M-44 from AIM arrived today

[cwalker3]

My in wrap M-44 from AIM arrived today. It was packaged one box inside of another. The rifle was then wrapped in corrugated cardboard and taped very securely. The original wrapping was completely intact, including the string. The only thing they didn't use in packaging was bubble wrap, styrofoam and peanuts, but that's probably cause they didn't have any room left!

When I finally finished unpacking it, I couldn't believe what I was looking at. This is without a doubt, the best looking C & R I have yet to get. It is a 1946 Ishevsk with all matching numbers. The bluing is very black and except for the buttplate, is nearly 100%. The wood had a few scratches but I had to look for them to find them. The finish was in good shape.

After scrubbing the wood down with Murphy's I finished cleanup of the wood and all metal surfaces with lemon oil. Man, this stuff is great!! (Thanks to all for the recommendation.) I've yet to clean the barrel and bolt, but a quick check of the barrel didn't show any evident pitting. The rifling looked good. I'll finish up tomorrow and try to post some pictures this weekend.

[REDSTAR]

Cool. Those in wrap M44's are the deal of the year IMO. I should order another one. Heck, you talked me into it, I'm going to order yet another M44. hoo-rah!

[zouavexx]

Sounds Great CWalker3! Try to post some pics for us to drool over

I am tempted to buy one too, but I limit myself to 2 guns per Model.

[JES AR15]

i got my new one today also, same review except the wood needs a little attention.

[HomerTHX1138]

Sheesh! You guys are killing me, mine has spent last two nights in the local UPS office cause they SUCK!

:mad: :D

[dmzx]

Are these the wrapped m44's from AIM? Do they come in decent shape or do you have to clean them up quite a bit? If I EVER see ANYTHING caked in as much cosmo as my SKS was, I will vomit.

[fishman]

My last? M44 arrived today, in ex. condition as far as I can tell from the quick once over, bore is bright, wood good, no cracks or major dings..and its a 1948 issue, the last year of production..so I now have a 1944-1946-1948. The '48 is a run of 160K compared to the 3.6million of the 1944's so I am happy...the new one has a "stenciled" bolt but the reciever and floor plate, buttstock all match...I have been very happy with AIMs guns and I am trying to quit buying these damn 44's but they are so nice I find it hard to believe that they will be around in this condition for very long...so I might just cave and make it a foursome-I never liked odd numbers anyway...PS..will have to move soon, house is full of guns, ammo and used bore patches!~

[zouavexx]

Originally posted by fishman
PS..will have to move soon, house is full of guns, ammo and used bore patches!~

.....and the sweet smell of cosmoline. :)

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by dmz
Are these the wrapped m44's from AIM? Do they come in decent shape or do you have to clean them up quite a bit? If I EVER see ANYTHING caked in as much cosmo as my SKS was, I will vomit.

They are the wrapped ones that AIM is selling for $69. It had a thin coat of cosmoline on it that was pretty dried up. Cleaned up real easy.

[Bobcat]

Guess I'm the only person in the world who is not happy with my 'mummy-wrap' M-44 from AIM.

Mine came a few weeks before Christmas and I promised my wife I wouldn't open it unti Christmas morning. I had no reason to expect that it wouldn't be in beautiful condition, so I waited.

What I found was a 1948 with almost perfect metal and bore (looks brand new). Only problem was the wood. It not only looks terrible, but the buttstock looks like a piece had been cracked completely off and had been repaired with nails and a dowel.

Since I am now well past the return date, I'm planning to keep it since I'd have to probably pay for shipping and insurance back to AIM also ($20). Hard to justify on such an inexpensive rifle. I may just try to refinish the stock without destroying the cartouche.

[HomerTHX1138]

Well UPS finally brought mine to work today (M44 & MN91/30)

I opened the M44 first. Without prior experience, I cannot rate the gun. I will say this: The wood is light, smooth and with a very fine layer of grease-like material. The metal bolt is silver and shiny, and the serial numbers match the gun's #s. I was surprised to see that the bayonet is star shaped - I expected a flat blade but this makes a nice hole that wouldn't close I suppose... The black metal of the gun is unblemished. I cannot really see the bore until I get it home.

The Mosin Nagant 91/30 is what I expected - dark wood, coated in gunk. One piece of wood was carefully repared with a 1" long, and thin wedge piece (grain running the other way) that adds to its character. It needs a great deal of cleaning so I am excited to run out and get some lemon oil while grabbing some lunch. I didn't see a bayonet but cannot remember if AIM promised one or not.

This is better than Christmas I must admit :)

[68capturedAK47]

are ALL of these AIM wrapped M-44s Russian? and do they ALL have bayonet too? Thanks..

[REDSTAR]

Yes, the AIM in wrap M44's are all Russian and they all will have bayos.

The bayos are affixed to the M44's much like the SKS bayos are- they're a part of the rifle.

