Mosin m38 vs m44

[prairiedog555]

I understand that m38 is cut down m91, with no bayonet, but any difference in quality or accuracy?
Which would you buy?

Thanks

[Stan in SC]

Model 38 is not a cut down M-91.It was a complete model to itself.

Stan

[EVOC ONE]

I understand that m38 is cut down m91, with no bayonet, but any difference in quality or accuracy?
Which would you buy?

Thanks

I think you have your model numbers confused.  The 91/59 is the cut down 91/30.  Very easy to become confused when dealing with mil surps due to the many variations.   

[1911crazy]

I would end up buying both anyway but i would go with the M38 first because these are more rare and seem to dry up time to time too.  If you can get a M59(91/59) I would grab that too.

A few years back the supply of the M38's & M59's was all gone and our chances of finding one were slim to none.  Every so often these seem to come in small amounts lately. The rear site is the key to a rifle being a cut down from a longer rifle even with the swede mausers too besides the russian mosins.  Its a dead give away its been cut down.  On some even the longer distance numbers were milled off on the cut down 59's too.

I purchased a mosin sporter that was done by a professional gunsmith and what a looker it is.  I thought it was a M44 until looking closer at it and seeing the longer rear site it was a m59.  What a shame I thought at that time because i didn't have a m59 mosin since they were rare.

Since there still offering the russian mosins in most models and the affordability of them its time to get them and enjoy them.  I remember just a few years back when no one wanted the $79 Finnish Civil Guard 91/30 mosin that were captured russian mosins that samco had too and look at the prices now.  These russian mosins might not be worth as much as those are in the near future when the supply runs out but i think the'll be well worth the list pries that are posted on some dealer sites for sure we can't lose.  They might not be state of the art weapons the way there manufactured but they sure do shoot good.....and they make great hunting rifles too.  What can you buy for under $100 nowadays?  You can own it and touch a piece of history and shoot it too, besides bragging rights at the range when it shoots good too.

[prairiedog555]

Thank you all for your input, but my question is which model shoots best, and for the most part arrives in the best shape, mod 38 or 44.  or is there no difference.  Or should I get a mod 91 and have it cut down.
I will be ordering one for shooting soon so need to make decision. 

[Aardvark]

The model 38 has no bayonet so may be a bit more balanced...The M44 was produced later in the war when things were a bit more rushed so quality may suffer...I would go with the M38 unless you wish to attach a bayonet, then get the M44.