Mosin-Nagant M44 question

[00Buck]

I purchased 2 mosin-nagants about 20 years ago from a local gun store that is now long gone. I bought a 91/30 long barrel with detachable bayonet and a carbine length rifle that had no bayonet. Both were caked in cosmoline but cleaned up nicely and look unused.

Over the last couple years I have taken both of them out to shoot as 54R ammo seemed to be readily replaceable when no other rifle ammo was available at Rural King.

I prefer the weight and carry ability of the carbine but had to add a limb saver slip on kick pad as it kicks like a mule but shoots extremely well, as good or better than the 91/30 when I do my part.

I tried to do a little research and discovered that the carbine versions were called M38 and M44. The M44 had a folding bayonet like my type 56 SKS and M38 had no bayonet. I think the model year was the reason for the naming of the rifles. The one I have is marked 1944 on the receiver but has no bayonet like an M38. It doesn’t even a mark where one would have been.

Surely there are others that appreciate these old cheap surplus firearms. If so has anyone came across one like this or is it a cut down commercial 91/30 and not an M44?

 

[Mongo59]

I am no expert but it looks like a M38 that was made in 1944 (Russian)

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I am no expert but it looks like a M38 that was made in 1944 (Russian)

Yep, this...

 

[00Buck]

Thanks for the info. For some reason I was wrapped around the model number being the year of manufacture.

 

[firefighterjohn]

I am no expert but it looks like a M38 that was made in 1944 (Russian)

From what I remember in other discussions and from Mosin experts at gun shows, the M44 is more commonly found than the M38. I've definitely seen a lot more M44s than M38s at shows or LGS. I think you have a really nice one there...and would hang on to it!

 

[BrettonJudy7]

I am no expert but it looks like a M38 that was made in 1944 (Russian)

Bingo.

I have a Polish M44 with the folding bayonet, and trust me when I say, you would notice if it were machined off.

 

[BrettonJudy7]

Bingo.

I have a Polish M44 with the folding bayonet, and trust me when I say, you would notice if it were machined off.

My M44 is a 1956 by the way.

 

[JettaKnight]

Thanks for the info. For some reason I was wrapped around the model number being the year of manufacture.

in general, it would be the year they started production.. But not on Jan 1.

 

[TheJoker]

The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum - M38

russian-mosin-nagant-forum.com

 

[Denny347]

You have an M38 in a M44 stock, you can see the slight cutout in the stock to accommodate the tip of the bayonet. It pretty common to see that., especially after they were refurbished.
I have an M44 where someone had removed the bayonet assembly. It's an un-refurbished, non-imported example. You will see the step in the barrel.

 

[00Buck]

I have had them for many years just never was too interested in finding out more about the carbine one until recently.

Denny347: Good eye, I also noticed the cut out for what would be a bayonet mid way down the stock and 1944 on receiver so I just figured it was an M44 that had bayonet removed. Now that it’s been ID as a M38 that would explain the reason there is no mark on the barrel where the bayonet would have been.

Thanks again for all the information!

 

[Mongo59]

Bingo.

I have a Polish M44 with the folding bayonet, and trust me when I say, you would notice if it were machined off.

I bet your Polish has the number '11' in an oval on top of the receiver...

 

[JettaKnight]

I bet your Polish has the number '11' in an oval on top of the receiver...

Don't all Polish M44's?

 

[ancjr]

M38/44 firing in low light is fun.

 

[Mongo59]

Don't all Polish M44's?

Yep, just call me Nostradumbass...

 

[firefighterjohn]

M38/44 firing in low light is fun.

You're exactly right...a very illuminating huge fireball!

 

[knutty]

Nice rifle

1944 dated M38 rifles are a little uncommon as Izhevsk had shifted mostly to production of M44 carbines by that point.

 

[Bluedragon]

Mosins are great fun and I really miss owning one to take to the range. I also wanted to mention a nice alternative to the limbsaver, is a AIM Sports recoil pad. You can find them cheap on ebay with included stripper clips. The pad just screws onto the back of the buttstock over the factory metal plate. Cheers

 

[2in1evtime]

My m38's were more accurate than the 44's i had kept the 38's and sold traded the 44's. No idea as to why the accuracy difference they just were more accurate and one is even counterbored!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

My m38's were more accurate than the 44's i had kept the 38's and sold traded the 44's. No idea as to why the accuracy difference they just were more accurate and one is even counterbored!

Did you shoot the 44's with the bayonet extended? I've heard that they were better that way because of barrel harmonics or something.