Mosin M44 for $99 or Yugo Mauser for $129

Mauser

I don't think either choice will be a bad one, but the Yugo 48A Mauser I bought last month is of much higher quality than my Mosin is. BTW, where are you finding Yugo Mausers still for sale? I bought my used because I thought they were all sold out.

I'd got for the Yugo. Rimless cases are the way to go in a magazine fed weapon. BSW

Unless you intend on scoping it, the Yugo is a better buy. Unless you like "scout" scopes, the bolt handle of the yugo is in kind of a bad position to support a scope. The Mosin, out of the cosmoline, is no better off, but it can easily be fixed for under AND scoped for under $100, which overall would cost less than scoping the yugo.

If you want a nice beater gun, a haul around the woods type thing, get the mosin. Mausers are nicer weapons as a rule. My bro has a nice yugo and its just a good looking gun. A lot heavier than a birch mosin though.

I have a Yugo Mauser and a Chinese M44 Mosin knock-off. Both are nice guns. I prefer the Yugo Mauser for its smoothly operating action. There is still a lot of surplus Romanian 8mm ball ammo on sale on the internet.

The Mauser will be a much higher quality weapon. Both guns will be rugged and fun to shoot though. See what the availability of surplus ammo is in your area. Around mine, it's easy to find bulk ammo for the Mosin, but all of the 8mm supplies are really drying up. The Mauser is going to be considerably heavier than the Mosin, so if you plan on packing it around much, that might be something to think about. I've had both the Yugo and a Mosin M38 wich is basically the same as the M44. I never really liked shooting the Mosin as much as the Mauser. Can't really give any specifics as to why though...

Have a Yugo M48 and several M44s. Depending on what you want to use it for, the Yugo M48 might just be more versatile and easier on the shoulder. The M44 can kick like a mule, and emits a neat fireball of muzzle flash. For me, the M48 has been more accurate, and can suffice for either plinking or hunting. However, the flash of an M44 fired at dusk is a sight to see

Safety note...

MP5A3--Just a thought: If you're going to actually use this rifle, out in the woods--as opposed to strictly on the shooting range--the Mosin safety is a BEAR to operate, IMX. Slow, and it requires the use of your whole right hand (supposing that you are shooting right-handed.) Mauser safeties, by comparison, require only a quick flip with the thumb, and it is obvious at a glance if the safety is off or on.

That's my main objection to the Mosins, and all of 'em share the same basic safety. Nice enough rifle otherwise.

smokey joe, very true. I have an M91/30 and it's so much fun to shoot it. I just put a 2x7 scope on it. There are ways to circumvent the safety albeit more dangerous.

First, you have chamber a round and point it in a safe direction. then hold the rifle steady, hold the cocking piece with one hand (very firm) and with shootting hand, press the trigger. This should bring the cocking piece down slowly (like a revolver).

After that, to cock it back, all you gotta do is pull the cocking piece back whenever you're ready to take the shot OR flip the bolt handle up and bring it down (lock it up) again. Since it's loaded, you don't need to pull the bolt back, thus ejecting the round inside.

The Mosins have increased in price by about 30% in the last 6 months! Wow. The Yugo hasn't moved in at least a year in price.

I have both. For the marginal difference, I would hands down buy the Yugo. Both offer cheap ammo, but the Yugo will be in better condition with a much smoother action - a real day and night difference. I love both rifles, but the benefit of the Mosin is low price. Take that away and the Yugo is the winner. A Mauser action is far superior.

+1 on the M98, the Mauser is a far better firearm than the Mosin. My Serb buddy has a Mosin, Mauser 98,(and SKS). The M98 is smoother, more accurate, more reliable (his mosin bolt has some fossilized cosmoline in it and he hasent disassembled it yet- the Mauser bolt came apart in 20 seconds), and is much stronger. 8MM ammo is more expensive but I handload it for him.

mp5a3, the m44 barrel is 20.5" long.

If you can afford it, I would get both while they are still available. Think of it as an "investment".


NCsmitty

I'd say the Yugo 48 over the M44.

