How should I refinish my Mosin-Nagant 91/30?

My M.N. also 1943.

I used mineral spirits to remove old finish.

Boiled Linseed Oil to refinish. (3 coats.)

No sanding/ironing, as a few dings does not bother me on this rifle, and the wood was in good shape.

Light sanding can improve appearance, however.

Boiled Linseed Oil will darken the wood somewhat, even if you don't use stain.

Google "rifle stock refinish" and you will find lots of detailed how-to instructions.

Note: Mosin Nagant rifles used ugly wood. No matter how much stain/oil, it will never be a M1903 Springfield for eye appeal...

They chip, that's what the varnish does makes no difference. It's 70 years old now, so leave it alone.It will always look beat and old. The cosmoline on what the stock? Dawn dish soap, it WILL work. I have proof. The metal is just working at it. And it is EVERYWHERE you can imagine. The rifle was built then dipped in it. Sticky mess, but no rust. I have 800 dollar PU snipers and they are all chipped. That's the nature of the refurbs. Take off the stock bands, new chip. Bump it, new chip. Get over it, or refinish it and it will never be the same. If you sand it it is ruined as far as a collector. They are birch and they are really a light color and it just jacks the way it looks up and they are dark from the armory anyway. As far as cosmoline I have used gas to Dawn dish soap, it works just fine and it's easy to get off and is not NEAR as flammable. Get all of it out of the bolt, it's just real heavy grease. go to gunbaordforums join and start asking questions. You'll learn more in a day than a month on other forums.

It depends on what type of stock it has. Some were laminate (sorta like plywood), which could be damaged by some solvents.

dissassemble, start sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and patiently and progressively work down to about 400 grit. Remove all traces of the old finish completely. At this point, i would spray it down with a chemical stripper, then either 600 grit or steel wool. Then, stain color of your choice and use a nice oil to get a smooth satin finish. You could also use a polyurethane, but its going to take many light coats to get it smooth and shiny, and you are likely going to get dirt or lint stuck in it.

This is just a basic plan, i would get a book on refinishing furniture and go from there, there are other options besides stain and oils.

Also, try www.7.62x54r.net for more tips.

I am wanting to get a mosin nagant and depending on how it looks, I might refinish the stock. I have been looking on the web and have found some threads and they say it's an easy thing to do, but idk. Check out sources, they have good info. Good luck

Use Citra Gel then a mineral spirits wash, Minwax stain, or linseed oil. Then three coats of spar urethane, for all weather protection. I have used Formby's Tung oil also on a few stocks, But even Formby;'s help line will recommend that if the piece is going to be exposed, to weather to wait a couple of weeks and then put a top coat of spar urethane on it.

if you really want to keep the wood look strip off the clear coat with oven cleaner sand it down slowly with at least three different grits of sandpaper and then finish it off with some 000 steel wool. chose a color of stain and then clear coat it if you want. You may be surprised at what you find after taking off all that shellac, I've had some turn out real nice and others look like crap. I have used the RUSTOLUM gray/white/black speckle paint on a few stocks and Im really happy with it and it covers a lot of dings nicks and gashes, makes it look like it synthetic also.

if you don't like the stock, why don't you either buy another stock(sold everywhere's as spare parts) or get a brand new composite/plastic stock, your choice, either one will cost less then $100.

if you really want to keep this stock, you can also get colored gun tape that works great, many patterns to choose from, including different wood choices, military patterns like camos and even bright colors like hunter's orange and pink(for the girls).

Refinished Mosin Nagant Stock

Why do some people answer questions by telling you not to do what you want to do? They didn't ask for your opinion on WHAT to do, only on HOW to do it!