Why Would Someone Sporterize a Military Surplus Rifle?

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10 ай бұрын

As collectors, we know that these military rifles are now seen as historic relics and can be worth a pretty penny. Sporter rifles are really cheap these days but it didn’t used to be like that back in the old days. When you think of a “bubba” rifle, you think of a hodgepodge garage done cheapo sporterized rifle that some backwoods guy just butchered. Some rifles were sporterized by a professional gunsmith. Why were these rifles sporterized so often back then?
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History is an important part of our past, and it must be well preserved to understand and mitigate future shortfalls. We do not condone motives of war, but just present history for how it was documented. We do not attempt to sell you anything in this video. We are not financial advisors nor do we give legal financial advice, please talk to your CPA. We do not give any advice to buy sell or trade assets, collectibles, or weapons. Information contained in the content is based from personal experience, opinion, or available on the internet. Our videos are for entertainment purposes.

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@BattlefieldCurator 8 ай бұрын

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@fortnex9972 6 ай бұрын

Thats nothing compared with the amount of Mauser pistol "broomstick" ruined to make a Han Solo blaster🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

@monotech20.14 4 ай бұрын

You can just title this video no shit.

@gilbertjacobs1065 Ай бұрын

@@monotech20.14😊

@gunsforevery1 10 ай бұрын

The problem with Sporterized rifles is a shit ton of them were done very crappily.

@Dominic1962 10 ай бұрын

Hence the moniker “bubba”. Lots of them look like a 12 pack and a hacksaw were the main tools used…

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Yep… and some just can’t be restored to original due to the amount of bubba

@NCrdwlf 9 ай бұрын

They were . Thats how i got mine lol.

@sasukedemon888888888 9 ай бұрын

@BattlefieldCurator yup. My 1917 winchester can never be restored due to destroying the original sights which were part of the receiver. So without a new receiver. It can never be milspec again.

@danblumel 9 ай бұрын

I have a Remington that was sporterized very well, the barrel was put on a lathe with the front sight removed. Drilled and taped for a scope, a modern stock the safety replaced with a better one, the bolt handle profile was changed.

@bruceparker9353 9 ай бұрын

It's 1967. You could buy rifles in the mail. Advertisements in the back of gun magazines. Swiss rifles $19. 98 Mausers $29. M1 carbines $49. M1 Garand $89. Etc. British Enfields, $29. Get yourself a deer rifle for bout $40 or less.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Ahhh those are the days we long for

@dougantonucci8278 9 ай бұрын

Also you could but a Thompson sub machine gun from sears. They were under 200 back then. If you still had that gun today. With all its excesseries, it's worth 20 grand today

@ViktoriousDead 9 ай бұрын

Inflation is a thing. You could also buy a decent car in 1967 for $500 before the boomers ruined the economy and the country

@TheMoose126 9 ай бұрын

Yeah, but you’d have to work and save up for 6 months to get that rifle back then😂

@bruceparker9353 9 ай бұрын

@@TheMoose126 That's true. $5.00 hr was a big wage then.

@drive2xs 9 ай бұрын

Grandfather had a '03 Springfield WWI era which he sporterized correctly by floating the barrel and bedding the action and a few cosmetic additions such as inlays within the stock and jeweling the bolt. That rifle over a 100 years old, still harvest game very humanely with precision accuracy to this day.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Nice! Thanks for sharing

@ee1264 9 ай бұрын

My dad did that. Still a great rifle.

@LegendStormcrow 8 ай бұрын

If a rifle was sportirized early enough, and done well enough, I don't mind so much. It actually is valuable for keeping gunsmithing history, and as long as the original markings are not lost, it can tell a good yarn. Anything beyond that specific circumstance though...

@michaelkorrek7856 8 ай бұрын

I have the same... best gun ever

@LegendStormcrow 8 ай бұрын

@@joelsefur666 I generally hate when it happens, but in this case, more history. Interesting history at that.

@MidwesternFC 10 ай бұрын

A lot of companies would encourage sporterizing, even running adds and articles of how to do so or where to get it done. Oh how times have changed.

@brokeandtired 9 ай бұрын

You can get sporterized kits even today...The difference is they are now designed to not damage the original metalwork. Incase you want to convert them back.

@oldfarthacks 8 ай бұрын

Williams put out a book on how to do it along with a catalog of their parts.

@jacobackley502 8 ай бұрын

@@brokeandtired yep, I have a scope mount for a Carcano that uses the original rear sight block, completely reversible. No taps or cuts. Change the stock to a modern plastic one and it’d look like anything else you’d find on the wall, just with a front sight

@farklestaxbaum4945 6 ай бұрын

Yeah, and a lot of sporterizations were done by importers en masse, particularly on spanish mausers

@quailitycontrolled 9 ай бұрын

I love my war trophy sporterized model 98. Shoots great, Dad and Gramps and I used it for deer. 3 generations of my family harvested deer for the freezer with it. It's more than a gun, it's an heirloom. I've had fancier, I've had guns worth much much more, but that old bolt gun means more than any of them.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Totally understandable!

@alastairatcheson1407 9 ай бұрын

Could say it gave it a new lease of life. I prefer rifles in there original form but im happy for it to be fired than having dust go on it.

@jackburton5483 9 ай бұрын

Bough a sporterized Enfield in 1998 for $170 bucks when I was 18, been using it for whitetail every since. Love that old rifle .

@XRakkgruntX 8 ай бұрын

I too have a sporterized Mauser 98, it has the Eagle and Swastika on the receiver. Is there any method to determine value? I won’t sell it, had it for for decades and it is extremely accurate.

