Mosin-Nagant Bolt Handles
The Mosin-Nagant was not intended to mount a telescopic sight (scope), principally because the design originated in the final years of the 19th century and scopes were not a consideration for infantry rifles at that time. As a result, the Mosin-Nagant's bolt handle is not turned down to accommodate a scope like modern rifles, so if you intend to mount a sight on the receiver, you will need to modify or replace the bolt handle. However, note that a rear sight mount will not require a turned-down bolt handle (see the scope mounts section for more information on receiver mounts vs. rear sight mounts).
The factory bolt handle can be modified by heating it, extending it, and turning it down. This is the method used by the Soviet army to build the infamous Mosin-Nagant sniper rifles, and this is the method used by those looking to build a historically accurate reproduction. This method also does not require the stock to be inletted because the 90 degree turn curves around the stock, but the length needed to clear the stock also gives this bolt handle a tall profile, meaning it cannot fit under some modern, low-profile scope setups.
A more common approach is a modernized bolt handle that does not curve downward at 90 degrees, but instead projects straight down from the bolt handle at about 60 degrees. These bolt handles require that the factory bolt handle be cut off and a new bolt handle welded or bolted on (bolt-ons require drilling and tapping the bolt handle). This style of bolt requires the stock to be inletted for the handle, but provides a very low-profile bolt that can easily fit under most scope mounts.
A more common approach is a modernized bolt handle that does not curve downward at 90 degrees, but instead projects straight down from the bolt handle at about 60 degrees. These bolt handles require that the factory bolt handle be cut off and a new bolt handle welded or bolted on (bolt-ons require drilling and tapping the bolt handle). This style of bolt requires the stock to be inletted for the handle, but provides a very low-profile bolt that can easily fit under most scope mounts.
Whatever style you choose, you must also decide whether to modify your existing bolt body or purchase a replacement, pre-modified bolt body. A replacement bolt body will be more expensive, as you are paying the cost of the modification plus the cost of a surplus bolt body. If you would like to keep your original rifle untouched, this is the way to go because you can return to "factory" condition by simply swapping the old bold body back in. However, if you do not mind permanent modification it is better to keep the bolt body that came with your rifle in order to maintain the fitting work that the factory or arsenal did to match that bolt body to that particular bolt. Swapping the bold body will not change the headspace or make the rifle unsafe (Mosin-Nagants have a floating bolt head), but the new bolt body may not fit quite as well as the original.
author's note: Modifying your existing bolt body is an extra-good idea if your rifle is a hex receiver with matching serial numbers. Hex receiver rifles with matching serials were assembled pre-World War II, with much more care was taken in their production that later war-time round receiver rifles. Weapon-building at that time was much less "copy and paste" than it is today, as manufacturing techniques had not yet advanced to the point where guns could be snapped together like a modern AR-pattern rifle. In those days, guns almost universally required tweaking on an individual basis to assure proper function, and the Mosin-Nagant was no exception. Pre-war hex receivers received much more individual massaging than mid-war round receivers, which were produced in the tens of millions by Soviet machinists who were pushing rifles out the door like their lives depended on it (because in some cases, they did). I personally had a hex receiver with matching serials that made a crisp "click" when dry fired, but after I replaced the bolt body, dry-firing produced more of a "thock". The rifle still worked fine, but did the new bolt body compromise its ultimate accuracy? Hard to say, but it's something worth thinking about.
author's note: Modifying your existing bolt body is an extra-good idea if your rifle is a hex receiver with matching serial numbers. Hex receiver rifles with matching serials were assembled pre-World War II, with much more care was taken in their production that later war-time round receiver rifles. Weapon-building at that time was much less "copy and paste" than it is today, as manufacturing techniques had not yet advanced to the point where guns could be snapped together like a modern AR-pattern rifle. In those days, guns almost universally required tweaking on an individual basis to assure proper function, and the Mosin-Nagant was no exception. Pre-war hex receivers received much more individual massaging than mid-war round receivers, which were produced in the tens of millions by Soviet machinists who were pushing rifles out the door like their lives depended on it (because in some cases, they did). I personally had a hex receiver with matching serials that made a crisp "click" when dry fired, but after I replaced the bolt body, dry-firing produced more of a "thock". The rifle still worked fine, but did the new bolt body compromise its ultimate accuracy? Hard to say, but it's something worth thinking about.
Disclaimer
This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or generally in cahoots with any of the below manufacturers or product lines.
The below products are not claimed to be the best or worst available, they are merely listed to provide a "jumping off point" for a prospective buyer's search. Whenever possible the link will be directly to the manufacturer, but that does not always mean the product cannot be found elsewhere.
Prices are listed only to provide a general idea, not a guarantee. Prices may change over time.
This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or generally in cahoots with any of the below manufacturers or product lines.
The below products are not claimed to be the best or worst available, they are merely listed to provide a "jumping off point" for a prospective buyer's search. Whenever possible the link will be directly to the manufacturer, but that does not always mean the product cannot be found elsewhere.
Prices are listed only to provide a general idea, not a guarantee. Prices may change over time.
