Custom M44 Help!

[metalhead357]

Most attempts at sporterizing a Mosin seem to be done by Bubba working in his garage with nothing more than a hammer, a pair of pliers, and a hacksaw. Not too many are done well, so seeing yours is a pleasant surprise to those of us who've seen so many done badly. I'm not sure I've ever seen one rebarreled, that barrel you put on yours looks nice! If you don't mind sharing, how much did the barrel work set you back?

John

ABSOLUTELY AMEN!

:leapers? "Marginal" at best from all my reads from owners. Great "Starter" scope though. If she works...go with it...if not get a Wally world Nikkon for what? $140... and you will NEVER regret that decision.

[DARKWOLF]

Thank you for your input NEO, but you gave alot of answers to questions that were not asked! But not to worry, as I said in my first post I am getting used to people taking a dump on this project! My intent was not to form this rifle into some kind of hyper accurate wonder gun, and I am not claiming it will be! But I dont think anyone will deny that this is a unique rifle!

I am still open to anyones comments,info or ideas! lets just try to stay on target!
thank you all for your input so far!

[Stuka]

I love what you have done with it. Its rare to see a nicely done mosin. Now what you need to do is get a custom made thumbhole stock for it out of a nice looking wood

[ETD1010]

I think it's awesome.. I love the 7.62 x 54R as a caliber, and I think you made an M44 look bad*****. . . My m44 is one of my favorites I have.. probably because I only paid $60 for it, the bbl is horribly pitted, it's banged up to crap, but I can still hit an 8 inch plate at 200 yds, iron sights....

[madmattj]

DarkWolf,
I bought an M44 from Big 5 also. I liked the price, the powerful, inexpensive, and readily available round and as a "fixer upper" project I could work on with my nephew. I've done most of that (trim the stock, re blue, add an adjustable trigger etc) and I like what I've done. It shoots well though not as well as your custom barrel I am sure. I don't care what distance I shoot to , 100 or 800 yards, I like to put the bullet in as tight a group as possible. Sounds like your barrel will do that. Good choice.
I plan to use it to hunt and don't want a show piece but a rifle that will always, under adverse conditions, perform.
Again for the investment and the enjoyment (my nephew has learned more about forearms than I ever did at his age) it has returned in spades .
If only I could find a thumb hole stock ....

[Tweak338]

Plus, unless you are reloading the 7.62x54r you won't really find anything outside of surplus and Wolf and neither of which are known for their great accuracy.

You forgot S&B makes x54R as well.
in the 180gr FMJ & 174gr MHPBT variety

Im looking forward to a range Report..

[DARKWOLF]

I am working on several different custom handloads to try out at the range when I finally decide what scope I would like to use! I am looking forward to hearing anyones ideas !

[magsnubby]

Mosin-Nagant's are great rifles. The 7.62x54 is a great cartridge. I have an M44 i kind of sporterized. I removed the bayonet, replaced the stock with an Advanced Technology's synthetic stock. It's my beat around/jeep/fun gun.

There's lots of forums for mil surps out there. here's some of my favorite sites:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/links.asp

http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums.yuku.com/bparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforums

http://www.mosinnagant.net/about.asp

http://surplusrifleforum.com/

[Bolt2Bounce]

So did you keep the barrel .311 dia or did you go with a 308 dia? $675 just for a barrel.... ouch that is pricy...did that including the gunsmithing labor of threading,chambering and head spacing it or was that the cost of the tube alone... I got a 6mm223 barrel and that ran me $340 which I thought that was a steep price to pay.... So as far as your scope take that leepers POS off your expensive russian bolt/sniper rifle and get a IOR with the nato M9 retical... or if you want a quality scope at a lower price get a IOR M2 scope they are very good scopes for the Money... its a shame to have a accurate rifle ruined by a dirt cheap P.R.R.C. scope that may let you down at the worst possible time. As far as optics go...Don't buy cheap optics! if you do your throwing your money away... send your money to me, if you have extra I'll buy some quality hardware with it....... P.s, Your barrel looks good..... I load 46 Gr 4895 w 174 gr SMK in a Graff 762X54R case...as my match ammo load....B2B

[DARKWOLF]

I went with .308 dia barrel. the labor was only like 110 bucks!
What is an IOR scope? why do you recommend I use that one??

Also I am glad to see so many other mosin owners posting!

[mike100]

The Mosin is real clunky comapred to a mauser action, but I liked my m44 the first time I shot it. I have a pair of unissued postwar m44's with a 1946 build date that have a better than war time fit and finish.

I understand why you spent the money you did and I understand that you really can't even try to justify the expense with other 'surp or commercial actions out there that would be easier to make custom.

here's mine..which is bubba compared to your project, but the wood came out nice for an ironsighted handi-carbine. I have since removed and turned down the bayo lug on a spare part, but this pic was taken before I finished that part. The action is bedded, but it shoots no different than it did stock. the screws stay tight now, at least.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/mschrameck/gun%20stuff/milsurps/m44bubba_ed2.jpg

[madmattj]

Just took some pics of my Mosin stock. I cut down the grip to fit my hand more comfortably. Thinned it out quite a bit. Feels much better than original.Easy project as the wood is soft.
1) Unmodified rifle stock


2) modified and original stock

[DARKWOLF]

Your re-finish job on the stock looks great! It really brings out the nice grains in the wood!
I can see the difference in the grip area were you shaved off the wood. Nice job!

[hybridatsun350]

I'd be worried about the wrist of the stock breaking or cracking. They made them thick through the wrist for a reason. It looks great, but I guess we'll have to see!