Opinions on modifying old rifle

[gregp74]

Recently got my hands on a nice Remington 541 at a good price. It's the T model, not the fancier S that everyone is after and go for big $$.

Going by the markings it appears to be from 1994. No scrapes or scratches or dings, and the bluing is good. Whoever had it before me had some trigger work done and bedded the stock. So, it's no longer in original condition.

I haven't fired it yet, but going by what the previous owner did I'm going to guess it's a good shooter, and I want to use it as one, not just a safe queen.

That brings me to my question. Most of our shooting fun out here in off a picnic table using a bipod. The 541 has no sling swivel stud to attach one though.

I asked one of the guys at the local shop about having a front stud put on (or front and rear) for the sake of being able to stick the ol' Harris bipod on there when wanted. He went on a long rant about ruining the rifle and its resale value.I would think that resale value has already been lost by having work done on it. It's no longer in original condition to begin with. Is it really going to go down more by having a couple studs put on?

Someday I probably will sell it but for now it's going to be something to use, and if that helps me use it then I don't think I care too much about making a change to it.

 

[adcoch1]

It's yours, do what you want to with it. It's not going to a museum when you're done, and you may like it enough to never get rid of it! Just be careful to not destroy it since a replacement stock will be difficult to find for a decent price. Just enjoy it!

 

[gregp74]

That's what I'm thinking. And as easy as I'm sure it is to install those studs, I may just have a professional do it. I'd hate to screw up a nice stock lol

 

[clearcut]

Why don't you just get a cheap clamp on by-pod and then you won't beat your self up about it . That will most likely change the POI though.

CC

 

[CB900F]

Gregp74;

Or, get a decent front rest, bags, and forget the bipod. It's a pretty good bet that accuracy will improve regardless of what gun you're shooting. I wouldn't put the studs in the gun, particularly if you've already got a decent walking varminter .22 that has them. If so, get a good sling (Turner Saddlery 1907 pattern) lose the weight of the 'pod, & learn to use the sling for more than carrying the gun.

900F

 

[Sunray]

"...He went on a long rant..." Guy's a bit daft. All of what he went on about applies to collector grade rifles that a Rem 541 is not. Lotta insane prices on Gunbroker though. Anyway, the only issue is the thickness of the forestock. Needs to be enough for a swivel stud to go on.
The ol' Harris bipod is worth a pile of money these days. A sand bag you can make for free. And it's a better rest.

 

[Sunray]

"...He went on a long rant..." Guy's a bit daft. All of what he went on about applies to collector grade rifles that a Rem 541 is not. Lotta insane prices on Gunbroker though. Anyway, the only issue is the thickness of the forestock. Needs to be enough for a swivel stud to go on.
The ol' Harris bipod is worth a pile of money these days. A sand bag you can make for free. And it's a better rest.

And a 1994 vintage rifle isn't old. snicker.

 

[Varminterror]

And a 1994 vintage rifle isn't old. snicker.

No kidding... Wth?

I'd screw the studs in and be happy. Guys looking for a hunting rifle, when the time comes you do sell it, will prefer to have them anyway.

 

[gregp74]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[CraigC]

I put swivel studs on mine, probably 20yrs ago. No big deal, then or now.

 

[Jim Watson]

Ask the guy at LGS how much profit he will give you NOW.

 

[stringnut]

Set it up how you want. Your not going to make a fortune buying and selling guns. Even if you lose a c note on it doesn't matter. If you keep it 5 years that's only 20 bucks a year. If your gun buying portfolio can't handle that kind of loss you are better not buying guns. Only being a bit sarcastic. I make good on deals once in a while. Most of the time my true ability for gun trading shows thru and I lose my butt.

If it makes you feel any better the wife bought an unfired 9422 lr and immediately had it drilled and tapped for a tang sight. Her gun her decision. The tang sight is super cool by the way.

 

[ilbob]

It is your gun. Do with it as you see fit. Personally I don't see a firearm like this as having a lot of collector value so it's not like whatever collector value is in it is going to be ruined by making it more shootable. If it was a collector's item shooting it would be less appropriate.

 

[chicharrones]

IMO, field rifles need sling mounts of some sort. Remington should have installed them in the gun when new, but they didn't. So, it's time to make up for Remington's shortsightedness.

 

[BSA1]

Recently got my hands on a nice Remington 541 at a good price. It's the T model, not the fancier S that everyone is after and go for big $$.

I asked one of the guys at the local shop about having a front stud put on (or front and rear) for the sake of being able to stick the ol' Harris bipod on there when wanted. He went on a long rant about ruining the rifle and its resale value.

sigh. Another gun store clerk opinion.

Gun store clerks seem to be the least knowledgeable group of gun owners out there.

Do the clerk offer to buy the gun from you at the "collectors" price to save it from you destroying it?

 

[Nature Boy]

It's a fact that all guns want slings

 

[22250Rem]

I'm with Chicharrones on this one. They're nice guns; they're collectible, but it would have been nice if they came with studs. But IMHO they're not so collectible that a couple of small sling studs in the stock is gonna ruin the value of it. If it devalues the gun I don't feel that it would be enough to worry about. If you sell it some prospective buyer may even see them as a plus, or a minus, but not enough of an issue to be a deal breaker on a fairly priced gun that's a shooter and not a safe queen. Of course, this is assuming normal, small studs, that look like they were put on professionally and not by the infamous "Bubba" . Besides; the stock has already been bedded so that's not a hundred percent original anymore, either.

 

[boom boom]

There is new in the box collectible and there is original condition. You have neither condition pertaining to your rifle so just make sure that whoever works on your rifle to alter it does good work and you should be fine.