@Lure-Benson 7 ай бұрын

Isn't that old 8mmx57 a deer killer! sure better than the deer gun 30-06 because of 8 mm large bullet diameter kills better than 30 cal. I was impressed when Remington made the Rem-700 in 8mmx57 for years classic Model now that Remington in 8 mm x57 is so High in price for used ones you have to be rolling in cash to buy one off of someone.

@GDBROWN 10 ай бұрын

Honestly that sporterized enfield is the best one I’ve ever seen.

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Yea the bore condition is excellent, it’s a Long Branch 1945 dated No4. My son first used to to harvest a 8 point buck when he was 9 years old.

@GDBROWN 10 ай бұрын

@@BattlefieldCurator awesome stuff.

@shoelessbandit1581 9 ай бұрын

There was a company called Santa Fe that sporterized Lee Enfields too and they are handsome rifles. Worth less than a nonsporter so if you just want a Lee Enfield action they're great

@tex4763 9 ай бұрын

Reminds me of an l42a1 it’s neat

@Toadmanstaff 9 ай бұрын

@@shoelessbandit1581 I have a Santa Fe arms Enfield that is very well done. Beautiful rifle and it has a very smooth action.

@aanikola 9 ай бұрын

Some of the prettiest bluing I have ever seen has been on a sporterized Krag 30-40.

@washguy5982 8 ай бұрын

I got a Krag that belonged to my father-in-law. Cut down and peep sight added. Not much to look at but put plenty of venison on the table.

@chrischiampo7647 10 ай бұрын

I’ve Got That Same Sporterized Enfield I Got it 35 Years Ago at a Yard Sale 15.00 Excellent Bore 2 Magazines and 150 Rds of .303 British Ammo 😀

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Yea this sporterized Enfield was from an estate. I’ve seen the same style in old ads. I’m very certain that it was done that way I the importer.

@icky_mack 9 ай бұрын

@@BattlefieldCuratorglobe co did many back in the day. You can tell by the uneven muzzle crown on ninety percent of them. Parker Hale did many as well usually they will have a PH stamp or stamped "Surry" and a few other names.

@robertordewald8678 9 ай бұрын

I have one as well. My Dad bought it in the 1950s. I also have a Schmidt-Rubin straight pull bolt, the earlier pre 1900 version that was modified as well. The other rifle of note is a model 1873(i think) Marlin 38-40 lever action with an octagon barrel in black walnut. The Marlin has not been shot in my lifetime. The others were shot occasionally 35 years ago. I'm 64 by the way.

@casualobserver3145 9 ай бұрын

Well, because they were everywhere and literally, dirt cheap. As recently as the late ‘80s to the early ‘90s milsurps like SMLEs, K98s, M1s were available for a little over $100. In 1989 I bought my M1 Garand for 165 (incl. inspection, shipping & insurance). It was even affordable to but crates of Russian & Chinese SKS & AK!! Ammo deals were even better…..for $100 3-4 crates of twin spam cans of 7.62x39 & 7.62x54r could be shipped to your door.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yes, and so many stores had them too.

@Chizzard 8 ай бұрын

God I remember like ten years ago, as a little shit 15 year old walking into a gun store with my older brother and seeing a case of Kar 98’s for 99$ a pop. Saved up for a couple weeks, slaving over a lawnmower, weedwhacker, and mucking out horse stalls, just to get the cash… went back and they were all gone. Broke my tender little heart😂😂

@dothedewinme 5 ай бұрын

Holy shit. That’s insane.

@policenineplayz1724 5 ай бұрын

makes me sad i always wanted an sks and now that i have some and some place to keep them i still cant buy one because everyone at a gun show thinks they are worth $700+ for an old beat up one and $1,200 if it has a shiney stock wish i could time travel to the 80's when those were less then $200

@vincentmueller3717 Ай бұрын

Kline's sporting goods in Chicago had mail order No1Mk111 Enfields for $9.99 for a time in the late '50s.

@chicorodriguez3964 9 ай бұрын

In the 90's I literally bought at least 5 sporterized Enfields for $30 I also bought a few mausers for $50 they were all actually very good shooters but at the time even the one's that were not sporterized were not worth much money

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Such different times back then. Even the parts for them these days is a lot.

@ankoku37 9 ай бұрын

People are horrified that people destroyed old valuable things but don't realize that those things are only valuable because they're old and the others were destroyed. Back in the day they were cheaper than dirt, and if the people back in the day hadn't been resourceful and repurposed them but rather stored em all away then they would still be cheaper than dirt, just with a layer of dirt on them to match.

@heavilyarmedhippie75 9 ай бұрын

See, now I'm confused. A lot of old dudes want to call me a wimp for going hunting with a 5lb AR, but are themselves hunting with a rifle that was paired down from original config. Having been there and done that, I really don't see why you would cut up a gun like that just for going through the woods with, even a 91/30 mosin which is admittedly a pike

@PsychopathicV2 8 ай бұрын

I mean I’d be ok with plenty of Kar98k around. If I can get a classic rifle cheaper I wouldn’t complain.

@literallyme26 8 ай бұрын

I would actually be quite okay with them still being cheaper than dirt, actually.

@JurassicClark96 8 ай бұрын

@@PsychopathicV2Right? Like that was a convincing argument at all. Hindsight is that sporterizing milsurp was and is stupid, bottom line.

@126theman 8 ай бұрын

No dude. I don’t care about the financial value, I care about the historical value and the beauty of the original configurations. I wish they were still cheap with a layer of dirt so I could have one of each without spending an arm and a leg.

