M44 Sight Problems

[mdrim13]

I recently purcased a M44 Mosin Ngant manufactured in 1944 at the Izhevsk arsenal. It is in good shape with a very shiney bore. The bore has a counter-bore of about one inch at the muzzle end. This appears to have been done at an arsenal at some point during a refurb. The gun has been in Polish hands at some time juding by the marks. When I went out to shoot it today for the first time the sights were WAY off. At one hundred yards the bullets were hitting approx 2 feet low and 1 foot left of my intended target. As for the group itself it was within 3-4 inches so I know it is consistent. I am not new to mosin nagants by any means. I have had one for a while now and can shoot 300 meters targets on a regular basis at the range. What can I do to adjust the sights? I know the front sight is on a dovetail so I assume it can be moved left to right with slight taps of a hammer. As for making the up/down adjustment is the front sight post adjustable? Possibly a screw style adjstment? Is it possible to adjust this or am I stuck with this terrible accuracy? Does anyone have a better way to do it or has anyone had this problem before? Thanks to all who help.

Information

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[jmoore]

AFAIK, the front sight post itself isn't adjustable for elevation.

Since the rifle is shooting low, however, you could file the top of the post shorter.

First, make sure that the action screws are tight, that the ammo you are using is the bullet weight and type that you expect to shoot most often, and that there are no other dramas w/ the rifle.

[mdrim13]

thanks jmoore. So it the windage adjustment possible via the dovetail? Also something else I thought of....Could i possibly shim the rear leaf sight to componsate?

[jmoore]

Yup, drift and restake when zeroed for windage. I reckon you could add a bit of material to the bottom of the slider by whatever means bests suits you. Anything from superglue to welding...

[jmoore]

Apparently you don't want to just set the rear sight at "4" or "5" (100s of meters) on the scale, no? I just HAD to ask!

[tower06]

Attach the bayonet and shoot it, then see how you group. Those guns were sighted with bayonets attached as I understand it. Also rather than filing the stock sight, get some finishing nails and cut them down to different heights and exhange them with the front sight post. You should be able to get it set fine that way. Once you have an acceptable zero, blue the new post and you are set to go.

[jmoore]

Attach the bayonet and shoot it, then see how you group. Those guns were sighted with bayonets attached as I understand it. Also rather than filing the stock sight, get some finishing nails and cut them down to different heights and exhange them with the front sight post. You should be able to get it set fine that way. Once you have an acceptable zero, blue the new post and you are set to go.

It's an M44, so the bayonet ought to be "attached", regardless, but you do make a point- try it both folded and extended, but it doesn't usually make that big a POI change. (24 MOA!)

True enough about the sight pins- IF there's any that will fit w/o "wiggle". It requires removing the entire dovetailed assembly, or close to it, to remove the sight post downwards. However, be careful! It's fairly easy to spread the dovetail's base "ears", resulting in a loose front sight assembly or loss of one of the ears off the base. No fun, that.

[tower06]

It's an M44, so the bayonet ought to be "attached", regardless, but you do make a point- try it both folded and extended, but it doesn't usually make that big a POI change. (24 MOA!)

True enough about the sight pins- IF there's any that will fit w/o "wiggle". It requires removing the entire dovetailed assembly, or close to it, to remove the sight post downwards. However, be careful! It's fairly easy to spread the dovetail's base "ears", resulting in a loose front sight assembly or loss of one of the ears off the base. No fun, that.

Meant extended. Mis-spoke.


Here's a link to another forum with detailed info:

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...ight/index.asp

Hope that helps.