My Yugo looks like it got a new barrel and was stored for WW3, easier to operate, I think Yugoslavia is the only country still using 8mm (for machine guns).

The M44 is a blast to shoot (search youtube for M44 fireball), feels easier to carry slung over my shoulder muzzle down. Consider looking for a M38 or one of the Finnish models to get one without the bayonet attached (though it does look menacing with the bayonet extended ready to terrorize the peasants).

Russian surplus is still available while 8mm is mostly a handloading option.

Unless you intend on scoping it, the Yugo is a better buy.

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Who scopes an M44? The barrel is too short for any real accuracy or to make use of the full power of the cartridge.

+1 for buying both though, they're cheap enough.

If I were in your position I'd spend a little more money on a Swedish Mauser. The mosin will kick like a mule and partially deafen you, but the Swede will be easy on your shoulder and your ears as well as far more accurate.

First, you have chamber a round and point it in a safe direction. then hold the rifle steady, hold the cocking piece with one hand (very firm) and with shootting hand, press the trigger. This should bring the cocking piece down slowly (like a revolver).

After that, to cock it back, all you gotta do is pull the cocking piece back whenever you're ready to take the shot OR flip the bolt handle up and bring it down (lock it up) again. Since it's loaded, you don't need to pull the bolt back, thus ejecting the round inside.

Click to expand...

??? If you pull the cocking piece back slightly and turn it to the left, it'll lock the firing pin and you don't have to worry about dropping the firing pin.

Beware of what you buy, because many of the MN bores can produce groups of about 6-8" at only 50 yards. One of mine produced the same results with a marksman (friend) who has won a number of official competitions.

My two MN 44s are in attractive laminated wood, but the bores are not bright.
On the other hand, many are in much better condition.
My plan is to trade one, somewhere, plus about $50 cash for a nice Polish 44, or any 44 with a bright and shiny bore.

It's all a matter of your personal preference. Myself, I prefer MN's.

9 times out of 10 the Mauser will be better built, with a MUCH better safety and the rimless cartridges do feed a bit better. They also load easier from stripper clips.

I much prefer the sights on Mosin Nagants though. JMO, but I think Mausers have some of the worst iron sights ever fitted to a service rifle. The MN also has the Mauser beat when it comes to cheap and available surplus ammo.

Now if you want to get a really good bolt action battle rifle, I'd go for a #4 Lee Enfield, M39, M1903 or a K31. Those were all rifles made by countries that took marksmanship seriously and tried to build world class rifles.

I've had a Mosin M38 for about 3 years. Just when I consider selling the beast, I'm reminded of why it still sits in my meagre collection.

It breathes fire. It's very loud. It punches holes in steel like a knife through butter. Ammo is affordable. Accuracy is minute of barn door. My Russian friend calls it a "man's gun".

Hey you know, just get a Mosin and buy a small amount of ammo, see if you like it. Don't be like me and buy two tins of the stuff only to have it sit around in my closet for three years because my wimpy shoulder just can't take the recoil more than ten times in a day.

If you want a higher quality gun get the Mauser.

For sporting use - get the Yugo

I have a Mosin M44, a Yugo (stock) and a Yugo I have turned into a nice little scout rifle.

The Yugo scout has the following mods:
1) Original stock cut down, bedded and camo'ed (Cheap)
2) Recoil pad and swivel studs added (Also cheap)
3) Cut and crowned barrel using common tools and directions off the net (Very Cheap)
4) Used "rear sight mount" to mount 2x Pistol Scope (About $75.00)
5) Added Bold brand aftermarket trigger ($40.00)

Result: a 1.5 moa rifle that weighs 7lbs and cost less than $250.00

It's now one of my best guns - and I have a bunch that cost more

how much is shipping for a rifle at wideners?

I would go with the yugo. Love that mauser action

Some M44s will shoot decent groups.



50 yards sitting with Prvi FMJ, issue sights.

Once you get one, you will know why we love them!

M44 Carbines are a bit rough on the shoulder from the bench, or prone.

friends ARE impressed by the fireball and grass bending blast though!

have fun!

Tom