Finn M39's, without a C&R license

Ad Astra

Ad Astra

Joined
Jul 30, 2004
Messages
3,833
I know there are a lot of military surplus (& other types) shooters in our forum. Just wanted to share something I learned.

Got my Curio & Relic license FFL shortly before Christmas. Though a minor hassle to obtain, this magic piece of paper is a ticket to collecting vintage military rifles on the cheap. For $49, $69, $129 you can have great shooting rifles from Russia, Germany, Yugoslavia and many other places delivered to your house. Surplus ammo can be delivered for as little as .10 a round. OK, most everybody here knows this.

The C&R dealers are very competitive. Very. They undercut each other's prices and sometimes exaggerate conditions of weapons, or *don't tell you* things. One must do a lot of homework. Quality and type of shipping is another consideration...

One of the best shooters & collectables is the Finnish M39 Mosin-Nagant. Google search if you don't know what they are. If you DO know what they are, check this out... I found a dealer with a good rep, who is selling antique reciever M39's. By definition these are pre-1898 made receivers. But with a Finn M39, this matters not a whit. The guns were assembled in the 1940's and later from the best recievers they had. The age of the rec. wasn't a real consideration, the quality was.


<Finn M39's. M44, M38.>

Bottom line, you can buy one of these by faxing a copy of your driver's license. You don't need a C&R. Since I had one, I ignored this guy at first... looking to larger distributors. After watching the site, he's moving a lot of rifles... With detailed info and several pics of each.

Finally I ordered one. When it came, it was packed *well*. After having a 59/66 arrive from UPS with the grenade launcher sticking out of the box :eek: which I bet was a thrill for the driver, I was glad to see the M39 arrive packed tightly with cardboard, tape and a lot of newspaper.

When I unwrapped it, I was flat-out amazed. Much prettier wood than I thought, and everthing as advertised.

"VKT 347XX 1941 100% blue, mirror sharp bore, war time stock in very good with a very minor split in the hand guard, matching bolt and near tang and 1898 Ishevsk receiver"

The flaws (barely visible crack in forend and near tang) were so minor as not worth mentioning. The rest was completely true. It was under $200. They have had them for $150. Personally, I think an awesome deal. And no C&R needed!

AIM has fine M39's too. The more expensive ones you can see a pic and individual description... or can get a generic shooter for $180. All in all AIM is one of the very best dealers out there, but I do prefer a pic of the rifle I'd be getting...

Here's the link. I don't know these people or have an interest. I just think they have some great M39's! Mods, if it's wrong, take it down. Think it's OK to post in a knife forum.

http://www.gunsnammo.com/

Happy shooting. And BTW, you don't want a C&R license... you don't need guns for the price of a khuk.... and these aren't the droids you're looking for....


Ad Astra
 
I love my M39, had it for several yeras, by far the best rrifle I'veowned, or even shot. for quality(And mine's nothing special as far as M39s go), would put it up against anything any of my local shops carry in their stores, new or used. with occasoinally exceptions, like one really nice Steyr bolt action one shop had for a while.
 
They're well-known for accuracy, too, etp777. The Mosin-Nagant at its best, IMHHO. The birch with that rubbed-tar finish, really pretty.

Think of the history. A country as small as Finland fighting the USSR to a standstill.... Like most Americans, I didn't know much about the 1939 and the Continuation War...reading about it now.

"During the Winter War, as the Finns called the 105-day fight, the Finns proved to be the tactically superior force. Estimates put combat losses at around 50,000 for the Finns, and as high as 800,000 for the Russians. The Finns were far better prepared to fight in the winter conditions....The Russian troops came to fear the deadly Finnish snipers whom the Russians labeled "the White Death" due to the Finns' use of snow white camouflage. "

The world's most successful sniper to date isn't our USMC's Carlos Hathcock - nor "Enemy at the Gates" Vasilli Zaitsev - it's one Simo Häyhä, a Finnish farmer credited with killing 505 Russian soldiers during the Winter War. He died recently, but made it to 95, I think.

Interesting stuff, if you like history & rifles.


Ad Astra
 
I had envisioned a Presidential run with the slogan; "Free Beer and a SKS for every man, woman, and child living within the Continental United States."

You think I should change it to M39?



munk
 
munk said:
I had envisioned a Presidential run with the slogan; "Free Beer and a SKS for every man, woman, and child living within the Continental United States."

You think I should change it to M39?



munk
Click to expand...

No... But I like the name "Homeland Security Rifle."




Ad Astra
 
Yep Ad Astra, my M39 is FAR more accurate than my passable shooting skills can do justice(plus I have a tendency to try to shoot it standing up, even though I know full well it's too long/heavy for me to shoot well standing up, due to my short height/arms and lack of strength for it, though I'm not a weak guy).

I've done same thing as you too, and learned about he Winter War, and about Mosins and their history in general, as I also have a Chinese Type 53 carbine, which was one of my first two rifles(got both at same time as a gift). Also have learned what I can about the round itself, and have 20 or so variations, mostly new production, but back into 50s or so too. Any time I find a new variation I'll pick up at least one box and pull one round and put it with my little collection. Of course, with 115 yeras of 7.62x54R(7.62x53R) being in service, I've barely scratched the surface of the time or variety of the history there.
 
