Let's see your sporterized Military Surplus Rifles

[wundudnee]

This is not a rifle, however it is military and it has been totally sporterized. This is my Winchester Model 12 riot gun. I bought this gun in 1955 for $55.00. It came with a Boyt leather, sheep lined case. Everything you can think of has been done to this gun to destroy it's original look.

It has a Weaver choke. beaver tail forearm, recoil pad, grip cap, checkered stock and forearm and a nice shiny finish right over the GHD proof. Other than that it's completely original. It has been my hunting gun my entire life.

 

[dirty & hairy]

Many years ago a buddy of mine brought home this rifle after clearing out his dad's estate. Having several young boys, his wife said "get it out of the house" so it became mine for the price of a Denny's breakfast. Shot it once and put it away until just now. IIRC it has a nice trigger and a stout kick.

 

[Sandman4delta]

There was an outfit out of LA in the 70's that did a run of sporty's from Swiss M1911 straight pull guns (not K31). They took an infantry length 1911 rifle in 7mm Swiss and made carbine length with a rechamber to .308.
Then added a stamped steel scope mount and low end scope to make a "Deer Gun".
The one I had was cut down so much that it was really light.
But they just left the steel buttplate and with so little weight it was just very harsh to shoot. I sold it on very quickly.
I liked the action. It was very smooth a locked up nicely but ouch.
Sorry no pics.

 

[38magnum]

the values are nuts on some mosins... they seem to put the value HIGH into round receivers made during the war, the carbines, and the dragoons from pre 1930.
The one I have is supposedly worth 600$ but i know ill never get that out of it.

My 24/47 has gone up in price from what I paid for it, Namely because the supply has dried up.

However does anyone remember a wee little company called Mitchells Mausers...

 

[AJ]

There was an outfit out of LA in the 70's that did a run of sporty's from Swiss M1911 straight pull guns (not K31). They took an infantry length 1911 rifle in 7mm Swiss and made carbine length with a rechamber to .308.
Then added a stamped steel scope mount and low end scope to make a "Deer Gun".
The one I had was cut down so much that it was really light.
But they just left the steel buttplate and with so little weight it was just very harsh to shoot. I sold it on very quickly.
I liked the action. It was very smooth a locked up nicely but ouch.
Sorry no pics.

Probably Federal Ordnance in South El Monte, Ca. I was there a couple of times when I was station in Orange County, Ca. They had lots of stuff and repurposed some to different calibers and configurations. Interesting place.

 

[dockmurgw]

My only military rifle is this Arisaka Type 99. Not sporterized though, all original. Have the bayonet, but not in the pic.

 

[raljr1]

My great uncle bought this from The DCMP in the 50s. He was a gunsmith and made the stock himself and tapered the barrel. It was not completely finished when dad got it and he didn't do anything with it for 40 years. It sat in my safe for close to 20 years before I got it into shootable shape. I originally tried one of those B Squared scope mounts that go into the magazine cutoff. That looked pretty comical as you can see. I found a smith who could mount a Lyman aperture aight and a front sight, along with fitting a recoil pad. He told me he bore sighted it as best he could .. three shots in 2 inches at 100 yards, I think he did ok. I shoot left handed, so it doesn't get shot much. The stock could benefit from some oil.

I jave two other 1903s, one from 1918 and one from 1930, both original and they will stay that way

Robert

 

[GypsmJim]

the values are nuts on some mosins... they seem to put the value HIGH into round receivers made during the war, the carbines, and the dragoons from pre 1930.
The one I have is supposedly worth 600$ but i know ill never get that out of it.

My 24/47 has gone up in price from what I paid for it, Namely because the supply has dried up.

However does anyone remember a wee little company called Mitchells Mausers...

Back in their day, Mitchell was selling "refurbished" Mausers at an astronomical price. I believe they were re-blued and may have also had new replacement stocks. In any event, they sure looked pretty.

With the work being by a private company (and not an arsenal refinish), I would guess that their value would not be that good now.

When they were in business, Century was still selling "originals" at a fraction of the cost.

 

[huntsman22]

 

[Muddyboot]

Nice rifle and beautiful looking cabin.

 

[38magnum]

Back in their day, Mitchell was selling "refurbished" Mausers at an astronomical price. I believe they were re-blued and may have also had new replacement stocks. In any event, they sure looked pretty.

With the work being by a private company (and not an arsenal refinish), I would guess that their value would not be that good now.

When they were in business, Century was still selling "originals" at a fraction of the cost.

mtichells seems to be a higher priced item now on the auction sites since they went out of business

 

[AJ]

mtichells seems to be a higher priced item now on the auction sites since they went out of business

I think is that some folks don't realize the Mitchell's were reblued and rebuilt. Their surprise might come if they try to sell it to a knowledgeable collector.

