New M44 and some questions

[trekgod3]

I just picked it up yesterday at Gander mountain for $149. I know the price was high, but they are the biggest retailer with the largest on-hand inventory in my area-short of visiting our monthly gun show in west palm. Anything you guys (or gals) can tell me about it would be appreciated. I have done a little research of my own on mosinnagant.net and surplusrifle.com. Is there anything special or different about it? I included pics of some of the markings.





Thanks in advance!

 

[nambu1]

The star is the mark of the TULA armory, 1945 is year made and the marking on the side of the receiver is the import markings. The other is the serial number.

 

[Hoppy590]

im glad you got a mosin

but for a '44 M44..... wait a minute.....

ITS A TULA!!!

good snag.

i was about to yell at you for spending almost 2X as much as you should have

if you did this on purpose. well done.

if you did this on accident. congrats tula only made 100K M44's ( sounds like a lot but it isnt)

 

[trekgod3]

Thanks. I knew the Tula's are more rare, but I didn't even look at the markings when I picked it out. They had 3 M44's and 5 or 6 M91/30's. All were $149. I went with the M44 because it was shorter length.

 

[Hoppy590]

well Tulas normally are a little more rare due to lower production ( some of that due to them having to flee the Germans and sending factory workers out with M1985 revolvers to fight the Germans)

well Tula only produced M44's (or atleast marked them) in 1944. Izhevsk made them from 43-48.

Tula -100,000
Izhevsk - 7.5 million ( i believe)

 

[Mr White]

Good find! If you can, take it to the range and shoot it near dusk. You'll get a kick (literally and figuratively) out of the fireball you see when you shoot it in low light.

 

[tomh1426]

Dont forget to clean the chamber REALLY good or your bolt will stick.
Ammo aint gettin any cheaper, stock up now!

 

[trekgod3]

Where's the best place for ammo? The best price I could find was $50 for 300 rounds at: http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Bulgarian_7.62x54R_Heavy_Ball_Yellow_Tip.html

 

[Springfield_1911SS]

trekgod3,

I have notice in your pic the "RGuns" import mark. All the Gander Mountain Stores around me have M44s for the same price and also have the import mark. I live like 45min away from RGuns. I have bought guns/ammo from them before. I was wondering what City/State the Gander MTn. you bought your M44 was in?

I am thinking of getting an M44 soon. I was planning on getting it from RGuns ($80).

 

[trekgod3]

It was in Palm Beach Gardens, FL-http://gander.distanthorizon.com/storelocator/storedetail.asp_Q_store_id_E_145

 

[tomh1426]

At Big-5, they go on sale all the time for $79. they a regularly $99.
I dont know if they have one by you but its worth checkin out!

 

[doglb]

I have a 91/30 and enjoy the heck out of it!
Check out this web page:
Its great reference page!

http://7.62x54r.net/

 

[Bartkowski]

Where's the best place for ammo? The best price I could find was $50 for 300 rounds at: http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/B...ellow_Tip.html

Widener's has that ammo for $45.

 

[trekgod3]

Sweet! Thanks!

 

[rojocorsa]

Dont forget to clean the chamber REALLY good or your bolt will stick.

The bolt will stick due to a lacquer coating on certain casings. If you have a sticky bolt, it is best to clean it when it is warm.

 

[trekgod3]

Update...

I took the bolt apart and gave it a good scrubbing. Then I polished it with a dremel. Not too bad for a beginner
BEFORE:

AFTER: