Mosin-Nagant Iron Sights
The factory sights on a M91/30 are rugged, but imprecise and difficult to adjust. Unless they have been modified, most M91/30s will shoot about four to six inches high at 100 yards, and often several inches to the left or right of the point-of-aim. Strangely, this is not an accident. M91/30s shoot high because the lowest elevation setting of 100m is actually a “peasant-proof” setting designed to allow the rifle to hit an enemy soldier out to several hundred meters without adjustment, provided that the always shooter aimed at the enemy’s belt buckle (as they had been trained). Additionally, most M91/30s will shoot a bit to the left or right because Soviet military doctrine called for the bayonet to be attached for the entire duration of combat, so the factory zeroed the sights with the bayonet attached. When the rifle is fired without the bayonet, the barrel's harmonics are altered and the factory zero is no longer trued to the point-of-impact.
To achieve consistent, accurate shot placement, the non-adjustable factory sights of your M91/30 must be re-zeroed, a delicate operation best performed by a gunsmith. Alternatively, the sights can be replaced with a set of adjustable iron sights, or the rifle can be modified to mount telescopic sights (scopes) or electronic sights. Improvements to the rifle's iron sights are detailed below, while the mounting of telescopic and electronic sights is covered here.
To achieve consistent, accurate shot placement, the non-adjustable factory sights of your M91/30 must be re-zeroed, a delicate operation best performed by a gunsmith. Alternatively, the sights can be replaced with a set of adjustable iron sights, or the rifle can be modified to mount telescopic sights (scopes) or electronic sights. Improvements to the rifle's iron sights are detailed below, while the mounting of telescopic and electronic sights is covered here.
Improving the Factory Sights
The cheapest option to improve the iron sights on your M91/30 is to re-zero the sights by drifting the front sight base and lengthening or shortening the front sight post, as needed (nylon tube stock can be fitted over the post to lengthen it). Other common improvements include filing down the front sight post, cutting off the top of the front sight globe (or removing the globe entirely), and painting the tip of the sight post a bright color. A finer sight post will allow more precise shot placement, however, filing the post unevenly can result in unpredictable shifts in point-of-impact, so the sights should be zeroed after the front sight has been filed down. Removing the top of the sight globe will open up the sight picture while still protecting the front post from damage, and a brightly colored front sight can make it easier to find the front sight in dim lighting conditions or against dark targets. Should you mess something up irreversibly, a new front sight assembly is about $12, or you can have a gunsmith improve the sights professionally for somewhere between $20-$75.
Once re-zeroed, unmodified M91/30s iron sights are capable of surprising accuracy. If you are looking for an enjoyable "just for shooting" rifle, then it is advisable to re-zero the sights and simply leave the modifications at that.
The cheapest option to improve the iron sights on your M91/30 is to re-zero the sights by drifting the front sight base and lengthening or shortening the front sight post, as needed (nylon tube stock can be fitted over the post to lengthen it). Other common improvements include filing down the front sight post, cutting off the top of the front sight globe (or removing the globe entirely), and painting the tip of the sight post a bright color. A finer sight post will allow more precise shot placement, however, filing the post unevenly can result in unpredictable shifts in point-of-impact, so the sights should be zeroed after the front sight has been filed down. Removing the top of the sight globe will open up the sight picture while still protecting the front post from damage, and a brightly colored front sight can make it easier to find the front sight in dim lighting conditions or against dark targets. Should you mess something up irreversibly, a new front sight assembly is about $12, or you can have a gunsmith improve the sights professionally for somewhere between $20-$75.
Once re-zeroed, unmodified M91/30s iron sights are capable of surprising accuracy. If you are looking for an enjoyable "just for shooting" rifle, then it is advisable to re-zero the sights and simply leave the modifications at that.
Aftermarket Replacement Iron Sights
Replacing the iron sights is generally much cheaper than modifying the rifle to accept a scope or electronic sight, and can provide similar levels of precision out to several hundred yards. Although any gunsmith can fit custom iron sights at great expense, there are drop-in sights for the M91/30 available from several manufacturers. The most widely available iron sight replacements for the M91/30 are listed below.
Replacing the iron sights is generally much cheaper than modifying the rifle to accept a scope or electronic sight, and can provide similar levels of precision out to several hundred yards. Although any gunsmith can fit custom iron sights at great expense, there are drop-in sights for the M91/30 available from several manufacturers. The most widely available iron sight replacements for the M91/30 are listed below.
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.
Iron Sights for Mosin-Nagant Rifles and Carbines
Note: There are many varieties of Mosin-Nagant, and the iron sight bases can vary. All of the below manufacturers offer a sight base intended for the common M91/30, but carbines and Mosin-Nagants made outside of Russia may need a different style base. If you are unsure which sight will fit, contact the manufacturer before buying.
SmithSights - SmithSights replace the front sight and allow you to easily adjust the elevation using a hex wrench, as well as offering a choice of basic black or brightly colored brass or fiber optic sight post tips. Windage adjustment is not improved, as it does not differ from the factory sights.
$35 - $45
Mojo peep sights and SnapSights - Mojo sights are available as a rear-only or a front-and-rear sight combo. The rear sight is an aperture sight with click adjustments for both windage and elevation, as well as a threaded aperture hole to allow different diameters of aperture to be installed. The Mojo front sight is also an aperture sight, and the two together make what Mojo calls a "SnapSight". The rear Mojo sight can be used with the Mosin-Nagant's factory front sight, but Mojo recommends the SnapSight combo for maximum speed and precision.
$65 - $75 for rear sight, $80 - $90 for SnapSights front and rear sight combo
Note: There are many varieties of Mosin-Nagant, and the iron sight bases can vary. All of the below manufacturers offer a sight base intended for the common M91/30, but carbines and Mosin-Nagants made outside of Russia may need a different style base. If you are unsure which sight will fit, contact the manufacturer before buying.
SmithSights - SmithSights replace the front sight and allow you to easily adjust the elevation using a hex wrench, as well as offering a choice of basic black or brightly colored brass or fiber optic sight post tips. Windage adjustment is not improved, as it does not differ from the factory sights.
$35 - $45
Mojo peep sights and SnapSights - Mojo sights are available as a rear-only or a front-and-rear sight combo. The rear sight is an aperture sight with click adjustments for both windage and elevation, as well as a threaded aperture hole to allow different diameters of aperture to be installed. The Mojo front sight is also an aperture sight, and the two together make what Mojo calls a "SnapSight". The rear Mojo sight can be used with the Mosin-Nagant's factory front sight, but Mojo recommends the SnapSight combo for maximum speed and precision.
$65 - $75 for rear sight, $80 - $90 for SnapSights front and rear sight combo
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