Updated 1/20/01

Njanear's 'Know your M1895 Nagant' Page

M1895 - UncockedM1895 - Cocked

Now that you have one or are thinking about it, let me help you with some answers to the many questions that the Nagant tends to raise.  On this page, I hope to assist you with the following tasks:
 

1) Loading the Nagant Revolver
2) Unloading the Nagant Revolver
3) Removing the cylinder from the Nagant Revolver
4) Removing the grips from the Nagant Revolver
5) How to fire your Nagant Revolver from horseback
(click on the above links to go to a category; click on theBack  to return here)
I have included some photographs as well as excerpts from a Soviet manual to assist you with this as well as text instructions for those of you who do not want to wait for the photos to load.  If you see any errors or a need for additional comments on these subjects, please let me know so that I may update this page.  Thank you.

Now I bring you the following:

Loading the Nagant Revolver

The Nagant is what is known as a 'solid frame' revolver.  There is no convenient 'swing-out' cylinder as many are accustomed to; rather, it is like the old Colt Peacemaker or Ruger Blackhawk, with a swing-down loading gate.  Although it is not the fastest method for reloading, it is a time tested solid design.

To load the revolver, you simply lower the loading gate found on the right side of the revolver and insert the rounds directly into the cylinder.  Once you have loaded them all (capacity is 7 rounds), you simply close the loading gate and you are back in business. How much simpler can it get!  =8^)

Loading sequenceSoviet manual demonstrating loading the M1895
 

Unloading the Nagant Revolver

The 'solid frame' revolver design does make for slower unloading.  Each round has to be individually removed by use of the cylinder rod.  Unfortunately, this rod is not quite long enough to solidly punch out the case, so if there is a burr in the cylinder, you may have to find another 'tool' in which to use and remove the case.  The following are instructions on unloading the revolver:

1)  Rotate the cylinder rod head counter-clockwise until it stops and then pull the rod straight out towards the muzzle.
2) Rotate the collar on which the rod is attached counter-clockwise until the rod lines up with one of the cylinder chambers.
3) Lower the loading gate and then push in on the cylinder rod, extracting the cartridge case to where you can grasp it with your fingers.

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2) 
3) 
When done, simply rotate the cylinder rod back down and into alignment with the cylinder pin, push it in and then rotate it clockwise until it stops.  Then you are in action again.
Soviet Manual depicting unloading the M1895

Removing the cylinder from the Nagant

This comes in handy for several reasons: 1) for cleaning the revolver, 2) for changing cylinders (i.e. if you have multiple cylinders, say the original one and a .32 ACP cylinder), or 3) for clearing stuck cases that the cylinder rod could not eject.  Here are the steps:

1) Rotate the cylinder rod head counter-clockwise until it stops and then pull the rod straight out towards the muzzle.
2) Rotate the collar on which the rod is attached counter-clockwise until the two scribe marks on top of the barrel line up (this will alow the cylinder pin to clear the collar)
3) Remove the cylinder pin by pulling straight out
4) Lower the loading gate and then remove the cylinder out the right side.
1) Releasing the cylinder rod
2) Rotating the cylinder rod collar
3) Removing the cylinder pin
 4) Removing the cylinder

Cylinder replacement is in the reverse order.  Be advised that you may need to push the cylinder collar in (it is spring-loaded) in order to get the cylinder started into the frame.  Other than that, it is a straight-forward sequence.

If you are doing so to replace the original cylinder with a .32ACP cylinder and you need to swap out the spring-loaded cylinder collar in order to make it work, simply grap the collar, push in slightly and turn counterclockwise.  This will line up the release tabs and by slowly pulling the collar out (it's against some spring tension), will allow you to remove it and then replace it into the new cylinder.
 
 

Removing the grips from the Nagant

While it is not a normal part of the cleaning routine, I am sure that you have sat there and tried to figure that out on your own; I have too.  With no visible screws, how in the world can you get them off?  Well, thanks to my friend DAVE, I now know and here is the sequence:

1)  With the pistol laying on its left side, remove the screw furthermost to the rear (the one at the top of the right grip that is NOT going through that little metal strap)
2)  While holding the grips together (thereby keeping the sideplate on the frame), turn the pistol on to its right side and then carefully lift the sideplate straight off  (Some pistols may need a little coercing with this; just proceed slowly and carefully).
3)  Now look at the inside of the sideplate and you will see two screwheads; remove these to get the left grip panels off.  Under the mainspring resides the screw for the right panel; remove the spring and you can get to it.

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2) 
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 Not as hard as you first thought, is it?  Reassembly is in the exact opposite manner.  Just exercise caution and care so that the internal mechanism doesn't wind up as a jigsaw puzzle on your kitchen table =8^)
 
 

Firing your Nagant from horseback

Actually, these are just some scans from a 1954 Soviet manual that illustrates the Nagant specifically while firing from horseback.  please note that in this photo, the lanyard is shown in use.  Enjoy!

Firing from HorsebackFiring from HorsebackFiring from HorsebackFiring from HorsebackFiring from Horseback
PS: I do recommend that you ensure your horse is NOT GUNSHY before you attempt this ;)


So there you have it: a little more info on the great M1895 Nagant which will hopefully help you understand the mechanism of this nice design.

Special thanks go to all that contributed to the site page.  If you are interested in making a similar contribution, please feel free to contact me at the email address below.

Have a great day.

Now back to the M1895 Nagant Page....


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