Mosin PU

[45acpguy]

Question for you guys, I'm choosing between two PU sniper rifles. Both are 1944 Issy's however, one has regular postwar stock and the other a rather beautiful condition laminate. I was really hoping for an original "war time" stock, but no luck there. Anyhow, what are your opinions? Is there any more disiribility for the PU with laminate stock over a regular postwar?

[mosinnagantm9130]

If they are actually original snipers, grab the laminate and run away with it.

If they're repro/fake it doesn't really matter.

[45acpguy]

If they are actually original snipers, grab the laminate and run away with it.

If they're repro/fake it doesn't really matter.

They definitely check out. Both are still wrapped in the wax paper inside a generic looking box labeled "hunting rifle" and I'm fairly certain both are Tulsky imports and were purchased through Classic Firearms. The one in the laminate stock has the old scope serial number crossed out on the side of the receiver with the replacement scope serial number along with the rifle/receiver serial number elctro-penciled on the scope mount. The remaining parts (butt stock plate, mag, etc.) are all matching number parts with no force matching. He's asking a $100 more for the laminate which is basically why I'm asking...

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I probably couldn't tell the difference between a repro and an original, but I am glad I got a real one the last time AIM had them for $550 including shipping. They seem to have gone up since then, and AIM seems to have the credibility that if sold as a PU, then it is a PU.

The condition of ones they sold seemed to vary, but I was delighted to get one that was all matching (scope and base EP'd) with a great stock. No flaky shellack and lots of unrefurb looking cartouches.

I haven't even shot it because I need to read up on proper zeroing and I want to use good ammo rather than cheap surplus at least at first.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Do you have any pics? Laminate snipers are pretty uncommon.

[45acpguy]

I will take a few pics prior to jailing the thing and toss em up on here for you guys to check out...

[45acpguy]

Do you have any pics? Laminate snipers are pretty uncommon.

are there any tell tale signs that a laminate stock is not original (installed by the arsenal during refurbishment) to the rifle? I assume if someone wanted, all they'd have to do is take a laminate from another rifler, make a cut and wham-bam... you got a laminate PU.

[81turbota]

All Russian stocks with pressed sling escutcheons are post war. Laminate stocks are all post war. The correct stock for a 1944 would be a wartime stock with a half liner in front, no liner or half liner in the rear. If you have a 1944 with a laminate or pressed sling escutcheon stock, it is an arsenal replacement.

I'd grab the PU with the laminate stock - very appealing and seldom seen.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

are there any tell tale signs that a laminate stock is not original (installed by the arsenal during refurbishment) to the rifle? I assume if someone wanted, all they'd have to do is take a laminate from another rifler, make a cut and wham-bam... you got a laminate PU.

I have read on other boards that the dead giveaway is a sloppy cut for the scope mount. You would see the edges of the cut overlap at the corner. A real one will have a clean cut around the base like the stock was built for that purpose.

[81turbota]

BR- yes and no. That is pretty much the only way of checking, but some factory cuts are quite sloppy. Some right out of RGUNS or AIM crates look like a drunk chiseled it with his pocketknife.

[45acpguy]

I have read on other boards that the dead giveaway is a sloppy cut for the scope mount. You would see the edges of the cut overlap at the corner. A real one will have a clean cut around the base like the stock was built for that purpose.

I've read that myself. Although, I have purchased a PU through Classic Firearms before and the stock that came equipped on my rifle was not that straight of a cut. It had some splintering in the corners of the cuts, and the long horizontal cut for the base of the mount wasn't completely straight either. It had a slight dip towards the center of the cut (it looked to be done on a Friday at 4:30pm). However, I do not doubt the integrity of classic firearms. My understanding and reviews of this company have all been nothing short of positive!

The laminate stock I'm looking at now looks like it was cut with a freaking laser! Perfectly blocked corners. The wood exposed from the cut is obviously lighter than the rest of the stock, but I'm pretty sure it's not a mocked up PU stock. And I have doubts that someone would go to such great lengths as to re-slather in cosmoline, re-wrap in the wax paper and box it all back up just to try and make an extra $50-75 at most.

[45acpguy]

BR- yes and no. That is pretty much the only way of checking, but some factory cuts are quite sloppy. Some right out of RGUNS or AIM crates look like a drunk chiseled it with his pocketknife.

That's how I was describing my first PU from classic in the post above this... Also, I honestly do not recall seeing any proof/cartouche markings on the laminate stock either, but I'll double check that when I see it agin this weekend.

[quadmx301]

I haven't even shot it because I need to read up on proper zeroing and I want to use good ammo rather than cheap surplus at least at first.

Bobby I've got a few boxes of Yugo Surplus 182 ball, if you'd like to trade me for some 8mm ammo?

[mj1]

I'm not an expert on anything so you should look at the Vic Thomas collection to see some fantastic original laminated PU rifles. Also read his notes on sorting out real from repro PU's. This is a very had question without detailed pictures. Like sorting strawberries over the phone.

Good Luck

[Flyin Brian]

All Russian stocks with pressed sling escutcheons are post war. Laminate stocks are all post war. The correct stock for a 1944 would be a wartime stock with a half liner in front, no liner or half liner in the rear. If you have a 1944 with a laminate or pressed sling escutcheon stock, it is an arsenal replacement.

I'd grab the PU with the laminate stock - very appealing and seldom seen.

I'm confused by your statement that "All Russian stocks with pressed sling escutcheons are post war". According to this page on 7.62X54r.net, they are describing pressed in slots as "Soviet, Late to Post WWII":

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinFeatures06.htm

There is also another page there on 7.62X54r.net detailing some research on stocks that they have encountered over the years: http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinStocks.htm.
These three sentences from the "Summary of Conclusions" section toward the bottom of the page are what I find interesting:

4. Laminated M91/30 stock production was post WWII.
5. Screwed SSEs were not used after 1943.
6. Pressed SSEs were not used before 1943.

It appears their conclusion is that the pressed slot protector appeared "after 1943" which I would assume to mean late war included.

In addition, item 4 would make me curious as to how a laminate PU with a WWII date could be in it's original stock?

I am more interested and familiar with Finn stuff, so I have no clue who is correct or if the info on Ted's site is outdated, but someone must be mistaken as these conclusions are in opposition to some of the statements on this thread.

FB