So I'm buying a Nagant in a few days, but I've got a quick question?

You might catch them off guard like I did and notice if any have a laminated stock. The stock alone is worth more than the rifle. They show layers of very straight lines about 3/32" wide and a contrast in grain and color.

Not many people carry a set of bore gauges and headspace gauges as I do so just look for strong rifling with sharp edges on the lands.

If you can get hold of a 7.62x54r cartridge to place in the muzzle to check for counter bore... it should not fit and stop long before the case neck.

A little field trick is to cock the bolt and push forward with the bolt handle straight up and then slightly turn the bolt handle toward close until it clicks.(should be about 20 degree angle off to the right from straight up position) Then pull the trigger. Bolt should then close....if it slows down or stops then try another rifle.

Mismatched numbers are not such a big deal if you get one in good mechanical condition. There are a few laminated stock Mosins with a 1942 date that are finished out really good and have new sized bores.

Last thing is to remove the bolt and make sure the sear(it is not on the bolt and moves when you pull on the trigger with the bolt out) has sharp edges and not a lot of bluing worn off. A good chance to inspect the bolt assembly for looseness. It should be tight with just a little movement of bolt face. Bottom of bolt body should have fairly sharp edges that mate with the sear.

A Nagant is a revolver, a Mosin Nagant is a rifle.

Check the crown for damage.

Check the bolt for movement when closed and c0cked.

Remove the bolt and take a small light with you to shine down the bore from the breech end.

Look for corrosion of the chamber, throat and leade. Look for corrosion of the bore, look for pits, rust and dull or dark appearance of rifling.

Check the bolt face for pits, erosion, headstamp imprinting, rust, corrosion or any other flaws.

Check the wooden stock for tight fit, there should be no movement or slop in the fit.

YA is funny about firearm stuff. ALL Nagant rifles and revolvers are used. Most all were stored as operating armory surplus. 99.5 I've seen are OK and still gooed up internally with grease. Just learn to take apart and clean the devil out of it. Then oil. If it dry fires OK? You should be good. Any doubt you may pull a bullet and pour out the powder. Then load the empty shell and pop the primer. Then eject. All works? Enjoy.

Honestly, if you don't know what you're looking for, I wouldn't buy it.

However, the rifle should have a reasonably smooth action (unless, of course, it has cosmoline in it from one end to the other, which is likely the case), and the bore should be nice and clean with no damage apparent to the rifling.

Pretty much though, everything has been covered by others. At this point, I'd suggest you just hope for good luck.

Just visually inspect it. It should be fine. I'm sure it will fire ok. I have never heard of anybody having any problems with those. If you do have a problem with it like... not firing, you could certainly take it back.

Years ago, I maneaged to get an unissued Yugoslavian SKS from a local Big 5 where I live. I got it for $120.00. It was a brand new gun. It had never been fired. It came with 2 ammo pouches, a sling, and a bayonet. :<)

My standard answer to Nagant buyers is to pass on the penny pinching & buy Mauser, springfield or Lee Enfield. But you are past that point. Yes, it is a used rifle. Problems? http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/

Obviously you need to look for cracks, bent, and missing parts. Check the bolt and see that it looks normal. You may want to look in the muzzle and see if it was back bored. I dont' know that it matters, but is is probably "better" if it is not back bored, unless it needed to be back bored and was not back bored.

Also a cheap hair dryer helps loosen stubborn cosmoline.

from big 5? don't worry. just no counterbored and if you can, see if the bore looks nice.

i bought my first mosin from big 5, their prices are a bit high but they don't have any defective rifles, only ones that shoot well and ones that shoot ok. you want one that shoots well.