Counter-bored m44 Mosin worth?

[CleptoVapor]

I picked up a rifle from GB the other day and just received it to find that it has been counterbored with no mention of this by the seller. Other than that it's still in great condition and what remains of the bore is shiny and strong rifling. Curious what a ball park value would be for this rifle. I'm new to the whole C&R thing so not sure if it's a huge deal or not

 

[rust collector]

Counterboring was common for rifles and carbines that saw a lot of use. What's more important is how the gun shoots, and that can only be determined by shooting it. A headspace check by your local gunsmith is a good start--if it is out of spec the gun was not safe and refund should be issued. I haven't kept track of prices, but this is a good source of information on soviet rifles: http://7.62x54r.net/

 

[BreechFace]

Are you wanting the Mosin for a collector or a shooter. If the former, then yes it is an issue it wasn't mentioned in the ad; if the latter it's still should have been mentioned but more than likely you ended up with a better shooter because of the counter bore.

Seems to me if you answer the above question you should know how to proceed with the seller on the transaction. Did the ad state how many days the purchaser has to inspect the firearm before the return window ends?

 

[mcb]

It's an old used (likely combat used) rifle, to expect a perfect bore seems unrealistic unless they advertised it as an unissued rifle or similar unusual condition.

I bought mine many years ago so no doubt cheaper but mine is counter board about 2-inches IIRC. I paid $75 for mine and feel I got a good deal. YMMV

Go shoot it and enjoy.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The gun may or may not shoot well. I would never own a counterbored rifle and have made sure none of mine were so. They all shoot well.

 

[CleptoVapor]

Are you wanting the Mosin for a collector or a shooter. If the former, then yes it is an issue it wasn't mentioned in the ad; if the latter it's still should have been mentioned but more than likely you ended up with a better shooter because of the counter bore.

Seems to me if you answer the above question you should know how to proceed with the seller on the transaction. Did the ad state how many days the purchaser has to inspect the firearm before the return window ends?

This one was bought as more of a collectors piece, unfortunately there was no inspection period it was sold as is. Not sure what I'm going to be doing with it now besides letting it sit in the safe.

 

[mcb]

This one was bought as more of a collectors piece, unfortunately there was no inspection period it was sold as is. Not sure what I'm going to be doing with it now besides letting it sit in the safe.

Shoot the crap out of it and keep looking for a collector quality piece.

 

[CleptoVapor]

It's an old used (likely combat used) rifle, to expect a perfect bore seems unrealistic unless they advertised it as an unissued rifle or similar unusual condition.

I bought mine many years ago so no doubt cheaper but mine is counter board about 2-inches IIRC. I paid $75 for mine and feel I got a good deal. YMMV

Go shoot it and enjoy.

I was in no way expecting a perfect bore at all but I was expecting a complete bore in somewhat serviceable condition. If I had know it was counter bored I would have passed

 

[mcb]

I was in no way expecting a perfect bore at all but I was expecting a complete bore in somewhat serviceable condition. If I had know it was counter bored I would have passed

There is nothing unsafe about a counter bored barrel, it was done to improve accuracy and extend the service life of the barrel. Are there other issues with the gun? Have you shot it yet?

 

[CleptoVapor]

There is nothing unsafe about a counter bored barrel, it was done to improve accuracy and extend the service life of the barrel. Are there other issues with the gun? Have you shot it yet?

So far that is the only issue. Checking the LGS for 54r today to see if I can find any to actually shoot it

 

[rust collector]

They are more likely to have a history if they have been used enough to require a counterbore. Rifles/carbines without the counterbore were used less, but are rarer and therefore tend to be considered more valuable (just as oddball or rarer chamberings make a pre-64 Winchester model 70 more valuable for purposes of collecting).

If your search for 54r is fruitless, let us know. We can perhaps assist in that regard.

 

[wiscoaster]

I have a counter-bored M38 Mosin. I think that's the reason I got it for a modest price. However, it's in great shape overall and shoots very well, my second-best Mosin shooter (doesn't beat my Finn M39, but that's to be expected).

 

[wiscoaster]

.... Not sure what I'm going to be doing with it now besides letting it sit in the safe.

Shoot the dang thing. That's what it was made for. It doesn't need to be head-spaced either. It's a rimmed cartidge. And certainly got a thorough once-over when it was back in the arsenal to get counter-bored. Mosins were designed and built to function well and safely within a wide range of spec tolerances.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My 91/30 is counter bored. It shoots great. I feel if they counter bored it. It was worth it to the armory.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Choot it!
My Mosin isn’t counter bored. Whole barrel was replaced when it was rearsenaled in 1954.
Evidently it was never fired. (1943 Isvesk).
When I got it, the sights were way off... It also wouldn’t group for nothing. 6”+ @100yds.
After 300 or so rounds, to include about 200 mil spec steel core rounds, it all of a sudden started shooting “bug holes” at 50yds.
It’s no ‘03A3, or P17 Enfield, but 2-3” at 100yds with quality ammo. (PPU or hand loads).
The bolt was force matched and looked to have been sculpted by an angry beaver. I reground the bolt handle and polished it. It’s actually an enjoyable range toy now.
It’s now “house broken” and the other guns will allow it to stay in the gun room....
as long as it behaves..... (it wears dog collars, you know!)

 

[wiscoaster]

..... (it wears dog collars, you know!)

Nice one

 

[amd6547]

Counterbore wouldn’t stop me from buying, if the price were right. Depending on markings and completeness, it could be worth some dough, counterbore or not.

 

[daniel craig]

If you want it as a shooter counterbore really isn’t that big of a deal. As long as the rest of the rifling is clean it’s basically the same thing as having a barrel a little bit shorter. I wouldn’t worry about it. Shoot it and have fun.

As for collecting… I think it brings down the price but it’s a mosin The gun unless you get a super rare manufacturer they’re never going to be worth very much.

 

[wiscoaster]

... they’re never going to be worth very much.

Ha!! You haven't checked what M39's are selling for these days!!

 

[daniel craig]

Ha!! You haven't checked what M39's are selling for these days!!

In this gun market just because people are buying them for that much doesn’t necessarily mean Most people would actually consider them worth that much.

 

[wiscoaster]

In this gun market just because people are buying them for that much doesn’t necessarily mean Most people would actually consider them worth that much.

Well, maybe, --- the definition of "worth" is pretty individual, but "market value" is whatever the last person paid for the item, and if you're going to be the next buyer, then its worth to you is its market value if you buy. The opinions of "most people" are irrelevant because they're not buying. So I can only partly agree.

 

[daniel craig]

True

Well, maybe, --- the definition of "worth" is pretty individual, but "market value" is whatever the last person paid for the item, and if you're going to be the next buyer, then its worth to you is its market value if you buy. The opinions of "most people" are irrelevant because they're not buying. So I can only partly agree.

True enough

 

[Mosin77]

It’s an M44. This one is as collectible as any other. The counterbore is part of its history.

 

[Random 8]

You'll find more cb M44s than not, to the point it's almost a standard feature. Usually it doesn't affect accuracy. I have 2 that are both CB and they're right in the ballpark of 91/30s that are not cb'd.

If you've ever seen a complete Mosin field kit, you'll understand why counterbores are common. It's my theory, can't prove, that the M44 and M38 pulled more post war garrison duty while 91/30s were mothballed, giving Ivan more opportunity to destroy rifling with those field kits. I'd also bet a 91/30 with a trashed muzzle was stripped for parts while the carbines were salvaged.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Shoot it at night and admire the fireball that is emitted from the barrel. The counterbore would not be a problem for me. When I was in the market for M44's they were few and far between and sold for double what the 91/30's were going for.