Nagant M38 or M44?

lord-humungous

lord-humungous

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Which one to get? I’ll be shooting it rather than keeping it in the safe. I want to punch paper at the range, try out some hunting ammo and possibly take it on a hunt if I like the way it shoots. And would also like to try handloading some rounds for it. I am looking at Russian surplus M44 and for a few bucks more I can get the M38. I like the 38 because the Finns used them (my grandparents), but can’t afford a real Finn Nagant right now – or at least not prepared to spend the extra money on one. Any advice? I don’t know what is different between the 2 other than the dates.
 
The M44 has an attached side folding bayonet, the M38 does not. I currently do not own an M38 and cant comment, but the M44 is a great rifle. From the one M38 I have handled, the M44 feels more balanced, and to me, feels more natural. Your best bet would be to find someone with either, and get a feel for the rifle. As with any Mosin, you wont be dissapointed!
 
Ah ha, don't think I need a bayonet to shoot a deer. Well maybe I could use it to dress the deer after. That would make an awesome YouTube video, hahahaha. I heard alot of Russian use the Nagants for hunting. I like that, it's a milsurp and a hunter.
 
Get both - they are cheap, so... why not.

One thing worth noting, sometimes an M44 will have a significant difference in POI between shooting with the bayo extended, and with the bayo folded or removed.

I put a recoil pad on one of mine (can't remember if it's the 38 or 44), more comfortable shooting and better length of pull for me,

Lou
 
Personally I would suggest the M38 as I have one. I have handled both and in my opinion, the m-38 is lighter, and better balanced. The bayonet is really just a useless accessory for a shooting rifle, unless you want to have that extra for-end weight. It won't shoot well from what I tested with the bayonet folded in any event, but with Tasha my M38, she can do a very nice 2 inch group on irons out to about 200 yards. That's as far as my range goes so that is all I can comment on. They are known to be accurate rifles, and the M44's from what I know of, were initially made on old machinery with alot of wartime wear, thus things are not as tight as they could be. Personally the M-38 has my vote, as I had family in the Continuation War as well and there is mention of the M-38 used extensively. I should note the rifle looks like a roaring dragon when fired as the muzzel blast is huge. I have fired 1980's Yugoslavian ammunition meant for the Dragonov in my M-38 and accuracy was excellent, with a 3 foot muzzel flash *chuckle*. Wonderful little rifles, pick one up now while you can is my best advice. The recoil is supposedly "nasty" but recoil has never bothered me, as I shoot carbines almost exclusively.
 
Drachenblut said:
Personally I would suggest the M38 as I have one. I have handled both and in my opinion, the m-38 is lighter, and better balanced. The bayonet is really just a useless accessory for a shooting rifle, unless you want to have that extra for-end weight. It won't shoot well from what I tested with the bayonet folded in any event, but with Tasha my M38, she can do a very nice 2 inch group on irons out to about 200 yards. That's as far as my range goes so that is all I can comment on. They are known to be accurate rifles, and the M44's from what I know of, were initially made on old machinery with alot of wartime wear, thus things are not as tight as they could be. Personally the M-38 has my vote, as I had family in the Continuation War as well and there is mention of the M-38 used extensively. I should note the rifle looks like a roaring dragon when fired as the muzzel blast is huge. I have fired 1980's Yugoslavian ammunition meant for the Dragonov in my M-38 and accuracy was excellent, with a 3 foot muzzel flash *chuckle*. Wonderful little rifles, pick one up now while you can is my best advice. The recoil is supposedly "nasty" but recoil has never bothered me, as I shoot carbines almost exclusively.
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M38 = sold. Thanks - my family were communist Finns. Not sure what guns they carried, none when they came to Canada (before WW2). They didn't hunt, only fished.

Recoil - love it. 3' muzzle flash - perfect. 2" goups at 200yds - priceless.
 
Counter boring is historically accurate and does not really damage the value of the rifle. All it is is, as Val C mentioned, a drilling into the bore by about an inch to remove the issue of damaged rifling and crowning on the muzzel of the rifle. This bascially gives the rifle a brand new crown INSIDE the barrel. The Russians were very skilled at this and it was truly a smart concept, as instead of lopping off the end of the barrel, it instead had the added advantage of preventing damage to the rifling from any later damage of the muzzel tip/end. As for Weimajack, I happened to pick up Weimajack's last M-38, don't hate me Commrad! *Grins* M-38's are getting scarcer, however, I would suggest checking out EllWoodEpps in Orillia Ontario as they can get them in from time to time. Ask around on the forums or see about posting a want add in the Equipment exchange. As for "cheap" that other gents on here are speaking of, not all of us treat 200 dollars like pocket change *chuckles*. Kinda calling the kettle black since most of the lads on here remember the days of 50 dollar Enfields in Barrels.
I wish you luck, write me by Private Message if you want to talk more about M-38's
- Drachenblut
 
Drachenblut said:
The Russians were very skilled at this and it was truly a smart concept, as instead of lopping off the end of the barrel, it instead had the added advantage of preventing damage to the rifling from any later damage of the muzzel tip/end.
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It is a clever solution to what must have been a daunting problem given the volume and condition of rifles coming back to the arsenals for work during the War. :)
 
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