Looking for an M39

[monsternav]

I want to buy myself a Finn M-39. Any advice for me? I am looking for 250-ish price range.

Thinking about here: Guns 'n Ammo

I have also found this at gun broker:
M-39

Thanks.
Craig

 

[embee]

I just posted this myself recently.. gunsnammo is the best place that I've been able to find.

Here's my old thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=129738

 

[Cosmoline]

You should be able to get one on gunbroker or elsewhere, but check THIS out:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=29990052

An old "lotta" rifle, the kind that used to go for under $200, is currently bid at $530!! I'd say the word on these Finns is getting around. Get yours now. The M-39's are still cheap, but one look at the production numbers and you realize just how rare all the Finnish Mosins really are compared with the Ruskies.

 

[Tony Williams]

For a moment there I thought you were trying to get hold of a 20mm M39 revolver cannon as fitted to 1950s USAF fighters

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and discussion
forum

 

[GD]

Finns

I have been collecting Finns for about 5 years. The M91/24 is one that I have not been able to find for a reasonable price. Someday!
I have 5 M39's. For the most part they all shoot the same no matter what arsenal - generally 2" groups or better at 100 yards. The rarer models would be the SKy, B-barrel, Sneak and Tikka marked ones. There are other variations (straight stock, Postulataitos marked, etc) that collectors strive to get. The most common are the Sako and VKT marked ones. Yes, the Finns are gaining in popularity and the price growth is phenomenal. Rifles that I paid under $100 for 5 years ago such as the M28/30 are now selling for over $400.
If you get a chance to get an earlier Finn such as a M27 or a M28 for under $200, you won't regret getting them. Pretty much all Finns shoot great. A lot of sellers don't know the difference between a Finn and a Soviet rifle and so let these things go for great prices.
My advice would be to go for the Finn in the best condition and not worry about the arsenal.

 

[monsternav]

Thanks for the responses!

I think I am going to get one from WG&A.

I can even tell the wife before-hand (Birthday), instead of the usual "It was just way in the back of the safe", that never works anyway.

Craig

 

[monsternav]

Well here she is. I ordered Friday afternoon, it got here today (Shipped Monday). $14.00 shipping. NY to MD. I order from AIM and it costs $20+ and takes 4 or 5 days. How does WG&A do that?

 

[ocabj]

What barrel did you end up getting?

 

[monsternav]

A "B" barrel, 1942. This was listed as a 19 (70 or 67) unissued rifle. The receiver is stamped with a "W" only. Does anyone know if this receiver was made in Finland, vice being a re-worked capture? There was no arsenal listed in his description (Tula, Ishevsk).

 

[ocabj]

Finns never made their own receivers. All M39s are built on Russian receivers.

Tons of info here: http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/default.asp

 

[monsternav]

OK. The bolt appears to be Ishevsk (Bow and Arrow on the bolt body). I think the receiver will require more research.

 

[homeka45]

Love those M-39s, I have three antiques, shipping to hawaii though is $50.00 per.

 

[Cosmoline]

All M39s are built on Russian receivers.

I actually had one built on a French receiver, and I believe they used some American receivers as well.

 

[ocabj]

France made Mosin Nagants?

 

[cookiemonster]

France and America....

Mine has a Remington stamp on her. I just found that out a few weeks ago.

I am very happy that I got it...only paid 140 for it and yep, I am bragging about that one.


and the deal about the 2" at 100 is right on...and thats with Wolf ammo...I am going to start feeding it Winchester/Sellier and Bellot (both the same) and reload for it...the Finn chambers, I have been told, are technically a 7.62x53R and use a true .308 dia bullet...but most of the factory x54R ammo I have checked mic's out at 309-310...nothing I have found goes over it...not to say it isn't out there...

And lastly that Czech heavy ball ammo had some really sticky extraction when I shot it...dunno if it was just my rifle or the ammo being for MG's...

Anyway...get one and enjoy the history behind it...read about the Winter War and Simo Haya...

Darrell

 

[Cosmoline]

France made Mosin Nagants?

Yes, during the first few years of productions the Mosins were made at the French arms factory in Chatellerault

http://www.mosinnagant.net/USSR/mosinfrench.asp

In spite of France's WWII reputation as a weak nation, during the period in question (the 1890's) France had led the world in small arms development, producing the excellent Chassepot, Gras and (for its time) Lebel. When the first Mosins were made, the vaunted Mauser was still going through its infancy. The French had developed smokeless powder before anyone else, and were for a time ahead of the world in chambering rifles for it. The fact that a Chatellerault receiver found its way into a 1970 "sneak" Mosin-Nagant is a real testimonial to the quality of the workmanship.

 

[monsternav]

I can't find any reference as yet to the markings on the receiver on mine. Anybody have a clue? Looks like a "W" or maybe a "VI".

 

[lwaldron]

Likely New England Westinghouse

Your receiver is likely one of the New England Westinghouse models made during WWI for the Russian Empire. It could have come from a Russian rifle the Finns captured, or it could have been sold straight to Finland after Russia folded.
Check out this website www.7.62x54r.net.

 

[GD]

M39

I have seen letter markings like your W on Bulgarian M91's. Perhaps yours was a Bulgarian issue that ended up with the Finns. I believe the Finns bought some of their rifles for the receivers after WW1. You've got a really nice looking B-barrel.
BTW, the French and American M91's were made for the Russians. However, quite a few American M91's were never shipped to the Russians. They reniged on their contract. We also used them when we helped the Whites during the Russian revolution. I've noticed quite a few American receivers among Finnish rifles. Perhaps many of these were issued to Russians near the Finnish border and were captured by the FInns.

 

[monsternav]

GD:

I have not as yet taken the rifle apart. That is the action out of the stock. It was really clean when I got it, just a little sticky. Are there any more markings anywhere else I should look for that you know of? I did not see a lot of info on Bulgarians on the links posted.

 

[embee]

Well, I got one

Not clean yet but I had to show it off.