Why do people care so much how others enjoy their firearms?

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daniel craig

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I often get a lot of vitriol in other online communities about the fact that I have modified a rifle of mine to take a scope, in a way that wasn't originally intended (mosin) I cut down the barrel and had it re-crowned too. When discussing optic options for my SKS, because I find the irons difficult to use and I want to hunt with this, a lot of people seem to want to comment on how I should just leave it alone because it's "fine the way it is" yet they don't say that kind of thing when people mod their cars, their knives, or any other gear.
 
I don’t mind what ya do. I’d leave the sks alone if it were mine.

I drilled my Winchester 94 made in 1970 for sling studs and installed a rear band with stud. I’m going modify the original band for a stud as the replacement doesn’t fit as well.

I lopped the barrel on a mosin once. Gave it to a friend. That thing made a fireball!

I generally ask myself, would grandpa mod this gun, and the answer is generally, yes, if it made it more cool or useful.

If it makes ya happy, I say go for it. It’ll all burn in fire and brimstone one day anyway.
 
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daniel craig said:
I often get a lot of vitriol in other online communities about the fact that I have modified a rifle of mine to take a scope, in a way that wasn't originally intended (mosin) I cut down the barrel and had it re-crowned too. When discussing optic options for my SKS, because I find the irons difficult to use and I want to hunt with this, a lot of people seem to want to comment on how I should just leave it alone because it's "fine the way it is" yet they don't say that kind of thing when people mod their cars, their knives, or any other gear.
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I guess because it's social media and online communities, and when you post about something on a public forum, you shouldn't be too surprised when the public voices their opinions one way or another.

That's all it boils down to. They aren't trying to force you to do anything you fo not want to, they are simply telling you how they feel about what you shared with them and how they would go about doing it if it were them.

That's why I am not posting my life on Facebook or posting about things I don't want other's opinions on.
 
Styx said:
I guess because it's social media and online communities, and when you post about something on a public forum, you shouldn't be too surprised when the public voices their opinions one way or another.
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Less surprised, It was fully expected by now. I am just curious what drives people to care so much.
 
daniel craig said:
Less surprised, It was fully expected by now. I am just curious what drives people to care so much.
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Because they like guns, and have strong feelings and opinions about them. I cringe too when I see people take classic no longer in production collectible firearms and start hacking and destroying their original configuration. I don't really care because it's not my firearm, but it's still sad to see.
 
Because older firearms/objects are no longer made, let alone made the way they used to. When someone sees a otherwise good example, turned into a project despite the otherwise good condition, it's understandable to make us cringe.

With this said, whatever you own it's your property. You have every right to do with it as you see fit. Even if it means sporterizing a common or rarer firearm, at the end of it all, they're all tools meant to do a job. If your use is to preserve it as a example from World War II, keep it that way; If your use is as a hunting arm and you need to modify it to make it do that role better, do it. As long as you do it right of course, not cutting it down and duct taping a scope unto it. (PLENTY of bad examples like this out there)
 
People like to tell others what to do. Makes them feel in control. Its also personal bias and preference. Example for myself...I hate paint on firearms. For me its just a sin to slap paint on that pretty steel.

In the end though its your property and you get to choose what fits your preferences. Some people get offended because they see it as a historical piece (sometimes thats true). With your SKS you are planning on useing it for a purpose so setting it up for what works best for you is a good idea. SKS stock sights are not really meant for precise shooting so I would work the optics angle as well. Also since you will be out in the elements a synthetic stock isnt a bad Idea (try to fit it tight). Maybe a little trigger work as well.

One big area on the SKS to check if you are going to use it as a field gun is the sear engagement. A lot of them are negative which can pose a problem. Disreguard if you already know this.

Fine rifles. I have modified a bunch of them for different purposes. Tech sights are my favorite irons for the SKS. Fancy optics I normally do a very tight cover mount with a simple 30mm tube dot. Fun rifles to work on. Favorite stocks are probably the Choates but I have experience with pretty much all of them but the new ones from the last 3 or 4 years. Butler creeks and choates fit nicely. Sometimes the Choates need a shim depending on what country and make of SKS you have.

Mosins aint a bad rifle either. A little crude of course but well built.
 
If the thoughts and opinions of others are unimportant to you, then why bother posting it online to begin with? What's the difference between someone caring about what you do with a firearm or you caring what they do with their opinion? To those who value history preservation and collecting over customization or practical use, it's a bummer to see an original example get modified. It's really a pretty straight forward concept that doesn't seem all that confusing. Some people are nostalgic and want to preserve something they find valuable and others have absolutely no value in something old fashioned and outdated. People are just different and come to discussion forums and social media to talk about their experiences and opinions.
 
