Restored M44

[Voodoochile]

Wife Becky & I have had this 1944 Izhevsk M44 for about 8 years & even though I've got all the cosmoline out & had her shooting really good, I never gave it much thought till recently to really clean her up & get her back to her once proud glory.

All I can tell you is that in one time of her life she was issued & then rearsenaled, what conflicts (if any) & when is beyond me but I can say by doing research on http://www.7.62x54r.net/ that she most likely did not see any action in WWII but again don't quote me, she does have a counter bored crown.

What have we done?
Cleaned the cosmoline which was obvious.
Adjusted the front sight to compensate for the folded bayonet "twice, don't ask."
Stripped & refinished the stock & hand guard.

Before, taken about 4 years ago.

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After last night.

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At 100 yards she will shoot 3" groups easily with 147gr. Russian light ball & a little better with Barnaul 174gr. Brown Bear & our 180gr. reloads.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Very nice work. What did you finish it with?

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

Pretty!

How does it shoot?

Josh

 

[Voodoochile]

Used Minwax Gunstock stain & Birchwood Casey's Tru Oil as the sealer.

Joshua; she's averaging about 3" groups benched at 100 yards with the Russian light ball & can do better with the heavier Brown Bear & hand loads.
off hand it opens up a bit.

 

[rogerjames]

Looks good. I didn't strip my Mosin but I cleaned it up with mineral spirits, and then applied some Tru Oil. Good stuff. I kinda like it rough and original, but maybe one day I'll get bored and strip it and make her look pretty. Here's a pick of my 91/30, m44, and M1 Garand

 

[bannockburn]

Good job! Looks very nice after the clean-up and reconditioning.

 

[tark]

Those refinished stocks look really good. Got some new ideas!

Nice Garand rogerjames. Like that Winchester butt plate, they can be rather hard to find

 

[RG7X]

This makes me slightly regret selling my M-44. Beautiful job.