’s rifle went through several wars and a revolution with our army. Today it is used mainly by hunters because it is inexpensive and quite simple to use.

The legendary “three-line”, the famous “Mosinka” faithfully served the Russian soldier for over 50 years. And the Mosin carbine created on its basis served as the progenitor of hunting weapons that are still used today! What characteristics, advantages and disadvantages does the Mosin hunting carbine have and in what modifications is it produced?

A little history

IN late XIX century, the Russian imperial army was faced with the problem of a serious technical lag in terms of small arms. The 7.62-mm Mosin rifle of the 1891 model, which became the main weapon of rifle units and subunits for many years, was called upon to correct the situation. In 1910, the rifle underwent its first major modernization to accommodate a new cartridge with a pointed bullet. Another major restyling was carried out in 1930, after which the rifle received its final name: the Mosin rifle model 1891/1930.

Various modifications were produced at different periods. The most famous and common are the following options:

• shortened Mosin cavalry rifle;
• infantry rifle;
• Cossack carbine.

As for carbines, the first of them was released in 1907. It was shorter in length compared to a rifle, but the firing range was only 1,000 meters, in contrast to the 2,000 “rifle” meters. In 1938, the Mosin carbine was seriously modernized. Essentially it was new sample weapons that were equipped with artillery units, auxiliary units and military personnel forced to carry out operations in confined spaces.

It is curious that the Mosin carbine of the 1944 model became a kind of “grave digger” of the three-line series. The fact is that simultaneously with the adoption of the carbine into service by the Soviet army, the production of the rifle was discontinued. However, it was this option that served as the prototype for the hunting version of this weapon.

Design and principle of operation

The carbine based on the Mosin rifle is a 7.62 mm rifled weapon. The magazine holds 5 rounds, which are reloaded manually using the lower round cut-off function. The barrel is locked and reloaded thanks to a sliding rotary bolt with two stops. The bolt is equipped with a cylindrical mainspring and a simple firing pin.

The so-called Mosin cavalry carbine, like most modifications of the “three-line”, did not have a safety device, the role of which was played by the firing pin. In addition, one of distinctive features carbine model 1944 is the presence of a fixed bayonet that folds to the side.

Shooting and reloading occur in several clock cycles. The main component of both the rifle and carbine is the bolt. He inserts the cartridge into the chamber, locks the barrel during the shot, and removes the cartridge case or cartridge that misfired. In order to fire a shot, you need to insert a cartridge and move the bolt forward to push it forward. After firing, you need to turn the bolt handle up and pull it towards you to eject the cartridge case. After which the shutter must be returned to its original position by moving forward and down. Assembling and disassembling the Mosin rifle is not particularly difficult.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Mosin carbines of various modifications are quite popular among modern hunters.

Among the advantages of this family of hunting weapons, the following should be noted:

• high accuracy;
• sufficient accuracy typical of rifled weapons;
• unpretentiousness in operation and maintenance;
• reliability.

True, it was not without its shortcomings. The main bottlenecks of Mosin hunting carbines are:

• difficulties with choosing a sight, which will be discussed below;
• relatively low resource of the rifled barrel;
• insufficiently comfortable standard stock;
• almost complete lack of ammunition suitable for use in hunting.

However, these problems can be solved. So, as ammunition, in addition to standard ones, you can use an army cartridge for a Mosin rifle or adjustment cartridges (for 7.62 mm caliber). With some skill, you can select and adjust the appropriate optical sight to the carbine.

Comparison of rifle and carbine characteristics

Carbines and three-line Mosin: technical specifications, characteristic of a rifle and a carbine, can be clearly seen in the following comparison:

Mosin rifle, characteristics:

• caliber: 7.62 mm;
• weight: 4.27 kg;
• length: 1230 mm;
• initial bullet speed: 865 m/s;
• sighting range: 1300-2000 m.

Mosin carbine, technical characteristics (1944 model):

• caliber: 7.62 mm;
• weight (with bayonet): 4.00 kg;
• length (with bayonet): 1330 mm;
• initial bullet speed: 765 m/s;
• sighting range 1000-1300 m.

As you can see, despite the fact that the carbine became a logical continuation of the evolutionary chain of development of the Mosin rifle, the characteristics of the two representatives of this family differ quite noticeably in some respects.

Review of hunting modifications of carbines

If we talk purely about civilian (hunting) modifications of the Mosin carbine, the most notable of them are the following.

