Hi all, I just picked up a 1941 russian M38 for a KILLER deal, after seeing some prices I almost feel bad about how little I paid! It is in excellent shape. The guy I bought it from inherited it from a family member and he doesn't have much interest in guns. He told me he has never shot it, I don't know how much the previous owner shot it but the bore looks very nice. I am curious if there is any collector value? If so, I'll try to refrain from shooting it, but if not, it'll be a fun toy. The magazine floorplate (terminology ?) is forcematched, but all other numbers match. unfortunately, the stock is an m44, like most refurb m38's. Any other info you need to be able to tell me if I have a shooter or a collector? From what I understand, if it's not in the original m38 stock, it's really nothing special, but I want to confirm that before I take it out for a day at the range. Thanks for any help
Value question on M38 mosin
- Thread starter levsmith
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Big7
Member
Most are force-matched.
Just like all Russian mil-surp.
I have my late Father's and three that I bought.
(total, 4, 3 are 91/30's and one carbine.
They are wicked on the business end.
One of mine has the lathe marks on it.
They were cooking them off faster than Carter's Liver Pills
at the end of the war.
Last time I bought one was about 10 years ago.
$200.00 all day long.
Just like all Russian mil-surp.
I have my late Father's and three that I bought.
(total, 4, 3 are 91/30's and one carbine.
They are wicked on the business end.
One of mine has the lathe marks on it.
They were cooking them off faster than Carter's Liver Pills
at the end of the war.
Last time I bought one was about 10 years ago.
$200.00 all day long.
Panzerschwein
member
In good condition they are worth about $400 these days, the prices have really gone up. Heck even 91/30s are worth $250.
The M38s are a riot. Big blast, noise, fun. I have about 4000 rounds of surplus light ball I bought years ago for $0.14 a round.
The value on these has gone up but they'll never be rare guns. They make excellent truck or brush guns and second line defensive rifles.
The M38s are a riot. Big blast, noise, fun. I have about 4000 rounds of surplus light ball I bought years ago for $0.14 a round.
The value on these has gone up but they'll never be rare guns. They make excellent truck or brush guns and second line defensive rifles.
GunnyUSMC
Member
As long as you take care of your rifle, you can shoot it without hurting the value. You are right that a M38 in a M38 stock is worth more, but not that much. How much? The answer is what ever the buyer is willing to pay. The M38 may not be rare, but try to find one for sale today.
I have two M38s both in M38 stocks. I paid $125 and $135 for them, but that was when you could find them everywhere.
I have two M38s both in M38 stocks. I paid $125 and $135 for them, but that was when you could find them everywhere.
My barrel looks like a fine thread on the outside its so bad. But shoots great.
mokin
Member
I'll bet you love each and every one of 'em in their own special way....
somethingbenign
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I have an offer from a guy to buy both his m91 and a much shorter one, can't remember exactly what model. He owes me a couple favors so he is willing to sell for what he paid from 8 years ago. Guess I better get the metaphorical lead out before he realizes how much they have gone up in value.
P5 Guy
Member
That increases the surface area and improves cooling the barrel during rapid firing.
FROGO207
Member
I waiting for gunny to weigh in. Still jealous of his Mosin closet! I have a couple different versions and a bubba'd one with hex receiver from 1939. Mine are all good shooters with reasonably bright bores but they do show some prior peasant abuse.
GunnyUSMC
Member
I did tread one if the 91/59s to a friend for a New Zealand marked Savage No4 Mk1.
eastbank
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I bought this 1948 M-44 still in the packing grease and have not fired it(killer price 125.00). I don,t know if it,s rearsenaled or not, it looks unfired. I shoot a Chinese 53 that's in very nice condtion with a ex bore and as a reloader I load it down to 30-30 volicities, its quite nice to shoot compared to regular russian ball ammo.
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GunnyUSMC
Member
You have a winner!! 1948 is a very late production and very sought after by Mosin Collectors looking to round out their collection.
Thank you all for your insight. Sounds like it's nothing special and as long as I take care of it, the value should stay. I think I'll take it out shooting sometime soon. I've got a 91/30 already and have a blast with it, I can't wait to try this one! Oh, and I picked up the M38 for $100! Sounds like I did good. I knew it had to be worth at least that when I saw how much the 91/30's have gone up since I bought mine!
