by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Mosin Nagant M1944 BB gun.
This report covers:
- The test
- Daisy Premium Grade BBs
- Adjusted the sights
- Hornady Black Diamond BBs
- Avanti Precision Ground Shot
- Evaluation
Today we look at the accuracy of the Mosin Nagant M1944 BB gun. This test is almost a dare, because several readers goaded me into reviewing this BB gun. Reader Thedavemyster said he noted that some owners were saying it is almost as accurate as the Daisy 499. which we all know is the most accurate BB gun in the world. If this one comes anywhere close to that, it will be a winner.
The test
I removed the sling for better control of the airgun on the UTG Monopod. I shot seated from 5 meters using the monopod rest. The open sights are clear and sharp and very easy to see when the target is illuminated by a 500-watt lamp.
Daisy Premium Grade BBs
First up were 10 Daisy Premium Grade BBs. They impacted the target low and to the left, but once the shooting started I pressed on until all 10 shots had been fired.
As I watched the shots land, I could see they were falling close together, which is exactly what the reviews of this gun said to expect. In the end I had a group that measures 0.481-inches between centers. That’s very good, though not in the same class as the 499.
Daisy Premium Grade BBs made a nice tight 0.481-inch group at 5 meters.
Adjusted the sights
After this first group I raised the rear sight leaf to bring the group up. Moving it to the right will be more difficult, but maybe shooting different BBs will do that.
Hornady Black Diamond BBs
The second BB I tried was the Hornady Black Diamond BB. Several who reviewed the gun said these were not as accurate as the Daisy BBs, and indeed, they weren’t for me, either. Ten of them went into a group that was now high enough on target, but still to the left. The group measures 0.726-inches between centers. That’s still very accurate for a BB gun, but definitely nowhere near the 499.
Hornady Black Diamond BBs opened up a little to 0.726-inches at 5 meters. The sight adjustment worked.
Avanti Precision Ground Shot
Drum roll, please. Avanti Precision Ground shot are the BBs that I was told by Dave will cut the groups in half. If that is true, then the M1944 is truly a match for the 499. With great anticipation, I fired the next 10 shots.
And, nothing happened! They made the largest group of the test. Ten shots went into 0.969-inches at 5 meters. That’s good for a BB gun but I’ve tested pistols that do just as good.
Avanti Precision Ground Shot opened up considerably at 5 meters. It measures 0.969-inches between centers.
Evaluation
The M1944 is accurate, though not in the same class as the 499. If it had been I planned to buy the one I’m testing because there are only 200 of these in the world — according to the maker.
I would like to explore Daisy Premium BBs in the M1944 a second time, plus I’d like to try H&N Smart Shot BBs. I thinkthe gun is worth a second chance, given how well it shot today and how nice the trigger releases.
You have tried the “standards” that normally shoot well out of most BB guns.
But what about the non standards?
Just a question, how many more QUALITY BB manufacturers are out there?
Does the manufacturer suggest one over the other?
With only 200 being made, I would still buy it….
My Avanti 499 likes Umarex presicion B.B.s better than the Avanti B.B.s
45Bravo,
I don’t know how many BB manufacturers there are, but the number is fewer than the number of different brands on the market. Majkng BBs is a large investment in heavy machinery — much heavier than what it takes to make airguns and barrels.
B.B.
BB,
If I was a collector, this most certainly would be one to add to the pile.
Maybe in accuracy round two she will redeem herself.
RR
This gun doesn’t shoot much better than the $50 Daisy 880S B.B. tester a few years back. If I recall he shot a .624 group with BBs with that gun. I agree this is a collector gun. If I want a more accurate BB gun than my 880S I’ll pick up a 499.
David
Looking forward to round 2. I suppose,… it could be a bit of gun to gun variances,… just as in same models of pellet rifles. I am still astounded at the 200 qty. run. It does not seem that would even cover the unique tooling cost,… let alone any profit. It is not like it was even a knock off or re-run of something with some aesthetic changes. Interesting.
Off topic,…. way off topic,…… but for anyone that enjoyed Tim Allen in the Home Improvement TV comedy series,…. he has a new show called Last Man Standing. Watch for it on satellite TV. Worth checking out in my opinion. Pro gun, pro hunting, politically opinionated,… works at an Outdoor Sporting Goods store.
