Mossin Nagant M-44 For First Rifle...Crazy?

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Yes, the Mosin is a great place to start. Now, somoene mentioned trying to find one local so you can inspect it. Problem is, if you are new you don't know what to look for!

I'd also add that maybe an SKS would be another excellent starting option. I think mosins are going to be around at a relatively stable price for a few more years, while SKSs seem to be climbing more rapidly in price
 
A Mosin would be a great place to start, but get a 91/30 (the long one) first, then a M44. The M44's are neat...really more of a novelty, but the 91/30's are practical. Recoil is less as is the muzzle flash.

35W
 
Hurry

They used to be cheap, in DFW yesterday, at a place named B&S Guns, the M44's were priced at $250, Albanian LB was $10 for 20.
Anyway, get one quick.
 
Crappy trigger?
I disagree! The trigger on my m44 breaks beautifully and lightly, which is much more than i can say for my m91/30.
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Yeah, my trigger is really very nice...As nice, in fact, as my dad's Remington 722, anyway. Only my trigger is in a 1942 Tula 91/30...
 
I've found that recoil isn't all that intense if you use the light ball. Then again I like recoil
 
Chris In VA suggested not getting the carbine, and I agree. The rifle is (marginally) softer kicking, but it has much less muzzle blast. It's also going to be more accurate (practical accuracy) with the longer sight radius.

The 91/30 rifle is actually MORE accurate, mainly due to better sights, than the M98K Mauser. The highest-scoring sniper of all time, a Finn named Timo something-or-other, racked up his score with a 91/30.

I have a nice old (c1925) converted dragoon with a hex receiver that I dearly love.
 
Go ahead and get one. As Bob Barker would say, "The price is right." Just don't use an M-44 to spay or neuter your pets.
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I think euthanize might be a better word for what the m-44 would do to your pet.
 
The best piece of advice I can pass along is to pick the one with the sharpest rifling, cuz that's where the biggest impact will come from.
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Best advice in this thread. Buying one is almost like going to a house of the ill repute looking for a wife...you want to make sure you don't get one that’s been worn out. When I went looking for my first Mosin (yes I have more than one) that was my biggest concern & believe me there are a lot of them that have been shot-the-hell-out. Simple test: have one of the store clerks to try put an unfired bullet down the end of the barrel. If its a tight fit you've got a pretty decent barrel but if it falls through easily like throwing a hotdog down a hallway, then that ones been worn out.

As for the kick, yes it does, but then again any larger caliber rifle, that’s not a black powder rifle, is going to have a decent recoil. One of mine is the M44 with an Advanced Technology Monte Carlo stock & it doesn't kick muck worse than my 91/30 with the wooden stock. Hell I have a lever action Winchester 30-30 that'll knock you down & throw rocks at you. Then again I am a bit bigger than most at a little over 6'2" & 230lbs so I don't worry too much about recoil.
 
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My first rifle was a Mosin M38 and I've got no complaints. I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't own 8 or more, but I get the feeling it's coming (my specific "to buy" list is nearly empty).
 
why not?

it goes bang, and if you cant hit the black at 100, move ot 50.... then 25... then 10... and if still not, fix your bayonet and lunge at the sucker.

here's my only admonition (I have 19 mosins)... the first time out to the range, set the target at 15 yards. then move progressively further away every 15 rounds.
 
personally i like the m-44 but another option to consider is the sks. any variant. some say some are better than others i personally LOVE the yugo. heavy but i consider it conditioning to shoot from the standing position. but definitly get the .22 makes a great pal for any other gun to stay with. plus the range time(and ammo) can be almost no cost with a .22.
 
Just to chime in. Whichever Mosin you get, whenever you take it to the range take your .22 along as well.

Pay close attention to whether or not you're developing a flinch with the Mosin. (It's hard not to at first) When/if you notice a flinch, put down the Mosin, and pick up the .22. Shoot the .22 until you can rid yourself of the flinch.

This comes from much personal experience, and many others have reported the same tendencies.
Have fun,
RT
 
I have a 44 and I believe the recoil factor is over rated. It does not kick as bad as my 12 gauge does. Firmly planted against your shoulder and it is not bad at all.

No offense intended but butt pads are for wussies :)
 
There is one in every thread.

No offense intended, but remarks like that are for pricks.:)


For a first time buyer, or anyone starting with a m44, why have the chance to be skillful at marksmanship be negated or ruined by a high power round coupled with a stock which lacks any ergonomics.
 
Great gun, the carbines are the best

The M-44 is a great gun that is very accurate. I packs a little more punch than a .30-06. I like the bayonet on it. I find it is much more accurate with the bayonet extended than with it folded to the side.

The M-38 is also a great gun. It's actually exactly the same as the M-44 except it has not bayonet or associated parts to accomodate a bayonet.

I love both these carbines and think they are a great deal.

I have one of the full length M91/30s as well. I don't shoot it much. I don't like the extra weight and that long ass barrel. It's not as accurate as the carbines either.

If you pay more than $90 for any of these guns in very good condition, you are getting ripped off. They are cheap, well made but crudely finished guns that shoot excellent.

Go for it. Their so cheap you should buy all three. The ammo is very cheap too if you look around. Most of the surplus ammo is lacquer coated and corrosive primer. I tumble the ammo to clean it and use the old windex down the barrel at the range after shooting to get rid of the corrosive salt from the ammo.

Good luck with what ever you buy. Let's have a range report after you get one of these guns and put a couple hundred rounds down range.

Molon Labe,
Joe
:D
 
Recoil pads

I just noticed the remark a few posts up about recoil pads being for wussies. I agree with the person that replied to that.

While I love big guns and the kick from a big gun gives me a charge, I have learned over the years to overcome the flinch most folks develop from shooting big bore and / or high power firearms.

I seldom use a recoil pad unless I am shooting my dads .458 Lott. But I believe that a young fellow starting out with his first high power rifle or anyone else for that matter that is of shall we say possibly small or medium stature should indeed try the gun once or twice without the recoil pad first.

If you notice a flinch develop or are having troubles with accuracy and a sore shoulder after only firing 10 rounds or so, then by all means get a good recoil pad and use it. The idea is to shoot what you like and enjoy doing it. Not to be Mr. Badass and show everyone you are not a Wussy.

I personally think anyone that makes fun of other shooters because of the equipment they use is the biggest Wussy of all.

Buy your gun, try it out and buy whatever you need to make shooting the gun enjoyable to you. That's what it's all about.

If you run into a loud mouth at the range calling you a Wussy about your equipment, talk to the Range Officer about it. Most good ranges hire good, R.O.s that are well trained, well experienced and usually either active or retired law enforcement so they know how to deal with loud mouths and range bullies.

Whatever you do, don't get into a heated argument or a fight with another shooter on the range. If it doesn't cost you both your life, it will cost you your membership on the range. They donot tolerate any bullcrap and they will have you removed permanently if you get involved in a scuffle even if you are right. I've seen it happen more than once.

Molon Labe,
Joe
:scrutiny:
 
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