How much can you change a rifle before it isnt the same rifle(sentimentally speaking)

[NickB1075]

Why did you plan on changing the barrel and stock? Just because you want a different caliber?

If it's a want thing just change it into what you want. I have a rifle that I bought for my father when he was sick. It was one of his bucket list guns (1885.) He took his last deer with it. That is one that will forever remain unchanged. I do use it but will never change it.

As I reread this I notice I didn't really answer your question at least it does t seem so to me. I think it is personal preference that only you can answer.If my fathers gun was in disrepair trust me I would be getting it repaird so I could use it, and pass it down.

Nick

 

[Bojo]

Use any excuse /reason possible to buy another gun . This sounds like a perfectly good reason to buy another one to me.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I love WWI and WWII firearms, so my first thought would be to spend the money on a hunting rifle and leave the M98 as it is. I would love to own one.
To me, it is the history behind the weapon. For example I have an M1 Garand produced by Winchester. It was originally built in 1943 (at least the action was). Think of where this might have been, it could have seen action in the European theater or the in the Pacific.
I have added many accessories to my pride and joy which includes the bayonet, grenade launcher, practice grenades of several styles, ammo belt, etc. I plan to make a display in the near future for it and the accessories. Sure it has gone through the armory several times in its life. Evident by the parts inside, but that is true for any weapon that has seen duty. To me that adds to the story.
I would never think of modifying it in any way. To me that would be like taking the constitution and rewriting it. Not going to happen.

 

[sparker]

I live in Indiana and this year I took my first centerfire deer. I used my mannlicher stocked 8mm-06Ackley mauser 98.
Well as planned this spring its getting a new barrel, a new caliber and a new stock.
This got me wondering, is it still the same rifle I took my first center fire deer with?

If you’ve already thought of it as a new rifle it is not what it was.

 

[jds holler]

Sentimentality is a sweet thing, but it isn't worth much. Material possessions are just that, and if you put too much value on them, I think God will often take them from ya. He leaves you with the memories witch are the important things.

Here is a pic of me at 12 years old with my first 22 rifle. It belonged to some other kid before me, and my dad told me he got it for 19 bucks in a pawn shop. It started me on my long and wonderful hobby as a shooter, hunter, reloader, and general gun nut.
A few years ago, I thought it would be good to give my grandson as his first rifle, and did. couple months later, he asked me if he could trade it for a compound bow. So much for sentiment. I said "Yeah, it's your rifle."


A few years ago, a young guy who knew I was a gun nut told me he had a German Mauser that he was trying to sell. His grandpa had brought it back from Europe in WW II. I told him he oughta hang onto it, and at any rate, the most I could give him for it was a couple hundred bucks. He says, "SOLD"!!


It was a freakin 1943 BYF Mauser 98!! His Mom's father had probably pried it from the hands of a dead Nazi!! So much for sentiment.
It had a duffle-cut stock, and was a filthy mess. I cleaned it up, and it needed no repair to become functional. Made a deal for this un-cut stock to put it back to original configuration, and hung onto the original.stock.

These rifles leave a little of themselves in us, and we leave a little of ourselves in them. But in the big picture, they're no different than "grandfathers ax". jd

 

[velocette]

I gotta think here. I have a Remmy 722 chambered in .222 Rem. My dad bought it (the only rifle he ever bought) in about 1955, It had a very inexpensive 4x scope on it.
It was as purchased when it came to me in 1990.
It now has a 24" stainless heavy barrel by McGowan, a colorful laminated target type stock, A Rifle Basix trigger and a Leupold 6 ~ 24 optic. Its still a .222, so is it still "Pop's" .222? I call it that, but its actually my .222 with some help from T.O.M.