Lets see 'em, sporterized military rifles (Pic heavy)

[cornbush]

Lets see your sporterized military rifles. Anything counts, foreign and domestic, homemade or gunsmith.


Here is my 7.7 Arisaka. Stock and metal work all done for me by my grandpa. Sights are off a Winchester model 70, barrel was done with a draw file by hand. The stock is a walnut blank I used to play with as a kid with zebra wood pistol grip cap and forend cap. He also made the floor plate release and modified the safety so it is actually useable. I just need to have it blued and decide if I want to scope it or leave it naked. I have several guns he has worked on but this one is my favorite.


http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44693&stc=1&d=1238296396


http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44694&stc=1&d=1238296403


http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44695&stc=1&d=1238296403

[Shorthair]

Interesting, never have seen an Arisaka sporterized.
Here are mine, I did all the work on these 3...
1921 Carl Gustaf 1896 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55 (of course)
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/gspdave45/swede2008.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/gspdave45/SwedishMauserdeer.jpg

VZ-24 in .35 Whelan
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/gspdave45/35whelansm2.jpg

SKS, ugly but it works.
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc63/gspdave45/deersks2.jpg

[cornbush]

Nice work, I have a spanish mauser I have thought of putting a 35 whelen barrel on.

[Scorch]

Speaking of Spanich Mausers . . .
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo282/millardh/DSCN0479.jpg
1954 Spanish La Coruna Modelo 1943 action, barreled in 22-250 with a Richards Microfit AA Claro walnut stock, cocobolo forend and pistolgrip caps.

[Gewehr98]

But some are found that are just too far gone. I take pity on finding such massacres, and those get rebuilt into something else for my gun safes.

I took over from Bubba and his hacksaw job with this 1917 Amberg Gewehr98. It's still in the original 8mm chambering, but I gave it a Bishop stock, Timney trigger, parkerizing, 700BDL iron sights, a welded bolt handle, Acraglas bedding, and a restored vintage Weaver V-8 external adjust scope:

http://mauser98.com/ambergbenchweaverright.jpg

This derelict 1916 C.G. Haenel Gewehr98 action got magnafluxed and trued, then received a welded bolt handle, Canjar single-set trigger, Speedlock striker and spring assembly, Krieger No. 5 taper barrel, Vais muzzle brake, Fajen Ace Varminter stock, Devcon bedding, Millett scope base and rings, Weaver V-16 scope, parkerizing over matte bluing, and a custom wildcat chambering in 6.5-06. It's my 1000-yard rifle, and was featured in the September 1999 issue of Tactical Shooter magazine for hitting a golfball cold bore at 500 meters. It goes with me in my pine box when I take my dirt nap.

http://mauser98.com/6.5-06matright.jpg

This is an Eddystone 1917 U.S. Enfield action, with an unknown make target barrel, Unertl scope and mounts, Dayton trigger, early Fajen laminated stock, and gorgeous bluing. It was assembled sometime in the late 1960s, from what I can find out. It's chambered for the wildcat .236 Super, which we'd know today as a 6mm-.270.

http://mauser98.com/236super-1.jpg

[OLNfan]

Produces in 1938 Swedish Mauser m38 6.5x5.5mm wwii sniper issued 1941 other than my serial number I have the engravings of 946 on my bolt.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j239/seaan_2006/003-2.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j239/seaan_2006/002-3.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j239/seaan_2006/007.jpg
Iv always wonderd how or why IV got these knotches. Perhaps their kills in the great war, OR the deer some one got with their rifle who knows I like it though adds character!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j239/seaan_2006/swedishmuaser.jpg
this is what she would of looked like!

[FrankenMauser]

Interesting, never have seen an Arisaka sporterized.

It's an amazingly beautiful rifle. The pictures don't do it justice. (A little oil on the stock would help a bit too. It's been a while.) It's a shame our grandfather hated the Japanese so badly. He absolutely obliterated the intact mum on the rifle by bead-blasting and polishing.


As for my entry... I give you the FrankenMauser! Originally a Yugo 24/47 Mauser; it has seen many forms. (Only a few documented.)


.35 Whelen form:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44714&stc=1&d=1238302892


This action suffered a terrible accident, and was compromised. To check it's suitability for safe usage near your face, we devised a plan....


Proof testing equipment: (ATF legal, since it's a bolt action.)
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44715&stc=1&d=1238302892


Back in 8x57JS form, with proof testing equipment:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44716&stc=1&d=1238302892

Don't ask about the stock. It was an exercise in stupidity.

If you've never fired a weapon remotely, you've never lived! :D:D:D

[Gewehr98]

How bad an accident? Cracked receiver ring, cracked locking lugs?

[Mike U.]

These are some really beautiful sporterizing jobs, guys.

Talk about eye-candy!:)

[chadwimc]

Does this count? Modified to a "You better shoot straight, Tojo" model.

[JustKev55]

My Dad had an M-1 Carbine he had sporterized. Full length stock, beautiful wood. Decided he wanted to trade or sell it to get a different gun. I told him I'd buy it. His response was that I couldn't afford what he wanted for it. I wish I could find the guy that bought it from him.

[eddyb74]

Remington Arms Springfield '03-A3, built in March '44. This was my dad's backup rifle till I came of age to hunt. He gave it to me when I was 13, and found an unfinished stock at a gun show the next year. I refinished the stock and put this back in the safe about five years ago when I found a model 70 for a decent price.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/eddyb/DSC00839.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/eddyb/DSC00840.jpg

[cornbush]

Gewher98.......... it did survive, we still shoot it. As for the "accident" frankenmauser will have to elaborate, I wasn't in on that mishap.:D

[cornbush]

chadwimc....... is that rifle for sale, I have been looking for a birthday present for my ex-wife?:D:eek:

[taylorce1]

Springfield 1903 in .35 Whelen:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/35%20Whelen/Picture016.jpg
Found this one on Gunbroker

Springfield 1903 in .338-06:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/338-06%20Springfield/Picture012.jpg
Got this one from a local guy

VZ-24 in 8mm-06:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/For%20Sale%202/DSC_2240.jpg
Got this one in a bunch of pieces receiver had already been drilled and tapped and the barrel steps had been tapered. Too far gone to bring back to orginal so I went ahead and finished the sporter job. Found on Gunbroker.

Springfield 1896 30-40 Krag:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/30-06%20JC%20Higgins%20and%20%2030-40%20Krag/Picture011.jpg
Found in a local pawn shop.

I've got a Kimber M96 Sporter 6.5X55, and 1917 Sporter .300 H&H at the smith's still as well as a bubba M93 Mauser. I'm going to try and save the M93 someday, I'm hoping it will make a nice .250 or .300 Savage rifle I just haven't taken it in to see if the receiver is still good. I know I wouldn't shoot it now in the current state it is in.

[Crankylove]

Gewehr98: For the frankenmauser, a barrel was put on with improper tools, which allowed the reciever to become twisted to the point that the bolt would not close, the bolt locking lugs were out of alignment with the reciever. So, using a pipe wrench and a crash axe, the reciever was re-tweaked, back the opposite direction untill the bolt fully closed with no binding. It was then fitted with the remoted firing servos (ATF was consulted, and confirmed its legallity, and then laughed their butts off). When test firing, we started with some reduced power handloads and worked up thru hotter handloads, then some surplus, and finally some really hot (4+ grains over max) handloads, figuring it would either throw shrapnel all over, or hold together and we would feel safe shooting it if it held up thru all the test loads.