The only semi coherent argument for not doing mods like mounting a scope on a mosin or SKS is that the mods are being done to a "classic" (?) MILSURP rifle. The fact that both of those guns are "bottom tier" MILSURP in terms of value, performance, and availability sort of makes that argument weak, IMO. I remember when either of those could be had for well under $100. While the price has increased a lot and the availability has decreased a little, the performance is unchanged and wanting on both, if compared to guns like Mausers and 03 rifles- thousands of which were bought for a couple of dollars and sporterized into fine hunting rifles, which of course ruined collector values on them 50-100 years after they had been originally purchased on the civilian market.
As far as people getting emotionally invested in other people's gun habits, take it for the 2 cents its worth. Lots of people believe their opinions are all that count in the world, and lots of people just want to feel important.
 
#!. Because forums are for talk and that is what we are supposed to do. You won't agree with it all. Lighten up and enjoy... It is just a different flavor, that's all...

I might modify a car...If I had that kind of money. But anything that explodes inches from my head to send a piece of metal down range I leave in tact. Just my own take on it.
 
FL-NC said:
The only semi coherent argument for not doing mods like mounting a scope on a mosin or SKS is that the mods are being done to a "classic" (?) MILSURP rifle. The fact that both of those guns are "bottom tier" MILSURP in terms of value, performance, and availability sort of makes that argument weak, IMO. I remember when either of those could be had for well under $100. While the price has increased a lot and the availability has decreased a little, the performance is unchanged and wanting on both, if compared to guns like Mausers and 03 rifles- thousands of which were bought for a couple of dollars and sporterized into fine hunting rifles, which of course ruined collector values on them 50-100 years after they had been originally purchased on the civilian market.
As far as people getting emotionally invested in other people's gun habits, take it for the 2 cents its worth. Lots of people believe their opinions are all that count in the world, and lots of people just want to feel important.
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I never did mods on an all matching firearm in really nice shape. All of the SKSs I have done are mix and match or previous hatchet jobs. I would probably feel a little guilty permanently modifying a collectable. There are a lot of non permanent ways to mount an optic to an SKS though so no worries there.
 
Do not ask the question if you do not want to hear the answer. Read the room. Many milsurp communities frown on user modifications. If you are sufficiently tone deaf to ask questions about modifications on such a board, corrections should come as no surprise.

People in online communities have opinions and aren't shy about sharing them. If you run something up the flag pole to see who salutes, there may be drone strikes as well.
 
I've made a good living doing metal fabrication on restoration of cars that exceed 6 figures and sometimes 7.

I've seen and built some pretty cool stuff and also alot of God awful "visions".

Some people just can't except a 1932 Ford coupe, they try to make it into something it's not and ruin it.
But that doesn't mean you can't stuff a Chevy sbc, overdrive and A/C in the thing either.
 
There have been hotrod loads for the 44 Special since the dawn of time, or at least since Elmer was old enough to buy whiskey. Likewise, the 45 Colt is often hot rodded, especially in Blackhawks. So I acquired a Blackhawk in 44 Special. Went to a certain forum to inquire about hot loads. The result was similar to poking a stick into a hornet's nest.

On the other hand, if you put multi grade oil in a Norton, it ain't stock!!!
 
Heir Kommt Die Sonne said:
Because older firearms/objects are no longer made, let alone made the way they used to. When someone sees a otherwise good example, turned into a project despite the otherwise good condition, it's understandable to make us cringe.

With this said, whatever you own it's your property. You have every right to do with it as you see fit. Even if it means sporterizing a common or rarer firearm, at the end of it all, they're all tools meant to do a job. If your use is to preserve it as a example from World War II, keep it that way; If your use is as a hunting arm and you need to modify it to make it do that role better, do it. As long as you do it right of course, not cutting it down and duct taping a scope unto it. (PLENTY of bad examples like this out there)
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It's not like the observer is in the running to buy said firearm though, so it literally has no impact on them at all.
 
ColoradoMinuteMan said:
If the thoughts and opinions of others are unimportant to you, then why bother posting it online to begin with? What's the difference between someone caring about what you do with a firearm or you caring what they do with their opinion? To those who value history preservation and collecting over customization or practical use, it's a bummer to see an original example get modified. It's really a pretty straight forward concept that doesn't seem all that confusing. Some people are nostalgic and want to preserve something they find valuable and others have absolutely no value in something old fashioned and outdated. People are just different and come to discussion forums and social media to talk about their experiences and opinions.
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It's more of a psychology thing for me. Like I want to learn what makes their brains tick that way, as it seems foreign to me.
 
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