BrocLuno
Member
OK, I'll take another stab at this. I get my sporters as partially complete ''bubba' jobs that never made it to the range or the field for whatever reason. I like fooling with machine tools and I like fooling with rifles. Since I was in the service, I've seen my share of finished box stock military rifles. I currently have two Garands, one M1917, one 1903A3 (that my uncle sportered and then decided not to use), one Arisaka LD (that pop brought home from the beaches of the SP). These stay mostly stock cause they can and likely should.
The 1903A3 will likely go back to Mil-Spec as it's 90% original metal and fittings. The existing Fajen stock will go under another 1903A3 action that has already been cut up. Maybe a used barreled action off GB or Auction Arms? That'll be two rifles out of what I have now?
I also have three other M1917's (all Eddystones) awaiting their trip through the shop - all bought for less than $75. One will be a 270; one will be a "Tacticool" semi-sniper 06 with lots of toys like bipod, flash hider, scope, etc.; one will be a 375 H&H hunter. They are projects I want to build and will be a fair bit cheaper than buying the equivalent. But, I agree, it ain't about the money.
AND, I five more Arisaka's that have already been whacked. One is a true sporter already built that needs a bit of tinkering, bedding and a new scope base. The rest have been butchered pretty bad, so they will get sorted out and maybe tweaked to a somewhat different profile or arrangement. Average cost for these is in the $60 range
And I have one Enfield No4 that was sportered before I bought it and is stone gorgeous. I could not leave it behind at the gun store. It tugged on my desire lever for a week before I went back and bought it. Somebody spent upwards of a grand or two (?) doing it, and then it languished away to be eventually turned in on some modern magnum thingy.
OH, and I have a custom built 22-250 on a Mauser action with a Shilen #8 contour barrel with minor engraving and slow rust blueing that is a range and P-Dog toy. You could not buy that rifle anywhere in a catalog. You could duplicate it, but you probably don't want to?
I don't much care for battle sights, I was OK with them 40 years ago when I was humpin my Mattel Rifle, but not so much nowadays. I prefer scopes, so right there is one reason to mess it up. I also don't always like mil-spec triggers, so there is another reason to tweak a rifle.
I like stock work and resin and bedding and finishing and installing butt pads. I like making things fit me. I like modern hi-tech finishes that are heat catalyzed. I like fooling with old steel and welding and filing and emery cloth and such. I like my lathe and drill press(s) and other shop tools. Some of the rifles I tinker on I give away to friends who can finish if they are keen on one I have partly done.
I want to try making a "straight jacket" type barrel system. I think composite barrel technology is a cool thing and I want to experiment with it. Thin profile military long barrels like a couple of my Arisaka's (30") will be fine for an external tube and composite fill. I can cut them down to any number I choose as the muzzles are all pretty worn, but the rest of the rifling is strong
The above reasons are why I do it. It's like a hot rod (which I have built my share of). Only difference is they never made millions of Boss 302's or Gen 1 Z28 Camaros or 57 T-Birds. They did make millions and millions of military rifles. So it's even a better starting point as there is no shortage of "chassis" to fool around with
And they are small projects that can go to sleep while I wait for a part to show up at the right price, delay while inspiration takes its course, or whatever. Building a small block takes up a lot more room. Building a boat even more.
If guns weren't fun we wouldn't be here sharing our views. We get your non-desire and that's OK, but we're not you
The 1903A3 will likely go back to Mil-Spec as it's 90% original metal and fittings. The existing Fajen stock will go under another 1903A3 action that has already been cut up. Maybe a used barreled action off GB or Auction Arms? That'll be two rifles out of what I have now?
I also have three other M1917's (all Eddystones) awaiting their trip through the shop - all bought for less than $75. One will be a 270; one will be a "Tacticool" semi-sniper 06 with lots of toys like bipod, flash hider, scope, etc.; one will be a 375 H&H hunter. They are projects I want to build and will be a fair bit cheaper than buying the equivalent. But, I agree, it ain't about the money.
AND, I five more Arisaka's that have already been whacked. One is a true sporter already built that needs a bit of tinkering, bedding and a new scope base. The rest have been butchered pretty bad, so they will get sorted out and maybe tweaked to a somewhat different profile or arrangement. Average cost for these is in the $60 range
And I have one Enfield No4 that was sportered before I bought it and is stone gorgeous. I could not leave it behind at the gun store. It tugged on my desire lever for a week before I went back and bought it. Somebody spent upwards of a grand or two (?) doing it, and then it languished away to be eventually turned in on some modern magnum thingy.
OH, and I have a custom built 22-250 on a Mauser action with a Shilen #8 contour barrel with minor engraving and slow rust blueing that is a range and P-Dog toy. You could not buy that rifle anywhere in a catalog. You could duplicate it, but you probably don't want to?
I don't much care for battle sights, I was OK with them 40 years ago when I was humpin my Mattel Rifle, but not so much nowadays. I prefer scopes, so right there is one reason to mess it up. I also don't always like mil-spec triggers, so there is another reason to tweak a rifle.
I like stock work and resin and bedding and finishing and installing butt pads. I like making things fit me. I like modern hi-tech finishes that are heat catalyzed. I like fooling with old steel and welding and filing and emery cloth and such. I like my lathe and drill press(s) and other shop tools. Some of the rifles I tinker on I give away to friends who can finish if they are keen on one I have partly done.
I want to try making a "straight jacket" type barrel system. I think composite barrel technology is a cool thing and I want to experiment with it. Thin profile military long barrels like a couple of my Arisaka's (30") will be fine for an external tube and composite fill. I can cut them down to any number I choose as the muzzles are all pretty worn, but the rest of the rifling is strong
The above reasons are why I do it. It's like a hot rod (which I have built my share of). Only difference is they never made millions of Boss 302's or Gen 1 Z28 Camaros or 57 T-Birds. They did make millions and millions of military rifles. So it's even a better starting point as there is no shortage of "chassis" to fool around with
And they are small projects that can go to sleep while I wait for a part to show up at the right price, delay while inspiration takes its course, or whatever. Building a small block takes up a lot more room. Building a boat even more.
If guns weren't fun we wouldn't be here sharing our views. We get your non-desire and that's OK, but we're not you
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