[sniperinky]

One heck of a fine shooter. She's won me many a bet.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t278/clohesey_coins/Mosin%20Nagant/MyMosinNagant02.jpg

[Bigfatts]

1917 Enfield, .375 H&H.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f258/bigfatts/Centerfire/IMG_0550.jpg

Stole it off Gunbroker.

[OLNfan]

LOOKn good guys keep the pics coming!!

[cornbush]

These are some very nice rifles, I have a sweet spot for sporterized war horses. I think I just drooled on my keyboard.

[30-06'in]

Just picked this Mosin Nagant up the other day, $100CDN and a case of ammo for it, couldnt pass it up now all i have to do if find some surplus ammo in canada.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/450_rider/100_57981.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o70/450_rider/100_58001.jpg

[Creature]

Springfield 1903A3...

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/12/63/91/01/sprngf10.jpg

[cornbush]

Shorthair..........Where did you get the stock on that swede?

[Shorthair]

Hi Cornbush.
Got it about 15 years ago from maybe Brownell's. Its a Fajen, got it for perhaps $150. It came semi-inletted, the buttplate, pistol grip cap and sling swivel studs already installed, a really good job doing so, all the screw slots aligned. The wood on the outside was left very proud and rough. It honestly looked like they had stopped working on the outside at the rough mill stage. So I finished inletting it, bedded it, rasped out the barrel channel and ejection port and sanded the heck out of it, finished with about a billion light layers of Tru-Oil. Then I checkered it, first attempt but it came out presentable. The fore end checkering looks worse in the picture than it really is, must be an e-pic thing. I'll take and post some more detailed pics if anyone cares to see more detail.
Really a great find, I looked for one for my VZ-24 but can't find them anymore :(

[cornbush]

I think its great, classic lines, nice wood, and a nice finish.

[Shorthair]

Thanks, I have to agree. I got really lucky with it, and like the way it turned out.

[gedenke]

Here's mine...she'll do sub-MOA if I let her.

Arisaka Type 38
Fajen stock (refinished)
free floated
Timney trigger w/ thumb safety (original safety still works)
matte black KG GunKote (after bead blasting)
muzzle crowned
bolt handle shaped/polished

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/09_26_0.jpg

[Mike U.]

gedenke,

Can you post a pic without the shell holder on the stock? Looks like great wood underneath. Why hide it?;) I like the looks of her so far. The white spacers are a very nice touch giving it a kind of elegance.

[gedenke]

Sure...here's some just before I shot on the GunKote:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/01_17_7.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/gedenke/01_17_8.jpg

[Mike U.]

That is a beautiful rifle! Thank you for sharing the new pics.:D

[L_Killkenny]

Nice guns everyone. IMO, ex-mil guns were put on to this earth to be turned into something nice.

[Mike U.]

IMO, ex-mil guns were put on to this earth to be turned into something nice.

What a nice sentiment. I agree completely.:cool::D

[MountainBear]

I have three surplus sporters in the works. One is a turk turning into a .257 Roberts Ackley Improved, and the other two are swedes in various states of disrepair. I'll post pictures when they are ready for their public debut.

I won't sporterize a mint condition surplus rifle. But I will repair and finish the jobs that hacksmiths tried in their garages and then pawned.

[cornbush]

+1 L Killkenny

[40s-and-wfan]

While I do admire all the pictures posted on this thread, I'm still waiting to see some pics of a Sporterized Military Rifle!!

[mustang66maniac]

Another 1914 M96 Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a335/mustang66maniac/rifle4.jpg

[Scorch]

I'm still waiting to see some pics of a Sporterized Military Rifle!!
These are all sporterized military rifles! If you are looking for a chop job or a rifle somebody bubbaed with a hacksaw, keep waiting.

[Jimro]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xvMnJVWLNDk/SLhLX4eZ5RI/AAAAAAAAABc/tUHoxUCk2w8/s400/Mauser+002.JPG

One of a few sported Mausers I've got laying about. I thought it would be fun to "sniperize" a Turk M38 K.Kale. Bold Trigger (might be a Timney, I can't remember which), BSquare weaver rail, DT MkII safety. The scope is a 6x42 IOR with MP8 Reticle. That's a 75 dollar rifle wearing a 400 dollar scope...

I left it in 8x57, but if I have to rebarrel in the future it will end up 6.5x55

Jimro

[kwells6]

Thats a VERY NICE type 38. I'm debating modifying mine, but I'm not sure if it would be worth it, plus its an old tokyo school rifle...

[gedenke]

Thanks kwells, it's nice to know other people appreciate it. I thought this gun would be an orphan that only I could love. :)

[cornbush]

My 7.7 Arisaka really surprised me in the accuracy dept. With a little trigger work it has turned into a great shooter.

[cornbush]

40s and wfan As far as none of these rifles being military rifles :confused::confused:??????? What is your definition of a military rifle?

[Beentown71]

Spanish m43 still in 8mm.

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc329/beentown71/P1060515.jpg

Beentown

[Shorthair]

While I do admire all the pictures posted on this thread, I'm still waiting to see some pics of a Sporterized Military Rifle!!
Perhaps you might post a pic or two of what you are referring to, I see I'm not the only one confused by the ambiguity of your post. Are you making a semantic, aesthetic or functional comment?

[Shorthair]

Scorch and taylorforce: that is some spectacular wood.....

[taylorce1]

Scorch and taylorforce: that is some spectacular wood.....


Thanks! Your Swede and Whelen has great wood as well. Wish I could say I picked out the stocks, but I bought them the way you see them. I hate to say it but I've bought more rifles on how the stock looked than by the caliber they were in. I've found more times than not that the rifle shoot very well. I guess if you are going to spend the money to make them pretty they had better shoot.

[cornbush]

That can't be all of 'em.

[Jack O'Conner]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/Mosin1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/Mosin2.jpg

This Soviet built rifle has been fitted with a Fajen walnut stock. Trigger tuned, too!

Jack

[freakintoguns]

any mosins converted to different calibers? ive been tossing the idea around of getting one and converting it to .308 or .30-06 simply to have easily reloadable ammo. also want somethign to use to hit 1000 yards or better at the range

[Tikirocker]

That can't be all of 'em.

I wish it was ... :D

Tiki

[taylorce1]

Not by a long shot Tiki!!:D

Just got this one back from the Smith's last night. Again I didn't sporterize this rifle I'm just going to finish it. I had to have the one piece base milled to fit the receiver so I can shoot this rifle to see where I'm going to go with it. 1917 Enfield rifle in .300 H&H price tag was $99 when I found it in a little gun shop.

Work already done to it when I purchased it: Rear sight milled off, receiver drilled and tapped for scope base, speed lock kit converting it to cock on open, bolt face opened up, feed rails worked, magazine shortened up and belly removed, trigger guard straightened.

It will next be going into a Richard's Microfit laminate stock, with a new trigger.


http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/th_DSC_0028.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/?action=view&current=DSC_0028.jpg)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/th_DSC_0041.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/?action=view&current=DSC_0041.jpg)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/th_DSC_0043.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/?action=view&current=DSC_0043.jpg)
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/th_DSC_0044.jpg (http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/?action=view&current=DSC_0044.jpg)

[Shorthair]

Holy moses, Taylor, have you shot it with that stock yet? :D

[cornbush]

JACK, what kind of accuracy do you get out of your Nagant?

