by When surplus firearms were really plentiful, it was not unusual for a “home gunsmith” to convert one into a more sporting configuration. Usually it involved cutting down and reshaping the stock along with maybe a little metal work. There were even books on how to do it along with articles on it in gun rags. Now I am not talking about custom rifles where a professional gunsmith might use a surplus action as the basis for the custom rifle. I have a couple of Eddystone 1917 Enfields that formed the basis for magnum rifles. I also have a period correct Eddystone 1917 rifle with the protective leaves on the rear sight.
Given that you can now get a Savage Axis or a Ruger American centerfire rifle for a fraction of the price of an original Mauser that will be more accurate, it just does not make sense to destroy a piece of history for a hunting rifle. I don’t have a problem taking something that have been “bubba’ed” and reworking it but using a period correct, matching numbers Mauser of German or Swedish origin is almost a sin.
Reddit has a sub-reddit called Gun Memes. I saw this today and it was spot on.
When SKS carbines sold for $100 or less, they were a cheap way to get a deer rifle with almost .30-30 ballistics. Now if you want a Chinese or Russian SKS carbine, expect to pay $450 or more. Even the formerly ubiquitous Yugoslav SKS carbines are selling for $300 plus.
Respect that piece of military history and don’t be a “bubba”.
I once saw a New England Westinghouse Mosin that had had its black walnut forearm shortened, the barrel shortened, the bolt handle bent and a receiver sight added.
Someone worked hard to convert what would have been a thousand-dollar (or more) rifle into a $300 Bubba gun.
I did a 1939 round receiver Tula 91/30 Mosin-Nagant into a modern style sniper rifle that I originally purchased for $119. The mods are too many to list, but I did cut and crown the barrel down to 24″ from the original 29.5, free floated in a Boyd’s black pebble finish hardwood stock. I had fun building it out and testing with my ammo recipes. With my final precision loaded ammo I can put all rounds into the same hole at 100 yards and dime sized groups at 200 (my club range maximum). Probably M-O-M (Minute of Man) at 500-600 yards but no place to test that here. Beyond that you’re lobbing bullets to make noise on a gong for bragging rights. I also have a 1934 hexagonal receiver Izhevsk Armory 91/30 in its original configuration and that’s how it will stay. That one shoots better than my eyes can make it shoot.
SIgh… And some of the ones that got Bubba’ed just bring tears to your eyes… Star barreled 03 they cut the front and rear sights off of, WELDED a scope mount on the side of the receiver, and cut down the stock…
A star gauge Springfield? Jesus wept!
Respect for the historical military significance of anything is more likely when the owner is a veteran. I have a couple of Mosin-Nagants (1 long and 1 short) , an original ’03-A3, and slab-side 1962 AR which will not, at least for this and the next generation, be converted or sold.
I’m not sure which is worse, a hacksaw or Dremel tool. Both have been the ruing of many firearms. Pipe cutters were used to cut shotguns down to riot length in my area.