C&R finally came in: J&G or Aimsurplus for M44?

[Deer Hunter]

Here's my delima, folks. After weeks of waiting rather unpatiently for my C&R license, it has finally come in. Now, during these weeks I have been meticulously combing through pages of information on Mosin Nagants, particularly M44s. I know what to look for when purchasing them, and I've come to find two websites offering them. The information that I have on them is slim, since J&G doesn't seem to answer emails.

Aimsurplus just got a bunch of M44s in stock, years range from 1944-1948. I do not know the years on the J&G mosins. I'm going to choose the option to have a hand-picked rifle from one of these two companies. My question is which company should I order from? Does anyone here prefer one over the other, does their quality compare with eachother in any way?

 

[JesseL]

They're probably coming from Century either way. I doubt they're any different from each other or what you would get at Big5.

For what it's worth I picked up my m44, which I believe dates from 1948, at J&G and I have no complaints.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Well, that's one for J&G. Anyone else?

 

[grimjaw]

I've bought guns from both, although I've done more business with AIM. Personally I wouldn't buy another Mosin without the chance to take a look at it first, or see pictures of the actual rifle I'm buying. That's not a knock against either vendor, just personal preference. If you just want one for a range boomer, either vendor should do.

jmm

 

[Deer Hunter]

This is definantly a range-blaster short-range woods gun, Grim. I've read some good reviews with J&G, so I think I'll go with them. One day I'll go out and search for a nice collector grade mosin, but right now I'm more interested in a nice, reliable milsurp with an abundant amount of surplus ammo and a pig-sticker.

 

[longhorngunman]

Neither, get you a nice K31 and K98 Mauser while still available. This time next year there will still be plenty of Ruskie guns to be found. Get a copy of your C&R to SOG and www.interordnance.com and ask for their flyers, their M44s are a little cheaper.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I said an M44 would be my first, but it would not be my last. I've got those sites bookmarked. Don't worry, the mosin is just the start of the addiction.

 

[Cueball]

I've made multiple purchases at AIM and they have always been very helpful and I've never had a complaint with them. Their pricing is always competitive too.

 

[Niner]

AIM is good

Nothing against the other source. Just...with a 91/44, I wouldn't pay hand select from anybody. Just don't get a cracked stock etc. offering. They are just too plentiful. "Very good" from any of the usual sources ought to be a good buy.

A Russian M44, however, is worth a few extra bucks over one made in the satellite countries. WWII dates would be worth more than post war.

 

[DougB]

I've also purchased many guns from AIM and been pleased with their quality and service. I agree that most of these guns are imported by Century, so you could easily get about the same gun from many sources. There's no way to really know what quality you'll get until you see it. I'd call AIM and talk to them about what you want. I think they will try to accomodate within reason. In the probably 25 guns I've see from AIM (mine and friends), over a period of about 7 years, almost all have been nice. I think one or two M38s were a little rough, but other than that, I don't recall any that weren't at least as nice as represented - and quite a few were in reallly outstanding shape. I recall a friend who had problems with a very inexpensive SKS from AIM (functional - nothing obvious until he tried to shoot it). They exchanged it without a question and sent him a replacement that was nicer than the grade he'd paid for. Of the various surplus gun vendors, AIM is at the top of my list (and I've also ordered from J&G, SOG, and several others). This isn't to say that the others are bad (I've generally been happy with them as well) - I've just had particularly good experiences with AIM.

One thing that bugs me a little about J&G is that that with handguns, they often seem to remove the spare magazines and then offer them seperately at additional cost. For example, when the Bulgarian Makarovs were common a few years ago, about everyone offered them with 2 magazines included (as they came from Century) except J&G (as I recall). If the accessories matter to you, I'd verify that J&G includes them (ammo pouches, oil cans, etc.).

Doug

 

[clutch]

I would go with AIM. They have a good reputation. I've never been burned by them.

