Don't think there's anything wrong at all in giving up one of your SMLEs for a Mosin mate
I have a stunner which comes out of the safe for fondling purposes pretty often in between shooting - 1934 Tula hex, a beautiful refurb job, shiny bore and a fantastic (for a mosin) smooth action. I came across this forum at a good time...since I'm buying a non-refurbished 1944 Izhevsk M44 laminate soon, and really want to get the lowdown on how to keep it preserved the way it ought to be, doing only the most minimally what might be necessary for basic upkeep. Bluing is very well worn almost down to the white in areas, and I love the thought that nothing much has touched it since its (obvously) very hard life of work.
Look forward to learning some of what you knowlegable guys can impart here
) I will post pics here. Not sure how much of a 'shooter' it is as the bore is reportedly dark, but the rifling is meant to be 7/10 (so, there is some!) If the dealer was close by and not in another State either I would most certainly take a personal look...however that is not very often the case here with used guns. The laminate appears fairly dark from (not particularly great) photos, I was just wondering if the proceedure was to bleed any excess cosmoline out of the stock or not. I presume you would still strip it down for preliminary checking? 
What kind of Mosin did you get?
