Nice M-38 found

[Cosmoline]

I've owned about seven M-38 Mosin-Nagant carbines over the years, and found all of them wanting. Most were counter-bore jobs that shot way high and in a basketball-size group. But I've been keeping my eye out for a good one, and at last I found it. It's an Aztec import, which isn't a surprise as they seem to do a good job picking the best quality Mosins. There's no counterbore, and while the crown is somewhat worn the rifling is sharp down the bore. Accuracy is impressive for a Mosin carbine, and even more amazingly the little beasty doesn't shoot high! I got a solid three inch group at fifty yards, and I wasn't even rested. It should be perfect for bear and moose in the dense forests around the Susitna where I live. I can't wait to try it out.

If you see an M-38 with a good bore and the Aztec mark, I'd suggest grabbing it.

 

[Ouizel]

Hey Cosmo, I just bought an Inter-Ordnance M44, and I'm curious as to what counter-bore means. Can ya tell me?

 

[BamBam-31]

Sometimes, the muzzle of a rifle gets damaged (by careless cleaning with a rod, for instance) and renders the rifle inaccurate. The cheap fix for this is to basically drill out the rifling at the muzzle end (counter-bore) so that the rest of the barrel can still be used. Welcome to THR, BTW.

 

[Ouizel]

Thanks for the welcome, and the explanation, Bambam.

One other quick question. How does one tell if the bore that he's looking down has been counter-bored? Is it just that the rifling is missing near the muzzle?

 

[longrifleman]

How does one tell if the bore that he's looking down has been counter-bored?

The usual method it to place a bullet point first down the bore. It shouldn't go much past the curve before stopping. If it goes to the rim you've got a problem.

I bought a M-44 from J & G a couple of weeks ago that has been counterbored but I haven't had a chance to do more than blast off a couple rounds after cleaning it up. I bought it mostly just because so accuracy isn't a big deal. Although, it was advertised as very good condition so I was a little miffed.The exterior finish is as advertised.

Some counterbores are fairly accurate. Many are more in the smooth bore musket category.

 

[P95Carry]

My M-38 has not been counter bored but has by look of it been recrowned ... and very well I'd say, considering it is just a re-arsenalled piece and so probably done in a more ''basic'' fashion. Bore is excellent and for approx $59 out the door at an early last year's gun show, is a treasure. I have no pic on hand of muzzle but will post same if I get to taking a pic.

 

[Cosmoline]

The sense I get with the M-38 and M-44 carbines is the Russians regarded them as purely backup frearms for the rear guard. I know the M-44 was supposed to replace the 91-30, but even the unissued Polish models I've seen have been far inferior in accuracy to the old long rifles. I suspect by the 1950's the Russians had decided that a semiauto or automatic would replace the Mosins as front line firearms, so it really didn't matter at that point whether the carbines could shoot straight.

One thing's for sure, they all seem to have gotten a lot more use than most rear guard firearms. Esp. the M-38's.

 

[P95Carry]

Cosmo - in case of interest - this is muzzle of mine ... not a perfect job but quite acceptable. For a ''mere carbine'' - this is a very useful and compact fire breather!

 

[Cosmoline]

That is a nice job.

I've always wondered why the Finns never adopted a carbine variation. They experimented with some, but never pursued them as the Russians did. I'm going to set about "SAing" my M-38 with some copper shims, and I'll see how much that improves accuracy. As it is the stock/receiver fit is sloppy, with the typical rosewood (?) bearing surface being pitted and too soft for my liking. Some shims between the receiver and the wood at the bolt locations, plus if possible some metal sheaths to negate and back-and-forth movement of the bolts inside the stock, should do wonders.