I picked up a sporterized G33/40 (DOT 41)today on a whim. It has certainly seen better days and it's going to require work, hence the dilemna: If I'm going to put the work into it, is it "better" to finish it as a sporter or back to somewhat original configuration?

On one hand, it still has the original, uncut matching barrel in very good condition (sans rear sight but front sight base intact).

On the other hand, the bolt has had a new handle welded, the bottom metal is a mismatch, and the receiver has been d&t'ed for a scope and had the charger hump removed. It has also been d&t'ed for a peep sight. The drilling and tapping was done poorly (except on the front ring) and will need to be welded up and re-done anyway. The stock can be saved, but it's nothing special, an old Bishop with plastic bits.

I'm leaning toward the "too far gone" side but I thought I'd throw this out to see if anyone thinks it may bear redeeming.

All opinions welcome!

Sam,
You have a real piece of crap there but I'll take it off your hands at a fair price and you won't have to go through all the problems that a junked up Mauser will cost you????

thats just the kinda guy I am....

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Sounds like a tough rebuild, certainly cannot be brought back to military condition. It might make a nice knock-around gun.

this is what we call an experimenter. toss the barrels, stock and trigger get yourself a decent sporting barrel, stock, and trigger and a reamer in some odd-job unique caliber that you've always wanted to screw around with. then post all the results here.

After cleaning, looking, pondering, wondering, etc. about this rifle over the weekend, I've come to the conclusion that this rifle is just one more project I don't need to deal with.

While I don't dislike it the way it is now, I know it has the potential to be much more, and I don't have the time, energy, or resources to take it to the level it deserves.

Sometimes I think I take this hobby way too seriously...