First M39...what should I look for

[aussimmo2015]

Hi everyone
I'm about to take delivery of my first M39, 1941 Sako. I have wanted one ever since i read about them about a year ago in a review (cant remember the publication). I watched various vids on YouTube seeing how well they shoot and following various threads on this forum hearing very little bad about them. Excited about getting it would be an understatement.

I wanted to ask the brains trust here of what I should look for when taking it for a shoot and when i have a good chance to play with it. I have inspected it already...superficially (typical slight dings and scratches of a period rifle) and held it and would not be buying it if I didn't know and like what I was getting, however I thought it worth my while to ask the wise and learned members of this forum for any guidance that could be imparted.

...Im already looking at a Russian 91-30 as my next one

thanks in advance

[Junk Yard Dog]

You look for the same things you would in any rifle, aim it at the paper and see were it hits, I expect it will shoot high at 100 yards, most do. Unlike most rifles you may find small brass shims under the action, they are mostly placed under the action screws, be sure to keep them in the exact order you find them. The front sight has a screw in it that you use to adjust for windage if needed.

[djbuck1]

A seller who doesn't charge you 45 bucks for a "hand select option."

[Longcolt44]

Don't forget to check the headspace. That and just a safety check to make all screws are tight and there are no spiders in the chamber or bore.

[ParrotHead]

A seller who doesn't charge you 45 bucks for a "hand select option."

[redeuce]

Look for another.

[aussimmo2015]

Thanks for the advice everyone and I hand picked it myself...no charge for picking a beaten up junker. I had a good look at the bore, the action felt great and looked pretty good considering the age.
JYD thanks for the heads up about the windage arm. It will go a long way. I'm planning on shooting it in target shoots a couple of times a year out to 300m.

I'm out in Australia and they are harder to come by over this way so I am paying a lot more than you guys would be used to for one in a similar condition.

Pics attached

[Junk Yard Dog]

Nice rifle, for competition shooting the Finn M39 is about the best Mosin for the job, it's almost like cheating as these rifles spent most of their service life as marksmanship training tools and have been adjusted for maximum accuracy. The Finn's are serious about marksmanship, and they did tend to take good care of the rifles were it counts. We have a few Australian members on the board so we have heard something about what you have to do to own a firearm, nice selection, and good luck with the shooting.

[steelbuttplate]

That looks about like my Sako. Mine is made on a 1915 receiver, made by Finns in '43......that stock looks a little dry. Some Murphy's oil soap or other lemon oil, would do wonders for it, in appearance and hydrate the 70 yr. old wood....do it while it's apart and put some inside as well....Jolly good one mate......SBP

[aussimmo2015]

SBY, thanks for the advice of lemon oil. Is that something you find in your local grocery store or a hardware store. I'm thinking I want to get the tools to disassemble and clean thoroughly so I will look at that closely when I get the rifle, but not looking to jump into that too quickly. Attached below is the pics of the action and bolt. Mismatched bolt/action numbers (is pretty typical of the rifle because of its genesis) but when I looked at it up close it looked to show few discernible marks if any.

I'm likely to be feeding it 180gn Sellier and Bellot FMJs initially until I can start reloading my own...probably some time down the track.

[aussimmo2015]

Picked it up from my local dealer the other day...looks as good as the pics. Just need to find the ammo and sight her in

[bunkysdad]

Aussi, she is a beautiful rifle. I always enjoy seeing members here from Australia, and other countries as well too. You guys really are fortunate to be able to buy these great shooting rifles and tend to have a above average appreciation for them, and this rifle has a real nice look to it. My Sako is also a 1941. Oh hey, I just noticed that you do in fact have a matching bolt. The Finns force matched it to your rifle by stamping the last 4 digits of your serial number on the round knob of the bolt. Very very nice rifle. Congrats.

[aussimmo2015]

Thanks bunky. Are there stripper clips for the M39? Do they take standard mosin strip clips?

[Junk Yard Dog]

The Finn rifles, all of them, use the same clips as any Mosin.