The policy of this board regarding sporterizing

[bobw]

The policy of this board regarding sporterizing is this:

1. First and foremost, this board's owner does not condone sporterizing historically significant firearms.

2. Sporterizers are encouraged to visit these boards but must be aware that the topic of sporterizing will not be encouraged.

3. I will be happy to discuss ways to rehabilitate partially sporterized firearms to bring them back to original configuration.

4. Since it would appear according to some of our members that sporterizers are not a large number of people, they can either accept this board's philosophy or move on. I don't feel any obligation to extend any concessions to a small majority of shooters and collectors.

5. I will be more than happy to discuss alternatives to sporterizing.

6. All visitors wil be treated with respect as long as they treat the policies of this board with respect. Any anomymous postings regarding sporterizing will not be answered or retained unless the poster identifies themself as a board member or they are having login problems.

7. Sporterizers are welcomed to discuss their questions about firearms preservation and our members are welcomed to provide information and education regarding firearms preservation.

These determinations are based on a majority voice of board membership as demonstrated in the poll asking about sporterizing. If you are a current member and a sporterizer, I hope you can respect my position and still feel welcomed here. I think through education and understanding we continue to have great and growing board.

[robster73]

I couldn't agree more about your views on sporterizing!!

[bigmike]

The idea of sporterizing my M91/30 is insane. Why would someone want to change what this great looking piece of history looks like? That's even worse than the thought of sporterizing my AK-47. I have a 1943 Mosin-Nagant M91/30 just like it came out of the box, and I think it is perfect as is.

[Chief Ives]

Looks like I found a group of folks that I agree with 101%. I could never understand why anyone would want to ruin a piece of history. I could almost die some time when I see what someone has done. This includes ANY military firearm U.S. or other. Look what our own gov't has done to so many 03's,03A3's Garands and as all of you know I could go on and on.

[RLFire]

To each his own but I wouldn't dream of sporterizing a piece of history like these.

[Fin42]

I have a vintage Finnish M-91, (Tikkakoski, matching numbers). It has some defects, such as a crushed front barrel band, (Captured-screw, counterclockwise-tightening type). This piece is a work of art that I & my sons have fired several times prior to the damage of the front barrel band. I am dillegently searching for a replacement band to restore this piece back to original historical condition.
My young neighbor is trying desperately to get me to SPORTERIZE this piece. I ADAMANTLY refuse to do that! I will either repair/restore this or I will put it away in a box, as is, for my sons.
My passion is to restore it back to original. I have collected several accessories including a Tikka bayonet, ammo pouch, Tikka stripper clips, Tikka oil can, original sling, etc. WHY would I even consider sporterizing?
I found this site, registered, am in love with the ya'll, (I'm in Louisiana, 'scuse dat), way you think on preserving vintage arms, particularly Mosin-Nagants.
Gee, I think I found a home!
Anybody can guide me on restoring this piece, please let me know. (especially Finnish barrel bands!)
Thanks ya'll!
                         Mark

[kcobean]

So being a total noob to this board, I have to ask.....what is Sporterizing?  My M-44 is a factory refurb and the whole rifle is in amazing condition, particularly the wood.  I was thinking that I'd like to purchase a synthetic stock for it, primarily so that I can protect the wood from wear and tear at range outings.  Since this requires no permanent modification of the rifle and protects the most fragile of its' components from damage, is this viewed as a bad thing here?  I will NEVER install a tapped/drilled scope mount and cut the bolt-handle on this rifle, I like it just like it is and I want to preserve it's originality, but something as easily reversible as a stock seems like a good idea.

[entropy]

As long as the original stock is retained, and sold with the rifle if it is ever sold, you have no problems here, kcobean. Several members here, myself included, have synthetic stocks for our Mosins, mostly for the very reason you want one. My T53 resides in an ATI synthetic stock, as it is the rifle I will most likely hunt with if I get to hunt in rifle country. I of course have the original stock, and can restore it to original configuration in about 5 minutes. I got the ATI stock on a 1916 Sestroryetsk M91 I bought that I have since resored to original configuration.

[kcobean]

As long as the original stock is retained, and sold with the rifle if it is ever sold, you have no problems here, kcobean. Several members here, myself included, have synthetic stocks for our Mosins, mostly for the very reason you want one. My T53 resides in an ATI synthetic stock, as it is the rifle I will most likely hunt with if I get to hunt in rifle country. I of course have the original stock, and can restore it to original configuration in about 5 minutes. I got the ATI stock on a 1916 Sestroryetsk M91 I bought that I have since resored to original configuration.

Thanks Entropy...good to know.

[shatnerpossum]

I would NEVER do that to a military rifle. What a waste of a good gun.

[Wildman]

When one bubbas a gun not only are they destroying history but the value of the gun itself.  How sad.  I went to Ecuador when I was working and in relatively good health.  While there I could not help notice from the sidewalk that they were selling Mosins as "hunting tools".  Some looke fine others looked like they were just dug out of a battlefield after all these years.  What killed me was that the owner was actually pushing these as "sporterizable" offering for sale ugly plastic furniture, scopes, and even newer aftermarket sights!  I cringed and was not politely asked to leave. After some mutual exchange of profanity I realized more than anything that boards like this do more to preserve history than anywhere else.  How sad the importation of these historical weapons to nations that do not appreciate history!  My hat off to Bob!  That why I love this forum!