"Sporterizing" Milsurp Weapons..Blasphemy?

[Hemicuda]

For fun, I build high-end custom rifles, all one off's, and all on original military bolt actions (Read: Mausers and Enfields)

All of them have utilized non-restorable, non-servicable actions...

I would NOT and HAVE not cut up a "good" Milsurp gun... those I sell to collectors AS collection pieces...

 

[BenW]

As others have pointed out above, a feller or gal oughta be able to do whatever they want with their own stuff. That doesn't mean I wouldn't shed a tear if I saw you cutting up something with matching numbers and historically significant cartouches and such.

Personally, I'm in the "do nothing that can't be easily undone" camp. Scopes and swapped sights are okay in my book. If I wasn't getting good accuracy out of a particular rifle, I'd just use it as a plinker rather than rebarreling it etc. as a hunting / precision shooting arm. I'd have nothing against putting a scope on one of my Mausers that does 3" or better groups though, and using it for hunting.

 

[2nd Amendment]

If it has some significance; matching numbers, low production, etc then no. But honestly, how large a percentage are actually "worth" anything in that respect? Most are mismatched parts guns due to one rebuild or another in their service lives and a lot are just plain beaters, like the old Enfield I have. When I get a chance I'm going to turn it into something else entirely since as it sits it's nothing but a doorstop, and an ugly one at that.

 

[Okiecruffler]

The closest I've ever come is putting a scout mount on my Yugo Mauser, and I can always put that back to original. But if I can find a beat up M44 that can keep 3 shots in 3 inches at 100yrds I've got an idea that will make most purists cringe. But that will be it, the only one, I promise.

 

[Redlg155]

But if I can find a beat up M44 that can keep 3 shots in 3 inches at 100yrds I've got an idea that will make most purists cringe.

Hmm...sounds like the makings of one loud scout rifle.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Jason Demond]

Sporterized guns make Jason cry!

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Actually, I have two "sporterized" 1903's. One my dad built in the 50's with bird's eye maple stock, turned down barrel, the whole shot. He bought the rifle in 1945 for $12.00. It is a Rock Island, serial # 303308. I know, it would be a good collector piece if he hadn't done it, but who was to know back then? The bore is shot out and I'm having it rebarreled to a .270 Ackley Improved and leaving the rest as my dad built it.

The other one, I built about 16-18 years ago, BUT I started with a never barreled nickle steel 1903 action from Sarco (made in the 40's). 25-06, French walnut stock, deep blue, narrowed trigger guard, polishing and engine turning in all the right places.

These are my two favorite rifles. But I would never think of cutting up a original 1903 today, they are just worth too much (I have two originals also).

 

[Okiecruffler]

"Hmm...sounds like the makings of one loud scout rifle. "

You don't know the half of it. I have visions of a ported 16 inch barrel dancing thru my head.

 

[jimbo]

Bill Clinton cut up and melted down more Garands, M1As, carbines, 1903s and 1911s than you can possibly imagine. I sure as hell wish they had all been sporterized instead.

If I told you the numbers, you wouldn't believe it.

 

[Archie]

Jimbo....

that does put some perspective on it.

 

[Stinger]

A rifle is a tool, tools are modified as needed. An investment is another matter. Good judgement should be used, as in anything else.

But to each their own. If someone wants to drill and tap their weapon, more power to them. People who meddle in others affairs need to mind their own business, IMNSHO.

Stinger

 

[NapAttack]

Just call me "ignorant peckerwood" then.

Am I not supposed to touch any firearm I purchase on the off chance that someday it might become a collector's item? If shooting them decreases the collector value, should I just take every firearm I purchase and put it up unfired just on the off chance that it might become a collector's item someday?

Swisher, You learn from history, use the lessons of other people's mistakes so as not to repeat them. You don't put history on a pedestal and idolize it.

As far as relating sporterizing a collectible firearm to pissing on a veteran's wheel chair.

I happen to be a disabled vietnam vet. I considered a number of ways to reply to this, most included some pretty foul language. I decided not to stoop to your level.