Finnish M39 rifle

[Slater]

Does anyone know if the dark-stained stocks were more common that the blonde ones, or vice-versa?


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/pb57/HPIM0327.jpg

[KillerBD]

I don't know, but are those authentic? That was a Soviet Unions standard rifle during WWII if I'm not mistaken.

[Slater]

Yes those are real, firing M39's. Not all that uncommon here in the States although they're getting more expensive. The dark stained one cost $179 at the time I bought it and the blonde one was $200. Now I think they're pushing the $300 mark.

These are Finn versions of the Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle and are generally considered to be the better made and more accurate versions. These have two piece finger-jointed stocks and you can just make that out in the picture.

[nognig]

I don't know, but are those authentic? That was a Soviet Unions standard rifle during WWII if I'm not mistaken.

Those are rifles captured by the Finns during the Winter War with the Soviet Union. They were re-arsenaled and put back into service. They have a reputation for being highly accurate and well made (I guess the Finns only reworked the cream of the crop).

NN

[SafetyCatch]

I'm pretty sure the dark stained ones are more common. They are normally what you see in pictures of the Eastern Front during the Second World War, though I'm not sure about the Finnish versions.

[Karo]

In general, the stocks of rifles are/were a more darker brown... so my guess would also be that the dark brown stock was more common.

ps: the only m39 (with scope woho ;) ) which I fired had also a dark brown stock. p-)
I have also to say that i havent seen any rifle/carbine in such a light brown color (maybe 1-2, but i cant remember at the moment) on the shooting range/in reality..

[California Joe]

Maybe one of the Russians or military gun nuts that knows more than I do could clarify but I always thought that the M-39 Finnish was a different rifle than the Russian M91/30, just based on the same caliber and action. I mean I know they have a common origin but were not the same......

[Karo]

Yes, i also thought that the M39 only based on the russian Mosin-Nagant system, but it was built in Finland by SAKO and VKT with some changes..

[jeffe]

Interordnance sold new M39 stocksets a few years back. I bought one of them. They were unfinished(no pun intended) and you could stain them any color you wanted. I'm sure most of them found their way onto rifles.

[Flagg]

Maybe one of the Russians or military gun nuts that knows more than I do could clarify but I always thought that the M-39 Finnish was a different rifle than the Russian M91/30, just based on the same caliber and action. I mean I know they have a common origin but were not the same......

The Finnish M39 shares the same calibre and action of the Russian Mosin Nagant.

In fact most Finnish rifle receivers are of Russian origin.

There are two main types of Finnish Mosin Nagants:

1.) M/27, M/28, M/39 rifles....made in Finland, using mostly Russian receivers. The most common are the M/39s, the least common M/27 and M/28. That deadly Finnish elf Simo Häyhä used an M/28 with open sights.

Barrels were manufactured by Tikka, VKT, Belgian "B" Barrels, and Sako...with Sako being the most common.

Some are stamped Sk.Y for the Finnish Civil Guard.

Key differences between the Finnish M/39 and Russian 91/30s include a much more ergonomic stock, better sights, and an ability to group 1.3 inches at 150 metres.

I have 5 of them...4 Sakos, and 1 Sk.Y.....one of which still wears a target hang tag :)

2.) Finland captured mountains of Russian kit during the Winter War. Many were inspected, some were refurbed to Finnish standards, most carry an SA stamp on their receiver to indicate they were captured and put into inventory/service by the Finns.

Of the eleventeen gazillion Mosin Nagants made, the Finnish Nagants are arguably the most sought after...with the exceptionally small number of Finnish sniper rifles produced being the most collectible.

For an incredibly inexpensive military surplus rifle with a heap of history behind it....they are insanely good value...and can be exceptionally accurate.

[St Fubar]

The Finnish M39 shares the same calibre and action of the Russian Mosin Nagant.
The bore diameter of the M39 is supposedly around .309-.310 instead of .308 (pre-war Finnish standard) or .311 (Soviet). As a result, you generally get significantly better accuracy with .309-.311 bullets than with .308.

[finnjävel]

Yes, i also thought that the M39 only based on the russian Mosin-Nagant system, but it was built in Finland by SAKO and VKT with some changes..

That's in my best knowledge too. M/39 is best known as the 'civil guard model' or 'suojeluskuntamalli', which is distinctive of the pistol-like grip, different from all the other mosin-nagants in use of the army.
Here's a collage I made some time ago, pictures from a brilliant mosin-nagant site, can't remember which.
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3107/kivaariteg5.jpg

[akd]

Does anyone know if the dark-stained stocks were more common that the blonde ones, or vice-versa?


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/pb57/HPIM0327.jpg

For post-war stocks, "blond" is more common. The upper is definitely post-war, as it has square finger-joints. Can't tell on the lower. If the joints are square or pointed, it is post-war; if rounded, it is a wartime stock.

For the price, you can't beat these Finns. I shot a three-shot 3/4" group with my 28/30 the other day.