Understood. I at first just found it hard to believe that such a rugged rifle made by such rugged people would need special treatment. But I love my M44 so much, I guesss I'd click my heels together 3 times after shooting it if that's what it took to keep it pretty. You folks have filled me in on proper care and the history I was so curious about, and I'm appreciative. glad the soviets did go overboard with production and end up with stockpiles. Otherwise, I could have never added this piece of history to my collection for a paltry $130.
Corrosive ammo cleanup is the same no matter which country made the rifle or the ammo. Springfields, Enfields, Mausers, all the same. Steel corrodes just the same.
I suggest using excessive amounts of windex. I just took my Mosins out for the first time since the car shoot a month or so back and found corrosion in almost all the bores (especially the M39). Fortunately, they cleaned up so that there wasn't anything crippling in the bore, but I won't be skimping on the windex anymore.
Hoppes is the best choice after using windex as it is formulated for corrosive ammo and contains ammonia. Modern solvents will not do it.