Gunsmithing Old Firearms, Please Read

[dksac2]

As a retired Gunsmith and as a person who collects old rifles, I've been seeing a lot of old guns modified or parts ruined because people don't know how to properly restore them, spray the barreled actions with Gun-Kote or similar finishes. Sporterize them, chop of barrels, improperly polish parts and everything else you can think of.

Please preserve these old firearms, don't modify them or wreck parts.

There will never be any more of the old rifles made. Only so many were produced, it's up to us to preserve the old guns for future generations.

Evertime one is modified, it is ruined as a collectable.

Just my two cents, but if you really love firearms, it's something to think about. I see a lot of history ruined.
I just bought a rifle online that someone butchered, that's what prompted this post. Please think about it. If you have an old firearm that does not mean much to you, sell it to someone who will love it and take care of it.

Want to do some modifications, get a newer firearm and go for it.

Thank You, John K

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

Agreed. We do a LOT of mods/upgrades on Mausers and old milsurp types. But as a rule it has to have been a hatchet job to begin with. If its a collectable/historical piece we say so and encourage that it be left alone preserved.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

I agree in principle.

Proper resoration should be performed by capable individuals, and should (I personally believe) be done with the intent to achieve an as-original condition.

However, a lot of older firearms are already in a condition that precludes an effective restoration along those lines. It is these particular firearms that should be sought out for conversion to 'be all they can be'.

There are plenty enough to satisfy such a need, and (I also believe) valid enough reasons to justify employing them in this fashion.

Greg

 

[ORD]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

Agreed. If it has already been "bubba'd" by somebody, then it is fair game for modification/"upgrades" but otherwise, either leave it the heck alone, or restore it to "as issued" or "off the factory line" condition.

 

[Spuhr]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

Fully agree when it comes to firearms in good orginal condition.
I use to rebuilt lugers and other older firearms before, and here in this country does we have loads of them with Finnish barrels and mixed parts and stuff.
So I always used them and left the good condition collectibles for the collectors.

Håkan

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

I took this OUT of a sporterized stock and put her back to original condition.

M1903 Modified. When I found out it was a Modified all plans to make it an 03A4 went away..

 

[Biscuit]

Re: Old Firearms, Please Read

I agree the old rifles should be preserved, but not for the sake of collectors who want to hoard them and hide them away. Not too long ago the best thing about the old stuff was the affordability of it. Collectors/hoarders have killed that aspect. I'm not talking about the guy who wants a couple nice rifles to admire and fondle once in a while. I'd rather an oldy get bubba'd into a usable piece for Joe-Sixpack vs getting squirreled away in the dark safe of a greedy collector.