Recoil on a M38 Moisin

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Still alive

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Hey guys,
Recently acquired a M38/38 carbine. Haven't shot it yet. Thinking of taking my 13 yr old to the range today. He is comfortable with .223 semi auto but mostly shoots .22LR
With the metal buttstock, is it a bad idea for a 110lb kid to try this rifle? For you pros out there, what is the felt recoil of the 7.62x54R round like compared to a 30-06, .308, 7mm or 8mm so I have an idea. Remember, this is the shorty version. Thanks for your input!
 
I like to compare it to the .303, which is what I was taking deer hunting when I was 13-14 but IIRC I was a bit larger by that age. Hit 200 lbs at about 15 or 16. We had my buddy's nephew out shooting my full length MN at about that age, and he'd probably be about the same size at the time. If you figure your kid's experienced enough, I say let him try. Just don't press him to shoot more if he finds it uncomfortable, that's the perfect way to develop a nice flinch real early on.
 
Mine kicked like a 12 ga shotgun shooting slugs. I'd rank it a bit harder than an 06. Not much fun to shoot. Make sure you have double muffs (foam plugs, plus earphones). The 38 I had would almost blow your eardrums out with that short barrel. Can't comment on the overall accuracy, but the two Russian issue ones I owned were not accurate guns. Both had good rifling and good crowns. You'd be lucky to put five rounds into a 10"circle at 50yds, when shooting off a bench with bags. Get your boy a K31 for $299 and put a Swiss Arms muzzle brake on it. Recoil is less than a 243, and the accuracy is nothing short of insane. You'll be hooked.
 
collector67 said:
If he bench shoots it, it will pack quite a punch, especially for someone of smaller stature. Standing while shooting should be ok.
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He is only about 5' 1". Don't think he has the strength to hold up the rifle standing. He has always bench shot. Why is the felt recoil less while standing? I thought being braced while sitting would make it easier?
 
The bench position doesn't allow your body to roll back with the recoil as easily as the standing position. More resistance=more felt recoil.
 
kennymo said:
The bench position doesn't allow your body to roll back with the recoil as easily as the standing position. More resistance=more felt recoil.
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Thanks for the advice, Kennymo! I shot a .303 years ago, seem to recall it kicked pretty hard! Amazing that in WW1 and 2, with the issue .303, 30-06, 8mm and 7.62x54 of the various nations that the average soldier could hit anything! They must have made tougher people back then!!
 
Still alive said:
Thanks for the advice, Kennymo! I shot a .303 years ago, seem to recall it kicked pretty hard! Amazing that in WW1 and 2, with the issue .303, 30-06, 8mm and 7.62x54 of the various nations that the average soldier could hit anything! They must have made tougher people back then!!
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I suspect having your life in immanent danger makes recoil a lot less of an issue!!!!
 
I like to shoot my 91/30 and that gives a pretty good kick. Putting that same round in a lighter rifle will only increase that. If your boy wants to give it a try after he sees you do it let him as long as he knows what he is getting into to.
 
tigger said:
I suspect having your life in immanent danger makes recoil a lot less of an issue!!!!
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Hunting adrenaline seems to have a similar effect. The kick on the old milsurps doesn't seem to bother me much anymore, at least until I hit three or four boxes of ammo....
 
tigger said:
I suspect having your life in immanent danger makes recoil a lot less of an issue!!!!
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LOL! Yeah, there is definitely truth to that!
I'm taking my CORE now, in fact today is my second class. Looking forward to what Kennymo calls hunting adrenaline!!
I'm mostly a range shooter now so that feeling of adrenaline has eluded me so far even with rapid fire competition with handguns in the past. For me, I know I'm not as good as the guys who put 1000s a round down range a month so even if I compete against them, I know my times and numbers won't be as good, so I don't worry about it and try for personal bests. For some reason, that feeling keeps me calm and I don't get the surge. I'm sure hunting will change that reall quick!!
 
You could grab one of those recoil pads made for the Mosin rifles. I got one from Trade Ex when I ordered my K31. Haven't tried it out yet but others seem to find they help a bit, plus add a bit to the length of pull.
 
Its rare I feel recoil when hunting, or when I am in the zone on the clays range. Let him know it has recoil, have good ear protection on him to help take muzzle blast out of the equation. Make sure he shoulders it well no matter the position he uses and let her rip. Do not over-emphasize recoil making a psychological expectation!!!! His grin or lack of it will tell the story after!
 
tigger said:
Its rare I feel recoil when hunting, or when I am in the zone on the clays range. Let him know it has recoil, have good ear protection on him to help take muzzle blast out of the equation. Make sure he shoulders it well no matter the position he uses and let her rip. Do not over-emphasize recoil making a psychological expectation!!!! His grin or lack of it will tell the story after!
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Great advice Tigger!! So far he has shied away from bigger calibers. He has shot .223, 22, 9mm, and .45. Never from a bolt action and nothing as big as a Mosin. We have good ear protection so that shouldn't be a problem. Leaving soon so we will see!! Fingers crossed!!
 
vermintrex said:
You could grab one of those recoil pads made for the Mosin rifles. I got one from Trade Ex when I ordered my K31. Haven't tried it out yet but others seem to find they help a bit, plus add a bit to the length of pull.
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Thanks for the tip!
Due to the relative rarity of the rifle, I want to keep it stock. It handles well for me although the action is a bit stiff. I hear Mosins like it rough so I'll live with it. I've shot .308, .303, 8mm, 30-06 and the beastly .338 win mag ( did NOT like that one) so it's fine for me. It's the little tyke I worry about. If he hates it, then it's back to the .22 till he gets older!
 
I know that when I first got my M44, after about 20 rounds I started to get a flinch from the recoil. I put a slip on recoil pad after that, and it helped a bit. If you guys shoot it at dusk, you will be very impressed with the fireballs coming out of the muzzle!!
 
It should be just fine if he shoots standing (at least for the first few shots). but I would recommend putting a bundled up t-shirt between him and the rifle and see how he feels just to make sure.
 
tigger said:
Might not hurt to explain that while the cartridge is bigger, the rifle is heavier and helps take away some of the recoil! Just came to mind
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but barrel is shorter, and we are talking good ol wood and steel, no rubber so recoil is a little stiff. I would expect the shoulder to get a lil tender after a few shots.
 
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