 

[Narragansett]

I have a 1917 Winchester Enfield, that I have had now for 50 years and not fired in 49. When I got it, the stock was black with dirt and oil and age. Heat would make the stock ooze oil so I got 2 black walnut surplus stocks, and a set of handguards from Ruval. Cost me 15.00.

I finished one stock and handguards for a full military look, and whittled on one to make a sporter stock out of the other one. Just swap the butt plate and the barreled action. I think it looks cool.

I would never mill the ears or alter the metal in any way.

I think it is worth a fair piece now. Not sure my sons want it. I may put it up for sale to a new caretaker

 

[GypsmJim]

I think it is worth a fair piece now. Not sure my sons want it. I may put it up for sale to a new caretaker

Caretakers are old codgers like us and there ain't many of us left. Maybe you should scrap the wood and adorn it in black plastic. Then the "new" caretakers might buy it because they got fooled by the color.....LOL.

 

[Terry G]

I won't do it. M-1's, SMLE's, Mausers, SKS's and even the Italian Carbine stay the way they were made. I have a beautiful Browning .30/06 for Whitetail hunting so why convert a historical rifle?

 

[SWFan27]

As to surplus 303 British, most that I have seen in the last few years has been Pakistani (POF) and it is notorious for misfires and hangfires. The problem seems to be the primers. They can be a good source for bullets though if you buy them cheap enough as I have salvaged quite a few. There have been other lots from different sources but many seem to have been the victims of poor storage and in my experience is also not dependable shooting ammo. The 303 is an easy cartridge to load and I mainly shoot my own reloads in mine. Neck sizing only (and keeping the brass assigned to one rifle) I get good case life with clean, accurate ammo.

As to the OP's post I have never been into sporterizing old military rifles. The closest I ever came to that was tricking out a couple SKS rifles with aftermarket stocks & mags back when they were cheap (and everywhere). Didn't make any permanent mods and put them back in their original stocks when I later sold them off (and sold the aftermarket parts separately, made more money that way LOL).

I have owned quite a few old military rifles that had been sportered years ago. Back when they were cheap and there were many of them to be had. Some had been nicely done, some were quick hack jobs. They made for fun, cheap shooting. Restored a couple to their military form to fill out my collection (usually just repairing a cut off forearm and replacing a couple bands). Some of the hack jobs I cleaned up and made nicer looking sporters out of, the nicer ones didn't need any work. They had been done by someone who had the time and skill to do it right.

Nowadays anyone who cuts up an original is throwing money away in my view. If they have the skill to make a really nice sporting rifle they would be better off just buying a stripped action and building on that. If they just want a cheap hunting rifle many new guns are really very affordable and would be a better choice. Or simply hit the gunshows, pawnshops and gun stores looking for a milsurp someone cut up long ago.

I still have some military ammo from the 1940's. The stuff still goes bang every time and is very accurate.

 

[Muddyboot]

I won't do it. M-1's, SMLE's, Mausers, SKS's and even the Italian Carbine stay the way they were made. I have a beautiful Browning .30/06 for Whitetail hunting so why convert a historical rifle?

After both WWI and WWII returning vets were a big market for sporterized rifles, they were cheap and great platforms for scopes. I don't disagree about chopping up historic rifles, however at the time it was a common thing to do

 

[AJ]

I keep military rifle as they came from the armory for issue to the troops. I did end up with an 8MM Mauser K98 that someone had "Bubba'd", The metal was left alone but the stock had been cut. Think I paid $50.00 for it. I cleaned up the stock and put a shotgun recoil pad on it (all I had at the time). I used it for a plinker, when everyone else was shooting .22LR's. Surplus ammo was $0.04 a round (long time ago). It was fun!

 

[38magnum]

I won't do it. M-1's, SMLE's, Mausers, SKS's and even the Italian Carbine stay the way they were made. I have a beautiful Browning .30/06 for Whitetail hunting so why convert a historical rifle?

I like the long full stocks... they help with balance, and with my arms most over the counter modern guns dotn have meat where i have to put my support hand.

And who really wants a 5 pound rifle chambered in 30-06? a 243 or 308 in that weight rifle sans scope, is not exactly an enjoyable experience, but it is an experience.

I like iron sights, and such, always wanted an enfield but with what little I know about the receiver stretch and the 3 or 4 sizes of bolt head made to correct it, i have no clue as to what would be a good rifle or not.

Went yugo 24/47 stock is a tad to short for me. But i got a slip on recoil pad for it.

 

[Fishinfool]

Any reason you went to .35 Whelen instead of a more common caliber?

Just noticed your question. Back then, I read a lot of Elmer Keith, and he was an influence. I hunted whitetail and black bear, mostly in the big woods of Maine. A .35 cal at moderate velocity sounded good.

I wanted to stay with a cartridge that would feed in the rifle without modification other than the re-chamber and re-bore, and I also had about 300 once fired '06 brass, so 35 Whelen it was. Bought a basic RCBS reloading set up along with 35 Whelen dies. It proved a real deer killer, more than you need really, but more isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Larry