Refinished Russian M44's

[Czar]

Ok, I just got my 2 M44's from AIM, and DAMN! These things come still in the mummy wrap from the arsenal, but shit they are moldy as hell!

Also have surface rust on the reinforments for the straps and some rust on the bayonetes

Not what I expected, but we'll see how they shoot.


Czar

[TheRifleman]

Hmmm...I got 2 of these and neither of them had those problems. Mold? Rust? Is it just the start of some rust. If so, try some steel wool #0000. You can be pretty aggressive with it and not hurt the finish.

If the rust does not come off I would send them back. These should be like new and IMO a rifle with rust is not like new.

[Led]

I bought one of these at AIM a couple of weeks ago. No mold, but there was a little rust. The reinforcements for the sling had a little surface rust on them and there was a dime sized spot on the barrel under the upper hand guard. Besides that the metal was perfect. The stock had two woods repairs and looked like it had been refinished after the repair work. Even with the repairs it looked really good.

Considering these things have been sitting for who knows how long and that AIM doesn't take these out of the wrapers to check them (Because they can charge more that way) I expected a little rust. I know they sell them like new, but considering just how good of shape mine was in a little rust doesn't bother me. All of us know its a crap shoot with surplus, sometimes its good some times its bad.

If the rust on yours isn't that bad I would just clean it off and keep them. Mine shoots amazingly good. Since they are arsenal refinished and have not been used all of the mechanical tollerences will be right up to spec. For me, thats more important than a perfect finish because that means the rilfe will last a very long time.

Later,
Led

[Schuetzenman]

Like Led said, it's a crap shoot. You expected off the assembly line MINT or something? :rolleyes: You paid HOW much for them? They are HOW old? You were planning on shooting them right? ;)

[Czar]

I know I know :)

I'm gonna keep em, the rust ain't that bad, just not expected, ESPECIALLY FOR ALL THE COSMO THATS IN EM!!! :eek:

I'm still on my anal retentive kick I got on when I bought my shotgun. As some may know, I work for a sporting goods store in the hunting department. When I bought my shotgun (A Beretta 391 Urika Gold) I noticed that the wood quality varied greatly from gun to gun, so I picked through everyhting in our stock. Then I went to two other stores in the chain and picked through their stuff too. Then picked the best one of the lot (hey, they all cost the same right??? ;) ) Net net of that story was I got a $950 gun with wood thats only bested by the $3000 guns we sell

I'm trying not to be so anal, but realize the mode I'm trying to disengage from!

At least I already have a plan...

Thanks guys for telling me I need to quit whining like a little girl, I need to hear that on the few times I get that way ;puke:



Czar

[Schuetzenman]

Czar,
Ok, I can see you sniping for a pretty piece of wood on a Beretta shotgun. But Surplus military arms . . . . ! :rolleyes: ;) Just keep telling yourself it's a "killing machine" not a work of art. :D

[Wilbur]

Originally posted by Schuetzenman
Czar,
Ok, I can see you sniping for a pretty piece of wood on a Beretta shotgun. But Surplus military arms . . . . ! :rolleyes: ;) Just keep telling yourself it's a "killing machine" not a work of art. :D

I thought killing machines were works of art by definition.

[Czar]

:) Thanks for helping me keep it in perspective... I've wiped my pussy and I've gotten over it now! :)

THANKS YOU GUYS!!!



Czar

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by Czar
:) I've wiped my pussy and I've gotten over it now! :)

THANKS YOU GUYS!!!

Czar

WOW . . . . no need to be so hard on yourself Czar! :eek:

Let us know how they shoot when you get to a range. :D