Help with first M44 purchase

[jaxbeach904]

Hello all, I am going to buy a M44 soon. I am a newbie to Mosins, so I am looking for some advice on what to look for and where to find decent shooter. Thanks!

 

[nathan]

Spend a little more and get you a Polish unissued M 44. They sometimes pop in gunshows and are highly sought after. They are beautifully made.

 

[ball3006]

Bore condition is the most important. Remember, surplus ammo is corrosive so you have to clean your rifle after shooting it....chris3

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Even finding an M-44 around here is unusual. Do you have a source for them? Look for those made before 1943.

 

[firesky101]

Even finding an M-44 around here is unusual. Do you have a source for them? Look for those made before 1943.

It was my understanding that the 50000 or so made in 1943 are the earliest M44's

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Could be, I know the carbine was a late addition to the Mosin line. The one I bought was dated 1944 and is a good shooter but the quality control of the Soviet arms producers dropping as the Germans invaded further into the country makes sense to me.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Look for those made before 1943.

'43 was the first year they were made, and those are rare. Most are end-of-war dated, and lots were made in 1946 and '47.

 

[jodavk]

check J&G Sales, they have them and ammo frequently. It's always better to be able to handle one before you buy. But, I have bought rifles (M91s) using various on-line auction sites. If there are no gunshows or LGS in your area that might have them. Go ahead and order from a reputable dealer. Just make sure you have a FFL lined up to receive it for you. For less than $300, a milsurp, refurb M44; you will probably be pleased with what you get. If you are lucky, they may have cleaned some of the cosmoline off. You will pay more for a Polish or Hungarian.

 

[jaxbeach904]

check J&G Sales, they have them and ammo frequently. It's always better to be able to handle one before you buy. But, I have bought rifles (M91s) using various on-line auction sites. If there are no gunshows or LGS in your area that might have them. Go ahead and order from a reputable dealer. Just make sure you have a FFL lined up to receive it for you. For less than $300, a milsurp, refurb M44; you will probably be pleased with what you get. If you are lucky, they may have cleaned some of the cosmoline off. You will pay more for a Polish or Hungarian.

I saw one for $229 earlier and it looked to be in good shape. Hard to tell sometimes with pics. I suppose I should just buy it, not like I'm about to drop 1300 on another AR platform...

 

[saenzrich]

Out of stock at Aims but click the notify me button they had some in 2 weeks ago...http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=697&name=Russian+Mosin+Nagant+Model+1944+7.62x54R+Carbine

I just bought this one a couple weeks ago and its still in stock. Gun already had the cosmoline cleaned and was in excellent condition as advertised.http://www.classicfirearms.com/long-guns/m44rifle

Budsgunshop has em too...http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411553244

 

[YZ]

You can still buy an unfired or at least unissued M44, a great advantage. It also blasts like a howitzer compared to the 1891/30 which is no pussycat. If you find the sights are set too high, there is a simple fix. Have fun.

 

[Deus Machina]

My 1944 M44, Ivan, is the one rifle you would have to mortgage a house to pay me for.

If you're unfamiliar with Mosins, remember: the first few times you fire it, hold it tight to your shoulder and fire while standing. My 135-pound self learned how much of a mule these can be. I found my buddy's 91/30 wonderfully gentle after a couple boxes through Ivan.

 

[nathan]

Even the small statured lady VC fighters in Nam were armed with CHicom M 44s. They took popshots at passing Hueys and put a hole right in the main hydraulics. Many had to come on ...

 

[jaxbeach904]

My 1944 M44, Ivan, is the one rifle you would have to mortgage a house to pay me for.

If you're unfamiliar with Mosins, remember: the first few times you fire it, hold it tight to your shoulder and fire while standing. My 135-pound self learned how much of a mule these can be. I found my buddy's 91/30 wonderfully gentle after a couple boxes through Ivan.

Cant be any worse than 00 through an 18.5".

 

[YZ]

Those Nam folks had no habit of complaining. Certainly not about the recoil or the blast. Therefore a correction: Highly recommended for the single minded indoctrinated rugged American reenactors of wiry stature who wish to fight back the evil pumpkins and jerrycans.
I am only kidding. Taming that thing can be fun and satisfying in itself.

 

[bluekouki86]

I've got a 1944 Tula arsenal M44. It was my second rifle (after the .22) and I adore it. I would never sell it. Any old m44 will do just fine, but I tend to seek out the more collectable variants. The Tula M44 is arguably the rarest, then the 1943 dated guns. Honestly look into the M38 as well. The weight saved from not having a bayonet is significant. Also make sure it isn't counter bored, that usually destroys any value and some accuracy.

 

[morcey2]

Also make sure it isn't counter bored, that usually destroys any value and some accuracy.

I've got 2 counterbored carbines, an M44 and an M38. They're no less accurate than any of my other mosins. If the crown or muzzle-end rifling were damaged, counterboring is the standard way of repairing it for the Soviets and Finns. Many of them come that way from refurbishment.

As for picking an M44, keep looking for one of the refurbs that are showing up at AIM and other places. They are usually very good, if somewhat violent, shooters. I've got 3 M44s and an M38. If you handload, you can do reduced loads for them with Trail Boss, Red Dot, or H4895 and reduce the significant recoil. And if you have a chance, shoot some full-power loads at twilight. The muzzle flash is awesome!

Matt