To shoot or not to shoot that is the question

[owensct]

Hi All,

New to this forum. First off I am not a Mosin collector, I just have one. The Mosin I have based on the research I did is a 1953 Romanian M44, all numbers match and it is in what I would consider good condition with a nice bore, it did not come with the cleaning kit or cleaning rod. I've had it for around 20 years and have never fired it.

I realize that for the most part Mosins typically are not considered high dollar/high value collectibles. Recently I've been thinking I'd like to take it out to the range and start using it for plinking. However, I have always understood that as far as collectible guns go an unfired gun is worth more. All the guns I have I shoot, even the few I have that are considered modestly collectible.

So the question is does this particular Mosin have a significant value in the Mosin world and if it does what harm and I going to do to that value if I shoot it? I'm not interested in getting rid of it, unless it turns out to be worth a lot of money, (which I know isn't the case, if for no other reason than the fact that I'm just not that lucky, lol).

I also thought about buying another stock for it and re-finishing the 2nd stock, adding a bipod, recoil pad, Howling Raven 10 round magazine etc for range use, (no permanent changes). I realize that purists are typically against refinishing making mods etc, (what I've heard referred to as bubba'd up) but if it's not worth much and is just a nice fun rifle to plink with then I figure what the heck. On the other hand it it is a rarer version of the Mosin then I might be better off leaving as is and unfired.

What do you think?

Thanks

Gordon

[millman]

Shoot it, clean it, and take care of it, but under no circumstances refinish or otherwise Bubba it. Buy a modern Savage or Remington or Ruger if you want to practice your gunsmithing skills. Mosins are great unmolested pieces of history, but they make shitty ass sporters.

[tjtM38]

I say shoot it. You won't wear it out.

[awalker1829]

Shoot it at least once and clean it well. I've got a Russian M44 (1945 Ishveshk) with a perfect barrel-squeaky clean and sharp rifling all the way to the muzzle. I've only fired it once. My shooter carbine is my M38. Only gunsmithing I do on the milsurps is maintenance.

[entropy]

Shoot it and clean it as is. It's a desirable collector gun, but there's no such thing as an unfired one. Just be sure to maintain it properly, and keep it unbubba'd. It will go up in value, and you will still enjoy it at the range. (or hunting)

We are a preservationist forum, and the rules you should have read when you registered state that. Also, what millman said is true; they do not make good sporters.

[Gene S]

I would definitely shoot it, keeping clean modern factory ammo or reloads of similar velocities & pressures of factory ammunition will make clean up easier & no issues in wear.

[Fledge]

I agree with all the replies. Chances are it has been shot in the past anyways.

[Pahtu]

I am one of those guys who think not all MN's should be fired, some are very rare. In this case, all matching Romanian M44s are indeed uncommon and desired by collectors, but are not rare. Fire it as is in my opinion, they are a joy to own, fun to fire(I have a nice example of such a carbine).

Pahtu.

[King Johhny]

Shoot it! And don't bubba it, just think that maybe 50 years from now you will have a 110yr old rifle in it's original configuration!

[Junk Yard Dog]

I spot someone with a milsurp all tricked out with aftermarket crap like some bangers rice rocket all I think is there goes another operator wannabe. That sort of thing gets zero respect from real collectors or shooters, use it and don't abuse it, it will get the job done just as it is.

[Brake Weight]

If you want a fancy shooter then go buy one. There are many bolt actions and a two dozen different chambers. Those will punch paper just the same...likely better all day. Ruger American, Savage, Etc.

[capt14k]

Shoot it. It is has been fired before and the value is not too high to worry about it dropping too much from being fired.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[steelbuttplate]

I got two of the Romanians, They are a little more carefully made than the Russians. Very rarely a functional problem. They are smooth like a fine tuned Finn action.

[Rongo]

Shoot it. I Love my Romanian M44's!!! Great shooters.

My three #'s matching Romanian M44's;

Top to Bottom;
1953 Romanian
1954 Romanian
1955 Romanian

[owensct]

All,

Thanks for the responses.

I concur, I will 1) shoot it and 2) Not Bubba it up.

I just purchased an aftermarket cleaning kit and Howling Raven spring as the bolt is very sticky, but I'll leave the changes at that, (new spring).

As the rifle did not come with the cleaning rod can anyone advise me as to which cleaning rod is the correct one, (lengthwise) for my M44?

Thanks

Gordon

[polymerase2]

spend some time reading about cleaning and maintenance, especially about sticky bolts. IT is a good gun to learn the basics from.

[Pahtu]

Any ole M44 cleaning rod will do, I will take a peek at my Romanian M44 and see if it has any special markings on it, measure the length, etc. Give me a day or two.

Pahtu.

[Pahtu]

I checked my local stash, and the carbine was close by....sooo - The cleaning rod measures a little bit over 17 1/2 inches long.

Liberty had some carbine cleaning rods IIRC...

Pahtu.

[Pahtu]

Sticky bolt is cured by me with a 12 or 20 gauge brush dipped in Hoppes, forward portion of the cleaning rod put into a cordless drill and then with the bolt taken out, brush out the chamber. It works! No need to replace the firing pin spring unless it is weak, which I have found with a couple original replacement springs purchased off ebay.

Pahtu.

[qz2026]

I have yet to run into a Mosin that has not had powder fowling in the bore and bolt. They've all been fired. The Romanian M-44's are very nice and a bit uncommon to find them fully matching, although certainly not rare. But, that is no reason not to shoot it. If it has been sitting for 20 years, make sure it is cleaned thoroughly before you fire it. Check headspace and firing pin protrusion, as well. Then, enjoy Be sure to clean it up after shooting as well. There is tons of information here as to how to properly clean one of these, especially if you use corrosive ammo.