Hunting carbine "Moose" (KO-8.2)

This is also a Mosin rifle, the caliber of which, however, is not the traditional 7.62 mm, but 8.20 mm. The carbine is designed to work on large and medium-sized animals. It is characterized by a fairly high initial bullet speed and relatively low weight. Available in several modifications, differing in the pitch of the rifling, the shape of the stock, the presence of a sector sight and some other nuances.

The most important performance characteristics of this model:

• length: 1010 mm;
• weight: 3 kg;
• initial shot speed: 440 m/s;
• Magazine capacity: 5 rounds.

Hunting carbine "Moose 7-1"

A weapon of the more familiar 7.62 caliber intended for animal hunting. Designed for various brands imported cartridges, which are placed in a removable magazine. Can work with both optical and conventional diopters.

Other performance characteristics of this model:

• weight (without optics and ammunition): 3.5 kg;
• initial bullet speed: 830 m/s;
• sighting range: 100…300 m;
• Magazine capacity: 5 rounds 7.62x51 mm.

Hunting carbine KO-91/30

The Mosin shotgun is a civilian (hunting) modification of a 1944 model carbine. Designed for hunting large and medium game. Home distinctive feature is the presence of a fuse. Designed for the 7.62x54 R cartridge. Can be used with both conventional and optical sights.

Has the following main characteristics:

• length: 1232 mm;
• weight (without ammunition and sight): 4.0 kg;
• initial bullet speed: 800 m/s;
• sighting range: up to 300 meters;
• Magazine capacity: 5 rounds.

There are Mosin rifles and carbines of some other modifications, which today are no longer in production or are not fully related to hunting weapons. An example is the pneumatic version of the carbine, produced in the form factor of a sawn-off shotgun. Such weapons are used for self-defense, sport shooting (ammunition in the form of balls), and can also be used for hunting game and small animals (shot).

Sights

The Mosin rifle with an optical sight became a true classic of the Great Patriotic War. Standard optical sights for the Mosin rifle were designated PU or PE. They had a 3.5x magnification and provided fairly acceptable accuracy and accuracy of combat. However, due to design features, the use of optical sights excluded the possibility of batch loading. In addition to the fact that there was a special sniper version, the optical sight on the Mosin rifle was often installed on conventional weapon modifications. True, this was due to noticeable inconveniences associated with adjusting the bracket, zeroing the rifle or carbine, and balancing the weapon.

These same problems have remained almost unchanged to this day. Although there is a variant of the KO-91/30 hunting carbine with a standard sight of the same name. But the use of conventional military-style or imported sniper optics is associated with great difficulties, first of all, with the installation of the sight, since not every one of them is structurally suitable for the fastening devices that are equipped with hunting models.

Nevertheless, despite some shortcomings and minor disadvantages, Mosin carbines serve quite well as hunting weapons. Good ballistic characteristics, accuracy and accuracy, the use of various types of cartridges, reliability and unpretentiousness made this gun and its various modifications a worthy choice for a serious hunter!

Video

We provide for viewing a documentary video about the legendary weapon of the Second World War - the Mosin rifle.

This famous “three-line” became the most popular weapon at the beginning of the twentieth century. Although they call it “Mosin rifle” for short, in fact it had several creators and developers. because the caliber of its barrel was 3 lines (a line is an old Russian measure of length equal to approximately 2.54 mm, and three lines are equal to 7.62 mm). At the end of the 19th century in service tsarist army there was a four-line Berdan rifle, which no longer met the realities of that time and had many shortcomings. In 1882 S.I. Mosin began to improve it.

General information

Guard Captain Sergei Ivanovich Mosin, a hereditary military man originally from the Voronezh province, graduated from the artillery academy.

In 1885 they an original rack and pinion magazine was developed, which was later used in the “three-line”, which brought it great popularity.

Reliably ensured the supply of cartridges from the magazine and The cutoff-reflector prevented two cartridges from entering the chamber at once.

Watch the video:

This is not to say that there were no alternatives to this mechanism, but they were either much more difficult to implement or more expensive.

The Mosin design was a fairly successful compilation of the Bonnet bolts and the Mauser rifle of 1871/84. You can also check out. It was so convenient that the rifle could be disassembled and reassembled in any conditions, and no special tool was required for this. Read also the material about.

It should be noted that several other people besides S.I. took part in the creation of the famous “three-line”. Mosin: the barrel and cartridges were developed by Colonels Petrov, Rogovtsev and Staff Captain Savostyanov, and the loading method and cartridge clip were purchased from the Belgian Leon Nagan (the government bought all the documents from him for two hundred thousand rubles). Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvsa5xuh38g

In 1891, by imperial decree, production of a new rifle began to equip the tsarist army.

