The standard issue rifle of the Soviet Army in WWII was the Mosin-Nagant M1891/30, a bolt-action rifle. Soviet troops are often called “Russian” in English-language sources (see was it the Soviet Union in WWII?), and this rifle was the mainstay of Soviet infantry throughout the war. Some units also carried the SVT-40 semi-automatic rifle, and the PPSh-41 submachine gun was widely used. The AK-47 came after the war and was not a WWII rifle.
Why the Mosin-Nagant was standard
The Mosin-Nagant was a long-barreled bolt-action rifle with a five-round internal magazine, loaded from stripper clips. It had been in service for decades before WWII and was produced in very large numbers. The M1891/30 was the version in use during the war, carried by an army whose scale is covered in how big was the Soviet army in WWII? Its long barrel and powerful cartridge gave it good range, which suited the infantry role, although it was not designed for rapid automatic fire.
Other Soviet small arms
- SVT-40: a semi-automatic rifle that Soviet forces issued in smaller numbers than the Mosin-Nagant.
- PPSh-41: a submachine gun that was common in Soviet units, especially for close fighting.
What came after: the AK-47
The AK-47 was developed after the war and received its designation in 1947. It was an assault rifle chambered for an intermediate cartridge, which set it apart from the rifles of the war. For WWII-era rifles, the Mosin-Nagant and the SVT-40 are the references to use.
A collecting note
Mosin-Nagant rifles carry arsenal codes, serial numbers and dates, and these markings are the best guide to the rifle’s history. Check them against a reference book, and be cautious about any marking that looks newly applied.