Tips for buying Mosin M38

[steveOsteezy]

I am meeting with a seller this evening to checkout his M38. Just wondering what I should keep an eye for while inspecting before purchase. My understanding is that mosins have different stamps on the receiver can add or reduce value. Hoping there are some mosin experts that can tell me what to look for on a 1944 m38. Seller stated that it has been counter-bored

[cwilliams]

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM38.htm

That should give you a pretty good idea what to look for.

Let me say though, if you are wanting this for a shooter and not a collectors piece, make the overall condition, bore quality, and functionality your top priority.

[steveOsteezy]

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM38.htm

That should give you a pretty good idea what to look for.

Let me say though, if you are wanting this for a shooter and not a collectors piece, make the overall condition, bore quality, and functionality your top priority.

I appreciate the link! Tons of information there. Im looking for a good shooter that can double as a back-up hunting rifle.

[cwilliams]

Then for sure the markings should have less of a value to you, not that it isn't fun knowing what you are buying. I would buy it and enjoy whatever you learn. That's half the fun with the Mosin's!

[mosinnagantm9130]

Generally, Tula M38s are worth much more than Izhevsk M38s.

[kcheung2]

Being counterbored lowers the collector value, however from a functional perspective it restores a worn barrel to near-original accuracy.

Collector preferences go in cycles, and counterboring is one of those things that may eventually swing the other way & people not care so much. The boring was done in Russian arsenals & they knew what they were doing, so it's not really a bubba job, rather it's a part of the gun's military history.

Kinda like how russian-captured mausers were once looked down upon, but now they're considered perfectly collectible.

[G-Man WC]

I would try and do a range meet so you can fire it before purchase, if you've not fired the shorter barreled MN to make sure you like it.
If you reload it's a plus with the shorter barrel to tailor loads for your needs.
I don't like to fire milsup through my m38/m44's.
Good luck and let us know if you pick it up.
-g

[steveOsteezy]

I ended up buying the M38. The rifling was in good shape and the stock was very nice. Unoriginal magazine floorplate and counter-bore were the only downsides but I'm looking forward to having some fun with it.

Took a crappy photo and put it in jail for 10 days sucks that I couldn't cash and carry it. Only got to walk home with a box of PPU 150gr sp and 370 rounds of surplus.
Had just gotten my 7.62x54 reloading dies in and decided to mess around with them. Pulled the bullets on some milsurp and loaded .310 123gr vmax on top of the old powder charge. Should keep the recoil down a bit but will still be a fireball Also have plenty of Lee155gr bullets to load once I figure out a good powder to use.

[Enfield47]

IMR 4064 is a good all around powder but it doesn't meter great. BL-C(2) meters great and should do well with that bullet. I haven't reloaded for my 7.62 x 54R yet, but I have my brass and .311 bullets that I share with my Enfield's.

[Beetle Bailey]

Congrats! I've had good luck using Varget with 150 grain bullets and IMR 4350 with 174 grain bullets. And just for fun I used H335 and 150 grain bullets out of my Type 53 (also has 20" barrel) to make large muzzle flash.

[steveOsteezy]

Congrats! I've had good luck using Varget with 150 grain bullets and IMR 4350 with 174 grain bullets. And just for fun I used H335 and 150 grain bullets out of my Type 53 (also has 20" barrel) to make large muzzle flash.

Phillips Wholesale had a decent supply of 4350 and Varget in their last shipment. IMR 4064 might take some time to track down but I will try it out if I find any. Varget sounds like it would be best option for me since I need to load some 75gr BTHP .223 and have heard those are a good combo. Only plan on loading up to 155gr projectiles in my Mosin.

H355 is all that I have for now

[Bobby Ricigliano]

You will enjoy the M38. It is significantly lighter than an M44 without the bayonet assembly, so you basically have a compact, quick handling bolt gun that fires a beast of a round. I like the add on recoil pads because it increases the LOP and also makes the weapon more pleasant to fire. Follow standard cleaning procedures with the surplus ammo so you don't sewer pipe your barrel.

[DennisCA]

I would try and do a range meet so you can fire it before purchase, if you've not fired the shorter barreled MN to make sure you like it.
If you reload it's a plus with the shorter barrel to tailor loads for your needs.
I don't like to fire milsup through my m38/m44's.
Good luck and let us know if you pick it up.
-g

G-Man: Just curious, you said "I don't like to fire milsup through my m38/m44's."

I have a Polish M4 and fired nothing but surplus ammo - had no issues

Being that said - I do need to start reloading (again - did it once before/had to sell my equipment off to pay some debts)

[NOTABIKER]

Surplus mosin ammo holds up pretty well in comparison tests i have seen.I am sure custom hand loads are better but just going into a gun store and paying a buck a bullet for new production mosin ammo PPU etc do not expect to shoot better groups.

[steveOsteezy]

Surplus mosin ammo holds up pretty well in comparison tests i have seen.I am sure custom hand loads are better but just going into a gun store and paying a buck a bullet for new production mosin ammo PPU etc do not expect to shoot better groups.

I've seen PPU 150gr sp going for under $15 a box. Not too bad for range-safe ammo and you get some good brass out of it. I have about 50pcs saved up that I need to start loading.