[taylorce1]

Holy moses, Taylor, have you shot it with that stock yet?:D

Not yet! First time I have seen it since I bought it last May. It has been at the gun smith's waiting for the scope base. The guy I use for my minor work is fast closing in on 70 and had some health issues. I wasn't in a hurry for it so I just waited, finally got it back last night.

[cornbush]

Taylor, you shoot that thing yet?

[roberto mervicini]

here few of my own sporterized rifles pictures:
1 - Husky 8x57
2 - Brazilian Mauser .270 win
3 - Arisaka 7.7x58
I also finish but picture is to big to post : 8x64 from vz24, military barrel cut to 22", bubinga wood stock - 8x57 double set trigger from mauser 98 laminated classic stock - .300win.mag. also double set trigger from mauser 98, full stock american w.nut -.308 win. with double set trigger from yugo mauser, bsa commercial barrel, laminated stock - 7x64 from DWM action, 18.5 barrel, honduras rosewood stock - 7x57 from mauser action, military barrel 20" american w.nut stock - 9.3x62 from mauser action, Lothar Walther barrel and bubinga wood stock, and probably I missed some..!!
_______
roberto

[Satanic Toaster]

This no.4 mk.1 had been chopped up by someone in their garage and I have been slowly making it into the rifle I want it to be. It had been tapped so I am in the process of getting a machinist I know to make a new mount for it.

After that all it needs is a recrown and some Gun-Kote.

These pics are of when I first got it and took off the junk scope mount and glass.

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss180/kjking88/Enfield/CIMG5205.jpg
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss180/kjking88/Enfield/CIMG5212.jpg
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss180/kjking88/Enfield/CIMG5206.jpg

[emcon5]

Not mine, but this K98 was posted in the C&R Forum a while back (http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384605).

Not much to it, but the effort that went into patching the sling slot and bolt takedown hole is interesting.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2lms5qv.jpg

[smith357]

A3-03
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/smith357/armory/1903-A3%20Rem/IMG_3881.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/smith357/armory/1903-A3%20Rem/IMG_3883.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/smith357/armory/1903-A3%20Rem/IMG_3887.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/smith357/armory/1903-A3%20Rem/IMG_3903.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/smith357/armory/1903-A3%20Rem/IMG_3906.jpg

[brotus2]

Gewehr98: Beautiful. Love that Weaver.

[Danny Creasy]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/sheffieldshootr/DSC03848.jpg

[Ignition Override]

These rifles all look really attractive, but this topic is not even allowed at "Surplusrifle" forums.

[emcon5]

this topic is not even allowed at "Surplusrifle" forums.

Sure it is, they have a whole forum dedicated to it.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=82

Frankly I would never do it, but to each his own.

[taylorce1]

Frankly I would never do it, but to each his own.

Neither would most of the rest of us who own one it just isn't practical anymore. I've never sporterized a rifle, but I'm not against buying them. Better to have an old sporter warhorse than to see it destroyed. There are always a few that you can restore if you can find the parts, but once somone has put a drill bit to them to mount a scope what is the point?

And to answer a question, no I still haven't fired the .300 H&H. It is again at the GS getting some work done. I hope to have it back in March and at the range soon after. I was holding off until I could get my hands on some Magnum primers so I sent her in for some work. Got my primers now I have to wait on the rifle again.

[Danny Creasy]

I would never do it to a military rifle either. But, I walked into a local pawn shop and the 03 sporter pictured above was in the rack at a good price and I have no regrets about giving it a good home. Man, will it ever shoot. And, it weighs a ton. It's the lightest kicking bolt action .30-06 I have ever owned with the heavy weight and high comb.

I also picked up a roughly sporterized SMLE .303 British the same way. It cost $50 and it is a No. 1 Mk III BSA. It is a lively handler and will shoot 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards.

[taylorce1]

Here is my Enfield wearing a new stock. Just picked it up from the smiths tonight

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_1091.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_1092.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_1094.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_1096.jpg

Now I've just got the final sanding to do as well as putting the finish on it. Should be ready to chase elk this fall with this rifle.

[elkman06]

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/elkman06/rifleleft.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll179/elkman06/muzzle.jpg

2nd generation on this one. My Gfather did it once in the 60's and I redid it a couple years ago.
1943, O3A3.
elkman06

[okie2]

98 Mauser 22-250
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/5MAUSER22-250.jpg
Mauser 96 still 29 inch 6.5X55 1 inch sleved barrel
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/6MAUSER65X55.jpg
03A3 30-06
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/903A330-06.jpg
96 MAUSER 22-250
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/10MAUSER22-250.jpg
03A3 30-06
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/2203A330-06.jpg
SPANISH MAUSER 7X57
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu340/OKIE2-photos/my%20guns/25MAUSER7X57.jpg

[cornbush]

These are some very nice rifles.
As far as "Sporterizing" an old war horse, I know of no one who would take an intact rifle and change anything.
Sometimes they are too far gone or have been bubba'd so why not keep it shooting?
My Arisaka was a barreled action and a bag of parts, the stock was burned off in a fire.
Its one of my favorite rifles now.:D

[okie2]

P O Ackly said the arisaka was the strongest actions he had ever tested.
I had a friend that bought one in the 60's he left it just like it was and it was a very accurate 6.5 caliber. he did put a scope on it and bent the bolt that's it.

[okie2]

elkman06
Very nice looking rifle I have that same Richards stock on my Muaser 6.5X55.
Could you not find any lower scope mounts? It looks like yours could come down about a 1/2 inch.

[2DaMtns]

I posted these in another thread, but I'm like a parent taking advantage of every opportunity to show off a kid. It's a Mauser 98 custom build in .280 Remington.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/sethvet2b/Rifles001.jpg?t=1267294207

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/sethvet2b/Rifles003.jpg?t=1267294250

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/sethvet2b/Rifles004.jpg?t=1267294290

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n240/sethvet2b/Rifles006.jpg?t=1267294471

[Ignition Override]

They look very nice, but the classic military looks are gone:( .

cornbush expressed my view very well, but can't a replacement stock and handguards be found for the main rifle types?

[okie2]

I still have all of mine why through them away.
Some of them can't be found anymore.

[elkman06]

It looks like yours could come down about a 1/2 inch

Actually on purpose. The O3 safety w/ its' 120degreeish swing(up and over) is a little hard to accomplish w/ any kind of glove on if the scope is too close.
We gots weather up here, I rarely don't have gloves on during elk season.
elkman06
I may change to a Dayton Traister safety arm which would help this.

[Olympus]

Here's mine. It's technically not a sporter, but it's a modified milsurp. It started out life as a Yugo M48. Too many mods to list.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/adambrown69/P1011511.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/adambrown69/P1011513.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/adambrown69/P1011514.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/adambrown69/P1011515.jpg

And this is the results with factory ammo. At this point, the barrel had only had less than 50 rounds through it. I'm hoping that it will tighten up even more after the barrel gets broke in and I can develop some better reloads for it.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/adambrown69/P1011174.jpg

[charliechalmers]

Awesome jobs fellas.

[okie2]

Olympus
Beautiful rifle but what caliber is it now?
what stock is that?

[Billy Tasso]

I bought this gun in 1962 for $40.00. It has an oiled stock, hand checkered.
The German marks are present on all components and all serial numbered parts match. It is in original 8mm Mauser chambering.
I've thought about putting a scope on it; but, I'd have to have the bolt turned and the receiver drilled and tapped. I've got enough hunting rifles, so I thought I'd just leave this one alone with the barrel and receiver being original.

