M 44 Mosin Nagant Problem

[Cameron08]

I just purchased, from a pawn shop unfortunately, an M 44 Mosin Nagant. It looked good in the store, but when I tried to shoot it, the cartridge would not seat in the receiver. It was essentially blocked about 1/4 inch from being fullly seated. I cant see anything in the barrel when I look down it, nor from the receiver end. Did I just get taken or is this something that can be cured? Or is there something I should know and don't?

Information

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[Buntlineguy]

Have a good gunsmith verify cartridge. Some of these pawnshop specials have been modified.
B

[pipewizard]

Hi Cameron,What were you trying to load into your new m=44 was it 7.62x54r?Some of these pawnshop guys don,t know much bout these old warhorses and might have told you it was 8mm or something.Or you have massive amounts of cosmoline in there.

[Cameron08]

Before trying to load, I cleaned rifle thoroughly, including barrel. Tried to load 7.62 x 54r FMJ ammo.

[moltiv]

Maybe it is chambered for different caliber .
Did you ask?

[jmoore]

I'm wondering if there's not an old case neck left in the chamber.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Yes, could be case neck - v.difficult to see. If so, you do not need to buy a special tool IF you have a plastic hammer, a 6mm or 1/4" brass rod, as least as long as the barrel, and a .36 lead round ball. Squirt lubricant into the barrel, whack the lead ball into the muzzle with the plastic hammer, then drive it on down with the hammer + brass rod. Once the ball is started, you will probaby find that you do not even need the plastic hammer - the weight of the brass rod will be sufficient to drive down the ball if you flick the rod down to hit the ball. As the lead will be formed to a close fit in the barrel, this will take out any neck remains when it reaches the chamber AND you have slugged the barrel at the same time.

Do it a second time, and you will have a good feeling for any tight/loose spots in the barrel.

Patrick

[Cameron08]

Thanks for the suggestions about a case neck. I am taking the rifle back to pawn shop today to see what they will do---probably nothing. If they won't take it back, I will take to gunsmith to look at and will suggest the possible case neck problem. Lesson learned is to buy from a gun dealer, not pawn shop. This was a rifle that shop had bought or pawned. They do not sell them "in the box." I paid $200 for it out the door, which was not a bargain, but the rifle looked very nice superficially. Serial numbers all matched, stock in good condition, bolt clean. Will keep you advised.

[Cameron08]

Patrick Chadwick, you are the MAN!. I took the M44 back to pawn shop this morning. They were very nice and immediately started looking up and down barrel with lights. I told them what you had said about possibly being case neck. Finally, one guy says that he sees a little bit of brass, which he thought was a casing. The Fix: They found a 7.62 x 49 round; pulled out the bullet; oiled the barrel, then used a cleaning rod and rubber mallet to gently tap down the bullet (pointed end down). Took a little effort to get it started, then it went down easily, sort of like loading black powder round. When the round got down to the old casing, one firm tap and it fell out: 1.5 inches of old casing. The 7.62 X 49 bullet fit into the neck in the casing and was wedged into it when all fell out. The barrel looks good, the 7.62 X 54 round now fits fine, and with a good cleaning with brush, I think it will be shootable. By suggesting to the guys at the shop that it might be a case neck, they had something to look for even though they were not gunsmiths. Thanks again.

[pipewizard]

Good to hear Cameron,Hope you enjoy your new shooter.