Modern Sniper Rifle - Free Syrian Army

[timmy]

Here, we have a weapon in use that was originally issued in 1891 and modified in 1930 in modern conflict. Is it a M1898 Mauser? A M1903 Springfield? An SMLE? A MAS A1936? An Arisaka?

Of course not. It is quite obviously an M1891/30 Mosin Nagant. Why is this rifle being used, rather than one of the more noted ones listed above?

Before you observe "because it is available in such numbers," I would draw your attention to the modern optics the sniper is using. He clearly has access to the most modern and expensive equipment.

Makes one think, doesn't it?

[xl_target]

Wow! The optic is sure mounted high, isn't it?
Cheek Weld? Hmmmph!

[timmy]

Indeed! Even the original snipers were high above the bore's axis:





But this is set up with some sort of commercial mount. The mount looks like it might curve over the action, with perhaps a Weaver/Picatinny rail, and then there are those rings with a see-through aperture under the scope. A guy could get a nose bleed looking through that arrangement!

But what I find interesting is that the scope and mount are obviously modern commercial items, but the bolt handle on the rifle is bent, not the normal M91/30 setup. It doesn't even have a curve like the old M91/30 sniper bolt handle. This is something that was recently made up. I would love to know who made it up -- the Russians, maybe?

I would really find it interesting to hear the story behind that rifle and where it came from!

[Sakobav]

I was watching discovery or national geographic series living below zero about alaska folks and I guess one of the lady was using same rifle for hunting Caribou. On the other hand it says something about limited access to weapons for Free syrian forces - scrapping the barrel are they

[nagarifle]

old is gold as they say.
however i don't see the point of using a high mount? as one likes to keep ones head down low as possible.

the chap in the pic, i do not think that he is a trained sniper. the reason for this is that he is exposed quite a lot, the barrel is almost going out of the building.

as they say the snipers knows all the best positions

[AgentDoubleS]

Wow! The optic is sure mounted high, isn't it?
Cheek Weld? Hmmmph!

Seems more like chin rest!

Timmy, a wild theory could be getting access to optics is easier than firearms?!
In India, we can relate to that

[timmy]

The question about getting optics, but not arms, is interesting.

Part of the story is, I think, contained in the source of the rifle to begin with -- where did it come from? If we knew where they were getting arms from, we'd know whether they really had the ability to choose what they used.

However, I'd point out, as has been said here before, sniper equipment is often not the long range benchrest or even varmit rifle sort of equipment that some portray it to be.

Also, regarding the shooter, in Syria, if he isn't ex-Army or a very wealthy person who had access to hunting, what sort of training in marksmanship would he have?

Regarding the high mount, even the original Soviet mount I've pictured is very high. The idea is to be able to use the iron sights in case the scope fails or is damaged. For a hunting rifle, I like a scope mounted as low as can be, and no iron sights at all. But in military situations, conditions and needs are different.

I have chatted with Native Americans in Alaska, and they often buy milsurp equipment for their hunting. It is reliable and inexpensive. The Mosin Nagant was well-regarded by the folks with whom I came into contact.

[xl_target]

We know that a Mosin can be made to shoot accurately. However, I would think that position and the way he is holding it, is just asking for a scope cut. The Mosin is no .22 LR.

The Mosin is not the strangest rifle found in Syria. See this article below about 5000 Stg. 44's captured in Syria. I didn't know that many still existed. They'll probably all be destroyed at the end of the conflict. It's enough to make a grown man cry.

Free Syrian Army captures 5000 STG44s

As they found out, they don't work well as anti aircraft weaponry.
Syrian Rebels Try To Shoot Down 747

[brihacharan]

A closer look at the mount ... It looks like the 'Griffin & Howe' side mount...
BTW...The chap in the picture appears not to be a true sniper - but someone who has posed for the photograph ... his stance / hold of the weapon / its position etc. tell a different story
Briha

[nagarifle]

A closer look at the mount ... It looks like the 'Griffin & Howe' side mount...
BTW...The chap in the picture appears not to be a true sniper - but someone who has posed for the photograph ... his stance / hold of the weapon / its position etc. tell a different story
Briha

old is gold, Briha
you also noticed few things we youngster missed

[timmy]

We know that a Mosin can be made to shoot accurately. However, I would think that position and the way he is holding it, is just asking for a scope cut. The Mosin is no .22 LR.

The Mosin is not the strangest rifle found in Syria. See this article below about 5000 Stg. 44's captured in Syria. I didn't know that many still existed. They'll probably all be destroyed at the end of the conflict. It's enough to make a grown man cry.

Free Syrian Army captures 5000 STG44s

As they found out, they don't work well as anti aircraft weaponry.
Syrian Rebels Try To Shoot Down 747

I agree, it looks like a few casualties could result from that shooting style!

Those Stg 44s - a real tragedy. I would hate to think of what 5000 legal ones in the box would be worth -- can anyone say, "retirement"?

Throwing potatoes -- yes!

A closer look at the mount ... It looks like the 'Griffin & Howe' side mount...

It is possible, but I doubt that Griffin and Howe made mounts for the Mosin Nagant. Alvin Linden had a couple of articles in American Rifleman back in the 20s about sporterizing Mosin Nagants, but these rifles, beautifully made and pristine, were sold in droves after WW 1 by the DCM and companies like Bannerman.

My thoughts are that this one (and probably a bunch of others, as well) are fitted with a mount like this one, used on AK47s:



http://www.promagindustries.com/product-p/pm092a.htm

The reason the whole business is up so high could very well be because an AK sidemount has to be below the bolt, due to the sheet metal action cover, so the same sidemount on an Mosin Nagant would be very hight.

Put on a set of those "see through" scope mounts like this:



and one could get a nose bleed from the high altitude above the stock, shooting it!

[TwoRivers]

Why pick a Mosin-Nagant ? Availability of ammunition.