Mosin Nagant Question

[fastapex]

I know its not a Ruger but I am only a member of only one gun forum.

So today I buy a Mosin Nagant from my local gunstore. I get it home take it apart to refinish the stock. Not until I had the stock sanded did I notice this:

It was initially covered in black touch up paint to I didn't notice it at first and this particular part is under the stock.

Looks like a gash or pit, do you think its still safe to fire? Any ways to check if its safe? I would say the scratches or gashes are less than half a milimeter deep. Pitting dont seem to be rusted in anyway.

 

[soyarm]

I am not an expert but from the pictures I have question as to the safety of shooting that rifle. If it were mine I would definately take it to an qualified person. Good Luck

 

[RedlegM109A1]

Bad Russian metallurgy?

 

[mike7mm08]

Definitely a qualified professional situation there. Looks ugly to me and would want a gunsmith to sign off on it and even then I would be a bit worried. Just pitting from the exterior in that spot? Or is it crap steel in the whole barrel and that is the only exterior sign of it?

Only way to tell for certain is to have the barrel magnafluxed or xrayed. Which is gonna cost you more than the gun. I would go back to the shop and explain the problem. Offer to just swap the barreled action since you already began work on the stock.

 

[blairsville-dave]

Take it back to where you bought and either get another one (inspected) or get your money back. Dave

 

[fastapex]

Thanks for all the input. The photo makes it look a lot deeper than it really is its about a quarter deep than it looks in the photo. This is the only spot on the entire gun that has pitting. Its not covered in rust i think it was bumped or scratched.

 

[mohavesam]

maybe tooth marks from some Nazi soldier's last gasp...?

 

[fastapex]

Took it out to the range it worked great. These things have a kick that takes a while to get used to.

 

[mike7mm08]

Took it out to the range it worked great. These things have a kick that takes a while to get used to.

Good to hear. Are you shooting surplus ammo?? There is some out there that is rather hot. Play around with a few different loads and you might find something a little more shoulder friendly. But don't forget it is basically a 30 06 with a metal butt never gonna be all that comfortable to shoot.