Mosin-Nagant M91/30 PU Sniper
Tula Arms Plant · Sniper Rifle · Discontinued · 1932
Also known as: M1891/30 PU, Mosin-Nagant 91/30 Sniper, obr. 1891/30g snayperskaya
Overview
The Mosin-Nagant M91/30 PU is the standard Soviet sniper variant of the M91/30 bolt-action rifle, chambered in 7.62x54mmR. Built on selected, more accurate barreled actions, it features a turned-down (bent) bolt handle to clear the optic and the compact 3.5x PU telescopic sight mounted over the receiver. Adopted in the 1930s, the PU sniper saw extensive use through World War II, where Soviet snipers used its accuracy, reliability and near-silent action to deadly effect, and remained in service until replaced by the SVD Dragunov in the 1960s.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4270 g (150.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1232 mm (48.50") |
| Barrel Length | 729 mm (28.70") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 870 m/s (2854 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3500 J (2581 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62x54R, 7.62 Russian, 7.62mm Mosin
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Cocking Piece Safety
- Features: Pu Telescopic Sight, 3.5x Magnification Optic, Bent Bolt Handle, Selected Match Barrel, Integral 5 Round Magazine
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1932 · as M1891/30 PU
- Finnish Defence Forces
- Viet Cong
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Production years: 1932-1963
Hundreds of thousands of PU sniper rifles were produced, primarily at the Izhevsk and Tula arsenals, with peak output during World War II.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Sergei Mosin, Leon Nagant
Discontinued: 1963
Notes
The earlier sniper configuration used the longer PE/PEM scope; the simpler, cheaper 3.5x PU scope became standard from 1942. Sniper rifles were hand-selected from production for accuracy and each PU scope was serial-matched to its rifle.
Background
Soviet sniper Vasily Zaytsev, immortalized in the Battle of Stalingrad, used a Mosin-Nagant 91/30 sniper rifle; the PU sniper became one of the most recognizable Eastern Front weapons of WWII.