Do you think one of these days....

[DaMadman]

someone will be cussing all of us guys that have bought the AK's and SKS's and put the synthetic stocks and scopes on them. You know, the way we cuss the people that sporterized the bolt action Mil Surplus stuff that we would like to see in original condition.

I for one "sporterized" my SKS with a dragunov stock and a scope mount and bipod. BUT I kept the original furniture and bayonet so I could put it back original if need be.

[Cal Sibley]

Hello DaMadman,

I think the issue is really the old "sporterize" or "restore" question that so many of us fumble with. Most of my military rifles are Swedish M96s which are very accurate and sporterize nicely. However, over time, there will be fewer of these old rifles available to us. With that in mind, there's esthetic value to restoring them to their original condition and leaving them that way. I don't see this as anything other than a matter of personal preferrence. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[Gil Martin]

Right now there are lots and lots of SKS and AKs around just as there were lots and lots of '98 Mausers and Springfields in the 1950s and 1960s. Like the vast herds of buffalo, these military rifles finally became scarce.

I prefer to keep military arms as issued. I have picked up sporters and refurbished them when it could be easily done. Others will stay sporterized. It depends. All the best...
Gil

[denton]

I'm generally against sporterizing milsurps, but for a little different reason: It is not economically feasible.

You want a custom hunting rifle?

Start with a Czech VZ24, at $135, cut and weld the bolt, grind down the bridge, fix the safety, drill and tap for a scope, and reblue for another $160, and you've got close to $300 into it, before you put a new barrel and stock on it. That's if you're lucky enough to have a gunsmith who undercharges, as we do here.

Or, start with a new commercial Zastava action for $199, and do none of the above. It's $100 cheaper, and its NEW. Well, OK, if you want to figure in a stock, you can get decent walnut or Tupperware for the $100 you saved, if you don't mind the finish work.

It used to be cheaper to mod a milsurp, but not anymore.

Since my eyes are old, I'll spend the $39 to upgrade to Mojo sights, so I can actually hit a particular target, and just leave them as they are, and enjoy them.... no scope, straight bolt, funny safety, lots of enjoyment, abundant history.