M39 vs. M38

[KrankyKraut]

Shooting my Russian Mosin-Nagants, such as the M38, M44 and 91/30 turns into work after about 30, 40 rounds. It's a combination of the bolt and the stock, I think. And I am not even talking about "sticky bolt syndrome". Even if the chamber is free of cosmoline, working that bolt requires overcoming quite a bit of resistance. It is not nearly as smooth as a Mauser bolt. Here is my question: Is the Finnish M39 bolt any smoother? Is the stock design any better than the Russian? Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Hoppy590]

dont work the action like a mauser. between your thumb and pointer. use the palm of your hand. palm up to open the bolt. palm down to close

 

[geojap]

All Mosin actions are very similar, in my opinion. I've shot the 91/30, M44, 91/59, 1891, M39 and M28. They all have the same action. I would not call the Mosin action especially easy to cycle, especially compared to a Mauser. But that is not its selling point. Mosins are incredibly durable and functional relative to cost. The Finn Mosins have an incredible history and are usually dead-nuts accurate. So if you want a slick action, get a Persian, Argentine or Swedish Mauser or Springfield 1903a3. But if you want an accurate rifle with tons of history and a battlerifle-like ruggedness, then a Finn Mosin is the way to go.

Finn Mosins are my favorite C&R rifle behind the M1 Garand. The Finns did amazing things with their rifles. Simply amazing.

The Finn stocks are better than the Russian stocks, but they are still arctic birch, a relative softwood compared to something like walnut. The Russian stock tends to splinter much more easily than the Finn stocks.

 

[cbsbyte]

The Finnish used captured Russian M91 receivers, and bolts to build many of their M39 rifles. It saved them labor and materials. M39s should feel the same as any other Mosin.

 

[Eljay]

The Mosin is "cock on open" and the Mauser (and '03 and Enfeild) are "cock on closing". So the bolt lift is much harder on the Mosin, but when you push the bolt foward to chamber the round there is no resistance at all. On the Mauser design, as the bolt is being pushed foward the sear catches the spring loaded striker and you must overcome that spring to chamber the round, but it's less noticeable.

 

[Clipper]

If you drop the action into an ATI stock, you'll find it much more pleasurable to shoot...

 

[ball3006]

You are shooting that green steel cased...

ammo aren't you........Switch ammo and your sticking will go away.......chris3

 

[ball3006]

Yo Eljay...............

you are wrong.....the Mauser, from model 98 on, the 03 and the Mosin Nagant are cock on opening, the Enfield, and pre 98 Mausers are cock on closing........chris3

 

[Cosmoline]

It is not nearly as smooth as a Mauser bolt. Here is my question: Is the Finnish M39 bolt any smoother? Is the stock design any better than the Russian?

Yes, the bolts on M-39's generally do work better with repeated firings than the Soviets, though some Finns don't like laquer. I've torture tested a few M-39's with hundreds of rounds in a string, and they've all held up well. Most Soviets will start to seize up after 50 or 75 rounds in quick succession.

The stock design of the M-39 is semi pistol grip, and more familiar to most rifle shooters.

This isn't because of receiver design. It's because the Finns took more time to get the fit right. A Mosin's bolt should be very loose in hand when dry cycling, NOT tight. If you cycle it properly, you shouldn't have any difficulty with it. But as others have noted, don't use your finger tips. You smack it open with your palm up, then catch it on the return stroke again with your palm, keeping the knob in the center of your hand by the base of the thumb muscle.

 

[Threejs]

Use your palm to smack the bolt open. You will wear yourself out trying to pry it open with your fingers. M39s, for all their fine points, are no less hard to work, than a good M38 or mM44.

 

[eldon519]

I don't smack mine open, but I do work it differently than a typical bolt. I like to grasp it in my fist underhand (palm up) and instead of lifting the bolt, it's more of a twist with the forearm. Works well for me.

 

[GD]

The M39 stock is generally thicker, heavier and prettier than a M38. In addition, the M39 has a longer barrel, better trigger, more accurate, and much better sights than a M38. As far as I can tell, the bolts aren't any different.
The Finns definitely improved on the Russian mosin.
Even so, I really like the M38.

 

[Eljay]

Ball3006, I guess it's time to get the rifles out to the range for a refresher.