The Finnish M28-76
It's tough to call this article a "review" or an "evaluation" because those terms imply that the subject is being evaluated for performance compared to similar products. That isn't really what's happening here, because anyone interested in a M28-76 isn't looking for the best bang for their buck, they're looking for unique, accurate rifle full of military history. For me, there was another allure: the geeky, grease-monkey desire to see what exactly was under the hood, making the M28-76 tick. I bought mine and immediately tore it apart to peer at the guts, where I found many interesting and delighting things. Over the next two years of shooting and cleaning, I found even more perks and features, and it suddenly occurred to me that other Mosin-Nagant enthusiasts would be just as interested in the M28-76's innards. To satisfy that curiosity, I will present here not a review, but something of a guided tour.
It is worth noting that I am merely an enthusiast, not an expert. I will do my best to note when and where a feature is unique to the M28-76, but it should be understood that some of the improvements featured on the M28-76 are simply carry-overs from previous Finnish models. For example, the trigger is markedly similar to that of the M28, and the barrel is almost identical to that of the M39. However, the M28-76 is still the best of the best, the culmination of decades of design and development. It has pulled the best features, dropped the worst, and added a few tweaks of its own. What follows is my humble attempt to showcase those improvements and additions, along with candid acknowledgement that many aspects of this fine rifle are quite simply beyond me.
First, a tiny bit of background.
Among Mosin-Nagant enthusiasts, the Finnish M28-76 is considered one of the finest models ever produced. As indicated by the name, the M28-76 is a 1976 update to the World War II-era M28 and M28-30, preferred rifles of the deadliest sniper in history, Simo Häyhä. Post-war, most Finnish Mosin-Nagants were put into storage but a select few were upgraded and converted to sharpshooting duty, finally culminating with the design of 1976 and thus, the M28-76. Modernization continued one more step to produce the TKIV 85 rifle, but sadly, the TKIV 85s appear to be still in service as sniper training rifles in the Finnish military, and are thus unseen on the American market.
Only about 1,000 M28-76s were imported to the USA, making them rare as well as accurate. The initial asking price was anywhere from $900 to $1500, depending on condition and features, which Americans at that time felt was a bit rich for a Mosin-Nagant. After all, those were the days when unissued, unfired Mosin-Nagants could be found for under $100, and as a result, many vendors finally slashed prices on the M28-76 to move out their inventories.
Today, however, an unfired Mosin-Nagant costs $400 or more, and the explosion of aftermarket interest has revealed one sub-MOA Mosin-Nagant project after another. As more and more American shooters started to appreciate the Mosin-Nagant, the few vendors still stocking full-price M28-76s sold out as well. Gunbroker.com still coughs one up from time to time, but in general, the M28-76 is now completely unavailable. With a unique combination of rarity and accuracy, the M28-76 has been given a modest bit of celebrity, with discussions of the design and origins already existing on several websites. However, no one ever seemed to tear the thing apart and take pictures of the guts, which is what I really wanted to see back when I didn't own one, and what I'll put on display here.
For comparison, I wish I could present a Russian M44, the last and most up-to-date design prior to the rifle’s retirement from active duty in Russia, but at the moment my collection does not include such a piece. Instead, a fresh-from-the-box Chinese Type 53 will be a substitute. This Type 54 in particular is extremely dirty but has a shiny bore, minimal rust, and smooth function.
It is worth noting that I am merely an enthusiast, not an expert. I will do my best to note when and where a feature is unique to the M28-76, but it should be understood that some of the improvements featured on the M28-76 are simply carry-overs from previous Finnish models. For example, the trigger is markedly similar to that of the M28, and the barrel is almost identical to that of the M39. However, the M28-76 is still the best of the best, the culmination of decades of design and development. It has pulled the best features, dropped the worst, and added a few tweaks of its own. What follows is my humble attempt to showcase those improvements and additions, along with candid acknowledgement that many aspects of this fine rifle are quite simply beyond me.
First, a tiny bit of background.
Among Mosin-Nagant enthusiasts, the Finnish M28-76 is considered one of the finest models ever produced. As indicated by the name, the M28-76 is a 1976 update to the World War II-era M28 and M28-30, preferred rifles of the deadliest sniper in history, Simo Häyhä. Post-war, most Finnish Mosin-Nagants were put into storage but a select few were upgraded and converted to sharpshooting duty, finally culminating with the design of 1976 and thus, the M28-76. Modernization continued one more step to produce the TKIV 85 rifle, but sadly, the TKIV 85s appear to be still in service as sniper training rifles in the Finnish military, and are thus unseen on the American market.
Only about 1,000 M28-76s were imported to the USA, making them rare as well as accurate. The initial asking price was anywhere from $900 to $1500, depending on condition and features, which Americans at that time felt was a bit rich for a Mosin-Nagant. After all, those were the days when unissued, unfired Mosin-Nagants could be found for under $100, and as a result, many vendors finally slashed prices on the M28-76 to move out their inventories.
Today, however, an unfired Mosin-Nagant costs $400 or more, and the explosion of aftermarket interest has revealed one sub-MOA Mosin-Nagant project after another. As more and more American shooters started to appreciate the Mosin-Nagant, the few vendors still stocking full-price M28-76s sold out as well. Gunbroker.com still coughs one up from time to time, but in general, the M28-76 is now completely unavailable. With a unique combination of rarity and accuracy, the M28-76 has been given a modest bit of celebrity, with discussions of the design and origins already existing on several websites. However, no one ever seemed to tear the thing apart and take pictures of the guts, which is what I really wanted to see back when I didn't own one, and what I'll put on display here.
For comparison, I wish I could present a Russian M44, the last and most up-to-date design prior to the rifle’s retirement from active duty in Russia, but at the moment my collection does not include such a piece. Instead, a fresh-from-the-box Chinese Type 53 will be a substitute. This Type 54 in particular is extremely dirty but has a shiny bore, minimal rust, and smooth function.
As some may know, the Type 53s were made with Soviet M44 tooling (or at least Chinese copies of Soviet M44 tooling), so we can assume that the Type 53 is at least a close representation of Russia’s final design. I will also venture to guess that Chinese Type 53 quality control is equivalent to war-time Russian quality control, so fit and finish should also be a close match to the mid-war M91-30s that most Americans are familiar with. Thus, we have a good benchmark for comparison between the fine-tuned, polished M28-76 and the scruffy, utilitarian Mosin-Nagants inhabiting gun racks across America. Click on the links below to explore a particular component or component category.
Please explore and enjoy.
Please explore and enjoy.
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