M44 or T53 ?

[billybob123]

I came across a local add last night and he is advertising an M44 for $150. Claims it was made in Russia and then shipped to China and has Chinese markings. It does have the import stamp and is all matching numbers. The bolt appears to have two strange characters, one is a backwards N and the other looks like an upside down L. The other markings are in Chinese and the import marks say M53. The manufacture date stamped on it says 1955.

My question is this....is this a Russian made then Chinese marked rifle or is this a Chinese rifle. Also it appears to be in decent shape...is 150 reasonable or is this over priced. It is a personal sale so no tax or background check fees.

[ParrotHead]

The date alone indicates it should be a Chinese T53

[redspoon]

Unless the stock is beat all to hell, it is a good price. Someone correct me if wrong, but I believe Russia sold/rented/gave China the tooling and technology to produce these. I have a 54 dated T53 with excellent stock and bright bore, great trigger and shoots very straight. Buck fifty for carbine that will take down dear and hogs no brainer. Uh make that deer.

[redspoon]

I love mine....

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[Mike]

Definitely a T53, and it sounds like a good buy, all matching number T53s aren't that common.

[redhat10]

Definitely a T53, and it sounds like a good buy, all matching number T53s aren't that common.

Not too many Chinese Rifles around here, Unless they are very beatup and falling apart, Like they survived a war? Or TWO?

[OLd_Sarg]

I have 3 of them and had more in the past, they are sweet little rifles, also they are far to cheap for what you get! "just don't tell anyone"

and if you can't tell my answer, it is heck yea get it and enjoy it

[billybob123]

I'm going check it out in a few hours. I informed him that it wasn't an M44 but a T53 and as such the value not so great...he said he was told it was an M44 by the guy he got it from and realizes now that it isn't...so who knows, he may even come down on the price...bummer

[boltaction]

Hello, I hope you are correct, but if he reads this thread/post. He may ask for more... A little knowledge may be a dangerous thing... Happy hunting.

[billybob123]

Hello, I hope you are correct, but if he reads this thread/post. He may ask for more... A little knowledge may be a dangerous thing... Happy hunting.

Yeah I am hoping he doesn't. I've got $140 cash on me so he can take it or leave it...of course if he elects to leave it I will go to an ATM and pull out another 20 and do the deal.

[redhat10]

Good Luck, never can tell on a FTF..what will pop up--Just be careful...

[SA1911a1]

I would snatch a $150.00 matching T-53 in a heartbeat. When the Soviets sent the tooling and technicians to China as military aide, they also sent a boat-load of unneeded spare parts. It is not uncommon to see mixed parts on Chinese rifles. If they they made a trip, as Chinese aide to some of their less fortunate comrades, then mixed replacement parts would also be expected. The Chinese rifles, in good condition, rival all of the Soviet M-44s in quality. They have gotten a bad rap because so many came here in horrid condition, but that doesn't spoil the good ones.

Buy it or be sorry later.

[billybob123]

He forced me to take it for 145$ I am thinking the bolt is not matching. It appears to be a Russian bolt and has similar numbers but not all the same numbers. The other numbers are matching. Trigger seems actually fairly good and bolt is smooth. He said it has a tendency to stick after it heats up but it doesn't stick bad. My guess is it just needs a real good cleaning in the chamber if that's the case. The stock is ok in some parts but it does have 3 pretty good gashes on it that might give you splinters....unsure of what to do about that. I primarily am looking for a shooter and I hope when I test her out next month she'll be a shooter. Would make a nice pig gun with that pig sticker on the end...