[publius]

Beautiful work. All of these examples have been very tastefully executed and I would be proud to own any of them.

[Olympus]

Olympus
Beautiful rifle but what caliber is it now?
what stock is that?

Thanks! The rifle is a standard .308 caliber now. The stock is a Richards Microfit. It's laminated and I think the white is birch and I'm not sure what the other wood is. I want to say maple, but it looks a little too dark for maple. It was a royal pain too. If I ever decide to do another project, I hope I have more options. I didn't have a good experience with Richards Microfit.

[okie2]

I have done 4 of the richards I like them after they are done but they were a pain in the a$$ to get fitted.

[Olympus]

I agree. The wait time on mine was 12+ weeks. What really burned me up was that I would call every few weeks to see how the status was, but they never answered their phone! I mean NEVER! When I finally did receive my stock, it was in an unusually large box. I opened the box and there were TWO stocks inside! They shipped me the stock I ordered as well as some other poor guy's stock! They even put his invoice in my box. The stock went to some guy with completely different name and he lived in a completely different state. Richards just gave me a really bad customer service experience and it leads me to believe that their company flies by the seat of their pants.

[cornbush]

Olympus- What does that rig weigh, 9 - 10 pounds?

[Olympus]

You know, I've never weighed it. It's pretty heavy though. I would like to take it hunting, but I don't want to have lug it out to the woods. And it's just too pretty for me to chance getting a scratch on it. I know I wouldn't be able to hit anything with it offhand, that's for sure. It definitely needs some kind of rest.

[Slamfire]

Double heat treat 03 receiver. 1:10 Twist Douglas barrel in 35 Whelen. Barrel is a bit too light for this caliber and it kicks hard with 250 grain bullets.

K4 Weaver scope.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/SlamFire/M1903/35WhelenM1903fulllength263kb.jpg

[sc928porsche]

Wow....I must be the exception. I have done a lot of business with Richards and never had a problem. As for fitting, they are not drop in. Some are 99% inlet and others are about 86%. Either way, you have to have a few tools to finish them up, but it does make it easier to bed them when you are finished fitting. The result is that if you are careful, you can get a very fine stock without a lot of gaps that you see on the factory rifles.

[Olympus]

Another thing that really galled me was the design of the stock. It's really just as much my fault as it is Richards and I think part of what really burns me is that I didn't pick up on it. The style of stock that I ordered has a very high cheekpiece. The cheekpiece also is more forward on the stock than most. So when I dry fit the action into the stock, the bolt wouldn't come back far enough! The back of the bolt would hit the front of the cheekpiece and still like about 2 more inches before it would come back far enough to eject a shell! Nowhere on the Richards website did it say that the cheekpiece wouldn't allow for the bolt to come all the way back. Had I look extra close at the picture on the website and actually thought about it, I probably would have picked up on it. But I just took for granted and assumed that the stock would allow the bolt to be fully pulled back. Why would a company sell a stock that wouldn't even let the bolt be pulled back all the way? I called Richards about this and they knew exactly what I was talking about. I asked them why they didn't indicate this fact in the description of the stock style I bought. They pretty much said it wasn't their problem. So more crappy customer service from them.

I could have cut out a square notch into the front of the cheekpiece for the bolt to slide into, but I didn't want to half-a$$ something on this project when I had gone to great lengths to make sure everything else was done perfectly. I ended up taking the bolt and the stock to a place that does CNC machining. The mapped the contours of the back of the bolt and used those to CNC mill an exact groove into the cheekpiece. VERY expensive! The first and second pictures show a little bit of the groove. It's made to exactly fit my bolt.

So I was mad at myself for not catching it first. But then I wondered how many other people would have closely inspected the picture and thought that the bolt wouldn't travel full back? Probably not many. So I was mad that Richards didn't think that was an important enough bit of information to list in their description of the style. And I was REALLY mad at the way they talked to me on the phone when I called asking about it.

[taylorce1]

Olympus,

I do feel your pain but Richard's does leave a lot of wood so you can modify the stock as you see fit. Plus they give you instructions on how to modify it as well. http://www.rifle-stocks.com/rollover_modifications.htm

I've had my own problems with Richard's mainly on time it took to deliver one of their Exhibition grade stocks and then having it break in two pieces on me later on. Do I still use Richard's? Yes and I will continue to do so because I can work with the extra wood and poor inlets especially the barrel channel area, haven't had one yet that came with the channel cut right. Why because where else am I going to get a stock for around less than $79-89 for a laminate that has as large of a selection of inlets.

The laminate on my Enfield is a Richard's it cost me about $400 to get it inletted and bedded properly in that stock and to have it shaped. I would have done it myself but realized as I was getting into it early on that there was so many problems with it that I didn't have the skills or all the tools to finish the inlet job correctly. If I hadn't started carving on it I would have sent it back to Richard's.

However, $400 was still cheaper than buying all the tools to do a stock inletting properly no more often than I'm going to do it. Plus it was extremly more affordable than paying the gunsmith to build me a wood stock from a blank. Plus it was next to impossible to find a good synthetic stock that had the inlet for the straightened trigger guard for the same amount of money I have in this one.

[Olympus]

That's why I said that it's partially my fault. But I still think Richards has some blame in it as well.

I did see the link you posted. However, those instructions are the "Rollover" style. These modifications can be performed by the customer to customize the Rollover Style Stock to suit individual tastes. I purchased the "Tactical" style. Since that link specifically listed the Rollover style, I think most people would think that those instructions were for that specific style.

I don't have any problems with the inletting or the barrel channel. I had read enough reviews to know that the 99% "Press In" and 96% inlet were less than accurate. I had already mentally prepared myself for the inletting process. And because I chose a unique barrel contour, I knew I was going to have spend extra time on the barrel channel as well. Knowing ahead of time is worth a lot to me, personally.

[taylorce1]

I can't see the pictures of your stock for some reason so I didn't know which stock you had. So I gave an example of the stock I had that broke in two. With a good quality rasp, sander and pencil you should have been able to move the cheek piece back the required distance and kept nearly the original shape.

I have found out that 60-80 grit on a belt sander to be a useful tool as well. These laminates are hard on edges of all tools so sometimes the sander is the best tool just check your work often and go slow. It will get you very close and then use the rasps and files to do the final shaping. 60-80 grit sure makes the dust fly!:eek:

[Scorch]

Just FYI, I have used and recommended Richards' MicroFit stocks for a long time. They are nowhere near as good as they used to be, but you get a pretty good piece of wood at a fair price. Their lead times used to be 3-4 weeks, but inletting was pretty rough. Then they switched to their 95% inlet, and you can get one in 10-12 weeks. And just a few weeks ago I returned a stock to them that was really screwed up, and when I called to find out what they were going to do, they told me the man who runs the inletting machine quit so they are not promising any stocks out for a while. Great. So I asked them to send an un-inletted blank to me. Oh, that will take about 12 weeks. Gotta love 'em! :rolleyes:

If you need a stock sooner than that, Great American Gunstock Company in Yuba City CA will sell you a nice stock at a fair price, but it still takes 10 weeks to get it. It takes 20 minutes on a CNC pantograph to carve one, and it takes 10 weeks to pack it for shipping, I guess. :rolleyes:

[rattletrap1970]

I'll have to take a shot of my Arisaka Type-38 when I get a chance.