Clutch

 

[pat86323]

ive bought several guns from j&g and had no problems at all. This could have something to do with the fact that i go in there and talk to them face to face and most of the salesmen know me. But from what i have seen of them they are extremely helpful toward anyone who is buying. You ought to give them a call, im sure theyll help you out.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Alright guys. Seems like I couldn't fax my license to J&G for some reason. Perhaps their fax is down, but it went through like clockwork to AIM. But now another question arises. I was looking over how to order (decided I could just order online, since their store is closed now), and from what I can tell the process of buying a rifle is pretty much the same as buying ammo. If I ordered the rifle, since I've already sent them my C&R, would everything go smoothly?

Sorry for all the questions, just a newby trying to buy a gun.

 

[chrisTx]

Just don't get a cracked stock etc. offering. They are just too plentiful. "Very good" from any of the usual sources ought to be a good buy.

A Russian M44, however, is worth a few extra bucks over one made in the satellite countries. WWII dates would be worth more than post war.

i got a cracked stock M44 from century for $50. it's a 1945 rifle, and the barrel is in better shape than any other surplus rifle i've ever bought. the crack is apparently the same type of aresenal repair that's on the laminate stocks. the crack is exactly the same on my 1933 91/30 laminate stock, and it's in excellent shape. passing up the cracked stock specials is just cheating yourself out of a fine specimen.

 

[longhorngunman]

Deer Hunter, Yes, if Aim has your C&R on file you can order online just like ammo. It will ask you of course if you meet all applicable laws, yes. They have a place for your email address and a comment box. I usually leave my phone # with them in case there is a problem. Just remember they have to ship the firearms to the address on your C&R, you can't have them send it to work, mother-in-law, etc . BTW don't forget about that K31, also might want to stock up on a Aim's 7.62*54, probably best price around and getting low. Century sent me an Email today saying they are out of the Big Russian round.

 

[longhorngunman]

And remember, now that you have your C&R, it has just begun!

 

[Niner]

Yep

One is never enough. But....eventually.....$10k, $15k, $20k .... you'll slow down then.. or buy a bigger house ... or find a better job....or a more undersanding wife.... or die of old age. There is an end .... sometime. I'm sure of it. Just don't know what my personal end will be.

 

[DougB]

The vendors would probably prefer that orders be placed on-line, but I've always called and will continue to do so. I always have a couple of questions about what I'm ordering - condition of the guns they have in stock, etc. That's one thing I like about AIM - they've always been friendly and patient with my questions, and I always feel like they give me an honest assessment of what I'm likely to get. I don't know if talking with them actually results in any more care being taken when selecting my gun(s) (probably not), but that's what I've done, and it has worked out well. Of course, I'm careful not to waste a lot of their time with unreasonable questions and requests - I just ask a few open-ended questions to confirm the condition and availablilty.

I also generally take the advice they (or any vendor of surplus guns) gives me. I think its a little like asking the waiter at a restaurant what is good - if the waiter gives a lukewarm response about an item, that's a good hint to aviod it. If a gun vendor hints that the condition of the current batch is a little rough, I believe them. Or, more likely, if they say that a particular batch of guns is very nice, that's what I get. Talking with them is also a good way to assess what grade to get, and/or whether its worth it to pay the handbpick fee. I ordered some SKSs from InterOrdnance a few months ago, and the very helpful sales person suggested that I'd be happy with a lower grade (at significantly lower cost) that what I planned to order. I took her advice and have no regrets. If I'd just ordered the higher grade on-line without talking with her, I suspect I'd have just paid more for virtually identical rifles.

Good luck!

Doug

 

[Deer Hunter]

Everything went through as planned, and they'll be shipping the rifle tomorrow. Thanks for the help guys.

And if you think you guys are bad, I'm 18 and ordering my first C&R rifle.

 

[speed_demon_freak]

Check this out.

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinM44S.htm

 

[rono]

I received my M44 and M38 from Interordnance this week. I did opt for the laminated stocks. The rifles are in very good shape. I've bought from Classic and I/O and been very pleased. The only issue I've seen from anyone so far is concerned with shipping. If they ship FedEx Adult Sig required, you have to be home to get it or have a neighbor sign. I'd rather UPS just leave it on my porch...

 

[salty]

AIM - pay for handselect if you can not find one at your local shop. Both vendors are OK.