Thinking about Deer Hunting with Mosin Nagant but.......

[Duster340]

Hey Folks,

Have a 1942 marked Mosin that I've been thinking about taking it into the woods come deer season. Issue is that the safety is very tight and noisy to engage and disengage. So much so that it'll spook any deer within ear shot. Any suggestions that might smooth the safety out and make it quieter to disengage? Would love to get the Old Girl out on a hunt. Thanks in advance.

Be well all

Information

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[WarPig1976]

I would disengage it once I took a seat or practice working it until you do it quietly. Nothing one can really do but get a iron grip on that bad boy and do it slow!!

[Aragorn243]

Under civilian conditions the heavy spring probably isn't all that necessary. You aren't going to be hunting with the rifle covered in mud, etc. A lighter spring would allow you to move the safety easier without compromising the primer strike. It is an awkward safety and it would not make a good quick shot rifle.

[Duster340]

Thanks for the replies WarPig & Aragorn. Much appreciated.

I would disengage it once I took a seat or practice working it until you do it quietly. Nothing one can really do but get a iron grip on that bad boy and do it slow!!

Yep, considered that WarPig but I really like to keep things on safe until a shot presents itself. I might try keeping the bolt open and easing it closed when I spot a target? Will have to play around with that to see if I can do it "sneaky" enough.

Under civilian conditions the heavy spring probably isn't all that necessary. You aren't going to be hunting with the rifle covered in mud, etc. A lighter spring would allow you to move the safety easier without compromising the primer strike. It is an awkward safety and it would not make a good quick shot rifle.

Thanks for the tip Aragorn. Defintiely not going to be a good "stalking/snap shot" rig But she might make a nice rifle for stand hunting (Typically I use ground blinds and tree stands). My parcel is a combo on dense cedar/pine wetlands and very think hardwoods so the deer tend to sneak up on you pretty closely. Would you happen to know a source for the lighter spring you mentioned? And is this something the average could safely swap out?

Thanks again!

[vintage hunter]

I agree with warpig, practice makes perfect. Whenever I get a new gun I'm unfamiliar with I just sit watching TV and work the controls until it's second nature and I can do it without taking my eyes off the screen. Once you've mastered it you'll be surprised at just how fast and quietly you can disengage the safety and get on target. I hunt with a MN once in a while also, it's a bit more of a hassle to disengage the safety smoothly and quietly on a scoped one but this deer was less than 50yds away but never let on it heard a thing.
Oh BTW, If you don't have strong fingers already you'll have at least two by the time you get it down pat.

[Duster340]

I agree with warpig, practice makes perfect. Whenever I get a new gun I'm unfamiliar with I just sit watching TV and work the controls until it's second nature and I can do it without taking my eyes off the screen. Once you've mastered it you'll be surprised at just how fast and quietly you can disengage the safety and get on target. I hunt with a MN once in a while also, it's a bit more of a hassle to disengage the safety smoothly and quietly on a scoped one but this deer was less than 50yds away but never let on it heard a thing.
Oh BTW, If you don't have strong fingers already you'll have at least two by the time you get it down pat.

Nice buck (and Mosin) vintage hunter. I'm familiar with the Mosin, just can't seem to disengage that darn safety very quietly. But to your point, I'll keep playing with it. (That somehow sounds sooo wrong LOL! )

Thanks

[Aragorn243]

I don't use the tips of my fingers or my thumb. I use the second joints of my fingers, index and middle finger, like they are hooks and you put one on each side of the knob. Doesn't take as much grip strength.

No source on the lighter springs but I've read about others that have done it.

[bearrowland]

I've used mine 2 years in a row and was surprised how quickly you can disengage that safety when the pulse is racing using Aragorn's method!

[neorebel]

I hunt with my No4 Mk1 and Mosin-Nagant WWII sniper rifle. I never use the safeties....Keep your finger out of the trigger group and don't point it at anything you don't want to shoot. Pretty simple.....Some will say it's dangerous and I would say there's no safety on a glock either. It's your finger.

Now that said...if you're walking through brush and tree limbs and such.....cock it when you're ready to shoot or when you're where you're going...your finger is still your best safety.....but you have to be proficient and careful. Don't do it if you're not comfortable to do so.

[enfield303t]

Install a Timney trigger and the problem is solved. Costs more than the gun is worth but crisp and amazing when done. The safety is excellent.