Bobcat, you could always buy a U Fix Um M44 from Century. You can get one that's pretty well stripped out for $9.99 for the wood. The wood may be dinged up but you never know. Any nationality of M44 stock will work.

[Gearhead222]

Dear Bobcat-Drop Rick Reich a line at reichtrade@aol.com
He has many parts rifles and slings and is VERY reasonable!I bought an SA stamped 1915 Tula barreled action from him for $45.00 and it shoots 4-6 inch groups in my 1916 Sesroretsk stock.Give it a shot!:)-Gearhead

[HomerTHX1138]

The more I look at the M44 the more I am amazed. Aside from a few tiny scratches and a single tiny ding, it could be confused with a new gun. I'll post a pic this afternoon. The light blonde wood is friggin' amazing.

Also, I had heard about some of the MN 91/30's having cracked stocks etc... Mine is dark, but the wood is all solid except for the repaired piece, which was done very well.

The MN 91/30 is dated 1944, the M44 is dated 1946.

QUESTION:
who has the lemon oil? Someone mentioned a hardware store. I tried Lowes with no luck. Will citrus cleaner work? What about SImple Green on metal and wood, before refinishing the wood (on my MN 91/30, the M44 only needs a light cleaning and lubrication)? Is Murphy's wood soap okay for light cleaning of the stock?

THanks.

[JES AR15]

Homer. is your M44 a russian ? mine is and it has a darker wood, just what i wanted.

also. look at the metal under a flashlight. you can see that the original (i think) finish is brown, mixed with the new blueing. fyi.

are your hand guard end caps blued, white, or painted black ?

[HomerTHX1138]

Jes,
it is a Russian. I cannot see anything but a nice dark finish on the metal when I hold it under a bright light but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

What is a hand guard end cap? Sorry, I could guess but I'm not sure.

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by HomerTHX1138
QUESTION:
who has the lemon oil? Someone mentioned a hardware store. I tried Lowes with no luck. Will citrus cleaner work? What about SImple Green on metal and wood, before refinishing the wood (on my MN 91/30, the M44 only needs a light cleaning and lubrication)? Is Murphy's wood soap okay for light cleaning of the stock?

THanks.

I had the same problem and finally found it at Walmart in the furniture polish department. The stuff works great. Murphy's does a great job on the stock. I started with Murphys and finished up with lemon oil.

[Bobcat]

Redstar & Gearhead: Thanks for the excellent suggestions guys. As always, you guys usually come up with some great ideas...must be a cruffler thing. I guess I was just feeling sorry for myself since everyone else here was having such great luck.

I'll let y'all know how it turns out. Later.

[JES AR15]

Originally posted by HomerTHX1138
Jes,
it is a Russian. I cannot see anything but a nice dark finish on the metal when I hold it under a bright light but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

What is a hand guard end cap? Sorry, I could guess but I'm not sure.

the hand guard is the top wood piece. it 2 metal end caps on it.
they are supposed to be blued, and mine will be soon.

in this pic see the area that looks rusted ? its not, its just as black as the rest of the rifle is. but under certain light it looks brown/rust. my gun has patches of this all over it.
http://album.gunsnet.net/data/jesar15/full_112_p509.jpg

[HomerTHX1138]

JES,

THanks for the info. My wood is defintely lighter and the metal, I swear, is pretty much flawless. Maybe it was in good shape when they put it away so they didn't refinish it, thus the light wood and single hue metal

Perhaps after my bad AK and the fact my current SAR that likes to jam occassionally, the gun gods decided it was time for some good luck because I swear this M44 looks new. I'm at my girlfriend's house but tomorrow I'll take some close ups at different angles under bright light & post.

[TheBigCAx]

I'm convinced. I'm calling them in the morning and ordering a new in wrap M44 from AIM.

[HomerTHX1138]

Ok, here's those photos of the M44, using this new gay photo album method. I know, I know, if I don't like it, click the little X ;)

http://album.gunsnet.net/showalbum.php?aid=131&uuid=homer1138

[zouavexx]

homer,

Just post the link with [IMG] before it and the same [/IMG (with the end bracket) for the pics to be viewed in the thread.

It does not work the way you have it.

[HomerTHX1138]

Zouave, thanks.
http://album.gunsnet.net/data/homer1138/full_131_p588.jpg

[HomerTHX1138]

http://album.gunsnet.net/data/homer1138/full_131_p589.jpg

Close up of marks and metal condition. I smudged serial number on photo...

[JES AR15]

mine looked exactly the same.

[aerod1]

Does AIM have a webpage or phone number?
Jim

[REDSTAR]

www.aimsurplus.com

See the info center above for the biggest most comprehensive list of dealers and distributors on the web, updated continually with company ratings even :D

[aerod1]

Thanks Redstar!
Jim