Finally shot my Mosin M44...

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...and I have to say I have a profound respect for soldiers back in the day. I went to East Elgin today in -12 temps. I didn't realize the London/St. Thomas area got buried in snow during the week. So the range was full of snow, and the 85 metre range I went to had a lazy dumba$$ leave all his/her brass that I had to clean up before I can start. Anyway, enough of that. I brought 100 rounds with me and the first 60 or so rounds (at 25m) I noticed my shots were low. DUHHHHH....took a while to kick in for me to adjust my rear sights. The other 40 rounds I spent with the targets at 50m. I spent about half the time sitting down with a bench rest, the other half I spent shooting standing up. Either way, I'm surprised the Russkies ever managed to kill a German back in WWII with very poor iron sights. My next visit, I'm going to stretch my legs and go 100m, and then eventually do 300m at some point. Here is a pic of my 3rd and 4th targets. The 1st and 2nd were all low shots. The elevation seems good to me, but the windage could use some slight adjustment.

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Still debating whether I should upgrade the sights for some cheap chinese scopes (I don't need anything fancy just better eye relief than the iron sights) or leave it stock. But I'm definitely upgrading the recoil pad. After 100 rounds, my shoulder was a bit sore, but I still wanted to shoot though. My mosin and ammo were provided by Bullseye Sports in case you guys are wondering.

PS: Picked up my CZ Shadow on the way back home. So it was a good day today. :rockOn:
 
extend the bayonet, it will shoot to point of aim...sights where set with the bayonet extended on all russian rifles of that period...it changes the harmonics ...have fun, they're a hoot to shoot, and good on you for cleaning up after the slob!
 
extend the bayonet, it will shoot to point of aim...sights where set with the bayonet extended on all russian rifles of that period...it changes the harmonics

Absolutely correct.
PLEASE don't attach a scope to this classic. Send away for a sight adjustment tool (available online).

You are going to love the hell out of that CZ by the way - it's like cheating. My groups shrank dramatically.
 
Are you guys serious? I thought the bayonet thing was just a joke. I will give it a go next week saturday. I will also give the iron sights more time. I need to adjust to it rather adjusting the gun to me I guess. By the way drifter dave, my CZ has a very heavy DA trigger compared to what I remember when I was shopping last week. Thanks for the tips guys.
 
I am really confused as how you think that you would have issues killing a German with those types of groupings. Most old milsurps shoot about the same when fed the same quality of ammo (I assume older surplus ammo). If you shoot better quality ammo through it you will be surprised in the difference it will make (one time at the range my buddy had a 7.62x54r load that he had spent a while working on, and gave me 3rds to shoot out of my M38. Those three shots were within a inch and a half of each over, well all the other groupings with the older surplus were much more spread out). Also as suggested above try extending the bayonet as it makes a big difference. I personally find the iron sights to be not bad, and are definitely sufficient for combat purposes, remember you don't need pin point accuracy to kill someone, just shots in there general area.
 
Very cool. Decent results I'd say with that rifle. Mine are the same with my M44, but I get better results it seems with my M38. Now, pics of the rifle!!
 
Are you guys serious? I thought the bayonet thing was just a joke.
Nope! I tested both deployed and not deployed. Got some funny looks at at the range, but any excuse to have the bayo out! It is true that the Russians sighted them with the bayo out.

my CZ has a very heavy DA trigger compared to what I remember when I was shopping last week.
Yeah, but the single action on the Sp-01 Shadow is truly amazing. I guess IPSC guys use DA?
 
I shot my Polish M44 of the bench. 100 yds with iron sights. At my age (I am older than the rifle) I don't see open irons sights very well. This is my group with silver tip milsurp ammo. I was surprised and pleased.

IMG_0854.jpg
 
Ok... I'm newer to this so can someone explain to me in simple terms (You might be well suited to draw a picture with crayons) how shooting with the bayonet changes things? The barrel remains the same, the sights are unmoved. The only thing I can envision is a weight-ier front end pulling your groupings downwards?
 
Ok... I'm newer to this so can someone explain to me in simple terms (You might be well suited to draw a picture with crayons) how shooting with the bayonet changes things? The barrel remains the same, the sights are unmoved. The only thing I can envision is a weight-ier front end pulling your groupings downwards?
It is because of barrel harmonics. The barrel does not move and vibrate the same when the bayonet is fixed as when it is off. Therefore, there is a slight decrease in accuracy due to the barrel having more pressure on it, not letting it move where it wants. That is why free-floated barrels are more accurate, as they can vibrate and such without interference.
 
But I'm definitely upgrading the recoil pad. After 100 rounds, my shoulder was a bit sore, but I still wanted to shoot though. /QUOTE]

I highly recommend a limbsaver Airtech slip on recoil pad. I have 2 for shooting my Mosins, not only for recoil but also LOP. Totally worth every penny. I tried one of those ebay rubber ones that bolt on but it doesn't fit properly on any of my mosins!
 
Iron sights on WWII rifles...ha ha! Mike Venturino penned an article within the last year or two in which he makes mention of the sights found on the bolt guns of that conflict. Simply put, he humourously figured armies of the time didn't want to hurt each other, given how hard it was to use the sights. But, to get back to your rifle, it's quite the flame thrower with the right ammo. Enjoy.
 
The sights were good enough to hit targets at 300+ yards. What more could you ask? The main defining factor in how well you use irons is how much your life depends on a hit. Guys in ww2 actually bothered to learn how to use them and they where accurate enough.
 
I am really confused as how you think that you would have issues killing a German with those types of groupings. Most old milsurps shoot about the same when fed the same quality of ammo (I assume older surplus ammo). If you shoot better quality ammo through it you will be surprised in the difference it will make (one time at the range my buddy had a 7.62x54r load that he had spent a while working on, and gave me 3rds to shoot out of my M38. Those three shots were within a inch and a half of each over, well all the other groupings with the older surplus were much more spread out). Also as suggested above try extending the bayonet as it makes a big difference. I personally find the iron sights to be not bad, and are definitely sufficient for combat purposes, remember you don't need pin point accuracy to kill someone, just shots in there general area.

I'm 37 with poor eyes (nearsighted). I am trying to acquire the sights with both eyes open, and my non-dominate eye kept getting in the way. By the end of my range visit, I was getting more used to it, BUT lining up the sights was still difficult - especially when standing up. So, I'm trying to imagine myself being recruited by the Russian Army back in the day and receiving very minimal training and having to shoot down a moving target, in cold temps, under duress, at distance. Not to mention that the rifle kicks like a bull (not like a mule like everyone says...lol).
 
I bought a 91/30 and M44 sight pusher.
Was worth it to me - but a punch and hammer will work too.

What range do you shoot? If you're out my way you can use it.

Thanks for the offer, but no need really. I'm going to try with the bayo extended. Also, the groupings are very slight right at 50m. No biggie. My club is East Elgin by the way.
 
But I'm definitely upgrading the recoil pad. After 100 rounds, my shoulder was a bit sore, but I still wanted to shoot though. /QUOTE]

I highly recommend a limbsaver Airtech slip on recoil pad. I have 2 for shooting my Mosins, not only for recoil but also LOP. Totally worth every penny. I tried one of those ebay rubber ones that bolt on but it doesn't fit properly on any of my mosins!

I was going to buy one of those bolt on recoil pads, but I guess no point now. Thanks for the tip.
 
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