M38 Score when not looking today

[fiddler]

Was passing by one of the gun stores today checking out ammo prices and on the shelf at Milarm was a nice little shooter grade M38 for 275. Didn't need another one, but the price was right and I got to handle it a bit before I purchased.

Its a 1941 Izzy with laminate M44 stock, has a few little rust spots along one side of the barrel, butt plate and a few other minor spots. Haven't cleaned or slugged the barrel yet, but did find some interesting writing under the front handguard. Its not Russian, but sure looks familiar and peculiar at the same time.

 

[cainesy]

That's an interesting specimen. Care to tell us about the marks?

 

[fiddler]

That's an interesting specimen. Care to tell us about the marks?

Don't know about the markings? though odd to be written in English on a Russian rifle. I'm sure someone knows.

 

[aaron v]

Those are import marks. My trade-ex one has the same markings

 

[cainesy]

Any chance she came from down south? Don't the Americans stamp their imports with such things?

 

[gewehr76]

Recently imported M38s all have these markings. Its one of those that Tradeex imported. Molot company marking surpluss rifles as hunting rifles in order to be able to export them abroad. Its good that they are under handguard, less visible and easily scrubbed.

 

[supernova]

I grabbed a '39 Izzy 91/30 from a local shop last week with the same import markings. I was there to grab a wind meter but noticed the $150 price tag...

 

[boss351cleveland]

Yep my new tradex m38 had these Russian export markings too, theres a small laser marking on the bolt too. The recent Mosin snipers have them also, now its Russian law i guess . Removed them pretty easy , cant even tell they were there .

 

[cainesy]

Would these marks have anything to do with the bull$$it the UN wants people to do? Just curious?

 

[fiddler]

The rifle itself was in really good shape until it suffered from some poor storage conditions. The bore is a bit frosty but no big deal for a shooter. It didn't come with cleaning kit stuff or strap but I have lots of spares already. From looking at the muzzle crown, extractor, and strong rifling, it looks like its hardly been shot.

Like I said, I didn't really need another M38 but now I won't feel so bad if my safe queen M38 from Westrifle sits in the safe while I have a shooter to bang up.

 

[Caleb314]

Any chance she came from down south? Don't the Americans stamp their imports with such things?

It's more of an export mark saying hey this isn't a military rifles it a, ummm "hunting carbine" yes that's it a " hunting carbine" because as you know Russian law doesn't allow us to sell military firearms to civilians.

 

[fiddler]

It's more of an export mark saying hey this isn't a military rifles it a, ummm "hunting carbine" yes that's it a " hunting carbine" because as you know Russian law doesn't allow us to sell military firearms to civilians.

Of course its a hunting rifle, silly you. It just so happens it was built near the end of the war, in Russia

 

[Assassin-Actual]

Mine has the exact same thing! But it doesnt matter because I cant close the bolt with a round in the chamber!

 

[davemccarthy707]

Mine has the exact same thing! But it doesnt matter because I cant close the bolt with a round in the chamber!

How far does it go? Almost like a couple mm from being all the way down? or not even close?

 

[jongun]

Good score Fiddler.

AA are you using reloads? Oddly enough brass fired in my M44 won't chamber in my other rifles even after FL resizing and trimming. Originally wanted to keep fire formed brass separate for all my bolt guns and now looks like I actually have to.

 

[Strato50]

Well done!! My M38 has the same import markings as well.

 

[fiddler]

Mine has the exact same thing! But it doesnt matter because I cant close the bolt with a round in the chamber!

2 things to try Buddy. Take a brass .410 brush on the end of a cordless drill and give a good 30 second spin inside the chamber to clean it out good. Also, take a small flashlight and have a good look into the receiver where the bolt lugs turn and lock into place prior to the chamber. Mosins are common for having crud build up in these places and won't fully take a round or let the bolt close.

 

[gewehr76]

Mine has the exact same thing! But it doesnt matter because I cant close the bolt with a round in the chamber!

Look inside the chamber for broken shell. May be a top part of the cartridge shell is still lodged there?

 

[desporterizer]

Mine has the exact same thing! But it doesnt matter because I cant close the bolt with a round in the chamber!

Try different ammo. A couple of recent batches have had rims a touch too thick.

 

[SA85M1]

Nice little rifle they are,...gonna have to grab another I suppose...