m44 russian $195 at collector source
- Thread starter themouser
- Start date
For those interested, they are listed again on their site. Trying for a 1945 this time
Dang, was hoping my first would arrive before deciding if I was going to go for a second.
I emailed CS and was told that they "didn't know what country the supplier got them from or their history".
I'd also like to know. It seems every pic that has been posted of these M44's has a dull bolt compared to the M38's from TradeEx or refurb Mosins that had shiny ones...
As of 3pm, they are no longer on the site. Either sold out or trying to get ahead of new orders.
Last edited:
My first was like those already posted. Great metal with a stock that was rode hard and put away wet.
I haven't seen a better bore - nearly perfect considering its 60+ years. Measures 7.68 (0.3024) bore and chamber and 7.67 GO (0.3020). Slugs 0.3128". Bright with a few small groove pits.
Bolt doesn't match. Floor plate is double force matched (two previous serial numbers struck out). Butt plate matches. As several have commented, the bolt and action are well worn but it seems to have been fired infrequently.
Stock has lots dings and dents and a seemingly pointless sanded area. These are all the result of "honest" work. The damage I hate is the stuff that was caused by carelessness in handling shipping from Russia or through the mail - only one small gouge on my example. It was shipped from Collectors well packaged.
Not much shellac to strip - took about 15 minutes with methyl hydrate and fine steel wool. It's at the beauty parlour now getting a makeover
I haven't seen a better bore - nearly perfect considering its 60+ years. Measures 7.68 (0.3024) bore and chamber and 7.67 GO (0.3020). Slugs 0.3128". Bright with a few small groove pits.
Bolt doesn't match. Floor plate is double force matched (two previous serial numbers struck out). Butt plate matches. As several have commented, the bolt and action are well worn but it seems to have been fired infrequently.
Stock has lots dings and dents and a seemingly pointless sanded area. These are all the result of "honest" work. The damage I hate is the stuff that was caused by carelessness in handling shipping from Russia or through the mail - only one small gouge on my example. It was shipped from Collectors well packaged.
Not much shellac to strip - took about 15 minutes with methyl hydrate and fine steel wool. It's at the beauty parlour now getting a makeover
Lucky you didn't have black spray paint (or something to that effect) on the buttstock like I did. It was a pain in the butt - I was using a gentler biodegradable stripper, however. For me to sand all the imperfections out, I would have had to sand off more wood that I wanted to. I think the 'well used but well stained' look is way better than it was before. All pics in natural window lighting, except for one.
As I got it:
Stripped, sanded, 1st coat of poly/Am. Chestnut stain
2nd Coat, same side ^ but not in natural light (not quite as dark as pictured)
Opposite side (never shot a before pic, it was worse off than the other side - more beat up, more black sh!t and poorer finish), sanded and 2nd Coat applied:
Close up:
Not sure if I should do another coat...
it seems the imperfections (that I left intentionally as I didn't want to take too much wood off the stock) are magnified with each coat. I'm digging the colour after the 2nd coat but will have to see the result after it dries. What do you guys think? I think it's a big improvement for the $16 investment. The other side looks better.
Last edited:
Maybe it was
. Here's how some 'original' M44's are supposed to look like (I think, anyway):
A technical problem with my M44. After re-assembly the firing pin drops as soon as the bolt closes. This would give you a nasty surprise at the range.
The spring/sear assembly was bent. The picture below shows the problem (if I did the photobucket thing correctly). On top is the M44 and below is a correct part from another example. This is spring steel but it can be straightened with a bit of care and patience. Works as intended after correction.
[/IMG]
Emphasizes a couple of key points. These are (well) used firearms that should be carefully examined before they are fired. If you need another reason why you shouldn't chamber live rounds at home, this would be it.
The spring/sear assembly was bent. The picture below shows the problem (if I did the photobucket thing correctly). On top is the M44 and below is a correct part from another example. This is spring steel but it can be straightened with a bit of care and patience. Works as intended after correction.
Emphasizes a couple of key points. These are (well) used firearms that should be carefully examined before they are fired. If you need another reason why you shouldn't chamber live rounds at home, this would be it.
Last edited:
Wow, nasty surprise indeed.
My CS M44 came in a week ago and it's in decent shape, no nasty big gouges out the stock or the like, just well used with lots of dings. Absolutely covered in cosmo. It's a 1945 (woo hoo!) and has the early type of sling fixture (not the nicely brass outlined one). Overall very happy for $260 all-in. Once its all cosmo'd out (I'm gonna use a steam cleaner on it) I might redo the stock but I like how much charachter it has compared to my other ruskie guns which are all pretty pristine.
Stock has dried. I like it. Still lots of wear and character, a period piece but a little nicer.
Before:
After:
This is done in garnet shellac. Hides a lot of the scratches and dents. Eight coats of shellac. Rub with 0000 steel wool. The shellac is still soft so you have to handle it very carefully. Let sit for 2-4 weeks to fully harden and then steel wool again.
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
This is done in garnet shellac. Hides a lot of the scratches and dents. Eight coats of shellac. Rub with 0000 steel wool. The shellac is still soft so you have to handle it very carefully. Let sit for 2-4 weeks to fully harden and then steel wool again.
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
That turned out really nice.
HassanZeDragon
Member
- Location
- Quebec City
The finish on mine was mostly gone, decided to remove it and apply a new one.
We got the cosmoline out of the stock with and heatgun and alot of patience.
Before applying the new finish we sanded down the stock and filled the imperfections with Lepage woodfiller.
I must say i'm quite happy with the results.
We got the cosmoline out of the stock with and heatgun and alot of patience.
Before applying the new finish we sanded down the stock and filled the imperfections with Lepage woodfiller.
I must say i'm quite happy with the results.
The finish on mine was mostly gone, decided to remove it and apply a new one.
We got the cosmoline out of the stock with and heatgun and alot of patience.
Before applying the new finish we sanded down the stock and filled the imperfections with Lepage woodfiller.
I must say i'm quite happy with the results.
That turned out really nice as well. I was leaning against doing very little to mine when it arrives but now after seeing how nice some of them have turned out I'm really not sure. Maybe I'll have to buy a second one, one to leave as is and the other to redo.
I was told by Fred @ CS by email, that they are sold out.
Some nice refinishing jobs up there ^
Anyone polish their bolt? If so, how did you do it?
Last edited:
