Weapons of the Red Army:

Mosin Nagant 1891/30

The Mosin Nagant 1891/30 is the prefered rifle for use by the soldiers of the 39th Rifle Division as it was the basic infantry arm of the RKKA for the duration of the war. The 91/30 can be found rather cheaply at gun shows and stores, usually in the $70-$100 range, depending on condition. Most often they will be sold without sling and cleaning rod. The sling should be web, as in the picture above, and is neccesary. The cleaning rod is not as important as the sling. The sling will usually cost $10-$20. NO FINNISH rifles are to be used. They simply aren't correct. The 1891 rifle should be avoided. Bayonets can also be purchased, but are not normally used during battles. They look great for living history displays.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

The Model 1938 carbine is a shortened version of the 91/30. It is appropriate for weapons crews and specialized troops. The carbine should be avoided by regular infantry but is permitted for use. The Model 1938 carbine is more expensive than the 91/30, costing $140-$170 and is far less common in the marketplace. Again, the sling is a neccesary item and they usually come with the cleaning rods. Similar in appearance to the 1938 carbine is the M91/59. This should really be avoided as it is a post-war creation made by chopping down 91/30s. You will know this by the markings on the reciever. Run this weapon by the unit commander before buying one.

Mosin Nagant 1891/30 PU Sniper Rifle

The sniper rifle is appropriate for the sniper (natch!). These are rather costly and therefore are not always the best weapon to take to the field. The sniper rifle must have the correct scope and mount. Also make sure it has an original bolt. Check with the unit commander before going out and buying one, as you will likely have more fun as a rifleman. Women often filled the role of sniper in the Red Army. Don't go dreaming that you are Vasilli Zaitsev!

Mosin Nagant M1944 Carbine

The Model 1944 carbine is appropriate for riflemen starting in 1944. It was produced as a trials weapon starting in 1943 and supplemented the 91/30 as an infantry weapon. It should be used only in re-enactments covering 1944-45. This weapon is recognized by the attached folding bayonet. They are usually fairly cheap, $50-$100, and sometimes come with the sling. They were made for several years after the war, so you may find nice examples made in Poland, Hungary or Rumania in addition to the Soviet Union (and maybe some with East German markings!). For re-enacting purposes, the post-war carbines are okay, but for living history displays, only wartime dated examples should be used. The Chinese type53 should be avoided. While it is permitted for use, regular rifle divisions like ours would have used the 91/30 more than the M44.

Tokarev SVT-40 Semi-Automatic Rifle

The SVT-40 may be used by any rifleman, though more commonly it would be used by snipers and NCOs. The SVT is a semi-auto, magazine-fed, gas operated rifle. It will have to be blank-adapted prior to use and you will need to find the special woodtip blanks as well. This is a great weapon to have, however the prices are going up rapidly, even for rifles in fair condition. The bayonet for this rifle is very difficult to find as are spare mags. Repro mags are allowed to be used and are easier to find. This rifle may also be adapted for use by snipers by obtaining the correct scope and mount. Check the gas system before buying one to make sure it will work. More often than not, it will not come with a sling or the gas adjusting tool. Both are needed. A PPSh sling can be used.

PPSh-41 Sub-machine gun

If you can legally aquire one of these, by all means do so. A great weapon for the Red Army Rifleman to have. Anyone may carry this weapon, although in an early war scenerio it would be more appropriate for the squad leader to be armed with it. Use either the 71rd drum mag or the 35rd stick mags. Avoid the semi-auto copy of this for the present. This too needs to be blank adapted.

PPS-43 Sub-machine gun

The PPS-43 is a late war weapon. Less common than the PPSh-41, it can still be used by the 193rd. Much the same as the PPSh-41, this must be blank adapted but only uses the stick mags.

DP-27 Light machine gun

This is the standard squad MG for the Red Army. If you can get one, please do. The 39th currently could use one since the fascists seem to have an abundant supply of MPs and MGs. Needs to be blank adapted, but there are rumors of an attempt to convert these to gas-firing guns.

PM 1910 Maxim Heavy Machine gun

This would be a great weapon to get to defend our mortar unit and HQ. Can be either a blank firing gun or a gas gun. The Maxim was very common in the Red Army Rifle Forces during the GPW. Should get it on the Sokolov mount, with or without a shield.

82 and 120mm Mortars

If you can get one of these, then please do. We can supply the Hugs.

45mm Anti-tank gun and Anti-tank rifles

The AT gun is a lot of fun to have though rather costly. The AT rifles are impossible to find, but someone is looking to make a replica of the PTRD. Right now we have neither. Bring your Molotovs to the next event.

This page and its  information is used with the gracious permission of our comrades in the 193rd Rifle Division.