Author Topic: Dunham's sports 7.62X39 & 7.62X54R (Read 1424 times)

Cracker · « **on:** February 18, 2004, 05:45:55 AM »

So, a local chain sporting goods store called Dunham's has some rifles they call vintage. The best priced one's are the ones marked 7.62X39 and 7.62X54R. They had two of the previous and about 5 of the later. All in the $69 to $80 range.

Some of the 7.62X54R's were short and some long rifles. Most, I believe were marked Yugo.

What am I looking at? What should I be looking at? How can I tell what is good? and What are the differences between the two cartridges? and How do they compare to cartridges I would know (i.e. 243, 270, 30-30, 30-06)?

I was hoping to find some 6.5 mm stuff, but they just had the above mentioned. They did have one 8mm Yugo, but wanted close to $200 for it.

Thanks.
Cracker

1911crazy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2004, 08:22:00 AM »

It sounds like the 7.62x39's are yugo sks's thats a buy if they are $69 just check the bores and the other shorter 7.62x54 rifles are mosin's maybe M44's, M38's or M59's but i would bet they are most likely M44's since they are more plentiful and cheaper and could be made by the Russians, the Polish or the Hungarians. I have also seen yugo 8mm mausers here for around $200 too. But i did pickup a brand new unissued yugo m48 for $225 of course some of them are pushing $399 now. But some did turn up at the last gun show here for $250 still unfired. I have cleaned mine but it just sits in the safe I hate to take it out there isn't a mark on it. (yet) BigBill

securitysix · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2004, 08:52:13 AM »

Without actually seeing the guns, it's hard to be sure of what they actually are. Odds are, the ones chambered for 7.62x39mm are SKS rifles, probably made in Yugoslavia, as BigBill pointed out. The ones chambered for 7.62x54R are probably Mosin-Nagants (especially if they are bolt actions). Of those, the long ones are probably 91/30s (unless they're really long, in which case they're M1891s) and the short ones are M38s or 91/59s if they have no bayonet or M44s if they have a side folding bayonet. Those are best guesses.

7.62x39mm is right around .30-30 as far as ballistics goes. 7.62x54R is closer to .308 Winchester, but falls a hair short of it if I recall correctly.

Now, there is a remote (very remote) chance that some of those 7.62x54R guns are 1907 carbines or Czech 91/38 carbines. If that turns out to be the case, buy them all. Probably, they aren't, but it never hurts to check. Even if they're M44s that a cruffler (C&R FFL holder) can get for $50-$60, $80 wouldn't be bad for them since they'd probably cost about $10 to ship and anywhere from $10 on up to transfer if you don't have a C&R.

Cracker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2004, 09:01:41 AM »

Thank you very much.

I didn't have a pencil and paper or I would have written down the info. I do remember seeing the M44 designation on the Short 7.62X54. I will now have to go back with pen and paper in hand to make sure I am not missing a great deal. The short ones did have a bayonet mount on the side, no bayonet included. All were Bolt actions.

Thanks. If I come back with information different than what you guys suggested I will let you know

Cracker

litman252 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2004, 01:12:42 PM »

IF all were bolt actions, including the 7.62x39 it is not a SKS. SKS is a semi-auto. Do a search on the net for SKS, you will see a lot of them in a hurry.

For your info, [/url]http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplus_rifles.html Go here and do some comparison. These prices are good ones. You can not look at the rifle before you buy and have to pay shipping yet.

Best of luck,
Tony

SBF · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2004, 10:39:58 AM »

Any Dunhams I've been to have had C&R guns from Century Arms. You could take a look at their website and figure out what you were looking at. I've bought a couple of guns from them recently, a Steyr M95 and a Russian converted Dragoon (looks a lot like the 91/30). They often have no clue what they have on thier shelves which is how I got the Dragoon for $79.00.
Also you can think of the 7.62x39 as having ballistics much like that of a 30-30, the 7.62x54R has ballistics similar to a 30-06 IIRC.
If your getting "into" C&R guns I would suggest getting your C&R FFL (it's $30 for 3 years) and you can get guns for a lot cheaper online sent right to your house.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2004, 08:21:12 AM »

Just called Dunham's they have the M44 for 79.95 I was thinking of getting one. The 7.62x39 are yugo that look like sks they are 139.95. I have been thinking of getting a 7.62x64R for some time now. Thanks Cracker for reminding me about Dunhams.

BBF