@jonathonhass4178 9 ай бұрын

Back in ‘82 I bought my first 2 rifles to hunt with. Old guy with a mom-pop gun n fish equipment store had 2 full cases of ww2 m1 garands still in cosmoline. $200 a piece and still got them. Both have brought down many many deer since. Never sporterized either one.

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

This is the way! Good man...

@Buddygold9509 9 ай бұрын

My dad bought an 03A3 in 1962 for $15. $10 for the rifle and $5 shipping. Excellent condition. Sporterized into a beautiful rifle. To put it into perspective, he was making top wages in an oil refinery. In 1962, $15 was an entire days pay. Still a beautiful, accurate rifle. Barrel cut down and crowned, reblued, Timney trigger, drilled and tapped for a scope, walnut stock.

@PsychopathicV2 8 ай бұрын

An entire days wages for a nice rifle? Man I wish that were still possible.

@justalurker3489 8 ай бұрын

Before wage stagnation, an entire day's wage wouldn't buy you any decent rifle nowadays

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

So, $15 to buy it-- how much to "customize" it? Hell, just buy a new rifle! Should only of been about $80!

@Buddygold9509 8 ай бұрын

@@arthurchadwell9267 Remington 700 series was introduced in 1962. Introductory price was $140.00. Not sure what he paid to sporterize, but Dad was very frugal. I’m sure he would have researched that before starting. But, if you think you know my Dad better, let me know if he would have done otherwise.

@redtra236 6 ай бұрын

@@arthurchadwell9267 A lot of them were sporterized by the owner which is why you see so many cobbled up ones

@littletiger1491 9 ай бұрын

Some sporter military surplus rifles have become collectors items in their own right. I know the fin cub variant of the Mosin-Nagant rifle is highly sought after in its sporter configuration. Back then people hunted deer to put meat in the freezer and save money on feeding their family. It didn’t make any sense to buy a high dollar deer rifle to try and save money on your grocery bill.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yes absolutely makes sense.

@gunsforevery1 8 ай бұрын

That’s because they were done properly. They weren’t some dude in his garage with a hack saw and drill.

@kenibnanak5554 8 ай бұрын

Actually I have an artillery carbine version of the Martini Henry. I can't think of a thing it needs as a sporter (except possibly hacking off the bayonet lug, but why bother. It is close enough to be being a perfect woods gun.

@Lkilkenny 10 ай бұрын

Found a mosin at a local gun store the other day, they had cut the barrel off short, put a polymer vertical grip on it, put a leupold scope on it, and some crazy looking bolt handle. Wanted 1.1k for it….. absolutely ruined

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

What no way! That’s way too much for a sporter.

@ATruckCampbell 9 ай бұрын

You should have bought it to put it out of it's misery.

@shoelessbandit1581 9 ай бұрын

@@ATruckCampbellshould've used it to shoot whoever priced it so it can start it's road if vengeance

@jstud999 9 ай бұрын

Better have had a 1.1k leupold scope on it for that price and condition lol

@Delta_3VIII 9 ай бұрын

your description sounds like a Discount Steyr AUG with Boltaction instead of Bulp up

@johndavis8626 9 ай бұрын

I converted my o3 to sporting riffle in 1963 cost 50 bucks for the rifle and I learned how to become a gun smith

@djpendellmusic 9 ай бұрын

I picked up a sporterized Enfield Mk 3 from 1916 for real cheap and the sporterized job was actually done very well. The only thing the did was chop the wood down short and remove the front and rear sight shrouds. Everything else about it is original and still shoots amazing. It’s a disappointment that it’s not original but for the price I paid for it I can’t complain one bit

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yea I tend to keep an eye out for sporters that can be restored to original configuration

@Pappy_1775 9 ай бұрын

The argument I give for sporterizing old milsurps is if you plan on shooting the gun regularly, change the stock to a modern plastic one (and only that). That way you can take off the original stock and put it away for safekeeping so it does not get all scratched and dented. If you decide you want to sell it or make it a safe queen, put the old stock back on. It takes about 5 mins to change the stock.

@jvleasure 10 ай бұрын

Because it is 1965, they are less than $20 and can be mail ordered for your big trip to Canada for bear or moose...😎

@dougantonucci8278 9 ай бұрын

Not in New Jersey. One of the most corrupt and non friendly friends of the 2nd amendment. Can't wait to get out of this state.

@guitarman123456789 9 ай бұрын

Still use my grandpa’s sporterized M1917 in .30-06 every year for deer season. Still shoots great for a rifle made in 1918!

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Nice!

@Gotobar 9 ай бұрын

My grandpa had a sporterized M1917 as well. Couldn’t stand to look at it so I bought an Original, full stock in the mail and replaced it. Looks better now.

@guitarman123456789 8 ай бұрын

@@Gotobar that’s awesome. I’m just leaving mine sporterized. Looks decent, still shoots great. Sitting in a deer blind with it as I type this!

@Gotobar 8 ай бұрын

@@guitarman123456789 While I do think it's a shame any of these old rifles got sporterized in the first place, if the rifle still shoots straight and that's all a guy needs from it to suit his purposes then that's what matters as long as its his. Hope you get something good with it.

@ryanboyles2890 8 ай бұрын

I have two. One has a scope mounted and the second has replacement peep sights. Both have taken multiple deer. Will keep them in the family for future generations to use.