He's got some new M39's now. A number of unissued 100% blue rifles in the near $400 range. Beautiful really...if your eye is caught by older military rifles. For those of you in the know, how much of a premium is one paying not to have to fill-out the Form 4473 to buy one of these? Or, put differently, what is the going price for unissued M39's if you walk into a dealer and fill out the paperwork?

Further, on these unissued rifles, are they in the realm of collector interest? Would you hurt their value to shoot them? Just curious. Not sure I want to pay almost $400 for one of these, but they are striking in their own way.

Jeff
 
They have some 1967-69 sneak/cheat rifles for $389-399, but it seems a little high. AIM had some $300-350, but 4 and up too. Depends on model scarcity and condition.

They have desirable "B" barrels too. And SK.y's.

These are all pre-98 recievers, so still no C&R needed. I heard on the gunboards they (WG&A) have 10,000 M39's but are waiting on "licensing issues" to move most... so the no-license ones now. Makes sense. Good rep on the boards for this guy too.

I've stripped and de-cosmolined the one I got from them for under $200 and I am STILL very happy with it. Truly 100% blue; Finn's took good care.

I'm watching that site. They sell a lot of M39's... I hope I don't need a third.

I'm thinking Finnish. If the Russians invade my small country, they'll be sorry. Our puukos and leukkos are sharp! :rolleyes:


Ad Astra

WG&A had like 6 or 7 sneak rifles in the high $3's earlier today. There's ONE there now. :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
I've heard a lot on the M39's good.

I have an M44 I haven't sighted in yet right but my M38 is a really good shooter. Both laminated.

One thing I like about the M38 is the incredibly loud boom that rattles the windows of my house, the huge jet of fire out the end and the pretty pronounced recoil. How does the M39 compare as far as over the top noise and pyrotechnics??
 
munk said:
I had envisioned a Presidential run with the slogan; "Free Beer and a SKS for every man, woman, and child living within the Continental United States."
You think I should change it to M39?
munk
Click to expand...

Munk,

Get the SKS first, but for sure you need an M38 or 44. Ammo is dirt cheap and you can get them for 90 bucks!:thumbup:
 
hollowdweller said:
How does the M39 compare as far as over the top noise and pyrotechnics??
Click to expand...
Same noise.

Flash, I didn't notice. Bright sunlight. Should be less due to barrell length.

Somewhat less recoil due to weight...theoretically. It honestly did not bother me, though some complain. I'm 6'+, 200lbs., which might figure in. :foot:

Just got a case of the Polish 7.62x54 148 gr. Hope I like it; I've got 440 rounds.

HD, see a M39 in person. And they can be had for $150, still cheap for once-guaranteed 1.5" at 100 m (I think). I do like the K31's front sight blade better, these are more Garand-like, but replaceable.



Ad Astra
 
Now you got me looking at mosin nagants. I'd love to get one of these. I was in Finland back in 89 and I got to tour some of the bunkers and caves the Finn's fought in. It was awesome!
 
BTTT

They just added a bunch more- think they do it Wednesday nights.

Got another "antique" M39 from these guys and I was speechless- a brand new rifle, with serialized tag in Finnish... from 1942.

A true child of war. It's history:
1. Barrel made from a Nazi-captured Belgium (B) steel blank, gifted from them to their Finn ally. Barrel stamped with reciever no., so everything matches.
2. Finn-captured Russian receiver made in the time of the Romanovs (1898) with Peter the Great's seal. Finns and Commies hated the czar, so it's odd and rare.
3. Put together during the Finnish Continuation War with the Soviets. Some say post-war.... but it seems strange to stamp 1942, then go back to stamp the serial later...

Condition: unissued, 100% blue, absolutely untouched pine tar finished arctic birch stock. True mirror bore; razor sharp lands and grooves.

I'm done. But I can see why people have whole collections of just M39's.


Ad Astra
 
I'm wondering what the difference between "nice and shiny" and "mirror sharp" are with regards to the bore. Any thoughts?
 
Dave Rishar said:
I'm wondering what the difference between "nice and shiny" and "mirror sharp" are with regards to the bore. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Far as I remember-"mirror sharp" means un-fired whilst "nice and shiny" means really well taken care of.
 
All I have seen are the beat to death ones that folks get and pass on at the shows...and they want $150 for those :(

If I could hook up with a nice specimen...:)
 
Good question.

"nice and shiny" means nuttin'. Ballistol would make it shiny. They're trying to say "no pits from corrosion" or "No dark bore" I guess.

Sharp means sharp edges on lands and grooves...

Grading milsurps is serious business. The company's reputation is at stake on the gun boards.

Some companies that grade well: (and most provide grading definitions):

Allan's
http://www.allans-armory.com/aa.asp

Empire
http://www.empirearms.com/

Note: I've never bought a gun from either. They have a very good rep.

AIM is also said to be great. I can attest, pretty great. But IMHHO, these guys (WGA) have the best M39's right at this moment. And extremly accurate grading. Best in my experience.

Classic is pretty fair, and if you don't like the gun, Ben will make it right. Very good customer service.

Email me for advice on who NOT to buy a gun from. I won't flame anybody publicly but will name somebody who has morons packaging rifles.


Ad Astra
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top