Brief Operational History

The M-38 carbine was approved for use by the Defense Committee on the 26th of February, 1939.   It was a modernized version of the M-1907 carbine from Czarist times.  The sights were changed, as was the front hand guard.  Like the earlier carbine, the M-38 was not equipped with a bayonet.

This new weapon was given to combat support troops so that they would have a weapon for self defense that would not be so large or awkward as to interfere with their normal duties.  

The M-38 Carbine soon saw action in the wars with Poland, Finland, and during the Great Patriotic War.  It wasn't exported in any large numbers.  This was largely to the fact that it was replaced so quickly by the M-44 and PPSh-41.

Tactical Use and Limitations

The M-38 carbine was issued to 'special troops' - cavalry, communication, and artillery troops.   In this role it gave these support troops a weapon for self defense that was more convenient to carry than the standard M-91/30 rifle.

Method of Operation

The M-38 carbine is a bolt action rifle.  After firing, the user pulls the bolt handle up to unlock and cock the action, then backwards to eject the spent cartridge.  When the bolt is pushed forward it strips a round from the magazine and chambers it.  The weapon is now ready to fire.

Deployment Chronology

Here you can see what weapons the M-38 carbine replaced and what weapons eventually replaced it.  You can find out more about each weapon by clicking on the links below.

Sources Cited

Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you.  We hope you can find them as useful as we have.

• Military Small Arms of the 20th Century 7th Edition, Ian V. Hogg & John S. Weeks, published by Krause Publications 2000

• Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition, by D.N. Bolotin, published by Finnish Arms Museum Foundation 1995