Got an M44 today

[The Deer Hunter]

So, i picked it up at a gunshow for $150. I dont really care how much less they are on the internet-I'm sure shipping would be a buttload.

Its got really nice rifling and the bore is shiny, almost all the parts match, the barrel, receiver and buttstock are stamped 1812. The magazine is stamped 1813 and the bolt is stainless straight bolt handle stamped 9919. In big numbers is stamped 1953, I assume its the date of mfg. Most of the wood is pretty good, a few dings here and there.

So, what should i do before i shoot it? How do i take it apart?

Thanks.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

O yea, can i remove the bayonet?

 

[AFhack]

see www.russian-mosin-nagant.com for complete takedown instructions.


I wouldn't take the bayonet off when shooting if I were you. That gun was designed to be fired with the bayonet attached (and extended as a matter of fact).

 

[JonB]

Fun!

You'll enjoy it. They have stout kick, although not near as bad as the internet would have you believe. Ammo is cheap. Definitely a fun little gun to shoot!

 

[talleymonster]

All around best Mosin Nagant Website IMHO
http://7.62x54r.com/


Complete dis-assembly with photos here
http://surplusrifle.com/mosincarbine/rifledisassembly/index.asp


Bolt dis-assembly here
http://surplusrifle.com/finnishmosin/boltdisassembly/index.asp


Video of bolt dis-assembly here
http://www.surplusrifle.com/videowmv/nagant100.wmv



You have just bought an awesome gun. I bought my M44 about a month ago and I went through these boards and got a lot of help. I completely dis-assembled mine and cleaned it, removed all the cosmo and put it all back together, and then put some rounds through it. Such a sweet gun.

 

[bvchurch]

If the gun does say 1953 on the receiver, I don't think you know what you got yet...

See here:
http://7.62x54r.com/MosinID/MosinM44EEC.htm

The Russian M44s were produced until 1948, and then other countries in Europe began producing these M44s. I think you did quite well.

Fun guns to shoot I must admit.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

I did some research and telling by the aresenal marks is a Hungarian model. I'm not too upset that its not a pure-bread russian but the gun is the same(for the most part) and the rifling is outstanding.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Does anyone else have problem closing the bolt with a bullet in it?

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

Just the bullet? Try puting the cartrage in there with it.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[bvchurch]

Could you clarify by what you mean by closing the bolt just for good sake.

Can you not push the bullet into the chamber with the bolt?

Or can you not push the bolt handle down? (After the bullet is put into the chamber).

You may want to look at this video:
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinVideo.htm

 

[Mr White]

Make sure you clean out the chamber REALLY WELL! Dried up cosmoline in there is pretty common and will make the bolt hard to operate with a round loaded.

Take a stainless steel .410 shotgun brush, put it onto a cleaning rod section and chuck it into a drill. Dip it (the brush, not the drill) into Hoppes and have at 'er. Just keep in mind that you can't hurt this gun, at least not with mere mortal human power.

 

[Brother in Arms]

enjoy your M44 and please take good care to keep it away from hacksaws and other reciprocating tools. Id hate to see another hungarian end up like the one I am rebuilding...

By the way the hungarian M44 I have is also 1953 dated and has some of the best rifling I have ever seen in a Mosin.

Brother in Arms

 

[The Deer Hunter]

When there is a cartridge is in the chamber, its extremely hard to put the bolt down like the last half inch of the way.

I dont think its cosmoline because the guy who owned it before me used it to test ammo(or so he said), He worked for a small ammo mfg. company, so I think its cosmo free.

thanks for the help.

 

[talleymonster]

My Mosin Nagant is also a 1953 Hungarian and the rifling is perfect. All of my serial numbers matched except for the bolt. It has seen some action, but is in damn near pristine condition. The Iron sights are dead on too!

 

[Hoppy590]

mismatched bolt. trouble closing on a round. sounds like headspace problems to me

 

[The Deer Hunter]

mismatched bolt. trouble closing on a round. sounds like headspace problems to me

Yes, after reading a headspacing article or something on one of the Mosin pages I fear that may be the problem too. So, if it is headspacing trouble what do I do about it?

 

[Hoppy590]

take it to a gunsmith and have it checked. it may have tight head space. meaning it will close on SOME rounds, but not all ( remember surplus ammo varys in regards to rim thickness, wich is how the MN headspaces) or it could have insufficient head space meaning it just wont work.
a competent gunsmith should be able to help you, i would help ya, but i dont know how to actualy correct the darn problem
this is a good article to better understand things (if you havnt already read it)
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/headspace/index.asp

if you feel you may buy more MN's in the future you can get yourself a set of gauges from a number of places, these ones are good becuase you dont need to remove the extractor
http://hometown.aol.com/yankeng/myhomepage/business.html

 

[Ad Astra]

I had an M38 with the same prob- tight headspace.

Got a new bolthead with extractor from TNN- fixed.