Yugo M48 or Mosin M44?

[miklognasser]

Well, I walked into my favorite gun emporium today and was looking over their milsurp collection. They have had a Mosin M44 dated 1945 (all original in VG condition) for several months now and I was looking at it (again) when one of the salesmen said he had something to show me. He went into the vault and came out with a Yugo M48 that they just got in today. It too is in original condition and in VG condition with CAI import mark on barrel. The asking price for the Yugo M48 is $350 and the M44 is $275. I know they will come down on both.

I like both of them but have to make a choice. I want a shooter and something to possibly take deer hunting (yes, I have other guns but there's something special about using the older guns). The only thing I don't like about the Mosin is manipulating the safety. Its very hard and I worry about it slipping out of my fingers when taking it off and having an AD

I patiently await your all's responses

Thanks!

MIke

[Dan4good]

both are great guns i too am planning to take one of my mosins deer hunting this year for that experience. the m48 at 350 is overpriced if you look at online stores the m44 is also j and g has them on sale now for 199. You could just not put one in chamber till in your hunting spot or remove bolt with mosin.

[desdem12]

Dan is correct! As far as the m48 goes they are going for far less here. 250 range on them. I have seen the m44 go for 275 but not to me they wont. AS for the hunting not sure where you are located so not sure what distances. Both will shoot a deer and likely the m48 would make a better rifle where I am located. If you could get the m48 down to the 275 range then I think that would be a decent buy. The m44 would be ok if you got it around the 225 range then it would be a decent buy also. Get the one that talks to you.

[EvilElecBlanket]

Not sure if he still has it, but Chris at Trinity Arms had a M48 posted for much less than that in the trader section of the site. I had been over it but decided to go with something else (like a large car repair bill ) I'd seriously consider it!

[Junk Yard Dog]

Depends on how much he would come down. Neither would be my first choice for hunting, that's what I have a Winchester '94 for

[miklognasser]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

As far as price, I know they'll come down at least 50 bucks. In regards to ordering one of these online, then I have to worry about shipping and handling. If I get it there, its cash and carry

Desdem12---As far as hunting range, its 100 yards or less. Which one speaks to me?......Hell, they both are talking to me!

JYD---Yea, I have an older Marling Guide gun that would work but it just "feels" special using an older rifle.

[Junk Yard Dog]

These particular rifles were designed to hunt the most dangerous game of all.

[miklognasser]

JYD--Amen brother!!

[desdem12]

I agree with the old rifle sentiment. A long while back I switched to BP hunting and it is so much fun I will never go back. I had a 3006 and it seems I never missed. I could shoot out to 400 yds or so with relative ease and it lost its fun I guess. Now I have to make sure the rifle is loaded right and I have to rely on my good shooting with iron sights to make sure I do a good shot. I would think the m48 would be more accurate in general but it would be a rifle to rifle thing. At a 100 or less with practice I could do a deer in with either one.

[Ironnewt]

If you go with the M44 I would not even bother with the "safety" The M48's is a standard Mauser type, a little awkward to use as oppossed to a commerial safety but so much better than the Mosin Nagant's. Ammunition wise is a dead heat effect wise although there is more 8mm commerial stuff available.

[etprescottazusa91]

I like old equipment also, 60+ year old Remington model 700, does that count?

If hunting factors in to your choice, Model 48 better safety alone decides that, plus I think the 8mm is a superior round but I may have opened a big debate with that opinion. Do you need a bayonet on your rifle for deer, then again could come in handy.

[miklognasser]

Decisions, decisions.........

[Greasemonkey]

Decisions, decisions.........

Some time the difficult decisions can be fixed with, the common buy both Buy one, put one on lay-a-way

[miklognasser]

Greasemonkey---great minds think alike

[Greasemonkey]

Either would drop a deer easily, as for the Mosin safety, don't mess with it. Empty chamber till ready to fire. There are military rifles made without a safety, a French MAS-36 has no manual safety, they were carried loaded, with empty chamber.

Personally I'd find a nice used .30-30 for the deer, and get the Mosin, lay-a-way the Mauser and just enjoy the military rifles for what they are. That opens the door for 3 rifles

The one thing, the Mauser price is a bit high, thats getting in to Mitchell Mauser range price wise. Talk him down some, or see about a package price.

[Junk Yard Dog]

I like old equipment also, 60+ year old Remington model 700, does that count?

If hunting factors in to your choice, Model 48 better safety alone decides that, plus I think the 8mm is a superior round but I may have opened a big debate with that opinion. Do you need a bayonet on your rifle for deer, then again could come in handy.

As a FMC man killer it makes no real difference 7.62, or 8mm Mauser, they both do the job pretty much the same way. The real difference happens when you get into the selection of both sporting rounds and bullets available for the 8mm. The Mauser has been a hugely popular hunting rifle in the US for some 90 years, and the bullet selection is there for it more so than for the 7.62x54.

[Junk Yard Dog]

When it comes to a rifle "safety" it best to consider the Mosin to not have one, just leave the bolt unlocked.

[antiquedave]

Anytime you get in a hurry you are going to pay more then you should, I really try to be patient and watch the papers and the online trading pages in my state, in the last month I picked up a mosin M44 for 160 a M48 for 150 and a Swedish M 96 for 190 all are in beautiful condition, Prior to December I went 20 years without buying a new gun, so I'm making up for lost time

[Junk Yard Dog]

Very good prices Dave

[desdem12]

Good deals, especialy on the m96