I trust you are aware of the probable corrosive nature of surplus ammo & know how to clean accordingly?
js8588
Member
I have an M91/38.
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM9138.htm
Czech rework of a 91/30. Mine is in a correct M38 stock (has a crossbolt but no m44 bayonet groove). Does have a repair on the right side.
1907 Izhevsk hex receiver. Still has cosmoline all over it. Rifling looks great.
Toying with sending it off to get nitrided and putting it in a Boyd's stock. Sacrilege, I know but I'll never sell it and it would make a fun woods gun.
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM9138.htm
Czech rework of a 91/30. Mine is in a correct M38 stock (has a crossbolt but no m44 bayonet groove). Does have a repair on the right side.
1907 Izhevsk hex receiver. Still has cosmoline all over it. Rifling looks great.
Toying with sending it off to get nitrided and putting it in a Boyd's stock. Sacrilege, I know but I'll never sell it and it would make a fun woods gun.
My complaint with all of the M-Ns is the awkward safety.
entropy
Member
It's only awkward the first 1000 times you use it. (Do this with an unloaded gun, and follow the Four Rules, both when empty and loaded) After that, it's muscle memory.
js8588, you are cruel!
js8588, you are cruel!
Panzerschwein
member
Says the guys with at least 15 of them for himself, that's why they're drying up, they've all been snatched!
GunnyUSMC
Member
I can't have all of them. in that pic there is only three 91/59's, two M38's, nine m44's and two Type 53's. There must be a few more out there.Says the guys with at least 15 of them for himself, that's why they're drying up, they've all been snatched!
eastbank
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I,m going to go look at a russian 44 made in 1947 all matching on Saturday. they are like a pussy cat if you reload for them, at 30-30 loaded levels they can be shot all day with out bruises , detached retians or turned deaf. and as a added bonus cleaning is a breeze, when using non corrosive primers.
kBob
Member
I have to admit that the bayonet on the m44 makes it less convenient as a truck gun. Made me wish IDA bought the first polish 59 I saw after I had my gift of a M44 (some girls know what to buy a guy!) The bayonet seems to always be in the way.
I know it will sicken some of you but I was this close (see Maxwell Smart) to sawing off the bayonet mount on more than one occasion and making a "Model 38 and three quarters" out of my 44.
Perhaps you guys can answer a question for me......can a M38 or M59 accept a regular old Mosin 91/30 bayonet?
The 38s are so much handier than the 91/30s that I have often wondered why the Soviets did not set 38s up as sniper rifles.
Reloading to .30-30 levels sound like a terrific idea.
Anyone had any led bullet experience (plain base or GC?) in the carbines down under 14 hundred?
-kBob
I know it will sicken some of you but I was this close (see Maxwell Smart) to sawing off the bayonet mount on more than one occasion and making a "Model 38 and three quarters" out of my 44.
Perhaps you guys can answer a question for me......can a M38 or M59 accept a regular old Mosin 91/30 bayonet?
The 38s are so much handier than the 91/30s that I have often wondered why the Soviets did not set 38s up as sniper rifles.
Reloading to .30-30 levels sound like a terrific idea.
Anyone had any led bullet experience (plain base or GC?) in the carbines down under 14 hundred?
-kBob
GunnyUSMC
Member
Soviet doctrine was to have the bayonet mounted at all times. The M38 was created as a weapon for rear troops without a bayonet. But they found that when the rear troops were over ran they had no bayonet for hand to hand fighting. The M44 was field tested in 1943. They made the bayonet folding so that it would always be on the weapon.
If you wish to remove the bayonet without hurting the value of your M44. Just remove the two pins that hold the sight base to the barrel. Buy a extra sight base and remove the ears that hold the bayonet.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1393&idcategory=17
If you wish to remove the bayonet without hurting the value of your M44. Just remove the two pins that hold the sight base to the barrel. Buy a extra sight base and remove the ears that hold the bayonet.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1393&idcategory=17
entropy
Member
No.
I just loaded AK bullets to about 1800 fps. Nice light round. The Czech 46 gr. training round is ideal for introducing people to the Mosin. No recoil, though loud!
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