Hex Receiver

[Wolf308]

OK, so I followed the advice of many and set aside a Mosin with a hex receiver a few days ago. I haven't brought it home yet, I'm just waiting for the pay check to clear.

But I'm kind of curious. What makes the hex receiver so desireable? I understand being an older model they may have taken more time making it and the finish and machining isn't as rough as on my 43 Mosin. But is there any other reasons?

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[Aragorn243]

It's all in the age I suppose. They are older, in general less common so the supply is lower which makes demand seem higher. They function the same so long as they aren't worn out. Those in high demand are unworked models or rifles without the import stamps but this is the same for any rifle type.

[Wolf308]

Mine does have an import mark, but I don't mind. I generally don't get rid of guns that often anyway. It's got a nice bore, but the gun was passed over by many of my customers because the stock "looks funny." It had a repair done with wood that doesn't match. Again, I don't mind.

[Johnny Peppers]

Are the receivers hexagon or octagon?

[Aragorn243]

They are called "hex" receivers but are neither hexagonal or octagonal. The receiver sides are flat and carry straight down below the wood line. If the receiver shape above the wood line were carried all the way around, they would be octagonal. The correct term is polygonal as the two sides and the base are not equal to the top. It is six sided, just not uniformly so.

Wolf,

All my 91/30's are import marked and I don't plan on hunting one down that isn't. They tend to bring upwards of $300 if you can find one and I just can't justify paying $200-$225 just to avoid a small marking. There's more to it than that I suppose but I'm not a hard core collector, just someone that enjoys old rifles and restoring them to the condition they would have been in when used in whatever particular war they were involved in. I have shot a few of my milsurps rifles and with open sights, the 91/30 performed well above all the others I've fired despite it's crude appearance and workmanship.