Mosin-Nagant M38
Tula Arms Plant / Izhevsk Arsenal · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1939
Also known as: Karabin Mosina wz. 1938, M1938 Carbine, Карабин обр. 1938 г.
Overview
The Mosin-Nagant M38 (Karabin obraztsa 1938 goda) is a Soviet shortened cavalry and artillery carbine derived from the M91/30 service rifle. Adopted in 1938 and entering production in 1939, it shortened the M91/30's barrel by 21.6 cm to a 508 mm length, dropping overall length to 1016 mm and weight to about 3.46 kg, making it considerably handier for second-line troops, mounted units, artillery crews, and engineers. Unlike the later M44 it was not fitted with a bayonet. Production ran throughout the Great Patriotic War until it was superseded by the M44 in 1944.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3460 g (122.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1016 mm (40.00") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 765 m/s (2510 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2810 J (2073 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x54mmR · primary — also known as 7.62 Russian, 7.62x54R, 7.62 Soviet
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Cocking Piece Safety
- Features: Stripper Clip Loading, Iron Sights, Interrupter Magazine
Variants
- Mosin-Nagant M91/30 — Parent Rifle
- Mosin-Nagant M44 — Successor With Fixed Bayonet
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Red Army · adopted 1939 · as Karabin obraztsa 1938 goda
- Soviet NKVD · adopted 1939
- Polish People's Army · adopted 1944
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Winter War (1939-1940)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,500,000 · Production years: 1939-1945
Produced primarily at Izhevsk Arsenal; superseded by the M44 in 1944.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Sergei Ivanovich Mosin (base design)
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Like all Mosins, the M38 fires the rimmed 7.62x54mmR cartridge from a 5-round internal box magazine fed by stripper clips. The shortened barrel produces a noticeably louder report and larger muzzle flash than the M91/30.
Background
Soviet artillery and cavalry crews loved the M38 for its handiness, but its short barrel and full-power 7.62x54R cartridge produced such a violent muzzle blast at night that gunners reported being temporarily blinded by their own first shot.