Nagant: 91/30 vs M44

[essohbe]

Well, I can't decide what I want. Well, both, but can only afford one...

The carbine is kinda what I want over the 91/30 but I would get the old hex reciever if I could ever find one.

If anyone has both, a 91/30 and an M44, tell me what you think of the differences between them.

I can get a round reciever rifle for $150 from the nearest shop. I think that's WAY too much for a Nagant unless it's in pristine condition. Any thoughts?

[SIGSHR]

What do I think of the difference between them-they're both legitimate collectible variations. The 91/30 is the infantry rifle, the M44 carbine was meant for support whose main function was to do something else-they would have been better off with a PPSh M1941 or PPS M1943 IMHO but they didn't ask me. I have both, forced to choose between the 2 I'd probably get the M44-if it has the bayonet attached.

[nimbleVagrant]

$150 is the high side of the normal price range for the 91/30 or M44. jgsales.com still sells the hex receiver 91/30 for about $80 before shipping, you'd just need to arrange the transfer to a local FFL, which usually comes with a $20-50 fee plus the backround check. You'd probably still come in under $150 and you'll get the rifle you want.

[Mosin44az]

I have owned both, both are worth owning for inexpensive fun.

The M44 kicks harder, it takes awhile to get used to. The 91/30 doesn't really recoil bad at all.

The M44 is more practical for possible hunting application because it's handier.

The M44 makes ALOT more noise at the range! People will look at you, or even hide behind a truck, as one guy did once when we were shooting out in the desert.

Note the reference to the hex Mosins being sold at J & G sales, above. That's what's on the market these days.

You can't go wrong if you get either one in decent condition.

[Tucker 1371]

I have a 91/30 Tula round receiver MN that I shoot better than most guns in mine or any of my relatives or friends' collections (this probably doesn't mean much because I have strange shooting quirks when it comes to what I shoot best with). I don't really mind the weight or length of it either and I plan to use it for hunting.

I know that they used to be a lot cheaper but I really think the prices on them in most places have hit the $150 mark and aren't going to go much lower. I got mine at a gun show for $138. After tax and a credit card fee it was $154. Worth every penny too .

[peluo1]

I own both, too. I would say this, if you are more of the ak47/ar type of rifle person...as in, an easily maneuverable rifle that fits tight to the body...then I'd go with the M44.

If you are more into long hunting rifles, or m1's, or sniper rifles, or in general the type of rifle that extends far from the body thus being slightly more difficult to maneuver and more difficult to acquire a short-range (less than 100yds) target very quickly, then the 91/30 is the way to go.

Personally, unless you are an extreme collector, I would not worry about the whole hex receiver stuff. That's something you'll notice when you buy it then forget about after the third or so time you go shooting. Get what you want. You mentioned you were leaning towards the M44...get that now and then LATER get the 91/30. When owning the guns that you want, patience is...unfortunately...the key. As far as how they shoot, they've got it completely right on this thread. M44 kicks harder but you feel more control. 91/30 kicks, I would say, about the same but it kicks def more BACK instead of UP like the M44...if you get what I mean. Thus more controlable. Either way, its a piece of history that fun and cheap to shoot.

[raftman]

I've fired the 91/30 and own the M44. I don't notice a big difference in how hard they kick, but many do. Both are great rifles and neither will disappoint. I prefer the M44 on account of its compactness and find it easier to wield. I also think the M44 is more attractive in appearance.

[essohbe]

Thanks for the info everyone!

I understand the kick factor between the two, up vs. back.
Neither is a big issue to me.

I know that they used to be a lot cheaper but I really think the prices on them in most places have hit the $150 mark and aren't going to go much lower.

I have seen J&G Sales stuff. As of now he wants $200+ for the 44 and $189 for the 91/30. Much more than I want to pay. What happened to the $60 ones? An Obama thing I guess...

I don't think I'm going to beat the $150 mark anytime soon. No one around me transfers for cheap so even if I found one for ~$70 I'd stiull be paying around 50 for transfer. Ugh....
It's okay I guess. My usual shop gave me a good deal on an AK so, whatever.

I likes me commie weapons.

[Mk VII]

I've started playing around with cast loads and downloaded FMJs for the carbine.
It is quite biddable and saves powder too.

[raftman]

You probably should do more shopping around. I bought my M44 for $79, and this was well AFTER the election and all, just a couple of months ago. The guy I bought it from has a couple more at the same price, but his shop generally does not ship out state so I guess he's probably not an option for you. The popularity of these guns has gone up a lot lately, and I suspect that has more to do with the prices than the president. How many Mosin Nagants do you think there are just between all the members of this board, for example? J&G does have 91/30's for $80. With shipping and transfer, it could still probably be had for well under 150, maybe $120... that really depends on how much your FFL will charge for transfer. I know of one here that charges a mere $10. I don't count the background check that's also required as part of the price, because you'd have to pay that regardless of what you buy or whether it's shipped to FFL or bought locally, unless it's a private transaction.

[T. O'Heir]

"...M44 carbine was meant for support..." Cavalry and Arty types, not so much the Log wogs.

[nimbleVagrant]

I have seen J&G Sales stuff. As of now he wants $200+ for the 44 and $189 for the 91/30. Much more than I want to pay. What happened to the $60 ones?

I'm looking at the J&G Sales website right now and it lists hex receiver 91/30s for $80.

[Quentin2]

I got the carbine a few years ago, could have got the 91/30 but like a handier rifle. My buddy did get the 91/30 and after firing both I'm glad I went with the M44. But he liked his better so it comes down to personal preference.

[Wrothgar]

My question is: What's the diff between the M-38 carbine and the M-44? They're both carbines and in the pictures they look pretty much the same size.

[nimbleVagrant]

The M44 has a side folding spike bayonet, the M38 has no bayonet.

[Wrothgar]

Huh, that's it? I thought there would be more to it than that :-).

[Ignition Override]

If you become focused more on a MN 44 with nice laminated wood etc, you might not pay much attention to the bore/rifling.

If so, your rifle's so-called groups at Only 50 yards can easily be 6-8" with the bayonet extended, even with a fairly shiny bore (this happened in the hands/bean bags of a marksman friend).
Part of my problem might be using mostly HB Bulgarian (yellow tip), but with 1,400 rds., am stuck with it until somebody near Memphis decides to trade Czech, Polish or Bulg. etc LB ammo for mine (FTF).

[p99guy]

the M38 was for support troops, the soviets thought any weapon made for a bonafied trigger puller/grunt HAD to have a bayonet.

The M44, and 91/30 basically weigh the same...so recoil forces are much the same.(and the M44 is more muzzle heavy) The difference comes from the shorter barrel shooting rounds with powder charge/type optimized for the 91/30....more flash and blast.

I found the lighter M38 to recoil the most of the 3 types, especially with heavy ball...support troops must have been a tough lot.(and wore thick padded uniforms) The tamest to shoot is a 91/30 sniper, its the heaviest of the bunch.

the M44 was general issue post war...it totally replaced the 91/30 in most frontline units..except the sniper 91/30 of course.