I recently discovered our local CMP Garand Match group. While I save up my allowance to purchase a Garand, I've been using my Mosin-Nagant M38 to compete. Other than some stripper clip hang issues during the rapid fire sessions, I've really been impressed with that 68 year-old rifle and the 26 year-old surpluss ammo I've been running through it. I think that rifle could hit the black every time at 200 yards if I could get settled in.
I replaced the original stock with a synthetic "Monte Carlo" version after the original cracked on me. The synthetic stock is not legal for formal matches, but the local group just wants folks to come out and shoot.
That stock makes a world of difference for the feel and recoil of that M38. I can run 55 rounds through it at a shoot and not feel it at all.
If you read the history of the firearm, it was made to be simple, yet tough. I have read stories about it being dropped, run over, blown up and still working.
I also have had problems with the stripper clip.
We currently also own a carbine and when we got it, I had to re seat the firing pin and the spring. It was a simple operation.