Correction,…. ok,… not so new. The show has been on since 2011 and still airs new shows,…. per Wikipedia. It is into it’s 6th. season. Oh well,….. “new” to me anyways.
I don’t know how many episodes you’ve watched, but in my opinion it is a typical “idiot dad” sitcom. (as was home improvement)
after the first season they replaced, Alexandra Krosney the actress playing the oldest daughter Kristin. They came up with a cover story about how they wanted an older character, but what I heard at the time was that she didn’t want to play the left wing activist that they made the character into.
6.5,
You are of course right. Both shows were/are “cute” in a cave man, Neanderthal, macho, more power, bigger is better,….. sort of way. Arrrgh, Arrrgh, Arrrgh!!!! 😉
Most men have at least a little bit of that in them to some degree,… even if it not always obvious on the outside. “Souped up” air guns anyone?
Chris, I own all the Home Improvement episodes and Love Last Man Standing. It’s everything I stand for LOL. The show has been threatened being pulled more than once due to the non political correctness. He holds back no punches.
Doc
Doc,
I could say much,… but I will not. Not the forum. Both shows do/did work hard to bring home other points as well. Child rearing, family dynamics, marital relationship’s and life in general. I am a fan of dry-ish humor too,…. so that probably factors into the equation.
Above all,….. keep a sense of humor. 🙂 It sounds as if you have that “base” covered. 😉
Arrrgh, Arrrrgh, Arrrgh !!!!!!!,…….. Chris
If there will only be 200 of them, you should probably buy it.
Mike
B.B.,
This is such an ambitious air rifle (how often do makers give consumers exactly what they ask for?) I hope you do try Umarex BBs and the H&Ns, and if you have any, even the Air Venturis and ASGs.
I can’t find a comment by you in this series regarding report. On the Pyramyd AIR 1-5 scale, where would you place this?
Thank you very much for doing this report on this air gun.
Michael
Michael,
This is quiet. About a 2.7.
B.B.
This is sort of like the firearm: more accurate than you would expect although not the best. And it’s always nice to see shooting at my usual distance. The accuracy is not equivalent to a pellet gun. I wonder if the 499 can match a pellet gun? It’s a nice reproduction. But it can’t compare to the original firearm, and dry-firing the firearm is probably better for my skills anyway.
Matt61
BB et al..
The carpal tunnel surgery was a success. The difference is really noticeable compared to before the surgery. Stitches will be removed tomorrow and hopefully I’l be able to do some shooting in a couple or three weeks.
Nice review of the M1944. I’ m curious to see how the second round of shooting goes. My M1944 needed a little tuning before it shot as well as it does now.
1. The barrel will probably need a good cleaning. If I remember correctly my M1944 barrel was filthy and I also polished the brass bore with Brasso to get rid of the uneven coarse matt finish. Removing the barrel is simple and makes cleaning real easy.
2. In the retracted position the bayonet wobbles and clacks against the fore stock. I don’t know if it would affect anything but I did slip an “O” ring over the tip to prevent it from bounceing around. It is a fairly large chunk of metal hanging off the end of the barrel which could affect accuracy. You could also stabilize it with an elastic band or some electrical tape.
As Chris said it could be gun to gun variances but my M1944 seems to shoot quite different from the one you are currently testing. Daisy Premiums just don’t work well in mine and Avanti ground shot gives me the best groups.
Also the horizontal stepping you see in your Daisy Premium group is identical to what I see in my Avanti Ground Shot groups except my groups are slightly smaller – .370 – .380 – inches.
Sorry for the ramble but I just had a thought re: barrel length of the M1944.
Because it is only supported at the front barrel block and the rubber breech plug I’m wondering if that 16 inch barrel is developing some strange vibrations. I’ m going to try wrapping a few turns of plumbers solder around the barrel at the half way point, stabilize it with electrical tape and see if different amounts of weight and placement will improve the guns accuracy.
Should be an interesting experiment!!
Cheers
Dave
BB—Dave—etc–Lucky me. My 1944 shot tight groups right out of the box. I solved my bayonet problems by turning it up side down. It now fits into the stock grove and does not wobble. Avanti ground shot gives me the tightest groups. I did remove the front sight, and install an adjustable sight from a “sporterised ” firearm version. I look forward to the tests that both of you are planning. —–Ed