@robertrobert7924 9 ай бұрын

I paid $25 for a Czech Bruno K98 back in 1968 and did the same thing. I kept the cut off wood to remilitarize it, then sold it after I got out of the Army. It's good to be young ..... but not good to be foolish. Mosins were selling for $12.50 back then.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Well said

@winchestersons6258 5 ай бұрын

Mosins were 79 bucks until about 2001 2002? Then the werent

@ccsniper 10 ай бұрын

I personally collect polarized military rifles, primarily because they didn't stop being useful. They continued to work as a tool to provide for someone. Could have been a means of security, but primarily was a means of placing food on the table. And I like the fact that they have that extra history

@Toadmanstaff 9 ай бұрын

I have a sporterized Enfield I feel the same way about. It was sporterized well and ended up taking down game on the African savannah. It adds to its story in my opinion, but I still like collecting non sporterized ones.

@GypsyGaming8883 9 ай бұрын

My grandfather gave me a sportized .303 Lee Enfield. I wasn't dissapointed in it but I wanted to bring it back to its 1944 form until I realized it was actually one of the better done sportized rifles and I ended up keeping and loving it because its one of a kind.

@E.L.RipleyAtNostromo 8 ай бұрын

You were lucky. The one I got had the forend chopped off roughly, and looked like hell. I've spent about $240 so far trying getting the parts to restore it.

@harveynailbanger 9 ай бұрын

My brother and i both bought a 6.5 x 55 swedish mauser and a mk V enfield of the rack in the middle of the main aisle in f w woolworths for 79.95 each. And had them sporterized, bolts bent drilled for scopes etc etc. Its all we could afford. Tooks more than a couple white tails with them...

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Interesting, times were different then. Thanks for sharing your experience.

@WALTERBROADDUS 9 ай бұрын

Today that Mauser is a 500.00 rifle

@echohunter4199 9 ай бұрын

I’ve restored quite a few surplus rifles back to original and as long as the barrel isn’t cut and there’s not too many scope mount holes in it, it’ll come out looking perfect. It gets annoying when the holes are drilled over factory stampings.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yea that is annoying… OCD kicks in lol

@ericnorteman5341 10 ай бұрын

I have a sporterized mauser. Swedish m96. Swedes made a m38 that was shorter. Thats what i got. I love this rifle. Wish it was original but the trimmed the barrel 6 inches. Shoots very accurately 6.5x65

@joshuamaier3482 9 ай бұрын

My grandfather brought back a Mauser from the European theater, WW2. Had it sporterized and it was his Michigan deer rifle the rest of his life

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

A lot of Veterans did that. I know a few folks who still have their fathers/grandfathers sporterized war trophy

@OldManMontgomery 7 ай бұрын

This one, I enjoyed immensely. I remember the 'old days' of Century Arms ads and surplus firearms. In like manner, I started collecting old .32 ACP pistols for several reasons; one of which they were cheap, no one wanted them. Like the surplus rifles, they've been discovered.

@crj5106 9 ай бұрын

I bought my Springfield Krag for $100 because it was sporterized. That was 5 years ago.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Wow five years ago I saw a sporter one going for 4x that amount. I didn’t get it, but looks like you got a good deal

@crj5106 9 ай бұрын

@BattlefieldCurator for sure with out a doubt. It had scope rings tapped through serial. That and I don't know if the seller knew what it was or with how poor it was sporterized and what not. I'm unsure, but the main issue I have is it has a junk right hand stock and I'm a lefty. So I haven't fired it yet, but the deal was to good to pass on and I didn't know if my dad would let me get the family's springfield krag( missing bayonet and cleaning kit but it's unmolested)

@tballstaedt7807 10 ай бұрын

I kinda like the sporterized rifles, especially when they are well done.

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

I know some collectors that do as well

@stonebay2111 9 ай бұрын

Griffin and Howe were some of the finest ever made.

@csipawpaw7921 8 ай бұрын

This is true. In 1968 I was 18 y.o.a. and poor. I purchased a Chilean 7mm Mauser for $50 and had it sportterized for another $50! I still have it. It is a great rifle.

@BattlefieldCurator 8 ай бұрын

Nice!

@garyK.45ACP 6 ай бұрын

Your assessment is correct. In the 60s and early 70s it WAS cheaper to sporterize a military rifle. They were cheaper and most made great hunting rifles. They were not, at the time, "collectors items".

@scout2nut 9 ай бұрын

I have my Grandads 1918 KAR98 8mm Mouser, its sporterized, but is still a great shooter, and it was his, and that's all that matters to me, miss ya grandad.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Curate that family heirloom, that’s very important

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

It's a mouser? You need an 8mm Mauser to hunt mice? 😂 Damn, son--you need to move!

@PNW-LOGGING-HOMESTEAD 9 ай бұрын

Because they were 2.50 and grandpa was a machinist after ww2 and deer and elk taste good and the wife and kids depended on him to put food on the table

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Indeed

@rjoetting7594 6 ай бұрын

I have a krag rifle that was sporterized many years ago. (Probably in the 50s) But the difference is a new stock was built and the barrel was shortened to 26" the front sight was replaced with a safari band type, and a custom-made peep sight was added to the back of the bolt, adjustable for elevation and windage. It was very well done and a beautiful rifle. It's a pleasure to shoot and hunt with. It's definitely not a Bubba hack job. This was done by someone with a lot of skill. It's not something that I would ever consider doing today, but I do have an appreciation for the care taken in building this rifle.

@9mmARman 9 ай бұрын

Hell, back in the 90's when Swedish Mausers were $79 and Mosins were $39, everybody was chopping those, too!

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Chop chop

@dougantonucci8278 9 ай бұрын

I inherited a sporterized British Enfield. 303. I used it for deer. When I sold it I only got 400 for it. The guy in the store said if it was in original condition it would have been a lot more. It still shot incredible.

@BattlefieldCurator 8 ай бұрын

Nice!

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

Twenty years ago, it would of only SOLD for $100... Sadly, there are so few left, they are insanely expensive.

