M44 Bayonet bluing loss and repair.

[CleptoVapor]

I took my Mosin out this weekend for the first time and shot about 25 rounds through it. This somehow caused the first inch of bluing on the bayonet to be blasted off which seems a bit odd. I was shooting surplus corrosive ammo but that still seems to be excessive for the round count. Is there any good way to repair the bluing to match the rest of the bayonet? Any input on why it was blasted off so easily would also be appreciated.

 

[troy fairweather]

Try some cold blue, but it will do the same again.

 

[mcb]

I will have to look at mine if I can find it. I took it off a few years ago. I can definitely see the muzzle blast impinging on the bayonet if you fired it open.

It is likely that then end of bayonet was locally heat treated to make it hard so it would hold and sharp edge/point while leaving the rest of the bayonet softer so that with hard use it would bend rather than break. Depending on the exact finish this differential heat treatment might be the cause of the bluing coming off the point easier. Personally I would leave it that way, but I am not a very serious collector.

 

[CleptoVapor]

I will have to look at mine if I can find it. I took it off a few years ago. I can definitely see the muzzle blast impinging on the bayonet if you fired it open.

It is likely that then end of bayonet was locally heat treated to make it hard so it would hold and sharp edge/point while leaving the rest of the bayonet softer so that with hard use it would bend rather than break. Depending on the exact finish this differential heat treatment might be the cause of the bluing coming off the point easier. Personally I would leave it that way, but I am not a very serious collector.

I should have worded this better its actually at the widest point right after the muzzle and where the milling started to give it the cruciform shape. Not the tip where it has been shapped and hardened. There is actually no wear on the rifle or bayonet besides this one specific spot which is why it is so odd to me. Ill have to add some pictures to this post when i get back.

 

[4v50 Gary]

You're not fighting the Hitlerites (the Soviets didn't like calling them Nazis because it rasies the issue of socialist brothers fighting socialist brothers). Is your bayonet extended while you're shooting? If so, that's the problem.

The metal is not heated to critical when you're shooting, so I wouldn't worry about the hardness being affected.

 

[CleptoVapor]

You're not fighting the Hitlerites (the Soviets didn't like calling them Nazis because it rasies the issue of socialist brothers fighting socialist brothers). Is your bayonet extended while you're shooting? If so, that's the problem.

It was for a couple of rounds to see how it would affect grouping and such, figured it wouldn't be an issue but obviously was wrong there. Still think its odd that a couple of shots took it down to bare metal when the 91/30s were designed to be shot with the bayonet attached so you would think the other models would be made to withstand the same.

 

[mcb]

I should have worded this better its actually at the widest point right after the muzzle and where the milling started to give it the cruciform shape. Not the tip where it has been shapped and hardened. There is actually no wear on the rifle or bayonet besides this one specific spot which is why it is so odd to me. Ill have to add some pictures to this post when i get back.

It sounds like the wear is happening where the lock slides over the base of the bayonet. Not sure there is much you can do about it. Even if you refinish it a few time of opening and closing it, is going to wear the finish again.

It the wear on your similar to this?

 

[Rule3]

Well it depends on what school of thought you belong to, The great debate of bayonet extended or not. Depends on how the rifle was sighted in.

Spay it with Brownells Aluma Hyde or some High temp engine,caliper paint.

 

[CleptoVapor]

It sounds like the wear is happening where the lock slides over the base of the bayonet. Not sure there is much you can do about it. Even if you refinish it a few time of opening and closing it, is going to wear the finish again.

It the wear on your similar to this?

View attachment 1009750

There is no wear from the collar at all its worn on the actual spine ahead of the collar. its concentrated in the area i circled below. ill post actual wear later today View media item 3943

 

[CleptoVapor]

Well it depends on what school of thought you belong to, The great debate of bayonet extended or not. Depends on how the rifle was sighted in.

Spay it with Brownells Aluma Hyde or some High temp engine,caliper paint.

Based on my groupings its definitely been sighted in with the bayonet extended. Gotta work double-time to get that bayonet in good shape if this wear is normal

 

[Scooter22]

Remove all the blueing. Then you wont have to worry about touching it up. Problem solved.

 

[wiscoaster]

Is your bayonet extended while you're shooting? If so, that's the problem.

No, it's supposed to be extended while shooting. That's how its sights are zeroed. Of course you can shoot it any way you want, but the sights will be off. The bayonet position affects the barrel harmonics.