Opinions on an M44
 

Does anyone have any opinions , good or bad on a 1946 Russian M44 carbine with bayonet .It is in like new condition , doubt it ever saw use prior to the current owner .All #s match and are the original ones , not restamped .Is it something worth buying for use or just a conversation piece ? What price range for it.
Also has the following ammo available , 1 unopened case (340 qty) and 257 loose rounds of Albanian made for .20 cents / round .Is that good , bad / average ?
Thanks

Re: Opinions on an M44
 

91/30's are better IMO.

If you visit http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAmmo025.htm and check the ballistics on the LPS rounds, you'll find the 91/30's are good for 200 ft/s faster which I'm sure translates into better accuracy.

:wink:

Re: Opinions on an M44
 

Well, Mosin Nagants are sort of like Lay's potato chips - you can't eat (or buy) just one. Once you get a breeding pair, stick them in a closet. After a month or two, come back & they'll have multiplied.

A MN44 carbine is handy, but surprisingly heavy for its length (due to the bayonet). If the price is reasonable, I'd say "buy it."

The bad news is that their prices have gone up over the past year or two. They're no longer easy to find for $70. Online, most seem to be selling for ~$125+, although there are still some selling for less (see http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=121602370 ).

If you buy it, don't expect the value to appreciate that much - buy it as a carbine to be shot. At night, the muzzle flash is pretty impressive.

As to the Albanian ammo....the $0.20/round price is about what the stuff is selling for now. Years ago, when Century Arms was selling tons & tons of it, the Albanian was less than half that. Albanian ammo doesn't have a great reputation for quality, and may cause some problems in rifles with tighter headspace (like some Finnish MN39 rifles). It would probably work just fine in the MN44 carbine.