Cosmoline
Member
Just field tested my new 1967 M-39 "Old Man Pekka" rifle at the Cosmoline Compound. The Compound is covered in four feet of snow and just got out of a twenty below cold snap, so it seemed like a good place to test the cold weather rifle.
First the rifle itself. As I understand it, this M-39 is one of the first batch to come of the assembly line when the Finnish Army revived the model in the late '60's for use as officer trainers and for sniping. The M-39 design utilizes old 1891 Mosin Nagant receivers, but otherwise is an entirely new rifle. The stock is two-part and to my eyes looked like birch. If so it should be ideal for this part of the world, with minimal cold weather problems. The barrel is heavier than a 91/30, but doesn't seem quite as heavy as some of the old Finns I've carried. The front sight is a massive block open sight with a nice big triangle in the center. Windage is adjusted via a big screw. Snow doesn't build up on it, unlike post-and-globe sights. And it looks tough enough to survive anything. The big screw for windage is a bonus, and I suspect it was done by someone who has tried to operate small tools at twenty below.
Though no modifications were made to the trigger guard that I can see, I was able to cycle the bolt and operate the trigger with very heavy snow gauntlets on. The short straight bolt is ideal for use in the cold with heavy gloves. I've often found it difficult to snag a bent bolt and find long Mauser-style straight bolts annoying.
Only one jam up, caused by a rim overlap in fifty rounds fired. It was easy to fix by pushing down on the bullet and jostling it free. The rifle was quick to shoulder and easy to aim. There was no ice fog or steam, and though I can't prove it it seemed to make less noise than a 91-30. Accuracy was great, and I was able to drop three spruce trees with 203 grain Ruskie SP. Extraction was butter smooth, and I noted no major change in point of impact as the rifle heated up.
Old man pekka is a keeper! I'm just surprised more of these beauties haven't found their way to Alaska.
First the rifle itself. As I understand it, this M-39 is one of the first batch to come of the assembly line when the Finnish Army revived the model in the late '60's for use as officer trainers and for sniping. The M-39 design utilizes old 1891 Mosin Nagant receivers, but otherwise is an entirely new rifle. The stock is two-part and to my eyes looked like birch. If so it should be ideal for this part of the world, with minimal cold weather problems. The barrel is heavier than a 91/30, but doesn't seem quite as heavy as some of the old Finns I've carried. The front sight is a massive block open sight with a nice big triangle in the center. Windage is adjusted via a big screw. Snow doesn't build up on it, unlike post-and-globe sights. And it looks tough enough to survive anything. The big screw for windage is a bonus, and I suspect it was done by someone who has tried to operate small tools at twenty below.
Though no modifications were made to the trigger guard that I can see, I was able to cycle the bolt and operate the trigger with very heavy snow gauntlets on. The short straight bolt is ideal for use in the cold with heavy gloves. I've often found it difficult to snag a bent bolt and find long Mauser-style straight bolts annoying.
Only one jam up, caused by a rim overlap in fifty rounds fired. It was easy to fix by pushing down on the bullet and jostling it free. The rifle was quick to shoulder and easy to aim. There was no ice fog or steam, and though I can't prove it it seemed to make less noise than a 91-30. Accuracy was great, and I was able to drop three spruce trees with 203 grain Ruskie SP. Extraction was butter smooth, and I noted no major change in point of impact as the rifle heated up.
Old man pekka is a keeper! I'm just surprised more of these beauties haven't found their way to Alaska.
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