@redtra236 6 ай бұрын

Same here, I ended up restoring it because it was a really crappy sporterization and the forearm was barely staying on

@Zeekstuff 9 ай бұрын

People don't understand that this was our grandparents (the greatest generation) who did this. These people grew up through the great depression and were more concerned about being frugal and practical at the time and not about collectibility. I inherited a semi sporterized 1903 from my grandfather I love using it as a hunting rifle. It makes so much more sense to buy one of those surplus rifles and get it sporterized for a total of maybe a total of $50-$75 than paying $200+ for a 30.06 Winchester or Remmington hunting rifle.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yes indeed! Well said 🍻

@swi9945 8 ай бұрын

Dude, where do you get ANY hunting rifle for 200 bucks?

@Riley_Mundt 8 ай бұрын

@@swi9945Those prices are from 60-70 years ago.

@user-cl6rf2pi8j 8 ай бұрын

I'm glad my Dad's SMLE wasn't sporterized. That forward weight helped reduce barrel rise due to recoil and was much more accurate.

@kevinmcfalls945 4 ай бұрын

I have a 1904 manufacture Carl Gustav 6.5mm Swedish Mauser that my grandfather sporterized in the 1930's. He even built the stock. It is a beautiful rifle, I should say carbine, because it is quite short and lightweight for its era. He called it his "Mountain Carbine." I still occasionally fire it to this day even though it is 120 years old.

@michiganmikeupnorth 9 ай бұрын

It always breaks my heart seeing one.

@ArcticNemo 6 ай бұрын

Dad and I carved and trimmed an old Mauser when I was nine, jeweled the bolt myself. It was restocked as I grew and has run the same barrel since ~1914; all those memories afield make me cry a little too, sometimes... Irreplaceable.

@linx.b5246 9 ай бұрын

Cheaper than a hunting rifle. It was the current fashionable thing. Millions of military rifles for disposal and many overconfident Gun Smiths who didn't understand their limitations.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Yes

@richardkudrna7503 9 ай бұрын

Now people will TIG weld shut the scope mount holes, CNC new wood and nose caps, refinish the metal and bring these back to their original beauty.

@vanringo 9 ай бұрын

My grandfather sporterized his .303 Enfield, but did not tap it for a scope. I have it now. I am thinking of changing to a synthetic stock with a scope rail

@WALTERBROADDUS 9 ай бұрын

I would suggest an S&K no drill Mount instead.

@user-sz2px8pv3f 9 ай бұрын

It doesn't matter to me what it's worth. I worry more about practicality and my personal taste. There's no chance that I'd ever sell anything out of my collection so it's "worth" matters very little to me

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Understandable

@ginaauten1110 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for clarifying that so professionally! I have noticed a lot of content her clutching their pearls about this. It only magnifies the lack of research by the influencer. I personally believe it also supports the immaturity challenges. I believe they can turn it around. I really hope the do. I think the respect they gain is worth it. I think we all grow through adversity.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Exactly!! 😁🍻

@elijahaitaok8624 9 ай бұрын

My thoughts exactly, those people are treating them like trading cards instead of tools to use and personalize

@cheekymonkey444 5 ай бұрын

I purchased two M 1903A-3 rifles at an estate sale. The one was bone stock, and the other was sporterized. Whoever did the job was a professional. It was well done. I wanted to retro fit a military stock, sights, and hardware, but the cost was way beyond the value of the rifle. So it remains a " shooter "

@2141USMC 8 ай бұрын

I’ve got a sporterized Argentine Mauser that was originally purchased from Sears and Roebuck.

@deusvult7947 8 ай бұрын

As someone who has rucked and hiked up mountains with 80+ lbs of gear, you're a pansy if you complain about a few ozs on a rifle. There is no reason to "shave off" weight to save just a few ounces.

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

"but...but...but... dat extry wood is rubbing my fat roll! I might drop muh beer!" ( I say this as an old fat guy who needs a hip replacement -- stop whining, Bubba! If you can't carry a 10 pound rifle half a mile into the woods, how the hell are you gonna drag a 150 pound deer OUT?!)

@JeremyS86 10 ай бұрын

the old military guns were pretty damn heavy lol.

@ATruckCampbell 9 ай бұрын

Yea, I cant really use an Enfield or most long rifles effectively because of how heavy they are, I prefer carbine length rifles.

@JeremyS86 9 ай бұрын

@@ATruckCampbell i shoot my long rifle just fine when at a range. i wouldnt want to carry it around for hunting though. theres better guns on the market for that lol

@ProbInsane 9 ай бұрын

Looks like the rifles the least of your concern, time to lift some weights or do some real work.

@JeremyS86 9 ай бұрын

@@ProbInsane or im smart and realize they make much better rifles for hunting than some old war rifle with a full wooden stock. but you do you, i promise no one thinks you're cool

@ProbInsane 9 ай бұрын

@@JeremyS86 Don't get upset and come at me because the rifles too heavy for you, it doesnt bother me.

@ohari1 8 ай бұрын

Also remember, they weren’t all “perfectly good”. Pieces missing, damaged wood, damaged finish, etc. A new barrel, a little reshaping, and some time in the hot blue tank turned a lot of junk guns into “new” hunting or target rifles.

@waynedosser6557 9 ай бұрын

I have a Australian military rifle made in 1939 still 100% intact. I have had it in my gun safe for over 25 years. I paid 40 dollars for it at a yard sale in Texas.

