Russian Tula M44

I recently bought a Tula MFG. M44 dated 1944, serial #H6966 and matchs pretty well. The gun may have been rebuilt and is in very nice condition, but, lacks the standard re-build marks. I haven't been able to find out much information on it. I have several books on Russian guns and they don't mention any Tula MFG or for that matter they don't mention any Tula M38's. I've got most of the other makers and variations, but, this one was a little different and yes, I have guys looking out for a Tula M38. Could I be beating a dead horse here?SDH

Nope! Not at all! I have a Tula M44 as well :) Tula made 50,000 M38's and 100,000 M44's. That sounds like alot, but it's REALLY not. Izhevsk made approximately 10 million carbines in comparison between 1939 and 1948.

All Tula M44's were made in 1944. Tula M38's were made only in 1940 and 1944.

What else do you want to know?

well now that you asked, I paid $250.00 for the M44 (a little high)should I go higher on the M38? Many thanks-SDH

Yes, probably. 50,000 for a Russian Mosin is exceedingly low production. Remember, they are only coming from Ukraine now. Russian owned surplus isn't on the market (and won;t be soon due to US-Russia arms non-proliferation treaties). Figure Ukraine had maybe 10% of the USSR's Mosins. That means about 5000 or so M38's, probably less due to war losses and military aid are out there for purchase. That's not alot.

Some guys get luky and buy one at Big5 for $80, but some guys win the lotto too.

I got my Tula M44 for $200, but would have paid twice that. Ditto for a Tula M38.

I too have a 1944 Tula M 44. It was my very first mosin nagant and only 79.00. (Purely dumb luck.) I just saw an M 38 Izzy laminate with ALL matching numbers for 94.00 tonight at a local gun shop. The rifle is counter bored but looks great. I believe I need to go back tomorrow.

$94 US isn't a bad price at retail for that rifle. I don't consider a counterbore on an M38 to be a factor at all.

Is the stock an M38 laminate or an M44 laminate?

It is the correct stock....all 38.

Cool, go buy it then! :)