Tried Out my M38 for the First Time

conanld · 11-21-2007, 09:50 PM

I took my M38 out to the range for the first time today. It’s my only Mosin that has been counter bored.

The weather was cool at about 40 degrees, but the fog made it seem colder. At first, I could just barely make out the target at around 100 meters. Later on it cleared up.

The M38 had the worst case of sticky bolt syndrome I had ever encountered, but on the other hand, it was perfectly sighted in for approx.100 meters, and it was amazingly accurate!

It seemed more accurate than any of my M44’s.

My M44’s for their part, also vary with each other in terms of relative accuracy.

I had to use a mallet to get the bolt open on most occasions. However, before taking it out I had checked the headspace and it passed the Military spec “Go” and the “No Go” gauge test.

While it was hot, I took the bolt off, and then I took a handkerchief and pushed it into the chamber with a rod in order to extract some of the previously hardened Cosmoline.

Looks like I’ll need to destroy another brush or two to get that residual Cosmoline out of the chamber.

All in all, this looks like one promising rifle, and there’s no bayo that needs to be set into place before shooting either.

LD

Full MeTal Jack · 11-21-2007, 09:56 PM

That's great when your milsurp rifle is a good shooter. Some milsurps for me, 100 yard gouping 3-4 inches.
Hope you get your bolt sticking problem cleared up.

conanld · 11-21-2007, 10:53 PM

I just realized that my comparison of the M38 to my M44's was probably not entirely valid. I had forgotten (until just now) that I was using a new load.

I was using the S&B SP 180 gr load with my M38, while my M44's had previously been using standard fare Wolf (148 gr. I think)

I'm currently out of the Wolf ammo, so I wasn't able to directly test the Wolf load out with the M38.

However, if the S&B is as good with M44's & M91/30's as it is with the M38, then I just might have to get more of it. It is a bit expensive though.

LD

just_a_car · 11-22-2007, 12:24 AM

That sticky bolt is from the embedded cosmoline in the chamber. You can get a lot of it out with mineral spirits or carb cleaner, but the best way is heat to melt it out and to open up the pores of the metal.

Also, to reduce the opening of the bolt, pull back on the cocking-piece (aka the safety) on the back of the bolt to "pre-cock" the bolt. It will be much, much easier to open the bolt, even though it may still require a 'whack', it won't require any mallets.

Joshua M. Smith · 11-22-2007, 04:23 AM

Salt and vinegar finally turned the trick for me WRT sticky bolts. It took out the rust, cosmoline, and any bluing in the chamber got turned to a sticky brown gunk that was easily removed.

Now I can shoot anything and nothing sticks unless it's a bit overpressure. None of the heavy ball sticks.

Josh <><

billy · 11-22-2007, 05:18 AM

i used mineral spirits a drill and a shotgun brush

what other rifle would you even consider kicking open and then shooting it again?
thats 1 of the reasons milsurps are cool.

conanld · 11-22-2007, 09:34 AM

I've used Hoppes # 9 and a small shotgun brush successfully in the past.

LD

roadie · 11-22-2007, 03:47 PM

Yeah you gotta clean it eally good before ou shoot it for the first time. My M38 was clean when I got it and I've never had he sticky bolt problem, it's smooth as a ....well It's real smooth. Clean the bolt group good and oil it each time you shoot it and you'll never have a problem.

11-21-2007, 09:50 PM	#1
conanld Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 55	Tried Out my M38 for the First Time I took my M38 out to the range for the first time today. It’s my only Mosin that has been counter bored. The weather was cool at about 40 degrees, but the fog made it seem colder. At first, I could just barely make out the target at around 100 meters. Later on it cleared up. The M38 had the worst case of sticky bolt syndrome I had ever encountered, but on the other hand, it was perfectly sighted in for approx.100 meters, and it was amazingly accurate! It seemed more accurate than any of my M44’s. My M44’s for their part, also vary with each other in terms of relative accuracy. I had to use a mallet to get the bolt open on most occasions. However, before taking it out I had checked the headspace and it passed the Military spec “Go” and the “No Go” gauge test. While it was hot, I took the bolt off, and then I took a handkerchief and pushed it into the chamber with a rod in order to extract some of the previously hardened Cosmoline. Looks like I’ll need to destroy another brush or two to get that residual Cosmoline out of the chamber. All in all, this looks like one promising rifle, and there’s no bayo that needs to be set into place before shooting either. LD

11-21-2007, 09:56 PM	#2
Full MeTal Jack Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,422 Images: 1	That's great when your milsurp rifle is a good shooter. Some milsurps for me, 100 yard gouping 3-4 inches. Hope you get your bolt sticking problem cleared up. __________________ [IMG]http://img287.echo.cx/img287/63/9130110x100a4vb.jpg

11-22-2007, 12:24 AM	#4
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,512	That sticky bolt is from the embedded cosmoline in the chamber. You can get a lot of it out with mineral spirits or carb cleaner, but the best way is heat to melt it out and to open up the pores of the metal. Also, to reduce the opening of the bolt, pull back on the cocking-piece (aka the safety) on the back of the bolt to "pre-cock" the bolt. It will be much, much easier to open the bolt, even though it may still require a 'whack', it won't require any mallets. __________________

11-22-2007, 04:23 AM	#5
Joshua M. Smith Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wabash IN Posts: 379	Salt and vinegar finally turned the trick for me WRT sticky bolts. It took out the rust, cosmoline, and any bluing in the chamber got turned to a sticky brown gunk that was easily removed. Now I can shoot anything and nothing sticks unless it's a bit overpressure. None of the heavy ball sticks. Josh <>< __________________ Is it better to live by a corrupt society's standards rather than face persecution for not doing the same? This is the dilemma we now face. We must hold fast to our convictions as we confront this dilemma. Knowing one's self goes a long way in the crisis. - Me, Standup Philosopher

11-22-2007, 05:18 AM	#6
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 11,970 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	i used mineral spirits a drill and a shotgun brush what other rifle would you even consider kicking open and then shooting it again? thats 1 of the reasons milsurps are cool. __________________ just leave britney ALONE! she's going thru a hard time snivel sniff....WAH Last edited by billy; 11-22-2007 at 05:19 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

11-21-2007, 10:53 PM	#3
conanld Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 55	I just realized that my comparison of the M38 to my M44's was probably not entirely valid. I had forgotten (until just now) that I was using a new load. I was using the S&B SP 180 gr load with my M38, while my M44's had previously been using standard fare Wolf (148 gr. I think) I'm currently out of the Wolf ammo, so I wasn't able to directly test the Wolf load out with the M38. However, if the S&B is as good with M44's & M91/30's as it is with the M38, then I just might have to get more of it. It is a bit expensive though. LD

11-22-2007, 09:34 AM	#7
conanld Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 55	I've used Hoppes # 9 and a small shotgun brush successfully in the past. LD

11-22-2007, 03:47 PM	#8
roadie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 625 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah you gotta clean it eally good before ou shoot it for the first time. My M38 was clean when I got it and I've never had he sticky bolt problem, it's smooth as a ....well It's real smooth. Clean the bolt group good and oil it each time you shoot it and you'll never have a problem.