Got my T-53 today from Century

[dubois9837]

I got my T-53 today from Century Arms. It was listed as good condition with cracked stock. Sale price was $99.00 plus $12.95 shipping for a total of $111.95. The stock is in pretty bad shape - and I like it that way. It shows character. Looks like it was used to beat some political prisoners at some point. Maybe dragged behind a vehicle or two. The metal is in good shape. Bore is nice. Most of the finish is still there. The numbers on the receiver, magazine, and butt plate all match. The bolt does not. Only the bolt handle seems to be Chinese. Everything else seems to have Russian arsenal markings on it. Checked headspace and it's good.

The stock has a small crack just behind the tang above the grip. It's about 2 inches long. I think it can be fixed pretty easily. Any ideas on how to do it without destroying any value? How did the Chinese repair these stocks?

[desdem12]

Well that is not too bad at all, like the price. Couldn't see the crack but if it is on the side there you can maybe drill a few little holes and shoot some glue in there from inside after the action is taken off. I fixed a side crack like that. If it is behind the tang it might be a little more difficult.

[dubois9837]

Thanks, I might give it a try. I saw a video on the web where a guy used toothpicks to open it a little bit and then injected glue. He then used a c clamp to hold it together until it dried. Should be a fun project.

[desdem12]

I did spread mine some also with something...can't remember. Then i used a clamp with the rubber dohickeys that have the triggers on them. worked pretty good. You have to get the glue that is squeezed out though before it dries. That is the main reason i drilled it from inside to get the glue in deeper.

[Ironnewt]

looking at that stock gives new meaning to the expression, "Rode hard and put away wet" YOICKS!!

[SA1911a1]

I haven't bought from Century, though I have a lot of Century rifles. How does it work? Was it a C&R purchase, or though a 01?

[pgpipefitter]

If gun is Russian you could add a Russian M44 stock and be correct save the old stock and use the new russian when shooting I would think that a good used Russian M44 would not be hard to find.

[bunkysdad]

Doesn't it have the Chinese stamping on the receiver? The last thing I would do is change the stock to a incorrect Russian stock. You would have a mess on your hands. It looks correct just like it is. This is what a surplus T53 is supposed to look like. Super cool deal.

[bunkysdad]

I do agree with you pipefitter that if it was a Russian gun as was stated in the original post that it would be correct in a Russian stock. I don't imagine however that the barrel is Russian.

[dubois9837]

I do agree with you pipefitter that if it was a Russian gun as was stated in the original post that it would be correct in a Russian stock. I don't imagine however that the barrel is Russian.

The Rifle is a Chinese T-53 as stated at the start of the thread. The rifle is dated 1955.2 . Only some of the bolt parts are Russian which is not unusual. China aquired some M44 parts from Russia as military aid from a fellow communist ally. I don't believe they got any stocks from Russia. I read somewhere that the Chinese used a different kind of wood for their stocks than the Russians. They needed something that would hold up better in high humidity. Besides I actually like this stock. Stands out from the refurb Russian M44 rifles.

[dubois9837]

I haven't bought from Century, though I have a lot of Century rifles. How does it work? Was it a C&R purchase, or though a 01?

Yes, It was a C&R purchase. Had one for about 5 years now and recommend one to anybody wanting to increase their milsurp collection.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[jayrocka1200]

I could be wrong but I thought the Chinese received the machines necessary to build there own Mosin Nagant m-44's that they would end up calling the t-53. They didn't use any Russian parts for their rifles....again this is how I understand it so I may be wrong...maybe JYD can shed some light on the topic

[Steve The Pirate]

I would leave as is . It's got that drove hard and put away wet look.How bout some pics of the recvr. Cool rifle.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I could be wrong but I thought the Chinese received the machines necessary to build there own Mosin Nagant m-44's that they would end up calling the t-53. They didn't use any Russian parts for their rifles....again this is how I understand it so I may be wrong...maybe JYD can shed some light on the topic

The Chinese did receive the tooling for the M44 from the Soviets, typical Soviet aid package, they set up the factory and showed the Chinese how to run it, I understand that the first run of parts still had Russian markings on them. They also received aid in the form of surplus Soviet M44's, over time some of these M44 parts got mixed in with the type 53's as rifles were stripped for parts and the parts used for repair. At least one of my type 53's has an Izhevsk marked part on it, and Soviet parts will interchange with the type 53. Never put any special meaning into these Izhevsk parts, now that many type 53's have been in circulation for more than 20 years in this country Soviet parts will be used to repair them as they are more commonly available.

[jayrocka1200]

ah ok thanks for clearing that up

[racerguy00]

Greetings from up the road in Franklin! Nice rifle with with some history, that's for sure. Make sure u wipe off all the glue that oozes out with a damp cloth right away so it doesn't garf up the area worse.

[Siam]

$99 is a great price. When I look at their site I see the price at $119.87, did I miss a special deal?

[dubois9837]

Greetings from up the road in Franklin! Nice rifle with with some history, that's for sure. Make sure u wipe off all the glue that oozes out with a damp cloth right away so it doesn't garf up the area worse.

Thanks, Neighbor. Not sure I will try to glue the stock yet or not. I will definitly be carefull because I love the look of the rifle. It kind of stands out in the safe from the Russian refurb m44. The way I see it, every one of those scuffs and dings in the stock has a story to tell. Can almost feel the history.

[dubois9837]

$99 is a great price. When I look at their site I see the price at $119.87, did I miss a special deal?

It was a discount they were offering until Sept. 30th. The $119.87 is the normal price. The discount brought the price down to $99.00 even. The shipping price is the standard $12.95 so there was no discount on shipping. Total price to my door was $111.95
I wasn't sure if I was going to purchase from Century at this price or by one from AIM Surplus in fair to good condition for $119.99 without a cracked stock. I decided to go with Century. I save about $26.00 total VS. AIM because shipping is also a little more from AIM.