danny
Silver $$ Contributor
He needs to get paddled and made to sit in the corner while rethinking his actions.
Danny
Smith-Corona Question
- Thread starter jeffhuey1n
- Start date
Danny
Good question. Short answer: I’m a sucker for basket cases. I served for 25 years. The entire time, I flew in and fixed various models of helicopters. That right there tells you I’m a glutton for punishment. I just can’t let a piece of military gear end up in the scrap bin.
SBS
Gold $$ Contributor
The receiver bridge has not nothing to do with the strength of the action. Every now and then you see a partial action where the front portion has been cut off (usually from one of these localities who think they are saving the world by destroying a firearm). Cut off the rear portion of your action somewhere forward of the cutoff spindle where the receiver is straight and utilize the matching part of the demilled action to replace it. A good TIG welder can make a nice job of it. I've seen Mausers and 1917 Enfields that were shortened in this fashion and it was very hard to discern it. Just make sure the finished length is correct, so that the bolt works properly. You could also just slice off the top of the bridge and TIG the replacement part from a demilled receiver onto it - would be a lot simpler.
danny
Silver $$ Contributor
This is something I brought up in one of the postings, that I've noticed that some guys have this affinity for buying/acquiring basket cases, "fixer uppers". I don't see where it makes sense, nor do I get it, but..."ok".
Danny
danny
Silver $$ Contributor
There are also more sensible and reasonable ways to reach the same or better conclusion.
Danny
hpshooter
Gold $$ Contributor
Agree.
nicholst55
Brass Whore
If you really want to throw good money after bad, find yourself a really GOOD gunsmith/machinist who has a mill and knows how to use it. Take measurements of the rear sight mount from an unaltered receiver. Mill a flat spot where your rear sight mount used to be. Cut a steel block to the proper dimensions in the mill, and then permanently attach it to your receiver. It probably wouldn't run you more than $2.5-3K. Better yet, while you have another reciever there, move your barrel (assuming that it wasn't bubba-smiffed too) over to it, along with the rest of your parts. Take your current receiver and cut it into pieces with a bandsaw or acetylene torch, and call it good.
I'm sorry, but a man has got to know his limitations. My dad bought basket case cars, trucks, scooters and dirt bikes intending to fix them up his whole life, and most of them ended up in pieces in the garage and driveway until the scrap man came to get them, many years later. I am afflicted with the same habit, although mine are guns. You have to know when you've adopted an unfixable problem, and IMHO that's where you are with this rifle.
I'm sorry, but a man has got to know his limitations. My dad bought basket case cars, trucks, scooters and dirt bikes intending to fix them up his whole life, and most of them ended up in pieces in the garage and driveway until the scrap man came to get them, many years later. I am afflicted with the same habit, although mine are guns. You have to know when you've adopted an unfixable problem, and IMHO that's where you are with this rifle.
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Progressive cant keep you from becoming your parents!! Hahaha I know, I have the same problem.
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shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
"TIME" is the most precious thing any of us humans has. USE YOUR TIME WISELY!!
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shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
Many years ago (at least 25yrs) I had 2 Savage 99s brought to me for repair. The kind of 99s that take detachable magazines. Both chambered for .22-250 Rem with factory barrels. Upon close examination, both had bolt lock abutment set back, and both cracked from there back to that closest scope mount screw hole. I ended up taking a Win 70 (that had a very rough life) chambered in .222Rem Mag as payment for my labor. The Model 70 bolt, action and magazine components were very usable, good enough payment for my labor. I got to keep the 99s for parts, too! Later, I listed 1 of those Model 99s, just the action with no parts, on GunBroker. I clearly described the problem several times in my listing, along with a couple of close-up pics of the set back and crack. I don't remember exactly the amount I listed it for, seems maybe $50 or so as a "Paper Weight"/Novelty. I DO remember the final selling price at the end of the auction,,,,,, $285 plus shipping to the buyers FFL. I did contact the auction winner and again made sure he understood what he was getting. He was fine with it, and happy to get it for that price!!! Go figure,,,, a true "Paper Weight" beyond repair or fixing! He bought one of the barrels , too,,,, the one that had the head ripped off of the case that was still stuck in the chamber!
danny
Silver $$ Contributor
Jonnyofalltrades
Silver $$ Contributor
I am a sucker for basket cases, but occasionally have realized that a few were beyond any reasonable effort.