[spotter123654]

sick thread really enjoyed it

[Olympus]

I can't see the pictures of your stock for some reason so I didn't know which stock you had.

They're showing up on my end. Wonder if anyone else is having issues seeing my pics?

With a good quality rasp, sander and pencil you should have been able to move the cheek piece back the required distance and kept nearly the original shape.

Maybe if I had a year of sanding and filing. A bandsaw or jigsaw would have better.

[roberto mervicini]

Hi, here my finish job on a T99 that previously some one chop the original military stock to give a sporter look. The metal part was all match numbers, it is a serie 32 from Toyo Kogio arsenal, crome bore with the Mum intact, if the stock would have left original I would have kept it as is... but probably the price would have been different. I did not pay much, $120.00 canadian, I remove the original sights, and the few parts that I did not need ( upper tang extention, shoulder metal plate and the related screws, plus rear strap loop ) and put them on e-bay .... I was suprise they all sold, I got enoughf to pay for a Boyd 99%inletted unfinish stock .
I attach to the stock a ebony tip and grip cap, arcagel action bedding and finish to my like with linseed oil, 20 coats, sealed and oil and rottenstone polish.
Cut the barrel to 24", squared to 90 degree and 79degree crowning, cut the original bolt handle and fitted with the present one ( the welding of it is the only action that I did not perform ) Remove some rough milling mark from the action, and reshape the trigger guard and floor plate, sand all metal and polish before blue ( blue is nice but probably not durable... blue in the bottle!! I heat up the metal before apply it help ... will see how long it last!!)
Had a little hard time with the drilling for the scope, one hole did not like to comply... when the carbide tip arrive no more problem. For the base I use a long track A Bolt Browning one pce Leupold base, chop a section on the rear and reshape the metal to married the action it work perfect.
Hiesterday it was the fire test... not bad for the first time out. the upper grup is my own reloads, used some 06 case resized in 7.7x58 die and trim to lenght, I only had hornady 150 gr. tips in .312 on hand; the lower group is some old Norma 180 grain factory loads that came along with the rifle.
I do not like the trigger, I polish all parts but still heavy and long to pull, I am looking for a replacement if I find one reasonably price.
Regards
_________
roberto

[Dallas Jack]

This picture isn't very good as it was a scan of a 30 year old Polaroid. I got this gun with dies sometime in the 70's. It was a 6.5x284 made on an Arisaka action. About all I remember about it is it shot fine but .284 Win brass was hard to come by. Traded it off at a gun show a few years later.

This was the only Military sporter i've ever owned altho I did have 2 of what I called Gibson guns. Gibson used to (in the late 60's) sell cut down miitary rifles for around $15 each. They were just stuck in a barrel for you to pick thru.
Dallas Jack

[Gunplummer]

A few years back I made a new bolt head to fit a 30-40 Krag case. No feed problems, and it shot well. I hit health problems and don't really do gunwork anymore, but may have some raw blanks around yet. The bolt head is not really a problem for a half decent Smith. Anyway, it worked out well, fed and shot good. I'm new at this computer stuff, lets see if it goes through.

[taylorce1]

It has been a long time to get my .300 H&H into shooting shape but it is finally done.

Went from this modified military stock with military trigger and B&L 2-7X35 Elite 3000 scope:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_0041.jpg

To this roughed out Richard's Microfit stock, and replaced trigger with a Timney:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_1093.jpg

Finally to this Minwax antique oil finish, Minwax polyeurthane sealer, Leupold VXIII 2.5-8X36:
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_0014.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_0015.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_0017.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/taylorce1/300-HandH/DSC_0018.jpg

I have finally shot this rifle. Picked up some factory Winchester or so I thought, but the rifle wouldn't group better than 4". Pulled all the bullets and powder from the ammunition. Boxes were labled 180 grain but the bullets actually weighed in at 148.8-151.5 grains and the powder charge ranged from 0 grains in once case but the rest were 69-72 grains. Probably why my groups were all over the place and probably not factory.

I reused the bullets and powder but now every thing has a 70 grain charge. And since most of the bullets were within .5 grains of 150 I just took out the extreme ones. I'm going back to the range today to see if I can get it to group better. I got a good deal on the ammo so I'm not too upset it not being factory, brass looked brand new and unfired inside. $40 for 40 rounds, can't even buy new .300 H&H brass that cheap.

I'm going to load this rifle up though for hunting elk. I will be more than likely using 200 grain Nosler Partitions come hunting season. Since this rifle has a long 26" barrel I'll be looking at those slow burning powders to get max velocity out of it.

[cornbush]

Taylorce--
Does that stock have a palm swell on it?

[taylorce1]

Yes it does, and I kind of made it a little bigger with the final shaping of the pistol grip.

[cornbush]

Looks like you've got yourself one heck of an elk rifle:), 300 H&H is one I would like to aquire myself.
I really like the "ugly" dog leg bolt on Enfields.

[roberto mervicini]

I manage to take more picture of my best results and here are two 6.5x55Husky, the one with the laminated stock I made for my son, the one on a walnut stock is mine, the third rifle is a mauser Gew98 rebarreled with a mil barrel originally 7x57 rechambered to 7x64 stocked with Honduras rosewood .

[roberto mervicini]

This is my work horse and favorite rifle, .300 win mag. double set trigger full stock american walnut maple snabel tip, 22" barrel.
The next two are both stocked on african bubinga wood, the slimmer one is a Brno vz 24 rechambered to 8x64 mauser, the fatter one with ebony tip is a mauser 98 action rebarreled with Walther Lothar 9.3x62 barrel.
________
roberto

[Shorthair]

Roberto, I think you win the award for biggest collection so far. I like the last one especially.

[roberto mervicini]

The grey laminated start as a yugo action, double set triggers and shotgun trigger guard, eventually I found a good used 308 commercial barrel, BSA to match it up.
The brown laminated ( Since I discover R.Microfit and Boyds, and as I am getting older I do not have the same drive to carve my own stocks any longer, it was taking up too much time ) is a mauser 98, 8mmx57 mil barrel sporterized also double set trigger and also very accurate.
The last is a commercial barreled action Brno ZG 47 originally in 8x57, but since I had several already I had this one richambered in 8mmx338 Win mag and I made her a dark Brazilian Rosewood stock with ebony snabell and grip cap. With 200 grain tip this raifle never cease to impress me!
Lately I started a new project, a 45/70 gov. using a siamese mauser as a plattform, got the action, missing a floor plate spring and follower, found the barrel need to finalize the governamental import permit papers, may be for this one I will carve a fancy stock again...
_______
roberto

[nefprotector]

WOW! great Pics Fellas! Now I am Very Freaking Jealous! =-(

[Tombstonejim]

Siamese Mauser 45-70

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb307/chucabird/mauser.jpg

[cornbush]

Roberto- Those rosewood stocks are beautiful, where do you get a full size blank and not just pistol grip and forend size pieces?

Tombstonejim- What kind of accuracy do you get with 45/70 in a bolt gun
?