ATI Bolt-on Bolt Handle - An inexpensive bolt handle replacement that requires drilling and tapping the bolt body after removing the factory bolt handle. Those with some D/T experience generally find the installation and performance of this bolt handle satisfactory, while those who are are new to D/T often have complaints about the finished product's ruggedness, possibly due to improper installation. Note that these bolt handles are stainless steel, so they cannot be Parkerized (phosphated) or blued.
$18 - $25
Rock Solid Ind. Weld-on Bolt Handle - This bolt handle is machined from solid steel and angled backward to sit it closer to the trigger. Simple but effective, this bolt handle will require welding equipment to install. Rock Solid Ind. will perform this work for you at additional cost, simply follow the instructions on their website to properly mail and label your bolt body.
$25 - $35, $50 total for bolt handle + installation on your bolt body.
Rock Solid Ind. Replacement Bolt Body - Rock Solid Ind. offers bolt bodies with their bolt handle already welded on, for those who would like the keep their original bolt body untouched.
$65 - $75
Buymilsurp Bolt Body - This website offers pre-made bolt bodies with turned-down handles. Two styles are available, a reproduction of the WWII sniper bolt and a modernized bolt handle. See the top of the page for information on the two styles.
Sniper bolt: $70 - $80 Modern bolt: $75 - $85
Max Shepard Bolt Service - Max Shepard offers a variety of bolt handles in several configurations. Bolt handle length, thickness, angle, and knob type can all be customized, and all bolt bodies can be finished in high-polish, satin, or matte. You may either send Max your bolt body for modification or purchase one pre-made, but to this author's knowledge you cannot purchase one of Max's handles separately. Note that these bolt handles are stainless steel, so they cannot be Parkerized (phosphated) or blued.
Finished Bolt Body: $85 Bolt Body Modification Service: $50
The Boltman Bolt Service - The Boltman is something like a custom shop for Mosin-Nagant bolt handles. The website is somewhat sparse, but you can contact him directly via the info on his website to explain exactly what custom features you would like. Reproduction sniper bolts are also available, as are plain modern bolts, and you can either send your bolt off for modification or buy one pre-assembled.
Finished Bolt Body: $57 Bolt Body Modification Service: $50
Generic Bolt Handle - This is an example of a generic bolt handle that can be welded to the Mosin-Nagant bolt body. Bolt handles made specifically for the Mosin-Nagant differ only in that they will not require modification; there is nothing preventing you from buying a bolt handle intended for another gun if you have the appropriate tools (or are willing to pay someone to do the work).
$10 - $40 + installation
Local Gunsmiths - Modifying or replacing the bolt handle on your Mosin-Nagant is a task well within the capabilities of the average gunsmith. Machine shops may also be of use.
$30 - $70
$18 - $25
Rock Solid Ind. Weld-on Bolt Handle - This bolt handle is machined from solid steel and angled backward to sit it closer to the trigger. Simple but effective, this bolt handle will require welding equipment to install. Rock Solid Ind. will perform this work for you at additional cost, simply follow the instructions on their website to properly mail and label your bolt body.
$25 - $35, $50 total for bolt handle + installation on your bolt body.
Rock Solid Ind. Replacement Bolt Body - Rock Solid Ind. offers bolt bodies with their bolt handle already welded on, for those who would like the keep their original bolt body untouched.
$65 - $75
Buymilsurp Bolt Body - This website offers pre-made bolt bodies with turned-down handles. Two styles are available, a reproduction of the WWII sniper bolt and a modernized bolt handle. See the top of the page for information on the two styles.
Sniper bolt: $70 - $80 Modern bolt: $75 - $85
Max Shepard Bolt Service - Max Shepard offers a variety of bolt handles in several configurations. Bolt handle length, thickness, angle, and knob type can all be customized, and all bolt bodies can be finished in high-polish, satin, or matte. You may either send Max your bolt body for modification or purchase one pre-made, but to this author's knowledge you cannot purchase one of Max's handles separately. Note that these bolt handles are stainless steel, so they cannot be Parkerized (phosphated) or blued.
Finished Bolt Body: $85 Bolt Body Modification Service: $50
The Boltman Bolt Service - The Boltman is something like a custom shop for Mosin-Nagant bolt handles. The website is somewhat sparse, but you can contact him directly via the info on his website to explain exactly what custom features you would like. Reproduction sniper bolts are also available, as are plain modern bolts, and you can either send your bolt off for modification or buy one pre-assembled.
Finished Bolt Body: $57 Bolt Body Modification Service: $50
Generic Bolt Handle - This is an example of a generic bolt handle that can be welded to the Mosin-Nagant bolt body. Bolt handles made specifically for the Mosin-Nagant differ only in that they will not require modification; there is nothing preventing you from buying a bolt handle intended for another gun if you have the appropriate tools (or are willing to pay someone to do the work).
$10 - $40 + installation
Local Gunsmiths - Modifying or replacing the bolt handle on your Mosin-Nagant is a task well within the capabilities of the average gunsmith. Machine shops may also be of use.
$30 - $70
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