For the development of the rifle, Mosin himself was awarded a cash prize, the Order of St. Anne of the Second Class and the Grand Mikhailovsky Prize (it was awarded only once every five years for special achievements in artillery).

The rifle at that time was produced in three types.

This was the most cumbersome version of the rifle, and without a bayonet it was almost ineffective. Often used over short distances.

During Russo-Japanese War infantry rifle showed high destructive power and, at the same time, a number of shortcomings. The weapon of the first models (before 1894) had an unprotected barrel, and when fired, it became so hot that it burned the soldiers’ hands.

Later, wooden overlays began to be used. In addition, the bayonet mount was fragile and often broke under strong blows.

Made for cavalry and Cossacks. The barrel was 7 centimeters shorter than that of the infantry; a bayonet was not required.

Although the initial speed was a little lower, overall it was a compact lethal weapon that quickly gained popularity among the soldiers of that time.

The short barrel and lighter weight made this type more convenient compared to the infantry one. The design of the belt was somewhat inconvenient (you could only carry the rifle on the left), the initial speed of the bullet was slightly lost, but in general the shooting results both with and without a bayonet were good.

In fact, these species differed only in the length of the trunk. The Mosin infantry rifle had the longest barrel and bayonet, the dragoon (or cavalry) had a smaller barrel and a slightly different version of the belt attachment, while the Cossack rifle had no bayonet at all, and the barrel was shortened.

The bayonet model was already a little outdated by that time - it was a tetrahedral bayonet that fits onto the barrel. When the weapon was dismantled, the tip of the bayonet could be used as a screwdriver. See also the material about the domestic rifle IZH 61.

Main characteristics of different types of rifles of 1891

The first half-million batch of Mosin rifles was manufactured in France (Chatellerault plant); later, in 1893-1894, domestic production was established at the factories of Sestroretsk, Tula, Izhevsk.

In the very first two wars in which the rifle was used (Russian-Japanese and World War I), all its shortcomings became apparent. Some of them were taken into account and adjusted; the dragoon version seemed optimal for use, and only this version began to be produced.

The main complaints were that without a bayonet it was impossible to shoot accurately. If it is not attached to the rifle, then the balance of the weapon is disrupted and the accuracy of the shot is lost, the shooting accuracy deteriorates significantly, and with a bayonet the rifle is very bulky and heavy. For information on what is the best 4.5 caliber air rifle, see.

Disassembly of the “three-line” was not intended, and certainly with fixed bayonets. Only in 1930 was it possible to eliminate this shortcoming. Then the most significant changes were made to the design of the dragoon “three-line”, and she changed the name slightly (became “model 1891/30”).

Mosin sniper rifle

The Mosin rifle is the ancestor of sniper rifles in Russia. The sniper rifle first appeared in 1931; it was designed on the basis of the 19891/30 model.

The sniper rifle had a selected barrel with improved accuracy of fire, on the left side of the barrel there was a bracket, a bolt handle bent down, and a smaller and lighter sight. Watch the video:

The main difference, of course, was the presence of an optical sight, which was attached to the barrel on a special bracket. During the war, the Bramit silencer was sometimes used.

The optical sight increased 3.5 times (accuracy increased at a distance of up to 1300 meters), its weight was 270 g, its length was 169 millimeters, the field of view was 4° 30′. However, due to the installation of an optical sight, it was necessary to fire single shots.

Performance characteristics of the Mosin sniper rifle:

Advantages and disadvantages of the Mosin rifle:

One of the historical rifles is the English Boer rifle, about it.

Conclusion

The Mosin rifle, which in 1927-1928 became the basis for the development of a version of the first sniper rifle in the Soviet state, which was subsequently actively and successfully used in various wars and even in Afghanistan (already in 1979-1989), lives to this day. It is successfully modified: the Finnish version is SSG-96, the Russian version is “OTs-48”.

In total, from 1891 to 1965 there were About 37 million copies of these rifles were produced. Fans of pneumatics will be interested in material about. Also read.

The rifle of the Sergei Ivanovich Mosin system or “three-line”, adopted for service back in 1891, became the most popular small arms of the Great Patriotic War. In the USA, this legendary weapon is still called the “Russian rifle”.

Birth of a legend

Why “three-line”? In the Russian Imperial Army, caliber was measured not in millimeters, but in lines. A line is one tenth of an inch, and three lines is 7.62 mm. There were three types of “three-line”: infantry, dragoon and Cossack. They differed in length. In addition, the Cossack rifle did not have a bayonet.

