If you are just looking for a shooter M91/30, make sure the crown doesn't have any damage from cleaning rods, check to make sure the rifling is sharp, and give the trigger a try. I would also pay attention to the position of the front post (how centered it is) and whether or not it lines up with the factory scribe. Bolt operation should be smooth.
Most of the refurbs you find at many local retailers will be very good shooters as they have all been inspected and re-worked by an arsenal either in Russia or the Ukraine. Parts that weren't serviceable were already replaced. Headspace will also be in spec.
Prices have gone up quite a bit on these in the last year or so. The last one I purchased at a retailer (Dunham's) was on sale for $90. Now, the sale price is $150. You can find them online for less (maybe $120?) but by the time you pay a transfer fee and shipping, you might as well buy it local and be able to inspect them and pick out the one you like. You can sometimes find gems, too, if you know what you are looking for.
That last purchase I made for $90 happened to be a very uncommon '42 ex PEM sidemount sniper mixed in with the rest of the regular M91/30s. Izhevsk only produced this version for a short time in '42 before moving to the PU style sniper mount.
There are some online vendors, such as J&G Sales, that have the M44 carbines on sale. They seem to be in real nice shape from the photos I've seen of what people have been receiving. The M44 won't be as accurate as the M91/30, though, with the shorter barrel and side mounted bayonet.
This is THE site for information regarding anything Mosin Nagant... http://7.62x54r.net/