[roberto mervicini]

Hello CORNBUSH, I found those blancs about 30 yrs a go I was looking for large pce of hardwood and some one mention that here in town a shop that manufacture pine futons frame had some, I went to look and on one corner they had all kind of exotic wood and look like they where happy to get it out of the way.... they even plan one side to show me the caracter of the wood I bought 6 pce 2 Honduras 2 brazilian rosewood and 2 bubinga, they charge me from 15 to 20 dollars each. I regret I did not buy more, they had also big pce of cocobolo, zebra wood and others... but I was starting to play with guns and with 6 pces I felt I was overdoing... I went back few year after to see if they had some left and the company was out of business..!!
TOMBSTONEJIM, love the look of your 45/70, how long is your barrel?
Best Regards
_______
roberto

[sonick808]

"ex mil guns were put on this earth to be turned into something nice"

does this make anyone else's stomach turn ?

I'm all for sporterizing rifles that have been hacked beyond repair, otherwise they should be kept AS-IS!!!!!!!!

History should not be sporterized.

I know this will **** some people off and I'm sorry, but I know some crufflers here feel where i'm coming from

excuse me while i go rescue more rifles

[49willys]

+1 Original is beautiful

[FrankenMauser]

Original is (sometimes) beautiful, but bubba-ed is an excuse to beautify.

This thread showcases quite a few rifles that started their new lives as an action laying in the back of a gunsmith's shop, or a tired war horse that some backyard fool tried to drill and tap (or turn down a bolt handle) himself.
For the most part, I think this thread IS saving rifles. Most of the posters here respect the original work as much as the beauty of what the rifle "could be". They've taken neglected, beaten, battered, and sometimes broken rifles, and turned them into usable firearms.

If that's not rescuing them; I don't know what is...



"ex mil guns were put on this earth to be turned into something nice"

does this make anyone else's stomach turn ?

No. It doesn't make my stomach turn.

If the rifles are in good, "collector's" condition - no one with 10 working brain cells will turn them into a sporter. However, the other 1.7 billion surplus rifles are not "collector's" quality. They will be lambs to the slaughter, of whatever person is looking for an affordable sporter.

Do you offer praise when your neighbor buys his 17th '80-'86 Ford truck, to rescue it?

Did you cry, when molten glass was poured down the throats of perfectly good SUVs, trucks, and sports cars that were turned in for the "Cash for Clunkers" program?

Do you write your congressman about HMMWVs ("humvees") being crushed, rather than sold to civilians?

When some one fires surplus ammo, do you yell at them for letting the magic smoke out? (That stuff can't even be fixed like a bad drill and tap job... Once it's gone; it's gone.)

Doesn't it bother you, that so many warhorses (surplus rifles) hang over fireplaces - instead of being used?

Do you "rescue" every Willys MB ("Jeep") that heads for a scrap yard? I mean, seriously... Those things saved lives, rather than taking them. No piece of any Willys should ever be forsaken!


If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go take a hacksaw to my vintage (Franken) Mauser...

[Danny Creasy]

Well, this was just an action that a smith had in the corner of his bench. A Czech VZ-24. Now its a custom .45 ACP single shot plinker. Years ago I would pull it out at the end of an IPSC match and take a few shots with reloads from my Dillon bag. Always drew some spectators.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f169/sheffieldshootr/45ScoutMauser-1.jpg

[Wleoff]

This is an 1898 Krag that was sporterized in the 20s or 30s. It started life as a rifle. The barrel was replaced with a recut 1903 barrel.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/wleoff/Krag03.jpg

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp244/wleoff/Krag02.jpg

[MrBorland]

1942 Lee-Enfield

http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp239/becke016/GunsTargets/Lee-Enfield001.jpg

[sonick808]

FrankenMauser: A lot of the crufflers I know (including myself) like the rifles full of battle scars. So, not ALL of them will end up being sporterized, not by a long shot.

Point being, "collector quality" is hugely subjective

[FrankenMauser]

FrankenMauser: A lot of the crufflers I know (including myself) like the rifles full of battle scars. So, not ALL of them will end up being sporterized, not by a long shot.

Point being, "collector quality" is hugely subjective

Aye. Very subjective.

I think they should be respected, and put to use. (Some modifications do irritate me, though.)

[roberto mervicini]

in my life only once I fall on a collector grade mauser K98 mauser byf42, about 25 years a go when still plenty around. Jokingly the importer that sold it to me told me unwrap couple and told me : choose the one you want this are the "cooks" rifles.... I it was a laminated stock, not a single dent on it, all matching numbers, all the wermacht waffen marks, metal 100%, and covered with about 1/2 pound of dry red grease and or cosmoline the all wrapped in brown paper. I should have bought all of them!!! (as investment)
I cleaned it up and fire one box of cartridges suprisingly accurate for military open sigth, and then it ended up in my gun cabinet with my others hunting rifles. I am not a collector even trugh I appreciate the gun but not as much as my hunting guns, so few years after I sold it for 10 fold of wath I paid.
If I could appeise the feeling of the stomach turning of some of our friends out there I like to say that all my sporterize rifle started as purchase of single action or already bubba rifle from some one else. ;)
Cheers
________
roberto

[roberto mervicini]

Almost forgot.... here a 7x57 that I made for my son, he kill a large black bear with it, is first bear in 1989. The mauser action came from California, less than $20 at the time and the barrel fron N.J. about for the same price, I made the stock from a blank of american walnut.
The last picture is my new project....45/70 just finish the bolt handle replacement .
________
roberto

[p99guy]

I have to admit I have seen some really beautiful rifles on this thread, that have been changed to real sporting grade arms, rather than bubba specials.

but as an example that there are just some things that are shameful to do to a old war horse...I present

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6594/20092541737561pinkandbl.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/i/20092541737561pinkandbl.jpg/)

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9274/20092541737562pinkandbl.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/20092541737562pinkandbl.jpg/)

thats just plum full of wrong....without the neon pink sling, and hello kitty sticker on the stock ,of course.

[FrankenMauser]

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9274/20092541737562pinkandbl.jpgI have to admit I have seen some really beautiful rifles on this thread, that have been changed to real sporting grade arms, rather than bubba specials.

but as an example that there are just some things that are shameful to do to a old war horse...I present

thats just plum full of wrong....without the neon pink sling, and hello kitty sticker on the stock ,of course.

I don't. know...

That is... just...

...Pain. Lots of pain...

[sonick808]

how ? why ????

[p99guy]

I found those pics on another site, and they were so ghastly...soooo shocking, that I had to share....by the shorts it leads me to believe it was done by "son of bubba"- the next generation.
Can you just picture the original soldier that was issued to showing up in morning formation with that Enfield in its current state? The Sgt would
have spontaniously combusted!!
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3077/p10100270vw.jpg
By p99guy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/p99guy) at 2005-08-18

[Hawg]

My Smith Corona 1903A3.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/rebel727/03A3/IMG_1069.jpg

Will try to get a decent pic up of my F.N. 98 Mauser soon

[Hawg]

F.N. 98 in 30-06. Older build and needs a reblue. Was originally stocked in a factory Mauser sporter stock. Now it lives in an H&R Ultra stock

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/rebel727/Mauser/mauser.jpg

[50of4064]

CZ24, Adams and Bennet med. barrel in 308, full floated and glass bedded, BSA 9x24 scope, Timney set trigger w/ safty, Satin chromed, shoots 1/2" groups

[Wrothgar]

As a C&R guy this thread makes me cry.

[FrankenMauser]

As a C&R guy this thread makes me cry.

Would you rather see them turned into lamps?

Many of these posts discuss the origin of the rifles. Quite a few started life as a rusty hulk in the back of a gunsmith's shop, were butchered by a backyard gunsmith, or were no longer safe to shoot. Letting them keep living, in my mind, is far better than turning them into "wall hangers" - where they'll just collect dust, and never be fired again.

