M44 Carbine Range Report

[Art]

I took my Izevsk Arsenal Moisin Nagant M44 carbine to the range today. It is a minty post war (1946) rifle with a pristine bore. Moisin triggers vary but this rifle has a very good miltary trigger.

Since I got it it has suffered from Mosin "sticky bolt" syndrome. I have heard explanations of this phenomenon from old baked on cosmoline in the chamber to tight headspace. Before shooting I polished the chamber with a .50 cal brush to remove any possible preservative contamination.

Ammunition was 1953 mfg Romainian light ball and 1966 mfg Soviet light ball.

This was the first time I had ever shot the rifle at 200 yards and it was very satisfyingly accurate. If I did my part (I had two called flyers) the rifle had no problem holding "minute of thorax" on a sillouette target at 200 yards. Both types of ammunition hit at exactly the same point of impact.

The Romainian ammunition (brass cased) extracted and ejected easily and flawlessly. The Russian (copper washed steel cased) ammunition remained "sticky" to extract, though not as difficult as before I polished out the chamber. One Romainian case cracked at the neck. There were no problems but since no Moisin Nagant handles escaping gas well it was a reminder to wear shooting glasses even though I did not notice it until I ejected and examined the case.

I find Commie ammo to be very dirty and clean up to be a chore. I must say these two lots were an exception and a pleasant surprise. This was the cleanest Com-Bloc ammo I've ever shot. I cleaned as usual for corrosive ammunition. Two patches of USGI bore cleaner for corrosive primed ammo followed by two patches soaked in soapy water followed by two dry patches. The two dry patches at the end came out absolutely snow white. First time that's ever happened I must say.

[Rick]

I'm going to try and tweak the horizontal this week with my new front sight tool. It does group well just not to point of aim but I'm getting there. Shot it three times two weeks ago and just getting the nerve to shot it again. Really like the rifle but have no idea what I will ever use it for. They do have a lot of history behind them so maybe that's my attraction.

[Art]

I'm going to try and tweak the horizontal this week with my new front sight tool. It does group well just not to point of aim but I'm getting there. Shot it three times two weeks ago and just getting the nerve to shot it again. Really like the rifle but have no idea what I will ever use it for. They do have a lot of history behind them so maybe that's my attraction.

The history behind my Milsurps is my primary motivation for buying them....and of course they are fun to shoot.

[Bolt2bounce]

I've always been amazed at just how accurate the Moisin Nagant rifles are.. Lets face it they are butt ugly..as far as a rifle goes...but they smack targets beautifully... B2B

[Art]

B2B you are right about the Mosin Nagant's not being beautiful. If rifles were girls, though, they'd all be greatful for all of the French bolt guns which are just plain butt ugly!!

[Bolt2bounce]

I'd agree with ya there the french rifles are even uglier than the russian's...and they smell more too...LOL B2B

[sop2510]

My son has an M44 that we shoot just about every weekend. I keep forgetting not to stand beside him. That short barrel has one heck of a muzzle blast. Being a southpaw, I find it very difficult to shoot the M44 compared to my AK-74. ;-)

[Art]

My son has an M44 that we shoot just about every weekend. I keep forgetting not to stand beside him. That short barrel has one heck of a muzzle blast. Being a southpaw, I find it very difficult to shoot the M44 compared to my AK-74. ;-)

AKs are very southpaw friendly. I am mostly a left handed shooter being left eyed and the safety is actually easier to operate on an AK type rifle for me when shooting left handed. I just put my right hand at the juncture of the stock and magazine with my right thumb on the safety lever. I can then just knock the safety off with my right thumb after which my hand just slides naturally into shooting position. I can also operate the operating handle easily with my non shooting hand.

My eyes are close enough to being equal though that I can shoot bolt guns right handed if I want. I guess there are a few advantages to being one of those folks who was converted from "leftie" to "rightie" in early childhood.