Sporterized surplus arms

[Old Scout]

Indeed, sporterizing military rifles today, would not be practicle if taken to a Gunsmith. In fact I won't even take such a job now a days. On the other hand if a shooter today buys a "dallor two ninety eight" mauser and takes a couple of days with a hacksaw and some sharp files, he can produce a suitable dear rifle for the price of a set of sights.
In the days when you could buy a Springfield '03 for $7.50, they were generally sported out by the owner. Many of these can be remilitaryed now.
Take the Arisaka, as an example. They bring about $25 at local auctions in "cut down" shape. One of my customers got a 99 with mint bore, and the Mum still intact. The barrel had not been cut, so it was not difficult to restore it to issue ( the rear sight was still there ). He is now happily shooting it in Military Lead Bullet matches.
I decided I wanted a "86 Lebel. So I found three of them at auctions and built a very nice one from the parts. I should be able to build a second to recover most of my cost.

So it all depends..........................

Old Scout