It's an M44, but it's a bit rare...

[Capybara]

My 1953 Circle 02 M44. They were only made three years during the start of the cold war, 1953 through 1955. Great shooter, love the fireballs. Metal is immaculate, but stock is beat up. I bought it in a Russian Bubba'd stock that had been sanded and varnished and then a friend gave me this 02 stamped Hungarian stock so I was able to match the Hungarian metal with a proper Hungarian stock.

 

[entropy]

The Hungarian stocks are beech. Nice looking Hun!

 

[Picher]

My 1953 Circle 02 M44. They were only made three years during the start of the cold war, 1953 through 1955. Great shooter, love the fireballs. Metal is immaculate, but stock is beat up. I bought it in a Russian Bubba'd stock that had been sanded and varnished and then a friend gave me this 02 stamped Hungarian stock so I was able to match the Hungarian metal with a proper Hungarian stock.

View attachment 1149871

I can't bring myself to own or use a rifle whose bayonet is pointing back toward ME!

 

[entropy]

So swing it out and shoot. That's how they were sighted in at the Armory anyway.

 

[Capybara]

I've shot it both ways. Doesn't matter much, Minute of Mosin is Minute of Mosin! The only one I've owned that was significantly more accurate was my 1968 No Maker M39.

 

[Capybara]

I can't bring myself to own or use a rifle whose bayonet is pointing back toward ME!

So no SKS for you either?