My "new" M44

[ohm]

Picked up a 1955 M44 for $125 today, I think I did okay, from a pawn shop. It is obviously a Romanian made rifle and it has been used. The stock has quite a few soft dents in it and the bluing is worn off on the butt plate and wear areas but there is no rust. One thing that I should have noticed is that the numbers on the bolt don't match the numbers on the receiver but the bolt fits well and doesn't bind. I haven't decided if I want to refinish/reblue the rifle or not because it does have some nice character and nothing is being damaged. Anyway photos of the old girl.

[bunkysdad]

Welcome. You did real good and got a good price. The voice whispering in your ear that makes you unsure about refinishing the metal or stock- That is your inner wisdom speaking to you. If you don't listen to it that mistake will ruin the patina and historic finish that only 57 years could put on it. Refinishing is not for relic military rifles, perhaps a old 22, but not original relics. Congrats on a nice purchase and don't worry about the mis-matched bolt on a battle weary rifle, that is common.

[BuckeyeSgt]

You got a hell of a deal for that rifle. The only one I have seen, I bought and it doesn't look anywhere near as nice as that one. Even though it looks like crud it is history and it is mine. I wouldn't change anything on it. You should be proud to be the owner.

[ohm]

Yeah, that voice is screaming in my ear, since its not rusted or anything I am just going to keep rubbing the metal parts with an oily rag to keep them from rusting. I don't think it looks like crud at all. I also noticed the numbers on the butt plate don't match, even less of an issue. I would like to get a cleaning rod, not really for cleaning but just to fill the void, there should be something there.

Anything that I could put on the stock since it is a bit dry in places where the finish is worn down?

Anyway, I am going to take it to the range tomorrow and see how she shoots and try not to hit the wooden uprights on my target stand, a 22lr round does enough damage to those as it is.

[BuckeyeSgt]

The one that looks like crud was mine. Yours looks great. The eastern bloc rifles are usually mismatched on the parts. There are some out there that match though. No big deal. There is something for the stock but I forget what it is right now. Old guy and late here. Looking forward to see how she shoots.

[TopperT]

I use Balistol on EVERYTHING and on wood its fantastic. It soakes into the pores. Its vegtable based, non corrosive protects metal and wood and leather and hell I think its good for everything but a mouth wash.....

THAT Sir is one nice rifle AND you got one hell of a deal. I havn't priced any M44's but its likely one in nice shape like yours goes for more than $125! Yet another challange for me to add to my growing group! Nice rifle.......very nice rifle.

[SA1911a1]

You did very well on a nice rifle. It is not unusual for the Romanian rifles to be non-matching. On the major auction sites, that rifle would sell for at least $200.00 in it's current, historically accurate condition. If it were re-finished it would be worth less than $100.00.

As a new collector, it is tempting to want to make the rifle look new. As you gain more experience you will realize that that the real beauty is in the rifle in it's real, unmolested condition.

Congratulations on you find!

[Junk Yard Dog]

Welcome to the forum, you have a fantastic looking Romanian M44 and it looks exactly like a milsurp rifle should look. No need for refinishing anything, and all that would do is put the rifles collectible value right into the toilet. The mismatching numbers thing is normal also, US weapons only have one serial number on the receiver, the Europeans, and the Russians went in for that number everything crap. All the refurbished Soviet Mosins out there have people thinking that's what every milsurp should look like, not so, mismatched numbers, dings in the stock, all the good stuff that shows a milsurps path through history, that's what milsurps look like most of the time. Get a NO/GO headspace gauge from Okie , click the banner up at the top of the page, check the headspace with the supplied instructions, it very easy, then shoot away

[Rongo]

Congratulations on getting a fine rifle at a great price. Watch out though.... they become very addictive! I too started with one Romanian M44 years ago, & according to my wife it's gotten totally out of control.

As the others stated; Leave it be & enjoy it for what it is. Refinishing will ruin it value wise.

Welcome to the Forum!

[desdem12]

Nice Romanian. I just got one a month ago thanks to another member so that is a great find and a great price. I use lemon oil on the wood. You can find it at walmart by the murphys oil soap (which also can be used ot clean really dirty stocks).

[Siam]

Nice looking rifle, M44's are fun to shoot.

[ohm]

I went to the range today, managed to forget earplugs which was a big mistake, and put 300 rounds of ammo through my 22's, I was getting rid of some shitty Remington ammo. I also put 25 rounds through the Mosin, the first two magazines were consistently high so I adjusted the rear sight one click up and wouldn't you know it the next 5 rounds flew right over the target stand Adjusted it two clicks down and it started to look like something. The next five were slightly high still but the last five made a nice little group right where they should be, getting used to the sights. The target on the left was the first two magazines, and the one on the right was from the last two, there are two holes missing from it because I farted and one went way off to the right and the other I decided to see what a 7.62 FMJ round would do to a 1/4" steel plinking target, lets just say it had a little more penetration then a round nose lead 22lr round

I ended up also running by Big 5 on the way back and picked up 2 more boxes of ammo while it is still on sale. I am thinking I am going to have to get a rubber butt pad as well, kicks like a mule. I did get some nice fire balls too while shooting it. In all I had a fun two hours playing with the toys.

[desdem12]

Nice shootin

[MN Fan]

What an awesome M44! And it looks like its one heck of a shooter too (as well as the owner )

Congrats on finding a nice Romanian...and welcome to the forum!

[polymerase2]

You have a straight shootin rifle. By the way, I use a shoulder pad when it's summer and still feel manly. It can keep a flinch from developing. Clean the stock of crud with one of the may cleaners reccomended on this site. Search cleaning stocks. I use plain old mineral spirits or kerosine followed by lemon oil. After you buy a few you will lose the urge to make each one perfect.
And, resistance is futile

[Junk Yard Dog]

Nice shooting, first time I ever heard of flatulence being used as an excuse for a miss I will have to remember that one.