AK-47 OR M-44 Nagant(opinions)

[grizzly190]

I have decided to add either a AK-47 or a M-44 Nagant to my collection but cant make up my mind wich to get first. I need a hunting rifle but theres nothing around here a Ak round (7.62x39) wont kill but the M-44 has got it in power and distance (7.62x54) the M-44 round is compareble to a .30/06 and the AK-round is a .223 on steroids. but i dont know life has so many choices. ohh yea the Ak's semi and the M-44 is a bolt action Russian rifle thats a carbine version of the sniper rifle Mosin Nagant 81/90

Which would you guys get and why?

[Briman]

I'd skip the m44 and get a 91/30- a much better rifle. I have yet to see a russian carbine that shoots worth a darn and I have 3 of them myself.

Personally if I were going to pick a nice handy cheap rifle for hunting, I'd get a No.4 enfield.

[Paul L Mohr]

The AK is closer ballistically to a 30-30 then a .223. If you can find an AK that is accurate I think it would make an ok deer rifle at short to medium distances. You might have to find or make a 5 round clip for it though depending on where you live. Some states don't allow semi autos at all either, you should check first. I used to have a SKS that I would have hunted with. The AK's actions are unstoppable, so you would never have to worry about it not going off. I had a siaga which is a sporterized version of the AK, but made in the same factory. It was a complete POS as far as accuracy and the trigger was the worst I have ever felt. It was only 200 bucks though.

For that kind of money you could get a H&R handi rifle.

I don't have any experiance with the M-44. I did have a 98 mauser in 8 mm that was an exellent rifle. I owned it in the military and ended up giving it to a good friend for christmas that was always eyeballing it. He was a hunter and I was not at the time, I just liked the way it looked.

I personally would get a good SKS before an AK myself after having both and shooting others. I have actually shot a full auto AK before, pretty cool, but again was not all that accurate.

Good luck,
Paul

[Mr. Zesterhouse]

if your going to get a nagant, get a finnish m38. they are the most accurate nagants there is. during WW2, Finland didn't produce their own rifles so they accurized the russian ones they captured. they wouldn't be put into service unless they could shoot one inch groups. if you do get the AK, stock up on ammo when you get the chance. and the AK round, 7.62x54, is alot bigger than the 223. it's slightly bigger than the 308.

[Charley]

The Finns are fine rifles, but I think you mean a Model 39, not 38.
As for an M-44 Mosin, they are going to be a 100 yard huntingrifle at best, with the issue sights.

[Paul L Mohr]

The AK shoots a 7.62x39, the same thing the SKS shoots. Or I beleive it's called a russian short as well. You can get the siaga's chambered in 308 though. I think you can get them in .223, 7.62x39, 308, 410, 20ga and 12ga. But the standard round for an AK, MAK-90 and SKS are the 7.62x39 round.

From what I can tell the nagant and dragonav rifles used the 7.62x54 ammo.

An actual .308 is 7.62x51.

The gun I had was a Mauser GEW 98 in the 7.92x57, or called an 8mm usually. Mine was in Excellent condition, I don't think it had ever been used from the looks of it. The blueing was great and the wood was nice (for what it was any way). It may have been a reproduction or re-blued I'm not sure. It was pretty accurate and shot great. It felt better in recoil than my savage 30-06 did, probably weighed more though.

I was thinking of having a smith put a scope on it and decided to give it to my buddy from texas instead. I had his name engraved on the magazine cover and put it under the tree for him at my girlfriends house one year. I know he shot at least one deer with it while on leave, but I have since lost touch with him. If you by chance read this Wilki you email me darn it!

Paul

[Mr. Zesterhouse]

your right charley
M39