Mosin M38 advice

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bender

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ok, another Mosin thread here.... this makes 3 Mosin threads at the top of Rifle Country !

I'm going shopping for an M38 next weekend. Some local stores have some for $149 to $169. Was wondering about any advice as of what to look for. I've been collecting milsurps for 20+ years, so I know the basics of examining milsurps. I'm not a Mosin expert however.

My questions are basically related to "collectability", ie markings and whatnot. What is good, and what is not good? What importers have better items? Any other advice as to what to look for?

Thanks!
 
never been to that place, thanks! you're right, there is tons of info there.

I printed out some info to take with me on the 91/38, M38, and Finnish M39...
 
I guess you can buy an m38 if you never want to shoot it and be satisfied.
Tula aresenal is better than ishvesk, low numbers, look for matches and
stuff. the usual.
if you want to shoot a shortie buy an m44, the bore will be better.
 
I shoot all my collectible stuff. I plan to shoot the M38, but I don't know how much, since I don't have the 7.62 x 54 reloading dies. Also, I have read that the caliber and a short rifle and a metal buttplate makes for a sore shoulder...

Do any importers have better items than other importers?

I don't like the bayonet on the M44, but I will look at the M44 if any stores have some...
 
Better importers?
Not that I know of, the best thing to do, I've found is just head out to a gun show near by, and grab one that looks good to you, inspect headspace, bore, finish and operation. headspace is a must. with internet orders you may get a rifle that looks good, but shoots steel and brass into your eyes.
I don't really like the m44 bayonet either. Do you have an m91/30?
those are the most accurate and you can find pretty nice ones. The shorter ones are really fun for making noise and putting scout scopes on. Sometimes the m44 sights are way off.
7.62x54r surplus is very very cheap, and doesn't rust if you clean with hot water first. Reloading is generally more expensive but worth it for more accurate loads.
 
If I were you, the main thing I'd look for in an M38 is a price tag that's a lot lower than 150-170 bucks. That, and a bore that's shiny with crisp rifling.
 
I can't find anything at the low prices I read about here on THR. Gun shows I go to (and I go to a lot of shows), and gun shops that stock milsurps, are all considerably higher than the prices I read here on THR.

Maybe south/central Texas isn't the best place to find bargains.
 
Look for a Big 5 Sporting Goods, they have locations around Texas. Last week they were sell M44s for $79 :)
 
I wouldn't pay more than $100 for one, the likelyhood of one one being a decent shooter is nil.

A 91/59 carbine would make a more intersting rifle for a collector standpoint, and might be a decent shooter.
 
maybe I should "set my sights on" (snicker snicker) a Finnish M39?

I'd like to throw a scope on a M38 or 39 or whatever (a no-gunsmithing mount), for fun shooting at the range. I only buy the no-gunsmithing mounts, because I don't change or modify my milsurps in any permanent way.
 
Check for the correct stock. Many M38's were put into M44 stocks that have the groove for the bayonet. The correct M38 stock doesn't have the groove. Having the correct stock might increase the collector value a bit.

Also be on the lookout for M91/59's. These were 91/30's that were cut down to carbine length (by the arsenal, not "bubba"), and are not true M38's. The giveaway on these is that the rear sight is longer than the M38's and has the "unusable" longer range graduations ground off.

I imagine there are still some M38's around, but they haven't been imported in several years and are getting harder to find. I haven't seen one in about three years.
 
try to get one that looks bran new, unused, rearsenalled, or unfired, they should also have matching numbers on the bolt, the receiver bridge, bottom of the magwell, etc. Also , that is too much money, unless it is a laminate stock. a plain stock should go for 120 max, and don't forget to get the Od green dog collar sling, that goes with it, should be about another 20 bucks.
 
m44s don't really have a "groove" for the bayonette
Click to expand...

Yes, they do:

Correct M38 stock, no bayonet groove:
M38stock.jpg

M44 stock, with bayonet groove:
M44stock.jpg

M44 with bayonet folded into groove:
bolt1.jpg
 
I can't find anything at the low prices I read about here on THR.
Click to expand...

Get yourself a Type 03 Collector of Curios and Relics Federal Firearms License. It is "shall issue," costs $30 (valid for 3 years) and allows you to order qualifying firearms directly from the importer or wholesaler, shipped right to your door.

Southern Ohio Gun is currently selling M38's for $89.95/1, $84.95/2+. You can order directly from them and they will ship it right to your house, if you have a C&R license.

Read the C&R license primer.
 
Problem with the 91/38 and M44 I've heard is that if you shoot with the bayonet closed it does not shoot well. I don't know if thats true anyways I have a M38 bought at Big 5 for $80.00 I've shot 300 rds thru it and it will stay within a paper plate at 100yds from a bench. I enjoy shooting this rifle the only drawbacks people shooting with you look at you like you shot a canon off it is loud, then theres the flash "Big" and it kicks I need to put a recoil pad on it. Mines a rearsenal counter bored, not a collectable. I plan on getting a 91/38 and sporterize it. But like others have said check Big 5 sporting goods for a better price unless the ones your looking at are prime examples of the (Real) M38
 
are the Finnish M39s captured & re-arsenaled soviet M38s, or are they Finnish from the ground up...?
 
Finnish from the ground up... well, all Finn Mosins use Russian receivers (made in Russia, France, or the U. S. of A.)

Mine's got a Remington receiver and a 1944 dated VKT (Valmet) barrel. M39s will have Finnish made barrels - VKT, SAKO, or Tikka.
 
Maybe I'll be on the lookout for an M39 then, a WWII vintage one. Can they be gotten in nice shape, at a decent price?
 
Nice shape? Definitely.

Decent price? Depends on your definition.

I got a "brand new" one from these guys for $325. Nice enough for you?

http://www.empirearms.com/

If you're looking for a shooter you'll definitely be pleased with a Finn. They're widely regarded as the most accurant Mosin variants made. Mine has a fabulous, smooth, two-stage trigger pull that's lacking in the Russian rifles.
 
my favorite milsurp that I own so far is my swedish M41-B. It's super accurate and fun to shoot. So I guess I am partial to the Scandinavian countries... sweden, finland, and whatever the other one is...

Empire Arms has a lot of stuff, some is kind of expensive. How do you like dealing with them...?

$325 is not bad. Most of my milsurps were <300, but some were more.
 
If you do have a big 5 by you wait for the m38's to go on sale. Here's mine I got about 9 months ago from there for $89. It's counterbored but it shoots about inch and a half groups at 50 yards. Mark
picture023qb0.jpg


picture018cz7.jpg
 
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