Price Check: Russian Mosin M44

[KBintheSLC]

Howdy folks,

Just wondering what the going rate is for an M44 or 91/30 in your neck of the woods. I have seen them for as low as $79 online in the past, but I am not sure what the current $$$ standard is.

I found one at the local gunshop yesterday for $115... good condition, but the serial #'s don't all match. It appears to be unissued (covered in storage grease), but it also appears to have a new/refurbished "magazine". That is the part that confuses me... if the gun is unissued, how could it need to be refurbished? I am assuming that the gun was in fact issued, but was redone by someone and is in "serviceable" condition.

The stock is in very good shape, the barrel appears to be in very good condition as well. Does the price seem too high for this gun?

Another consideration is that if I order one online for $79, I have to pay about $15 for shipping and $30 for FFL transfer. Ends up being about $130 with tax.

Maybe I should wait till the next gun show. ?

Advice from the Mosin folks is appreciated.

 

[offthepaper]

Prices are getting higher due to the 'O" factor, but $115 doesn't seem extreme. I've bought mor the a dozen MN's. Never paid more than $100 for any of them, but I bought long before the "O" factor was involved. I will say though, that you should be able to find a all matching #'s M44 for around the same price.
Look for a small square box with a slash through it on the buttstock. It is the Russian rebuild mark. Most MN'S have one. I'm fairly sure that the M44 was NOT unissued.

 

[rmuzz]

I bought one in the Minneapolis area recently. Prices for 91/30s ranged from 99-149. Saw one carbine, asking price was 150. This included local sporting goods stores, the gun/pawn store, and the gun show that came through a couple weeks back.

I thought about getting one off the net... but yeah after shipping and transfers, like you said its about the same. You get to get a good look at one if you buy it in the shop, doesn't sound outrageously priced.... but you always hear about people picking them up cheaper than that. /shrug.

 

[doubs43]

Many of the MN's that are being sold today have been arsenal refurbished to return them to a condition as close to new as is possible. A replacement mag isn't unusual. There may also be a stamp of a box with a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner somewhere on the rifle to indicate it's been refurbished.

My guess is that you're looking at a refurbished rifle that was then covered in preservative grease for long term storage.

 

[saturno_v]

Both M44 and 91/30 still in the $79-99 range at big box sporting goods stores around Seattle.

I always have the temptation to pick up another 91/30... but I already own 3...it's enough!!!

 

[j_charles]

I bought my 91/30 for $69.95 last fall before the election (not a panic buy though). Since then I've seen a slight increase in prices around my area. I haven't seen a 91/30 under $99 and M44s average $120 or so.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Thanks for the info folks. I can't help but to want one of these rifles... but I am torn between leaving it stock and preserving its historical value, and turning it into a tactical Frankengun.

I really want to build one with a scout-mounted low-power scope on there.

I might pick up the one described in the OP... but I am not going to hurry. I would really like to get one with matching SN's. Maybe I will get 2 of them... one to modify, and one to keep original.

 

[Ignition Override]

KB:
It is always personal choice, but converting into a KB will cause problems selling it one day, if you fall for an LE Jungle Carbine or Mauser etc and want to trade+cash, but I could easily be wrong.

So many people want a basic rifle which looks military, with parts which at least look original and historical.

Do more than a few Gander Mts still sell the 44?
Already have two, but a store not too far from here no longer carries them. Maybe the importers sold all of theirs off to retail stores recently.