The mosin nagant m44. (7.62x54r)
The m44 mosin nagant is the short(er) barrel version of the
mosin sometimes inaccurately called the carbine, it wears the same style stock,
but has a hinged folding bayonet mounted on the right side of the gun. It also
shoots huge fire balls as not all of the slower burning powder is burned before
the bullet leaves the barrel. Shooting this gun at night is a very fun
experience, but one I would avoid at all costs during an actual fire fight.
I had enough fun to buy a second one after I sold the first,
and the $100 asking price at a gun show was too good to pass on. This one had a
short barrel and a fold up bayonet. I refinished this one the same way and only
shot it a few times maybe 50 rounds. Aside from the fire balls and a slight
weight difference the 91/30 and the m44 feel exactly the same to shoot, in hind
sight I would have only bought the m44 as, of the two it is a much handier gun.
This rifle is like a Chevy corvar, it looks cool on display, and it is fun to
play with, but it isn’t all that nice, or that fast or even that fun, and you
would never need two. I only had this one a month or so, but I would buy
another if I found a good price.
THE GOOD:
The m44 is a better overall
package than the 91/30.
I like the hinged bayonet a lot better than the removable
one, though both are vary antiquated.
THE BAD:
Mosin’s kick hard and the steel but plate doesn’t help.
Stripper clips break your thumbnail when you do it wrong.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
For some reason I didn’t have as much fun refinishing the second
one, so I have not done much more stock refinish work.
Shooting a m44 at
night is something that you need on your bucket list, big fire ball and good
laughs.