@lindboknifeandtool 9 ай бұрын

People gotta eat, people gotta shoot. I remember my dad saying the prices of guns he’s bought. I’d kill for a decently priced sks

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Very rarely do I or people I know find guns for prices of yesteryear

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

In early 1990s, Roses Department Store had Mosin-Nagant for $39.95 and Lee-Enfield for $49.95. Every month, they ran a sales paper with a "$10 off of $50" coupon.... So I got a L-E with a $5 box of ammo, total $54.95. $10 coupon-- total $44.95. They paid me $5 to take the ammo!! The good old days.

@stevedavis5704 9 ай бұрын

The reason I went out of my way to get a British .303 was because when I used my uncle’s it was the first rifle I used that just came up perfect with no adjustment on the hold. First time, every time. When asked if I was going to customize it my response was why mess with perfection? Besides it’s a nice rifle that was first issued in late 1942 according to the numbers on it. Why destroy history?

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@jakecheck3225 10 ай бұрын

I sporterized my mosin cause the wood was so bad it was walking out from under the bands.

@michaelpierson7256 10 ай бұрын

I was converting them back to military configuration since the 70s. They were quite cheeper to do back then. I got a battle field dug up 03 springfield shooting for $10 that was for everything except the bare rcvr😊 o the good old days

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Wow… hats off to you good sir! I’ve only restored a handful back to original configuration. Yea, it’s a lot harder today with parts availability and cost.

@jvleasure 10 ай бұрын

That's impressive.

@Joe-nr9xf 10 ай бұрын

It's unfortunate since it's very expensive these days. I have a 1917 Enfield that has the original stock but was sporterized by one of the companies doing it in the UK back then (I think BSA or whoever). It still has the brass medallion on the stock etc. For being 106, it's not in bad shape and has the ladder sight on it still.

@chris.3711 10 ай бұрын

The same reason we modify guns today. It was to fit a role we put on them. My AR looks nothing like the gun I bought nearly 10 years ago. It's funny how we criticize the people of the past, then do the same thing ourselves in the present.

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

The difference is how collectible the old military rifles have become. Sure the concept of customization is the same but the methods and rifles they were done to were different. Also, I don’t think very many people back then knew just how collectible these old rifles would become.

@dtdlilcoold 10 ай бұрын

People arent permanently disfiguring modern guns lmfao. Almost all things done to modern guns are things thay can be un-done.

@charlesmckinley29 10 ай бұрын

Most of the people that bought these rifles to use used them for several decades and have now passed on. Stop whining and go make the money needed for your pristine collectable or buy a new or used working mans rifle and learn how to use it.

@redtra236 6 ай бұрын

@@dtdlilcoold Permanent modifications on modern guns are common. Not that I have a problem with it. I don't think anyone foresaw these guns becoming collectible since so many of them were made.

@lrac7751 9 ай бұрын

Back when papers were popular, I would get the Shotgun News, you could order everything you needed to sporterize anything. Drilled, tapped, and bent the bolt handle of many Mosins in my day

@konobaka9610 7 ай бұрын

I also think a major change in hunting is that less people shoot off hand today vs the early 20th century

@greghardy9476 9 ай бұрын

I have been vilified for putting a fiberglass stock on #4 Enfield. Seeing that the original stock was cracked to a horrible degree. The department store I bought it at (for $35) said it wasn’t shootable because the bore was worn out. It was in much better shape than they could have imagined. The stock was simply dangerous. My rifle, my choice.

@Toadmanstaff 9 ай бұрын

Gun is no fun if you can't shoot it. I could see being mad at the guy who broke it but why get mad at someone for bringing it back to a usable condition.

@greghardy9476 9 ай бұрын

Funny thing is, I made ZERO mechanical mods to it. All it needs is a stock. I still use the irons on it. It’s more of a brush gun now.

@Toadmanstaff 9 ай бұрын

@@greghardy9476 so you not only selected an already damaged fire arm to modify but you didn't really do anything to the gun. Completely ethical if you ask me why risk putting collectable furniture on a gun you're gonna carry around and possibly damaging a nice stock. I own a sporterized Enfield for this exact reason and even though mine was sporterized well and was literally done in like 1963 people told me I shouldn't buy it or I've had people ask me why I didn't just buy a real Enfield. I have 2 very nice SMLEs and I don't want them damaged plus the sporterized Enfield cost me $100 and came with ammo.

@DaremoKamen 5 ай бұрын

My grandfather before I was born had two Kar 98 bring backs. As a skilled metal worker he was going to turn them into hunting rifles. My father can remember helping him remove the stocks and barrels and throwing them away. Then Remington came out with the 721 and Grandpa realized that even with his skills he couldn't build a rifle as good for any cheaper. He later sold one action and I inherited the other one, which I had built up as a sporter because that was cheaper than returning it to military configuration and I was afraid it would just rust away if it just stayed as only an action.

@infin1ty850 3 ай бұрын

I think a lot of folks these days forget just how many and how cheap most of these surplus rifles used to be.

@Urbicide 9 ай бұрын

Bubba's favorite rifle of the 1990's was the SKS.

@mikepj67 8 ай бұрын

At $89.00 apiece.

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

And the Mosin-Nagant...

@patrickedwards7107 10 ай бұрын

a guy could carry the rifle in its original configuration throughout the theatre of war every day for months on end patroling but Gary the Fudd couldn't carry it to his stationary deerstand a few weeks out of the year gotcha. the SMLE no.1 mk3 stock was designed to stabilize the barrel much like a target rifle chopping it down hinders this and shows these "gunsmiths" knew precious little about the history or development of these pieces I'll call it what it was amateur hour an utter lack of respect for the guns considering a person can tastefully acomplish the same ends in a manner that could be walked back so many sporter jobs I've come upon in PA/NY Were Done tastelessly Safari Hunting rifles built on these actions existed prior to the 1960-70s that could have served as templates on how to go about this functionally correct in look. I don't think we should sugar coat it there were two generations of collectors that butchered as well as completely neglected upkeep on surplus rifles they now try to gouge the market asking premiums for a ruined gun.

