M38 Scout Rifle...

Leave it alone, sell it and buy a scout rifle.

2nd what Troy said. They’ve gone way up in value in the last several years and in my humble opinion are too cool a rifle to make into something other than what they are.

The non gunsmithing type mounts probably won’t hold zero well but that’s the only type I’d ever add to that rifle. And I wouldn’t touch the stock.

I did it myself (Bubba’d mine big time) to a Hungarian M44. I even got it when they were dirt cheap and regret it all the same.

Sorry, I know most of that isn’t what you asked about but it’s what immediately came to mind and how I’d answer if you mentioned it to me in person.

P.S.
Get that thing out of the safe and shoot it!

I don't know what kind of accuracy to expect with most of the kind of scout mount kits you'd see on eBay, and that's the affordable no-gunsmithing deals. I wouldn't suggest doing something I couldn't put back original in five minutes. I'm thinking the M-N M38 is/was a type of scout rifle before they knew what a scout rifle was.

ExploiJason said:

Appreciate the responses guys! I'll definitely leave it as is and buy a dedicated scout rifle.

Click to expand...

Or, look for a milsurp already taken past the point of no return for restoration.

Todd.

The M38 carbine already ticks off most of "the Colonel's" boxes in as issued condition. You already have a scout rifle.

I did that a few years ago. Put a No-Drill mount in the vacated rear sight mount, added a LER pistol scope, and attached an ammo pouch to the stock. Voila...a Scout Rifle. A friend fell in-love with it and it's now in a better place. Interesting, but no real loss.

i have three t-44,s, a russian-polish-chinese(38,s with bayonets) and they shoot just fine for most deer size animals to 150 yards. i do load mine to 30-30 speeds with sp bullets to save my ears-shoulder. i,m in the leave it alone camp.