I like milsurp rifles. But I find it kinda odd. Some are sporterized more than others. My Carcano is sporterozed, hard to find an original. The same with Krags (which is on my want list). But Mosin Negants, Enfield and Garands typically are not. Not sure why this is. Any thoughts?
Sporterized and what not
- Thread starter MaxMan
- Start date
OP
I have one, all original. Well except the LER scope to compensate the eyes.
Back int day when $100 was a lot of money, a military rifle cost $35 and a garage DIY 'sporterization' added another $15, lots of 'stuff' happened.
At one time during my FFL years, I was selling 'sporterized' and re-barreled M98 Mausers for 1/2 the price of a decent used Rem 700 and the demand was good. I still have 5-6 in various configurations that are adequate for most shooters' capabilities.
At one time during my FFL years, I was selling 'sporterized' and re-barreled M98 Mausers for 1/2 the price of a decent used Rem 700 and the demand was good. I still have 5-6 in various configurations that are adequate for most shooters' capabilities.
OP
I remember when Walgreen's was selling Garands and Enfeilds for $20 - $ 30. Now where is that time machine I keep seeing in the moves.Back int day when $100 was a lot of money, a military rifle cost $35 and a garage DIY 'sporterization' added another $15, lots of 'stuff' happened.
At one time during my FFL years, I was selling 'sporterized' and re-barreled M98 Mausers for 1/2 the price of a decent used Rem 700 and the demand was good. I still have 5-6 in various configurations that are adequate for most shooters' capabilities.
GypsmJim
GypsmJim
One of the first forums online back in the day was about military rifles. Say what you want about their policies, but they would not permit ANY thread that talked about sporterizing a Milsurp.
My very first rifle was a sporter 03A3. It was a custom job, done very professionally. I could put 3 shots in a single hole at 100 yards. I did not know any better at the time, but knowing what I know now I would never have personally aborted a milsurp.
When Century Arms was selling Mosins and Mausers cheap I bought quite a few, ranging in price from $16 to $39. At those prices I bought several, and kept the pristine example and sold the rest at current retail prices. What the buyer did later is unknown. But my entire collection is untouched.
When I go to gun shows today I see those same $39 rifles going for $600 +-. A nicely done sporter of the same model sells for half that.
I'm glad I frequented that forum way back then. Although not for sale now, my heirs will reap quite a profit.
My very first rifle was a sporter 03A3. It was a custom job, done very professionally. I could put 3 shots in a single hole at 100 yards. I did not know any better at the time, but knowing what I know now I would never have personally aborted a milsurp.
When Century Arms was selling Mosins and Mausers cheap I bought quite a few, ranging in price from $16 to $39. At those prices I bought several, and kept the pristine example and sold the rest at current retail prices. What the buyer did later is unknown. But my entire collection is untouched.
When I go to gun shows today I see those same $39 rifles going for $600 +-. A nicely done sporter of the same model sells for half that.
I'm glad I frequented that forum way back then. Although not for sale now, my heirs will reap quite a profit.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 10,908
Back in those days you could probably do a lot of the work in a high school shop class.Back int day when $100 was a lot of money, a military rifle cost $35 and a garage DIY 'sporterization' added another $15, lots of 'stuff' happened.
At one time during my FFL years, I was selling 'sporterized' and re-barreled M98 Mausers for 1/2 the price of a decent used Rem 700 and the demand was good. I still have 5-6 in various configurations that are adequate for most shooters' capabilities.
DerekR
Single-Sixer
I have a "sporterized" Model 94 Mauser that I wish I could un-sporterize. 
rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
The Mauser M98 that I sporterized back in the '80's is still my only deer rifle.
I think the base rifle cost me $30 back in the day. I added a Bell & Carlson stock, a NOS 7x57 Mauser barrel, turned down bolt handle, scope mounts and a low scope safety.
I think the base rifle cost me $30 back in the day. I added a Bell & Carlson stock, a NOS 7x57 Mauser barrel, turned down bolt handle, scope mounts and a low scope safety.
(I think your first photo shows a Lee-Enfield No.4 and a muzzle loader! ;^)
Armybrat
Hunter
My Dad brought back two Mauser 98K 8mm rifles from France in 1945.
I inherited this one that had the stock forend cut down, so I didn’t hesitate to have it sporterized 40 years ago with a new plain walnut stock, rebarreled to .30-06, and drilled & tapped for the scope.
I inherited this one that had the stock forend cut down, so I didn’t hesitate to have it sporterized 40 years ago with a new plain walnut stock, rebarreled to .30-06, and drilled & tapped for the scope.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2012
- Messages
- 10,908
I always thought the Enfield Jungle Carbine looked like it was already sporterized. Unfortunately many of them got even more cut down.
My dad told me he Sporterized a 1903 Springfield. But he sold it off. Years later I inherited a Sporterized 1903 from an old friend. So it was definitely a common thing to do.
My dad told me he Sporterized a 1903 Springfield. But he sold it off. Years later I inherited a Sporterized 1903 from an old friend. So it was definitely a common thing to do.
I can understand the purist attitude of keeping military rifles original but sometime it's fun to 'upgrade' them. I have an M1 Carbine that I put a folding composite stock on with a scout rail and a red dot....It's a sweet little fun rifle to shoot... but the reality is sometimes we should not be too sure of our 'purist' beliefs....
Here is a picture of my father who was a recon marine... the picture is of him in Korea in 1950... look at the rifle in the scabbard on the side of the jeep.... for the time I guess they were modern day calvary.
I'm pretty sure that scoped rifle with a cheek rest was not for shooting deer.
Here is a picture of my father who was a recon marine... the picture is of him in Korea in 1950... look at the rifle in the scabbard on the side of the jeep.... for the time I guess they were modern day calvary.
I'm pretty sure that scoped rifle with a cheek rest was not for shooting deer.
rkrcpa
Single-Sixer
Also it should be noted that at the time (70's and 80's) surplus rifles were dirt cheap and plentiful. I remember barrels chock full of them.
Like many things...if I knew then what I know now......
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I recently picked up a nice Chinese Norinco SKS. It wasn't sporterized per se but was missing the pig sticker, the cleaning rod (although the cleaning kit was intact and covered in grease), and the sling. It also had an aftermarket rear cover for a scope mount. So I ordered all the parts surplus to make it like it was in 1979.
OP
I had an SKS. Nocino. I don't think a pair of numbers matched. I put a bullpup kit on it. Anyway, shot it a few times and didn't like a few aspects of it sold it (for more than I paid for the gun and the kit) and bought A/R.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Considering inflation I am in this one right. Came with an aftermarket 30 round "magazine" too ... oh and some ammo. The top cover and bayonet were not cheap but I wanted the correct parts. Dust cover isn't here yet but she's otherwise "unsporterized" satisfactorily.
My go-to hunting rifle is a sporterized Winchester M1917. I also inherited a sporterized 1903. Both are tack drivers.
A few years ago I purchased a K98 that had the stock cut down, but everything else was serial matched. I still plan to restore it to milsurp.
I have a stock Garand and an M1 Carbine, and I am always on the lookout for a reasonably priced 1917 or 1903. I also wouldn't turn down an Enfield. I absolutely understand why so many were sporterized back in the day, but personally, I would never do that to one now.
A few years ago I purchased a K98 that had the stock cut down, but everything else was serial matched. I still plan to restore it to milsurp.
I have a stock Garand and an M1 Carbine, and I am always on the lookout for a reasonably priced 1917 or 1903. I also wouldn't turn down an Enfield. I absolutely understand why so many were sporterized back in the day, but personally, I would never do that to one now.
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