But cheap now - Mosin ex-snipers
Just my perspective, but the common wisdom on Mosin ex-snipers used to be they were ex-snipers because they had been shot out, and were no longer capable of the accuracy requirements. This has been disproven, most were turned back into 91/30's because of the cost of maintaining the optics, and over supply.
Recently, the big box retailer Dunham's began separating out the ex-snipers from their large shipments, keeping them back for a later sale when they could get much more. Prices on some ( but not all ) trader boards seem to reflect this as they have gone up to $300 for just an Izzy '44.
Arsenal refurbish snipers now command between $800 to $1200. Anyway, if you look around at your LGS you may find an ex-sniper for a regular price. An ex will have the same accuracy ( potentially ) as a real sniper, which can be very good. Just a caveat, the ex's will have the sniper trigger removed, and the bolt replaced during refurb. Bringing them back to potential may take a little bit of work.
Ex-snipers are a fairly common variation that will likely never command the same price and appreciate in value as well as other less common M91/30 variations such as Finnish captures IMO. Who the heck is paying $300 for an ex-sniper right now?!
If the mount holes are filled and the rifles has gone through refurbishment, 'resnipering' it is highly cost and labor ineffective at best and a humped rifle at worst.
Who's trying to sell a '44 Izhevsk PU for $300? Wow. For a PE, certain PEMs and '42 Tulas, maybe, but not a '44 Izhevsk. They may be asking that much, but I doubt they'll sell it, when you can get one from a dozen other sources for $100-$125 or so. Now, if you're talking about a Samco "scopeless" sniper, that's another story.
I just saw a topic on Gun Boards about this. It seems that there is just a fad recently for attempting to sell these things at inflated prices to people who are unaware. I literally see these things at every gun show I go to. Unless the supply is artificially reduced, the market will self correct in time.
One very large shipment we got in from PWA had a bunch of ex snipers in them , both PU and PEM's. We began selling them at $89 I think, but when I told the owner there were some ex snipers in there he upped the price to the $129 mark and people bought them like crazy.
The last few shipments we got through, 50+ crates, I didn't see any ex snipers in. Now I didnt look at everyone, but I would check out a couple from each box that went through the retail part.
I paid regular price for my ex-sniper . It may be a good shooter, but if you want a known good shooter just buy an M-39
I dont like buying ex-snipers because I keep re-snipering them. Its killing me...
I don't know if this guy just got lucky, but here is an example of how a restored ex -sniper will shoot.
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=185&t=114354
Not lucky at all. Pretty common with handloads and a scope.
If i were to ever get a X sniper i was just going to swap all the stuff on my pu I bought a few years back. Just not sure if all the parts would easily swap over or if the drilled holes might be different.
I have held off bringing back my ex sniper since it no longer has the turned down bolt.