It always warms my heart when I go to sell one, and find out how many other people have the same affliction. One reciever went for about 5 times what I felt it should.
As far as "WHY?", if you are asking a stupid question like that, you wouldn't understand any explanation we could give you. If people can climb a mountain "because it was there", I reserve the right to fix up basket case firearms, just because I want to.
It always warms my heart when I go to sell one, and find out how many other people have the same affliction. One reciever went for about 5 times what I felt it should.
As far as "WHY?", if you are asking a stupid question like that, you wouldn't understand any explanation we could give you. If people can climb a mountain "because it was there", I reserve the right to fix up basket case firearms, just because I want to.
dellet
Gold $$ Contributor
Looks like this might be a good resource for some of your projects. He does excellent work
www.restorativewelding.com
Restorative Welding of Oregon Illinois - Let us restore your next project
Restorative Welding uniquely maintains the complete historical authenticity and value of an antique firearm. Offering a less expensive alternative to fabricating a replacement part that is not original. Since 1964 I have specialized in restoring antique firearms, ferrous metal artifacts and...
www.restorativewelding.com
I am all for sporterizing military bolt actions and building custom rifles. That said I am also for quality machine work.
It sadens my heart too when I see such terrible butchering of an otherwise fantastic action. I am not really for or against puriest that want to keep a rifle as origanaly made but in this case it would be absolutely stupid attempt to return this to stock.
Fixing this level of ugly would probably be best accomplished by making it look like a British or European hunting rifle. Welding on a tall bridge on the front and rear of the reciever for a scope mount, rebarreling with a premium barrel, adding barrel bands/rings for sling, welding on a new bolt handle, reblueing, and putting a nice piece of wood on it would be best.
This is how it is properly done. https://griffinhowe.com/custom-products/classic-sporter-rifle/
It sadens my heart too when I see such terrible butchering of an otherwise fantastic action. I am not really for or against puriest that want to keep a rifle as origanaly made but in this case it would be absolutely stupid attempt to return this to stock.
Fixing this level of ugly would probably be best accomplished by making it look like a British or European hunting rifle. Welding on a tall bridge on the front and rear of the reciever for a scope mount, rebarreling with a premium barrel, adding barrel bands/rings for sling, welding on a new bolt handle, reblueing, and putting a nice piece of wood on it would be best.
This is how it is properly done. https://griffinhowe.com/custom-products/classic-sporter-rifle/
One of the few times in my life I have been outshot with a hunting rifle was a 70+ year old man with a Custom 1903 in 308 Norma Magnum. I was at the gun club having fun shooting my Browning A Bolt with Boss in 300 Win Mag. I was in college at the time and had not started reloading yet.
I had never heard of 308 Norma Magnum and up to that point the only custom 1903 rifles I had seen where all X-Course rifle. This rifle had XXX Walnut oiled finish satin, deep blueing that was more of a Satin finish, very nice iron sights and vintage 6X scope. I think it had a Douglass XX barrel. That old man let me shoot his rifle and he shot mine. We talked for hours. To this day when I think of a custom rifle I would love to build it is his rifle that is my standard. If I ever get the chance to build a a nice Springfield 03 action I will.
Most of my custom rifles are Mausers and Savages because I got them dirt cheap. That said if I found a rack queen of a 1903 I would not sporterize her I would leave her as is. If I found one that was mechanicaly sound but a real disaster it would be game on in a made minute!
I had never heard of 308 Norma Magnum and up to that point the only custom 1903 rifles I had seen where all X-Course rifle. This rifle had XXX Walnut oiled finish satin, deep blueing that was more of a Satin finish, very nice iron sights and vintage 6X scope. I think it had a Douglass XX barrel. That old man let me shoot his rifle and he shot mine. We talked for hours. To this day when I think of a custom rifle I would love to build it is his rifle that is my standard. If I ever get the chance to build a a nice Springfield 03 action I will.
Most of my custom rifles are Mausers and Savages because I got them dirt cheap. That said if I found a rack queen of a 1903 I would not sporterize her I would leave her as is. If I found one that was mechanicaly sound but a real disaster it would be game on in a made minute!
Griffin & Howe Classic Sporter Rifle: Custom Since 1923
Discover the Griffin & Howe Classic Sporter Rifle, the benchmark for custom rifles since 1923. Build your dream rifle with endless custom options and impeccable craftsmanship.
griffinhowe.com
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