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Yes, and the serious collectors from back then were engaged in preserving these relics. They knew that someday, supply will be diminished and demand would be higher. You’d also have take into consideration that there were more mom and pop farmers, ranchers, and folks really living off of the land back then. They had their own land and some probably had a cheap sporter rather than a hunting rifle. Growing up back woods with a larger family also meant that the kids also hunted to put meat on the table. That or they trapped their game. But nonetheless, there were many folks who probably didn’t need to sporterize that rifle or buy a pre-sporterized rifle for hunting back then. There were so many of them coming into the country! The importers had to try and sell them somehow and also make a buck. Sporterizing is also customizing and kind of like a car, so I’m sure Billy Bob wanted to own a unique rifle that stood out from the rest. Yea and the shocking thing about it today is that many people try and sell that sporter rifle for way too much.

@gunsforevery1 10 ай бұрын

Just because they did it, doesn’t mean they liked it or enjoyed it. Just look at the BAR. Guys removed their bipods to make them lighter The m1 garand is a great rifle. It’s also heavy as fuck. If it could be chopped down, lightened by about 2 pounds, and still made to function reliably, I bet you would see a bunch of Sporterized M1 garands. And in the 60s, these vets were now 40-50-60-70 years old, they weren’t 20 years old anymore. Adding a scope to their rifle made them more accurate with it. I get why they did it. I also get why Sporterized rifles have 0 value. I wouldn’t buy one unless it was an absolute killer deal. Unless it was one of the many many many rifles that were very Sporterized very crappily.

@charlesmckinley29 10 ай бұрын

New Winchester 94 is $90 there is a BARREL of Enfields in the corner with excellent bores in the corner for $10. At the time it was a quality rifle that was CHEAP and ABUNDANT. The perfect candidate to tinker with.

@Delta_3VIII 9 ай бұрын

@@charlesmckinley29 that doesn't change or excuse the fact that it was a time were a lot of people seemingly weren't capable of thinking in longer terms

@charlesmckinley29 9 ай бұрын

@@Delta_3VIII the people that did this had just survived “The Great Depression”, thanks FDR policies, a World War and most things were still in short supply. These were INEXPENSIVE CONSUMABLE TOOLS. They were sold out of a barrels they piled in. There was no such thing as “disposable income” at the time.

@codypridg9504 9 ай бұрын

I remember even in the 90s these guns would be in piles at the pawn shop for 50 - 100 bucks

@harrisonmantooth7363 5 ай бұрын

I have to agree with you. I bought Mil Surp rifles for the historical aspect of them. I've bought a little more than two dozen in my lifetime. From M1 Garands, M1 Carbines K 98 Mausers, Turkish Mausers, M 1916 Spanish Mausers, K 91 Swiss, 91/30 Mosin Nagant, .30/.40 Krag and, a bucket list yet to obtain. It surprised me how efficient and accurate these Old War Horses still are.

@personalgoogleaccount9694 9 ай бұрын

I thought men were tougher back then. If a 8-11lb gun is too much for you, maybe you aren't in the market for a rifle.

@user-kg3te5yv6w 10 ай бұрын

You could also just man up and have a heavy rifle and hunt with that

@BattlefieldCurator 10 ай бұрын

Indeed!

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

It's what? 8 to 10 pounds? If you can't carry that, how you gonna lug a 150 pound deer back to the truck?

@elgoog7830 4 ай бұрын

"Sporterize" That's a new word for me

@sabgab 8 ай бұрын

My dad sportorized his .303 British in High School wood shop. He didn't go the scope route though. Yeah, he took the gun to school with him on the bus, in the late 50's.

@rslover65 10 ай бұрын

Unless it's a Mosin. Then go ahead. Can't make those any worse 😅

@mortimersnerd8044 10 ай бұрын

For practical purposes, actually using the gun in a non war environment, sportarizing them makes them better, not worse

@rslover65 7 ай бұрын

@@mortimersnerd8044I've seen some very nice rifles built from military guns. And that doesn't bother me at all.

@angrybajur 7 ай бұрын

Boomers will say they're the toughest generation, then scream in horror at the premise of carrying a rifle that weighs more than 4 pounds.

@D8W2P4 6 ай бұрын

Tell me you've never been outside without telling me you've never been outside.

@ohwillyp 5 ай бұрын

My first hunting rifle was a mosin nagant i got at big 5 for $80 in 2006. Sent it to the gunsmith to get drilled and tapped for a scope and have the bolt handle bent. Came in $200 cheaper than a commercial hunting rifle. I still got it and its still my favorite hunting rifle

@timsgotissues3581 4 ай бұрын

My dad was a gunsmith. He, my grandpa and I sporterized a German Mauser. That gun has put an incredible amount of venison on the table, and three bear as well. 8mm never fails. It's always funny to show people the little swastika on the receiver, too.

@BattlefieldCurator 4 ай бұрын

They are great rifles and many were sporterized!

@jamesbundy1781 10 ай бұрын

You sporterize and you ruin the value. It's a shame.

@jvleasure 10 ай бұрын

When people sporterized them in the 50s and 60s, it increased the value. Nobody with any sense is doing it today.

@arthurchadwell9267 8 ай бұрын

@@jvleasure"nobody with any sense" We're screwed... 😂

@rjk37 8 ай бұрын

That enfield at the end is exactly what happened to mine. I understand the logic people had, but they're still stupid for ruining beautiful rifles.

