M38 with correct stock

[weasel_master]

I've never looked for an M38 after I bought my m44 and 91/30. I was looking at some stuff at Fleet Farm and saw they had one with the correct stock, it didn't have the cut for the m44 bayo. Are they usually cheap like the other two or do they run a little more. I think they wanted $145 which I figure is pretty well on the high end. Just curious.

[bullseye]

For some odd reason the 38 does sell for more than the 44. If it has the correct stock, that does drive the price up as well. Still don't know why, isn't it the same rifle but without the bayo?

[nalioth]

For some odd reason the 38 does sell for more than the 44. If it has the correct stock, that does drive the price up as well. Still don't know why, isn't it the same rifle but without the bayo?
Yup

[Optimus Prime]

Pretty much... seemed anybody who could get their hands on an M-38 loved them, except for the lack of a bayonet when going into trenches or clearing buildings, so they developed the M-44. Correct M-38 stocks are hard to find because many of the rifles were rearsenalled after the war and they had stopped making M-38 stocks when they switched to the M-44's for carbine production, so if a 38 needed a new stock it got one with a bayonet groove.
I jumped on one a couple years back at Fleet Farm here in town when I noticed it had the right stock, and it turned out to be a 1939 dated rifle to boot (first year production), so it's pretty amazing it's still got the correct one.
I also paid under $100 for it... back when Mosins were easy to find and people hadn't figured out what was what yet. Went to Fleet today and they had two there with M-44 stocks and priced at $199.99.........

[nevada]

The Big 5 Sporting goods stores here have the mosins, mausers etc for sale at twice the price you would get from Classic Arms or elswhere. They have different model on sale every week for half the going price. But some are next to junk while others are re-arsenalled or very good original. I found one SMLE out of 4 that had all its parts AND worked correctly. Maybe your fleet has those sales?

[Planning]

the m-38 rifle with the orginal stock is getting very hard to find. the price is right on it and i have seen them going for $200 at the last 2 gun show. i only saw two of them. i think of all the m-38's i have i only have 5 that have the orginal stock. i would get it if they still have it. (in fact i would be buying the m-38's and putting them back as an investment)
of the russian MN's i think the m-38 is going to be the sleeper rifle, kinda like the m-39 MN was.( now look at the price on the m-39's).
i don't think there have been any m-38's brought in (imported) in over a year.
IMHO.

the last 2 shipments imported were mostly m-44's and a few m-91/30's.

[pigpen]

M-38's without the cut in the stock for the bayonet are a little more than one with an M44 stock. SOG had some M44 dated 1943 & are asking 199 for them.

[weasel_master]

Well here's the obligatory pictures. It is a 1944 with all numbers matching. It's counterbored but not a huge deal. I'm taking it out in a couple hours to test her out.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/rjbishop/IMG_1385.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o87/rjbishop/IMG_1384.jpg

[Planning]

looks like you made a real good choice. nice rifle.

[weasel_master]

I put 10 rounds through it yesterday. Even convinced the girlfriend to try it. She put one round through it before giving me a dirty look and putting down the rifle. All I had was a t-shirt and I paid for it. The muzzle blast on the thing was crazy. Definately a happy owner.