Which Mosin-Nagant Carbine(s) to keep?

[Stevo]

I find myself with a decreasing interest in milsurp rifles and too many of them in my safe. I think I'll keep one or two of these but am having a hard time deciding. Any input from the experts?

I haven't shot either of the Russian M44's. The hex is neater, but the other is prettier.

I've had the Pole for about 25 years, so it has some sentimental value.

The M38 is pretty cool, but has the worst bore of the lot. It's pitted, but not terribly bad. It's not counterbored, but does have a crack in the forward upper handguard.

Top to bottom:
1944 M44 with hex receiver in laminate stock.
1945 M44 in laminate
1953 M44 (Polish)
1942 M38 in wartime M44 stock (details corrected thank to Found Fish's sharp eyes)

Receivers, same order:

 

[Claven2]

the 1944 hex M44 is the rarest of that lot and if the bore is nice, that's the one I would keep. YMMV.

 

[Stevo]

The bores are all great on the M44's.

 

[louthepou]

I'd add the Polish to your "keep one or two" list I suspect it has a good chance of being a good investment - and if you've had it for 25 years, so a few extra years won't hurt.

Lou

 

[found_fish]

...

 

[Stevo]

I'd hang onto the Polish M44 and the hex M44. Nice finds.

I think your M38 may have a M44 stock? Its hard to tell but it looks as though it has the bayonet notch along the top there. I may wrong too...

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM38.htm

I'll double check.

Edit: you're absolutely right, it is in a wartime M44 stock. I've looked at that rifle dozens of times since I bought it and I would have sworn it had an M38 stock.

 

[svt1940]

I find myself with a decreasing interest in milsurp rifles and too many of them in my safe. I think I'll keep one or two of these but am having a hard time deciding. Any input from the experts?

I haven't shot either of the Russian M44's. The hex is neater, but the other is prettier.

I've had the Pole for about 25 years, so it has some sentimental value.

The M38 is pretty cool, but has the worst bore of the lot. It's pitted, but not terribly bad. It's not counterbored, but does have a crack in the forward upper handguard.

Top to bottom:
1944 M44 with hex receiver in laminate stock.
1945 M44 in laminate
1953 M44 (Polish)
1942 M38 in wartime M44 stock (details corrected thank to Found Fish's sharp eyes)

Receivers, same order:

Keep the polish and the hex
Joce

 

[Stevo]

Ah, I figured out why I was convinced that M38 was in a correct stock. Apparently, I have two of them and completely forgot about the other one! Makes the decisions even harder.

It's a '44 Izhevsk M38 in an M38 stock.

 

[Stevo]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

Any idea of current market value on these rifles?

 

[jfred]

I'll buy the laminated 1945 M44 for $325

 

[kingsizetm]

Thanks for all the input, guys.

Any idea of current market value on these rifles?

They are worth $100 each and i will buy them all lol. Seriously I have bought a sister rifle to your polish and I paid close to $350 shipped. The russians I see around are from $275 to $350 ish depending. I havnt seen a hex m44 tho. No idea on that one

 

[Stevo]

I'll buy the laminated 1945 M44 for $325

They are worth $100 each and i will buy them all lol. Seriously I have bought a sister rifle to your polish and I paid close to $350 shipped. The russians I see around are from $275 to $350 ish depending. I havnt seen a hex m44 tho. No idea on that one

Interesting. I'm surprised they're going for that much.

Thanks!

 

[Calum]

the 1944 hex M44 is the rarest of that lot and if the bore is nice, that's the one I would keep. YMMV.

My vote as well.

IIRC the hex reciver is a rare bird.

I also love the electro pencil writing on the bolt as well...the line through the 7, it just has a great human touch to it. That's what I look for in my keeper milsurps anyway.

 

[jfred]

Fine I change my offer. 20 dollars shipped.

But no seriously, for a nice M44, the MARKET VALUE seems to be anywhere from 250-400.

Given how many were made, they should actually sell for something like 250. Maybe 300 for a nice Polish one.

 

[Stevo]

Fine I change my offer. 20 dollars shipped.

But no seriously, for a nice M44, the MARKET VALUE seems to be anywhere from 250-400.

Given how many were made, they should actually sell for something like 250. Maybe 300 for a nice Polish one.

Yeah, but look at Garands and the price they seem to be going for these days.

It's all supply and demand. It wasn't that long ago that Russian SKS's were $400 rifles.

 

[jfred]

This is true.

 

[jfred]

But I seriously will buy it if you're selling.

 

[Stevo]

But I seriously will buy it if you're selling.

Thanks for the offer, I will keep it in mind.

Right now I'm thinking of keep the Polish and the '45. They're the best looking of the bunch, IMO. Possibly the '44 M38 as well.

The hex/laminate is certainly more rare, maybe a more advanced MN collector would give it a nice home.

 

[jfred]

How's the bore on the '44 M38? One of those would be interesting to have as well. Not quite as common as the M44.

 

[Andy]

Is that someone's last name and last three of their SIN on the bolt of the hex M44? If so, it's a major "owie" on its value.