Two questions, one Mosin

[savasyn]

I recently received a Mosin M38. It appears to be in very good condition and possibly fresh from a rearsenal. Anyway, I have two questions about things I found today while stripping it down for its first big cleaning.

1) I used a no-go gauge to check the headspace and the bolt all but locked closed on it. Out of all my Mosins, I've never had one get that close to closing. Is this something I should be worried about? Is there anything I can do about it? I'd hate to have it rebarrled for a variety of reasons(cost, matching #s etc)

2) The front sight is drifted way off to the left. The weird part is that the centerline mark on the sight and base line up. I've included a picture below so you can see what I mean.

Is it possible that it was zeroed during the rearsenal and they determined that this was the proper setting or is it more likely that the centerline on the base is in the wrong spot and the installer just lined them up?

Is there an easy method of drifting these back and forth while at the range?

Thanks!!

[JimmyD]

2) The front sight is drifted way off to the left. The weird part is that the centerline mark on the sight and base line up. I've included a picture below so you can see what I mean.

Is it possible that it was zeroed during the rearsenal and they determined that this was the proper setting or is it more likely that the centerline on the base is in the wrong spot and the installer just lined them up?

Is there an easy method of drifting these back and forth while at the range?

Thanks!!

I don't know how to answer number 1 but number 2 is correct that it is zeroed. My M44 is the same way and I shot 2-moa with it at 100 yards. I'd post a picture but I think I'd be thread jacking

You'll need a tool to adjust the front sights. I think its called a brass punch?

[EastBayRidge]

I have a similar setup on the front site - shot about 2 feet high and a foot right @ 100 yds, with the rear sight set at 100 meters, using that 90's production Yugo ammo. Ugh. Gotta raise that front site and drift it.

[Fate]

If a Mosin's headspace is out of spec, changing the bolt head is the way to fix it. No need to rebarrel or mess with the chamber.

That said, get a FIELD gauge. That's the only gauge you need for milsurps. If the rifle passes that, it's safe. Mosins are battle rifles, designed to function in mud, sand and other seasons of hell. I'd wager it's fine as is. Headspace issues pop up in Mosins about 1:10,000

Shoot a few rounds and inspect each fired case for any irregularities. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

[TRAP55]

Shooting high and left is common with M44's, the arsenals sighted them in at 200 yards with the bayo extended. The bayo "does" affect the barrel harmonics, but the amount differs from rifle to rifle.
Use a brass punch to drift the front sight left in the dovetail, that'll cure the windage problem.

For shooting too high, you need a taller front sight post. The easiest fix is to use a piece of black shrink tubing. It comes in different colors too, if you want something different.
Slip a short piece over the post, apply a little heat, and it's attached. Use a razor blade to trim it down until the bullet hits the point of aim.
The hollow tube off a plastic Q-Tip will work too.

[Fate]

Use a brass punch to drift the front sight left in the dovetail, that'll cure the windage problem.

Yes, but looking at the pic of his front sight's witness mark, I'm not sure it's a "problem" that needs fixing. Looks like it's where it is supposed to be.

Best to leave it alone until he shoots it and discovers whether or not it actually IS sighted in.

For the front post height, a cut-down "coffee stirring stick" slipped over the post is another good option!

[TRAP55]

Best to leave it alone until he shoots it and discovers whether or not it actually IS sighted in.

Agreed.......Guess I was jumping the gun so to speak.
But, I have yet to see a M44 with zeroed windage, when the marks are lined up. I have one that did, but that was after floating the barrel. The best part about them, it's an easy gun to correct any sighting problems. Oh yeah.............and great fireballs!

[day]

FWIW I have a yugo sks 59/66 and the sight was just like yours way off to the side. The guy sighting it in must have been in 50mph wind because it did shoot way off to the side. After I took it to the range and adjusted it now is almost in the center. I know my rifle is not a m-44 but take it out and shoot it. It maybe ok or you may need to adjust it. Mine was marked with a line just like yours, now its a 1/8 inch away from the mark but more centered.

[EastBayRidge]

"The guy sighting it in must have been in 50mph wind because it did shoot way off to the side."

More like three sheets to that 50 mph wind, knowing some of the Combloc factory "coffee" break practices...