I've shot an M-44 carbine a bit, so I'm passably familiar with that model, and I know that the M-39s are Finnish re-arsenaled and the best of the bunch. Beyond that, I'm clueless. What are the differences between an M-38 carbine and an M-44 carbine? And is the M-91/30 just a longer version of the M-44 or M-39? I'm thinking about getting one just because they're so darn solid and inexpensive, but I'm really out of my league here. Thanks for any help.
Differences between Russian bolt actions?
- Thread starter SteelyDan
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The original Mosin Nagant was the M91 as in 1891, made until the 1920's. The spike bayonet is almost 20" long
They are 51 inches long overall with 31 inch barrels, weighing 9.6 lbs.
There were shorter M91's made to be easier handled on horseback. The Reds developed these into the M91/30, which has similar dimensions.
The Soviet improved standard was the M91/30 with better sights and bayonet attachment.
It is 48.5 inches long with a 28.7 inch barrels and weighs 8.7 lbs.
The M38 carbine was for support troops who didn't shoot as their first duty.
Similar to the M91/30 but 40" long, 20" barrel, 7.6 lbs and no bayonet.
The M91/30 was still unwieldy in house fighting and the M38 had no bayonet(handy when bumping into the enemy coming through doors or around corners.)
The M44 is like the M38 but has a 15" folding bayonet hinged to the right side of the barrel.
M44's are 40 inches long overall, barrel is 20 inches and weight is 8.9lbs.
The Finns had a few models of rifles, most are rare except for the M91s and M91/30s they got and rebuilt in varying degrees, and the M39.
The M39 is a Finn design based on the Russian receiver. It handles and shoots well, and most Finnish rifles will have better quality and accuracy than Russian or Soviet ones.
The M39 is 46.6" oal, 27" barrel and around 10lbs.
For more information see these sites:
http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/
http://www.mosin-nagant.net/
HTH,
Mike
They are 51 inches long overall with 31 inch barrels, weighing 9.6 lbs.
There were shorter M91's made to be easier handled on horseback. The Reds developed these into the M91/30, which has similar dimensions.
The Soviet improved standard was the M91/30 with better sights and bayonet attachment.
It is 48.5 inches long with a 28.7 inch barrels and weighs 8.7 lbs.
The M38 carbine was for support troops who didn't shoot as their first duty.
Similar to the M91/30 but 40" long, 20" barrel, 7.6 lbs and no bayonet.
The M91/30 was still unwieldy in house fighting and the M38 had no bayonet(handy when bumping into the enemy coming through doors or around corners.)
The M44 is like the M38 but has a 15" folding bayonet hinged to the right side of the barrel.
M44's are 40 inches long overall, barrel is 20 inches and weight is 8.9lbs.
The Finns had a few models of rifles, most are rare except for the M91s and M91/30s they got and rebuilt in varying degrees, and the M39.
The M39 is a Finn design based on the Russian receiver. It handles and shoots well, and most Finnish rifles will have better quality and accuracy than Russian or Soviet ones.
The M39 is 46.6" oal, 27" barrel and around 10lbs.
For more information see these sites:
http://www.russian-mosin-nagant.com/
http://www.mosin-nagant.net/
HTH,
Mike
Thanks for the info and links, Mike.
So, is the only difference between the M-44s and the M-38s the bayonet (at 1.3 pounds)? And is the M-91/30 just the same thing with a longer barrel?
I didn't know the M-39 was a Finn design; thanks for the info. I see they're heavy boogers.
So, is the only difference between the M-44s and the M-38s the bayonet (at 1.3 pounds)? And is the M-91/30 just the same thing with a longer barrel?
I didn't know the M-39 was a Finn design; thanks for the info. I see they're heavy boogers.
DMK
Member
MikeG is spot on and Steely Dan you are correct.
There is also the Russian M91/59. Those were made from surplus 91/30s during the cold war (starting in 1959). They cut down 91/30s to carbines and refurbed them for reserve weapons in case NATO troops overran thier borders. 91/59s look a lot like M1938s except for the rear site and some other minor details. 91/59s were never issued to the troops and were made under less difficult conditions so they are generally in nicer condition than the WWII veteran 1938s.
This page shows the differences between the 1938 and 91/59.
There is also the Russian M91/59. Those were made from surplus 91/30s during the cold war (starting in 1959). They cut down 91/30s to carbines and refurbed them for reserve weapons in case NATO troops overran thier borders. 91/59s look a lot like M1938s except for the rear site and some other minor details. 91/59s were never issued to the troops and were made under less difficult conditions so they are generally in nicer condition than the WWII veteran 1938s.
This page shows the differences between the 1938 and 91/59.
The 91/30's have fairly poor accuracy compared with Mausers or Finn Nagants, but they do have one major advantage--balance. They are one of the nicest rifles to carry, with most of the weight well back toward the shooter. The barrels are thin and light. The Finns used much heavier barrels, which made their Nagants a lot more accurate. My M-39 is nearly MOA, for example. But it's not nearly as nice to go hiking with as a nice 91/30. My hope is to rig up a trashed M-39 stock into a pair of light weight "field pants" for the Old Man. He's just too heavy for my shoulder.
If you are thinking of just the Russians, I would go with the 91/30. The longer barrel means better accuracy and it has cool "dog collar slings" that put the M39 slings to shame. Second choice is a M38 in correct stock because the pig-sticker is a hinderance IMHO. You can also drive the faint-hearted away with the thunderous muzzleblast (muzzlebrakes are available 
) if you are feeling antisocial. Excellent condition rifles are everywhere for under $100 and ammo is cheap so either way, enjoy.
) if you are feeling antisocial. Excellent condition rifles are everywhere for under $100 and ammo is cheap so either way, enjoy.Unfortunately the 91/30's barrel doesn't always mean great accuracy. The trouble is a lot of the wartime production was done with substandard equipment in a big rush, so you get wide variation in bore sizes and quality. The best bet is to get a batch of six or twelve on a C&R license, keep the best shooter and sell off the rest.
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