M48=M44

[golfish]

Hey guys, I've been looking for a mosin carbine for a while. The price on them just seems crazy high to me.

I went and checked out a few M48 at Big 5 last weekend. These guns are built like tanks, the bores look new (to me) the stocks are nice, their just a nice stout gun.

So what do I need to look for with these?

A nice stock, no cracks.
Nice bore, rifling.
Matching numbers.

How about the markings? I've read about M48, M48A, M48BO. As far as a good shooter does any of this matter?

I just think the M48 is a much better gun then any of the mosin carbines at the 300.00 price.

What say you?

~fish

[Crocketus]

Yes, it is a much better rifle. You want one that says M48 if you can, A, BO etc are all later versions with various cost cutting techniques, the original is all milled and yes built like a tank. Look for one with a decent stock and nice metal. You're going to have to take it apart and remove all the cosmoline and until then you really won't know if there is damage such as cracks internally.

[golfish]

You want one that says M48 if you can, A, BO etc are all later versions with various cost cutting techniques, the original is all milled and yes built like a tank. .

Thanks, I'll spend time looking.

I have a Mosin from Turners, the cosmoline wasn't too bad on it and the samples I saw of the M48 were not bad either.

Thank you

[Freedom_shooter]

M48=M44

I just picked up a nice non import marked M48 for $210 from a fellow calgunner. They are, in every way, built solid as a K98 or similar. Truly superb rifles and underrated in my opinion.

[DennisCA]

Yugo 24/47 & M48 are fine guns, as freedom said: "They are, in every way, built solid as a K98 or similar". I have myself a Yugo24/47 and really love it.

BTW - What type of M44 are you looking for?

The type 53 the Chinese-version isn't bad.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I wouldn't be able to pick an M44 or an M48 or vice versa because I love both platforms.

With that said, the Yugo M48 is an excellent rifle and I highly recommend them. At $300 or less they are a tremendous value. Although both are a handful, the M48 will be less punishing than an M44 with surplus ammo.

It is true that the M48 is all milled while the M48A and BO will have a combination of milled and stamped parts. This is not an issue because all are well made and you are unlikely to ever wear out or break any of them.

Some hotter 8mm surplus ammo will cause sticky bolt syndrome in the Mauser, so experiment with different loads to see what yours likes.

The sights on the M48 are less than ideal and the rifle will shoot high at 100 yards. Peep sights or scope mounts that don't require D&T are an option as well.

The Yugo 24/47 mentioned above is a great alternative, although they are less commion than M48's.

You may also consider the Czech VZ-24. They are often priced well under the $300 mark in decent condition. Czech Mausers are in my opinion of a higher build quality than any Yugo.

[emcon5]

A M44 will be harder to find, and currently may cost a little more, but will be cheaper to shoot because surplus 7.62X54 is generally still available. 8MM Mauser surplus can still be found, but not as easily and generally a little more expensive.

They are really different rifles, the M44 was getting cranked out because they were needed at the front, and the M48s were post war, where they had more time for details, like fit and finish.

I would take a M48 over a 24/47, but that is just because I prefer a bent bolt. They are both excellent rifles.

If you have you C&R/COE:
JG Sales and Samco both list 24/47s in stock
SOG and RGuns list M48s in stock.

But if you can go to Big 5 and take your pick, that would probably be worth it.

[DennisCA]

I agree with Bobby both the M48 and the M44 are both great platforms.

Of course the M44 and it's variants are best known for:


Scaring the crap out of the people next to me always gives me a bit of satisfaction.

[golfish]

Thanks guys

Bobby, its hard to believe those guns are 60+ years old. They look brand new.

[NOTABIKER]

You can still get a Chinese T 53 for under 250. I have owned all the Russian M 44s and a Romanian. Except for collecting the T 53 is just as good a rifle.

[BrokerB]

i have very good condition m44 for sale $250

Personally I like to shoot a lot and like less expensive and abundant ammo...54r and x39e

[golfish]

I wasn't able to get SOG to ship a M48 to my FFL. After some reading I didn't feel like doing business with them. Not very California friendly.

This will give me some time, maybe get one of those brand new examples from Bobby

On a good note I bought my first pistol in almost 27 years, a 1911 GI model. MY son tells me once a week when I'm doing research that he wants a 1911. Too bad son, your only 13 ha ha ha

[emcon5]

Or go back to Big 5, do your own hand select on their inventory.

[Crocketus]

I wasn't able to get SOG to ship a M48 to my FFL. After some reading I didn't feel like doing business with them. Not very California friendly.

This will give me some time, maybe get one of those brand new examples from Bobby

On a good note I bought my first pistol in almost 27 years, a 1911 GI model. MY son tells me once a week when I'm doing research that he wants a 1911. Too bad son, your only 13 ha ha ha

go to big 5's as emcon stated, every big 5 seems to have a few of them in stock. My local one here in La Mirada had 5 last I checked. Getting them to bring them out can be a pain but insist on seeing every one they have and DO NOT SETTLE. If you see a crack in the stock, heavy wear of the metal, rust etc don't be afraid to walk away and find a better example at a big 5 down the road.

[land locked]

M48 mausers are a great buy. Gotta look around, but excellent condition ones are out there. Picked up a like new at my local Big 5 last month.