[taylorce1]

Letting them keep living, in my mind, is far better than turning them into "wall hangers" - where they'll just collect dust, and never be fired again.

+1 or even worse turned in for scrap metal to be melted down. Kind of like classic cars being turned into low riders with hydraulics. Better that then crushed never to be seen again.

[Scorch]

As a C&R guy this thread makes me cry.
I can't see why. It's not like any of these are your rifles. Besides, as others have said, they were just junk before the project started. Look at mine (post #4); it started life as a Spanish FR8, but when I found it, it was sitting in the junk rack of a gun shop in a little backwater town. $140 out the door. That's about what the Timney trigger and the Redfield base/rings that were on it would have cost, so I figure I got a pretty good deal. There was no way to return it to military configuration (bolt bent, d&t, barrel replaced, stock hacked), so now it's a custom varminter that will put 20 rounds in a row in less than an inch. Does that hurt your feelings? Sorry. But feel free to save and preserve your own, by all means.

[Gunplummer]

You bet. I can't remember how many hacked 99 Savages and type 99 Arisakas and who knows what else I poured time and money into on speculation or experimentation. They were total junk when I started and nobody wanted them. You put together a really nice looking shooter and some snippy collector at the club puts it down because it was reblued and restocked. Maybe if you collectors would buy some of the hacks there wouldn't be so many reworked guns.

[roberto mervicini]

Here one more example: - I found this action about a mont a go, when I got it it was some how rusted with minor pitting ( I should have taken a picture at the time but I forgot), the floor plate was missing so the follower and spring, I polish it up and tooke the first picture.
Since I found the follower and spring, parts from one other rifle 2000 miles from here, and soon I should get the floor plate. I replaced the bolt handle and tooke a second picture. Now I am polishing a bit moore while I am waiting for the necessary export papers to send it out to be match with a 45/70 barrel and finally will put in one appropiate stock, I did not decided on the type of wood or style yet, finally I will go and try it on a nice black bear....!
As different stages of work are completed I will post more picture.
_______
roberto

[roberto mervicini]

Sorry I forgot the pictures...!!!
Here the beginning of the rebirth of a new rifle...!
_______
roberto

[taylorce1]

Nice start there Roberto! I want either a Siamese or P14 action to build a .30-40 AI on. Not too many actions out there that feed a rimmed cartridge that can handle higher pressure loads.

[Gunplummer]

Make a new bolt head for a Russian, to tighten the bolt face. Use 4140 about 40Rockwell on the C scale. Re-barrel to 30-40. I used an old 03 barrel. It feeds 30-40 perfectly. This action is plenty strong enough for that brass.

[taylorce1]

Gunplummer, got any pictures? The Mosin is so ugly though don't know if I could bring myself to do it. Besides I don't know any gunsmith that would take that projecto on around here.

[Gunplummer]

No, sold it a couple years ago. Wouldn't know how to put them on the computer anyway. Might have some soft blank bolt heads yet if I looked around. The only difficult part was the extractor slot. It has metric angles on it.

[OscarTurner]

This was one of my grandfather's deer guns. I don't know if he sporterized it himself or if he bought it that way. Either way it looks to have been a pretty decent job for the time period compared to other pictures I've seen. My step dad handed it down to me a few months back and I thought I was getting pre-64 Model 70. From the looks of the stock - I think my grandfather was wanting a model 70 too.

(sorry for the grainy pics)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/92BlueSi/Private/Win1917_R.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/92BlueSi/Private/Win1917_MN.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/92BlueSi/Private/Win1917.jpg

Have these sites been modified?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/92BlueSi/Private/Win1917_site.jpg

[CLC]

hay all this is my first post and im not trying to make enemies but as a C&R guy it makes me cry as well. But! not because of you but because they made it to this state in the first place. All this work ive seen is awesome. I was at a gunshow and saw a Remington 91/30 all cut up and wanted to cry and he still wanted like 200 for it. Just my 2 cents. I wish i could do the work you guys do.

[mikerault]

Started as a Yugo M48, no collectors value, probably spent its life in a armory somewhere collecting dust until it was sold.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t155/mikerault/rifle%20project/before_and_after_rifle1_1024.gif

All the shots I took during the project are here:

http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t155/mikerault/rifle%20project/

Mike

[taylorce1]

hay all this is my first post and im not trying to make enemies but as a C&R guy it makes me cry as well. But! not because of you but because they made it to this state in the first place. All this work ive seen is awesome. I was at a gunshow and saw a Remington 91/30 all cut up and wanted to cry and he still wanted like 200 for it. Just my 2 cents. I wish i could do the work you guys do.

Don't worry about it. Most of us who collect military sporters wouldn't destroy a complete rifle either. We breath new life into old rifles that can't be returned to original form. That way these old War Horses can still be used and appreciated.

[cornbush]

Just picked a Remington 03 Springfield up for christmas, I love santa.
Already sporterized, just needs a little more work and some TLC.
Oct or Nov of 1942 manufacture.
Bishops walnut stock, redfield base and an old Weaver K4 for 160 bucks:D
I'll post some before, during the work, and after pictures as soon as I find the dang cable for the camera.:o

[Win_94]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/justgoto/gun/springfieldGroup.jpg

[Ignition Override]

Those are very attractive guns.
My only question regards the metal components' condition in so many neglected guns, in contrast to the wood.
Don't get me wrong, as I'm starting to see that to give many rifles a second life, this often leaves only one 'path to follow'. Am still new at this, and the military looks have so much character. You guys have done wonderful work.

But even when the wood has really suffered somehow, are the metal parts often in good or better condition?

It just seems that as there are huge numbers of spare stocks/handguards at decent prices for lots of Mausers, Enfields etc, the main components of many must often be in pretty decent shape-or the owners see too many deep dents or damage from too much exposure to water or oil?

[cornbush]

^^^
Sometimes like you said, all thats needed is a new stock.
Most of the time, the sporterized or bubba specials that I see have at least some metal work done too.
Even just a receiver sight or scope base tapping ruins the collector value.
An intact rifle that just needs a new stock would get a new stock from me, but a rifle in need of more.... well that means a piece of history that I get to hunt with, or fix up for the kids.:D:D

[stu925]

Here's my 2 Mausers, both were built by local gunsmiths for my father. Think the Swede was built late 60's-ish, no idea when the 98 was done. Both sport Canjar set triggers. I believe the only military parts left of either are the actions. Unfortunately these pictures don't do justice to either rifle.

This one is a Gustaf Mauser stil in 6.5x55, in a Manlicher style stock. Scope is a Leupold VX2 3-9x.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc492/stu925/Gun%20Pics/6_5x55_swede.jpg

This one's a Mauser 98 action rebarreled to a heavy barreled .280Rem. Scope is an old Lyman Target Spot 20x.
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc492/stu925/Gun%20Pics/280_Rem.jpg

[HKGuns]

As a C&R guy this thread makes me cry.

