they are good sturdy rifles for the money. i'm afraid they are going the way of the sks, from cheap to wow.
Here's a $200 91/30 refurb from Allan's Armory. A virtually unused 1942 Izhevsk (note pristine bore), wearing a new post-war laminate stock. These don't grow on trees, and don't sell for $100 - even though they made millions of them that particular year. But think about it - what are the chances of a 1942 Mosin making it through the war virtually unused and un-abused - then refurbed post-war and put into a brand new laminate stock! This one happens to shoot as good as it looks! The force-matched numbers from refurbishment are all neatly stamped with no line-outs. It's currently my favorite - I like it better than any other Mosin that I own (including my 6 Finnish Mosins, 4 of which are unissued late date M39s - as well as my 2 PU snipers and 4 carbines). Guess what - this 91/30 will outshoot all of the Finns except one (certainly outshoots the carbines) and it is one of my least expensive Mosins!
To me this rifle is worth much more than $200!
Moral of this story is price depends on condition and what it is. There are too many Mosin models in too many different conditions to lump together. Then there are the VERY special ones that really speak to you - ones you get close to and almost feel affection for, because they always make you feel good when you shoot them. Those are priceless.
Les
I would pay $200 for that puppy any day!
When I was 21 in 2004, I bought a 1941 with bayonet at braids for $45. Buffed out the scratched and polished it and traded it straight up for an m-1 carbine.
Now THAT was a deal!
I had forgotten all about them. I had them bookmarked! They've actually got pretty good prices, especially on the SKS's. Still only a little above pre-panic prices and quite a bit less than post-panic!Thanks! Allan's Armory puts out 6 or so at a time on their web site with careful descriptions of the individual rifle and photos. Yesterday I just talked a friend into buying one of the laminated 91/30s there, that was (also) described as having a mirror bore. It should be every bit as nice as I one I received. Was also $200.
I'm not associated with Allan's Armory, just really appreciate the way he carefully grades his rifles. He is known for grading them below what you will actually receive. Not cheap Mosins by any means, but definitely worth it to some buyers.
Les