Bunky----That was the original plan.....however, I am a certified gun whore, unfortunately
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
. Its a sickness really. It should be a permanent diagnosis in the DSM 4.
Desdem----That sounds like me!!!
Anyway, went back over (again!) to look at both of them yesterday. The M44 has a matching bolt and receiver number (T72 I believe). It also has many small cartouches on the stock as well which I thought was pretty neat. The bolt action is slick and appears to be well machined (not rough like I have heard on some Mosins).
I guess the biggest thing going for the Mosin is that its a lot easier for me to manipulate the straight bolt being a lefty than a bend bolt.
More too shall be revealed tomorrow...........