I'm with you man....This thread should be titled, "Show off your Abominations"! Here is a formerly sporterized 1917 that I may right.

http://hkguns.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p909754503-5.jpg

[velocette]

This is a work in progress. Most metalwork is done, the stock has been fitted and finished. Recoil pad is WIP, scope mounts are WIP. When the scope mounts are done to my satisfaction, the test firing will be done for accuracy, then to the gunsmiths for either a polish & blue or a bake on coating, depending upon my attitude.
Bolt has been straightened, barrel shortened 2" (to get rid of milled front sight mounts) with an 11 degree target crown. Dayton Traister trigger with cock on opening. Back of receiver, rounded and excess metal removed, trigger guard narrowed & thinned, action accraglas bedded & pillars installed. Free floated barrel. Magazine floorplate straightened.
Walnut stock was an (unfinished) internet special, so is the scope as is the rifle, bought already bubba'd.
If it wasn't for the internet, this rifle would still be in a closet all bubba'd, unloved and VERY Ugggggllly.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/RogerS_photo/Enfieldrifle003.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/RogerS_photo/Enfieldrifle002.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/RogerS_photo/Enfieldrifle001.jpg
[img]

[mikerault]

There are so many Yugo mausers out there that I doubt anyone who wants to sporterize one is seriously damaging history or collectors. Frankly, once someone buys any rifle what they do with it is their business and no one elses since the only one they have to please is themselves.

Most of the later military stocks are POS birch or ply. If you really want to use them for something beside target range and wall hangers you have to spoterize them to some extent. I did nothing to mine other than remove the sights, have the barrel recowned and replaced the abomination of a military trigger with a drop in Timney 3 pound. If I wanted to I could take it back to full military, but frankly, why should I?

Mike

[43FLcracker]

Oscar, thats a good lookin gun

[p99guy]

Not mine...

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6594/20092541737561pinkandbl.jpg
By p99guy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/p99guy) at 2010-04-15

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9274/20092541737562pinkandbl.jpg
By p99guy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/p99guy) at 2010-04-15

[cornbush]

Looks unmodified to me....... anybody wanna restore that one?:D:D

[Crankylove]

Looks like vinyl paint...........probably peel off pretty easy.

[Wyosmith]

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/Sigs416Taylor.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/SZihn338-062.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/SZihn338-06.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/My2707.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/My2706.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/Mauser338.jpg

[Wyosmith]

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/Mauser270Floorplate.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/Mauser270Whby4.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/Mauser257Whby.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/416TaylorMauser.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/4162.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/Other%20guns/338gripcap.jpg

[UniversalFrost]

tagging for later.

I have one of my GEW 98 mausers (I rebarreled with a Krieger in .243 Win and added sights and did the bent bolt, swapped in a 2 stage canjar trigger, squared up the receiver and the lapped the bolt face and lugs) I am finishing up bedding into a new Fajen stock (a synthetic stock to use as a hunting and field stock because the old Bishops Clario walnut stock I originally did up for this rifle back in the late 90's is just too nice).

Pics will be posted soon.

all my other sporters are fugly and purpose built for range or hunting use and not for looking purdy. My GEW looks purdy and is a tack driver that has taken many many deer and other critters.

[TheGoldenState]

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQBygFdYHAjIyVgN6VWz5_YFdkdqmErqRxDzWbFO5IsbpnnN5GrtA
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFlq05UnEwhK1Ai2cANk5lbTo5WApBGVET9r5pM02VAwdIavoK


THESE ARE SOME COOL ONES

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRaYSWbxwTs2djI7hdr3SF0e5yvnhfqseRnJ235mjdlTwahOkdKjQ

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9geKQ-RN02EoEpUal1AeKVDEW3I0pvqIsGUVNb7zc-9rFtD4E
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSguzAJ3h4LNd6Vi9kIvZrPeFtcFQo-Zfb_ZbCJ-vs-uojAc69

[FrankenMauser]

How are those "Sporterized military rifles"?

[CPTMurdoc30]

Here is the best one I have done so far. I wanted it to look futuristic I think it came out real good. I think it looks like the guns from one of my favorite movies. Planet of the Apes......

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/cpttango30/Guns/rem1917u870.jpg

[CPTMurdoc30]

Here is my sportized oh wait abomination of a rifle.
1917 Remmy Enfield 308 win Douglas barrel Beushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40mm
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/cpttango30/Guns/109_2868.jpg

This is a 243 on a mauser action unknown barrel Unertl 12x scope. It will shoot .3" 5 shot groups with 58gr V-Max bullets
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/cpttango30/Guns/243.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/cpttango30/Guns/243-1.jpg

03a3 or M98 I forget chambered in 25 Niedner (That is how old it is) unknown barrel Leupold scope. It will hold MOS (Minute of Squirrel) out to 400 yards.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/cpttango30/Guns/25-06.jpg

[cornbush]

WYOSMITH---
What do you use to finish your stocks?

[Wyosmith]

On walnut I like low gloss Tung Oil.
Gillespie or Formby’s brands both are very good.
It's proven to be a very good and tough finish, as well as being beautiful. Very stable and water resistant.
It’s easy to match later too, if you need to touch it up.

[mikerault]

Wyosmith,

Excellent work! Love all of them!

[cornbush]

WYOSMITH---

Do you "cut" the tung oil with anything?
My grandpa always used a spar varnish cut with white gas and puts on ten bazillion coats til he gets it "just right".
I'm finishing a walnut stock for an 03 Springfield using tung oil cut 1:1 with mineral spirits. Supposed to help it dry a little quicker and suck into the wood a little farther.

[UniversalFrost]

fromby's 1:1.25 with mineral spirits works best for me on the dozen I have finished

[Wyosmith]

My 1st and 2nd coat are thinned 50% 50% with paint thinner. I drench it on to let it penetrate. I keep the stock dripping wet for 30 minutes for those 2 coats. It's good stiff!
After those 2 coats, I use it as it comes from the bottle.
3 coats and wet sand.
3 coats and wet sand.
3 coats and wet sand.
The wood will tell you when it's done.
Open pores take longer. Hard English walnut will be done in about 5-6 coats.
:)
Here’s a Purdy that was totally done in only 5 coats.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/szihn/English%20guns/100_0307.jpg

[Ultra12]

CPTMurdoc30 -----"This is a 243 on a mauser action unknown barrel Unertl 12x scope. It will shoot .3" 5 shot groups with 58gr V-Max bullets"


did you do this yourself? looks great, and if it does .3 groups at 100 yards 2 thumbs up. i am thinking my next project should be something like that. would love to know more about what was done to yours.

[Scorch]

Wyosmith, as a stockmaker myself, I must say you do nice work.

[group17]

Lee enfield Mk4#1

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/806/lee3.jpg

[Wyosmith]

Thanks Scorch and Mikerault.
:)

[CPTMurdoc30]

did you do this yourself? looks great, and if it does .3 groups at 100 yards 2 thumbs up. i am thinking my next project should be something like that. would love to know more about what was done to yours.

It was a final project of a student at the Lassen Community College (http://www.lassencollege.edu/index.html) School of gunsmithing. It was built in the early days of the 243 and 6mm rem. It has a 1:12" twist barrel and we couldn't get it to shoot at all until my brother found the 58gr V-Max and 55gr Sierra bullets. Anything over 60 gr shoots like a shotgun.

[cornbush]

Here is the 03 Springfield Santa (the wife) brought.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=66359&stc=1&d=1295397791

Since then I have taken a little wood off in strategic places and added a rosewood grip cap and forend.

Here are a few pics of the stock after some trimming, I have done more since these were taken.....removed almost a 1/4 pound from this overweight monster.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=66354&d=1295397125
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=66358&stc=1&d=1295397723

[Toolman]

US Springfield Armory model 1898 30-40 Krag. Redfield sights.