The LGS has a M38 for $300.  The rifle is in good shape cosmetically.  The bore is clean and bright with good rifling.  The cosmoline has been removed, and bolt cycles smoothly (for a mosin). All in all it looks like a fine specimen on an M38.  I have a 91/30 and a Type 53 so an M38 would be a nice addition to the family...

I checked online and Buds is doing M38s for $254 shipped to my C&R...  but then I'd be taking a chance on whatever quality rifle comes out of the chute, and have to remove the cosmoline myself.

I'm leaning towards paying the extra fifty bucks + tax at the LGS, especially as M38s have been drying up of late.  Then again, I also can't believe I'm considering spending $300 on a Mosin.
 
Any thoughts?

Fo

What year and is it in a M38 stock of M44 Stock?

This.  If its in an M38 stock, get it, if it isn't, I personally wouldn't pay more than $250 at this point in time.

That sounds about right to me as well.

This.

Thanks for the advice!

The rifle had an M38 stock in excellent condition (no dings/scratches/cracks) and upon repeat inspection a nice bore.  I FO'd.  

Now to get it out to the range.  I hope POA = POI; the mosins that shoot high are obnoxious.

Nice dude!  Pics or it isn't real

In my experience, the carbines all shoot high, but maybe that's just me.  You can buy replacement sights to fix that

The POI issues on 91/30s and M44s typically are related to the barrel harmonics from the bayonet. The M38s never had bayonets, so that is not typically an issue.

Strange. I don't see any pics.

Pics!  The m38 was my favorite bolt-action carbine until I got a Enfield No5

Sounds like you did good. Congratulations!

You said bore is nice, is it counter-bored?