Picked this up at the local Big 5 sporting goods store (one of their $99 specials). Has a 1944 manufacture date and was refurbed after the war, when the laminated stock was possibly added.
What do they say about Mosin-Nagants - they need cleaning once every war? 
Iāll start by stating that I have walked past more milsurp bolt guns than I can count through the years. I never had much use for them - it was black rifles for me. Even bolt guns in general never really appealed to me on any level.
Then one day last winter, I was at a small local dealer out here in The Berkshires, (Patās) and he had a wall full of M-44ās that heād gotten in. One in particular was purchased by a guy and returned the next day after he spent hours cleaning it and de-cosmoing the entire rifle - decided it wasnāt his thing. Being a guy who likes a shortcut every now and then - I bought that one, (a Tula). It was $75.00, ($99.00 is a bit steep, but still good). I figured: āWhat the heck - it looks neat and itās under a hundred clams - soldā. I bought 100-rounds of ammo for it and went to the range and had an absolute ball. These things are more fun than a barrel of monkeys, (if those are even fun)ā¦
This thing is an absolute beast. I read threads reporting 9" high at 100-yards, or unable to get on the paper at all. This rifle is snot on - especially with the bayonet out. I like it so much, that Iām in on a group buy for a 91/30. Weāre buying 3 crates at $63.60 cents per rifle! I just filled out my C&R paperwork today, so I can get stuff like this shipped to my door. If you have not seen a 91/30, they are something to behold. With the bayonet attached, itās literally a pike when the ammo runs outā¦ 
I did get a corrosive ammo lesson today when I checked my safeā¦I didnāt do a good job cleaning it after my last range trip and Iām paying the piper - itās soaking in CLP right now. For the short money, itās hard to beat those little M-44 boomsticks - enjoy yours!
The above M44 is a laminate. Seems they always (locally, at least) charge a bit more for those. The regular birch-stocked examples are around $89 or so.
Yeah, I donāt think you got a bad deal at all - thereās just some dealers who sell at a lower mark-up. I like the standard stock, but have seen some really pretty laminates, (yours being one) and the laminate stocks are apparently tougher. I canāt wait to get both the 91/30 and my C&R. Will be nice to find a rifle like the M-44 or a Mauser, Yugo SKS, M1 Carbine etc and say: āYeah, I want thatā and have it arrive at my doorā¦I never thought I would be a Milsurp guy until I picked up that darned $75.00 rifleā¦ 
PS: have you shot it yet?
Nope, might be a while before I get to the range.
If you like big booms - youāll love itā¦ [wink]
MassMark, use a bore cleaner that is made for corrosive ammo like the military stuff from WWII if you can find it or cleaner for black powder. The deal is the corrosive salts need to be neutralized. Soap and water will work to. Have fun!!!
Just run a couple of windex soaked patches down the barrel then clean normaly.
Thanks for the tips - Iām a Windex guy, but obviously failed to do it after my last range session and paid the price. Live and learn. Just scrubbed my overnight BreakFree soak off and it looks great. Going to run a box of ammo through it this afternoon - nothing says Iām sorry to your mistreated gun better than some lunchā¦
I bought in when they were on sale for $50 at the Big 5 - back in '00
I picked up a pristine Romanian M44 with matching numbers, and a M91/30 made in Russia in 1933 - they are awesome!
That little carbine might have been taking Berlin in 1945.
True enough - like I said earlier - I never got caught up in the whole Milsurp thing until now. I wondered the same thing as I fired this at the range the other day. Where has this rifle been? We just ordered 3 crates of 91/30ās and are picking them up in a couple of weeks. Iām helping to unload one of the crates and will likely have that same feeling againā¦All this for under $70.00 - not too shabby.
Now THAT is a ātrunk gunā Some active killer would really know heās been put down, when you get him with that!
+1
Nice little rifle.
German Ballistol is widely available in the US . Midway and Brownellās both sell it.
Ballistol was standard German issue CLP during the days of corrosive ammo: some sources say starting before WW1 , others before WW2. It has a very unusual smell for a CLP , which IMO (based on experience) adds to the head-turner factor when used on a Euro rifle.
Hope this helps.
M44= get shot, STAY shot:D
MassMark- do yourself a favor and DO NOT get into Swedes. They are like crack. IMO they are the best WWII guns aside from the Garands.
I hear you there - the 7.62x54R is a beast! Thanks for the warningā¦I have been pondering getting both a Swede and a Swiss rifle when my C&R comes in. I just sent out my payment for the 91/30 - came out to $67.50 for the whole kit - awesome. We ended up ordering 3 crates of them! I saw a pic recently of one with the bayonet mounted - it really is a pikeā¦
Gbear48 - thanks for the tip! Will seem a natural for use when I get a Mauser! For a guy who always disliked bolt guns - suddenly Iām in love with them - could it be my age? (42)
great weapon -use light 150 grains like silver like polish ,cz ammo -its also easier on the arm too!
I have both the M44 and the 91/30 off my C&R. The fun is endless with these two.
I actually love stripping the cosmoline off these types of rifles. The stick and I share a moment. Louder than hell, accurate (considering their age and price), and super fun.
+1 for Nagants.
How much recoil does the Mosin have? My neighbor/ renter gave me one M44 and two spam cans of ammo.
Between the Mosin-Nagant M91/30, the Mauser 98, and the .303 Lee-Enfields, I always thought the Enfield had the heaviest recoil.