@fdeluccie 9 ай бұрын

I picked up a m103A1 Springfield barrelled action during the mid 70s. I did much of the work myself and had a gunsmith do some. The commercial stock was $13.00 and the gunsmith charged me minimal because I worked for him. Cost of sporterizing and parts were comparable to a new Rem Model 700. Prior to that it was a lot cheaper to chop up a cheap surplus rifle to make a serviceable hunting rifle.

@evanjackson6938 7 ай бұрын

Years ago, I acquired an M1903A3 sporterized rifle. About 5 different gun shows later, it was back into original military configuration, had a Smith Corona bolt which the heads pace was off. I finally got the Remington bolt and the rifle was a winner. Then a couple years later, I traded away....wish I didn't, but it was a fun project to restore.

@BattlefieldCurator 7 ай бұрын

Sellers remorse… it’s quite common. But good job finishing that project, I’m sure that was a lot that time spent looking for parts and putting effort into it.

@ericthiel4053 7 ай бұрын

Dad has both a Mauser 7mm and Enfield. 303, both are "sporterized" with scopes and some new parts but they are some of the absolute best rifles for deer and elk I have ever used, especially at longer distances. They just don't build them like that any more.

@nevadadesertrat267 9 ай бұрын

My big game rifle is a 1903 A3 Springfield I sporterized back in the mid seventy's. It has never let me down. NDR

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Nice!

@redband6011 7 ай бұрын

My Dad sporterized an Argentine Mauser 1891 in the early 60's. He did a nice job with the barrel shortened and the stock cut back and refinished. I own the rifle today and it's gorgeous with a nice shiny bore, excellent bluing and a butter smooth bolt action. I've never hunted with it but I've taken it to the range over the years. It's a keepsake because it was my dads.

@BattlefieldCurator 7 ай бұрын

Awesome

@brucebarnes9138 8 ай бұрын

As a kid my dad had a sporterized 1903 bolt action you have a French walnut stock it was a work of art

@Zown-ej3fl 6 күн бұрын

“With more weight in the front it will feel heavier in the front” who could of guessed having weight in the front of your rifle would cause there to be weight in front of your rifle.

@erikwaters238 9 ай бұрын

My dad has a sporterized Mauser 98 that was rebarreled to .30-06, the barrel was shortened, and a Manlicher stock was put on it. Then the stock split right up behind the muzzle. He’s had it broken down for YEARS. He’s 82 and in great shape mentally and physically, so maybe he’ll get it back into usable condition … or I will.

@allenatkins2263 8 ай бұрын

I still own my first deer rifle. A 7x57 model 95 Mauser my father purchased for ten dollars and worked it into a sporter in the garage. It is a tack driver and has accounted for 17 deer over the years and I wouldn't trade it for the most expensive rifle made today.

@BattlefieldCurator 8 ай бұрын

Nice! Yea hold on to it

@stevenatkins4995 9 ай бұрын

I just found my dad’s receipt for his Springfield 1903 surplus that he purchased for $14.50 in the early 60s.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Nice!

@pohfolke1749 5 ай бұрын

back when surplus ammo was more common and available, it was a cheaper way for people to get into target shooting or hunting

@BattlefieldCurator 5 ай бұрын

Yes

@beefs0ck911 8 ай бұрын

I've got a sporterized Enfield rifle and that thing shoots way smooth, I love it. Been meaning to put a cooler chassis on as it's already been fudded

@redr1150r 6 ай бұрын

My Dad was a licensed gun smith and made very good money by doing this. One of his customers got a hold of me and asked me if I was in the business. I said no, as I was in the Navy, and I never ventured into the business. My dad was a cosumate craftsman in both metal and wood.

@BattlefieldCurator 6 ай бұрын

Interesting!

@mfluder15 9 ай бұрын

I remember Mauser actions being sold for a little as $10. That’s why. They were cheap.

@packinaglock 7 ай бұрын

Born in 62 I remember those as I actually bought one I’m guessing it was mid 70’s.

@lelandsdad13 9 ай бұрын

My grandpa bought a sporterized German K98 at a pawn shop for $35 back in the mid-50s. That rifle has taken down so many deer since it was bought. Now It belongs to me. I may buy a stock to have it look original, but I'm not sure.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Nice!

@showtime2629 9 ай бұрын

Same reason a TON of guys still do incredibly gaudy mods to their glock and 1911s.

@BattlefieldCurator 9 ай бұрын

Haha yep

@haroldpeckenpaugh9305 4 ай бұрын

I remember as a teenager in early 70's Woolworths selling Enfield rifles for 99.00. And that was in upstate N.Y.

@hakes187 7 ай бұрын

I remember my dad telling me his local hardware store had M1 30 carbines for something like 50-100 bucks in a 55 gallon drum among other things

@joshmoe3680 9 ай бұрын

I've got an original Enfield .303 British and a sporterized version. Freaking sweet

@rj4590 6 ай бұрын

I still have the old Williams book on sporterizing military rifles.They even have a section on doing an M1 Garand...Most ridiculous.

@BattlefieldCurator 6 ай бұрын

Wow! I have actually seen a sporter Garand. My friend bought it and returned it to original config, with a new CMP stock

@rj4590 6 ай бұрын

@@BattlefieldCurator I have seen some really super rifles though,as an example,the famous custom Griffin & Howe based on the 1903 Springfield.

@billwilson-es5yn 9 ай бұрын

Stores like Sears and Montgomery Wards would have tables holding war surplus rifles from all countries for $12 each. Veterns would go there with a few tools and strip the guns down to get the new parts to assemble a like new gun.