Mosin Nagant M1944 carbine barrel

B

Ben Cartwright SASS

New member
I was checking out a Mosin Nagant m44 carbine and my usual check is to put a 7.62x54R round in the muzzle end and see how much of the bullet doesn't go in, crude but effective.
I noticed right away that the first inch or so of the bore seems to be, how do I say it, turned down or drilled out or something, then there is a sharp ridge and the rifling starts right there.
I have never looked at a carbine before is this normal?

The cartridge goes in right to the neck.
 
Its counter bored, the russians did this if the end of the barrel was in bad shape. This was done to improve the accuracy of the rifle if it was in bad shape.
 
I would guess it is still safe to shoot if the headspace is correct etc.

The bore looks in ok shape. I guess I will have to take it to the range and shoot it to see if how it groups.
 
The counter bore is not a problem. It's good that it was counter bored if it needed it. I haven't seen many M44's with counterbore though. Mostly M38's. I have a counter bored M38 and it's a tack driver.
 
I want to check the headspace before I shoot it.

at one time a friend recommended a quick and dirty way to check headspace

take an empty case put a primer partway in, sticking out about halfway and put it in the chamber and close the bolt slowly then remove the case and see if the primer is even with the bottom or even in a little. It should not be above the base of the case

anyone ever use that method?
 
I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I own 30+ surplus firearms in various condition and I think I've only ever had the headspace checked in one. If the fired cases look normal I don't worry about it. The only one I had the headspace checked on had bulged cases after firing so I took it to my gunsmith to get it looked at and it turned out to be normal for that rifle because of the chamber tolerances.

If your rifle is one of the recently imported refurbished guns I can almost guarantee its fine since it was completely arsenal overhauled before being crated up and then imported.

Just my .02
 
I was discussing this with my gunsmith and he agreed that since these Russian rifles were all refurbished before being crated for another war they are most likely fine.

I ordered a go nogo gauge anyway :cool:
 
tater134, you are not alone on that one!:D I don't think I have ever had the headspace checked. All of mine have shot fine with no problems.
 
I have 2 methods for checking headspace and I only use them on Mosins if I suspect there may be a problem. Method 1 is to put 2 layers of regular masking tape on the bottom of a spent case, cut to fit the whole circular base of the case. If the case will chamber, it may have excessive headspace and should be checked by a smith. Method 2 is easier. Tie rifle to something (a tire works), point downrange, chamber a round and with a long string pull the trigger from a good distance. Check the case for bulges/problems near the rim. BTW, method 2 may create a bit of a fright at a populated range. :D
 
When I was 16 my uncle bought a used top break S&W. He handed it to me and said to go out in the field behind the house and fire it and see what happens :eek:

Being an old tobacco farm in the Connecticut Valley there were some old tobacco racks out there and I tied the gun to one of them. :rolleyes:

I used a long string, it fired and didn't blow up :D

I took it back in and said "seems fine to me" and handed it back to him! :D
 
I ordered a go nogo gauge anyway
Click to expand...

Smart way to go.

Despite there "never" being headspace issues with the MN, one of two refurbs I bought last year had excessive headspace. Solved it by swapping out the bolthead...
 
I got the go nogo gauges, all 3 91/30s and the 44 are fine with the go and the nogo won't close, I might be able to if I gave in really hard rap but it had resistence before it got halfway home.
 
GTG.
You should be able to close the bolt around halfway, then feel stiff resistance.
You don't want to force it...
 
If I am wanting to check the headspace on one of my mil surp C&Rs I generall only get the field guage. I am only concerned about the safety. Of the ones I have checked I have only had one that I deemed to have unsafe headspace. It was an eddysone M1917.
 
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