Yep, I knew that footnote was in there somewhere!
I own quite a few firearms, but my first rifle (and the rifle type I purchase to work on my gunsmithing skills) Is a Russian Mosin Nagant (I like to call it an m91-30 but for the sake of understanding I'll use the common western name for the rifle) I sort of collect them and I know the insides and outs of the rifles well enough to disassemble it and reassemble it blindfolded.
Where I purchased the rifle:
I bought it at a local sporting goods store... they are still an extremely common rifle, and I purchased My first one for 89.99 USD. Unfortunately Australian laws prevent the ownership of a mosin nagant due to the fact that the 7.62x54r cartridge is considered a military round...
Proficiency wise:
I also own an Ak variant and a chinese sks, though I've owned them for a shorter period of time and I've put fewer rounds down range with either of them to consider myself adequate with them yet... I can pick up any of the mosins I own and shoot at least a 2 inch group at 200 meters, plus I prefer 7.62x54r to 7.62x39 (sks/ak size) because I use my rifle for hunting purposes more than anything, and I prefer the extra effective range/stopping power...
If you want to know any more, especially the history side of things, let me know... cause I know a TON about these rifles in particular ^-^