The rifle's middle magazine holds 5 rounds. The first combat use of the “three-line” was the Battle of Andijan during the Pamir Campaigns, when Russian infantry practically mowed down the attacking enemy cavalry with repeating rifles. Then, perhaps the only complaint was noted about the thin bayonets of the rifle, which broke when trying to lift the enemy onto the bayonet in hand-to-hand combat.

In 1910, in connection with the transition to a pointed bullet, which had slightly different ballistic properties, the sighting device was changed and the early “three-rulers” remain in museum collections very rare.

Russian rifle

The main production in Imperial Russia was concentrated at the Tula and Izhevsk arms factories, and there are also rifles made in France by Chatellerault. The Sestroretsk arms factory also produced training rifles. With the outbreak of the First World War, mainly the dragoon version was produced. The same trend continued in the USSR, where since 1923 only dragoons were produced.

During the First World War, an order was given to the American companies Westinghouse and Remington to produce 2 million “three-line” cars.

However, in the states, citing various reasons, this order was repeatedly postponed. How many rifles were still delivered to Russia during the First World War and Civil War and who they ended up with are very complex questions. The American interventionists in the North of Russia also had “three-line” units during the Civil War.

The “Russian rifle,” as it was called in the USA, produced overseas, differed from the Tula and Izhevsk rifles by having a walnut fore-end instead of a birch one and the absence of a top lining. All “three-line” models produced in the USA were infantry models.

Red Army

Only the dragoon model was left in service in the Red Army, and the rifle itself underwent minor modernization in 1930. Due to the appearance of the namushnik, the bayonet mount was changed, and the sight was changed from steps to meters. Since 1935, the receiver has acquired a rounded shape instead of a faceted one.

The weak point of the rifle is the safety, which requires a fair amount of physical strength, and setting the safety in cold conditions is also problematic. In the second half of the 1930s, rifle production was concentrated in Izhevsk from 1938, as the Tula Arms Plant switched to the production of SVT.

The “Three Line” became the most popular Soviet small arms of the Great Patriotic War. In total, from May 1941 to the end of 1944, more than 11 million rifles and carbines based on the Mosin rifle were produced. Only in 1944, the “three-line” carbine of the 1944 model came to replace the “three-line” in production.

Carbines based on the “three-line”

The Model 1907 carbine was produced in small quantities and was in service with machine gun teams and artillerymen. This weapon did not become widespread in the Russian army. The second version of the carbine was created on the basis of the “three-line” already in Soviet era, in 1938. Essentially the same “three-ruler”, but 20 cm shorter.

There is an opinion that the carbine is a cavalry weapon. But in the Red Army, carbines of the 1938 model were used to arm artillerymen and sappers, and they appeared in the cavalry only during the Great Patriotic War. Until 1941, the Soviet cavalry had the same “three-line” units. During the Great Patriotic War, it turned out that there was no need for an ordinary shooter to fire at a distance of 2 kilometers - this role was performed by heavy machine guns. For street combat and combat in trenches, the “three-line” (even in the 1891/1930 version) is very long.

It was necessary to create a more compact sample without resorting to a radical change in design. And such a model was created - it became the 1944 model carbine. The only difference was the presence of a folding needle bayonet of the Semin system. The bayonet is shorter than that of the “three-line”; bayonet combat became a relative rarity, and there was no longer any need to repel enemy cavalry attacks. The 1944 model carbine was produced until 1949 only at the Izhevsk plant, until it was replaced by the SKS-45 and AK-47.

Sniper version of the “three-line”

Since 1931, a sniper rifle based on the Mosin rifle has been in service with the Red Army. It was different from the standard one best quality barrel, curved bolt handle and the presence of an optical sight. Therefore, the rifle was loaded not with a clip, but with one cartridge at a time.

The first sights were purchased in Germany, and then the production of our own PU and PE was launched. On the eve of the Great Patriotic War, when the main emphasis was on the production of SVT-40, the production of “three-line” snipers decreased significantly, and since 1942 it began to gain momentum again.

The sniper version of the “three-line” has proven itself well in battles from the Khasan events to the Great Patriotic War. Although there have been cases of combat use of the Mosin rifle in recent conflicts. The production of weapons continued until 1945. In the post-war period, due to the lack of a good sniper model (the SVT-40 was considered unsatisfactory as a sniper weapon), the “three-line” was left as a temporary measure until the creation of a new sniper rifle. But the “three-line” was considered temporary for another 18 years, until the Dragunov sniper rifle was adopted for service.