Bummer...new SKY M39 damaged in shipping

[Deputy]

Note the imprint left in the stock by the receiver tang. That is proof that the stock is original to the rifle, or at least has been on that receiver for a very very long time.

That's one of the very desirable traits of a collectible Mosin.

That's why I don't know if I would be willing to settle for a replacement stock on a collectible rifle.

I don't place any of my Mosins in the "collectible" realm just like I don't place any of my Garands or 03/A1 Springfields in that realm. While I won't butcher them with bubba modifications, they aren't going to be sitting in a hermitically safe untouchable by human hands. They are going to be spending a LOT of time at the range. Aa far as I'm concerned, these are military combat rifles, not delicate wallflowers that should be seen and not heard. Think about it...do you really think the Finns would NOT swich a stock if the rest of the rifle was in perfect condition? I've already seen SKY rifles with non-SKY stocks for sale at Burns.

[racerguy00]

By your way of thinking, since the Finns could have (and did) swapped the stock on MANY of their rifles before import here, it is ok to swap the stock here in the US? Using that logic, I'm positive that my balkans Sestroryetsk didn't leave the Sestroryetsk arsenal with its Tula mag housing, so its ok to swap it out to make it 'correct'? The non-matching housing doesn't effect the functionality of the rifle like a broken stock, but such logic in my opinion is a slippery slope leading to the land of bubba-dom as far as collecting goes.

Do I shoot my rifles? Yes, I even hunt with them. But I understand that any damage done can harm the collectibility of the rifle. I understand that you don't view your rifles as collectible (even though you stated that you needed this rifle to fill a spot in your collection) but understand that this is a collector and preservation forum. Many budding collectors have posted refurbs or other rifles here that have mismatched parts like stocks, handguards etc. and would like to swap them out even though they DO view their rifle as collectible. What they do with their rifles is their business, but the members here are always quick to point out that it will affect the collectibility of their rifle so they are armed with that info.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Parts should only be swapped when something is damaged, not because the arsenal mark fails to match the receiver. The Finns used old parts all the time to keep rifles in the field, money and time were short, they used what they had on hand. Once they reach these shores they are collectables, antiques, and as little as possible should be done to alter their as issued state. Refiunishing of course we know is a serious bad, but part swapping for the purpose of making a rifle match in arsenal marks, or some such is just as bad. It destroys the history of the piece. Broken stocks, if they can't be repaired leave little choice but to replace them.

[zeebill]

Note the imprint left in the stock by the receiver tang. That is proof that the stock is original to the rifle, or at least has been on that receiver for a very very long time.

That's one of the very desirable traits of a collectible Mosin.

That's why I don't know if I would be willing to settle for a replacement stock on a collectible rifle.

I don't place any of my Mosins in the "collectible" realm just like I don't place any of my Garands or 03/A1 Springfields in that realm. While I won't butcher them with bubba modifications, they aren't going to be sitting in a hermitically safe untouchable by human hands. They are going to be spending a LOT of time at the range. Aa far as I'm concerned, these are military combat rifles, not delicate wallflowers that should be seen and not heard. Think about it...do you really think the Finns would NOT swich a stock if the rest of the rifle was in perfect condition? I've already seen SKY rifles with non-SKY stocks for sale at Burns.

Think about it! If the Finn's changed rifle stocks it was part of the rifles history done either at refurb or during the rifles service time. If you changed stocks it is part of Bubba's affecting the rifles condition while it is in your custody and care. I will cut you a break if you don't want to fix the rifles broken stock and will settle for a replacement stock. But that rifle is no longer looked on by me and many others as a collectible rifle. So you are saying my RV27 Mosin rifle worth maybe $2000+ is not a collectible rifle and even though I shoot it quite a bit it is a shooter class rifle to be frowned on by collectors. You need a few more years of experience before you extole some of the things you have stated and a little more thought to my way of thinking. Don't get my attitude wrong I am no judge and jury nor will I ever profess to be but try and sit and get a better feel for things that you do not yet realize are simply the way it is among people who have collected and shot military rifle for many years when you were not even here and active.

Do not take me wrong I for sure am saying you are more than entitled to your opinions but respect others who have been around many more years than you. This little post has gone on for ever and for sure has pointed out the differences in why people collect and indeed shoot military rifles. We all have different goals and ways and therefore should respect each others thoughts but we should in the same rhelm realize our experience levels and try and learn others thoughts and put them to useful service in our collecting life and experience. Marching on the edge of a personal attack here and I appoligize for that ahead of time but I want you to realize what you are saying is not the way many of us think or will buy by any stretch of things we have learned over the years. I hope you enjoy that rifle and shoot it, find the new stock works well and keep it for many years and if our marvelous government choses to allow it pass it on to others in your family. Bill

[Deputy]

Deleted. JYD said it better than I ever could.

[Deputy]

Parts should only be swapped when something is damaged, not because the arsenal mark fails to match the receiver. The Finns used old parts all the time to keep rifles in the field, money and time were short, they used what they had on hand. Once they reach these shores they are collectables, antiques, and as little as possible should be done to alter their as issued state. Refiunishing of course we know is a serious bad, but part swapping for the purpose of making a rifle match in arsenal marks, or some such is just as bad. It destroys the history of the piece. Broken stocks, if they can't be repaired leave little choice but to replace them.

Exactly! Thanks JYD. You said it better than me. I'm gonna delete my post.

[bunkysdad]

Zeebill! Just a damn minute! You have a RV27? I wanna see it! I bet that bad boy is collectible.

[Deputy]

Still no word from Burns Guns. Last word was they were having difficulty finding a SKY stock

[Junk Yard Dog]

Give it some time, they are probably in the middle of the same gun rush as the rest .

[Deputy]

Give it some time, they are probably in the middle of the same gun rush as the rest .

You may be right. As fast as they post guns for sale they are sold. I guess the bans have even bolt action folks worried. Last letter I got said he was having problems finding a SKY stock. That makes me uneasy. BTW....I bought a SKY rifle from Dennis Kroh a couple of days ago. Bolt doesn't match but otherwise it looks great and has a SKY stock.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Bolts don't need to match, could be the Finns just didn't get around to Finn matching it. Another possibility is that the Finnish soldier broke an extractor or something and just pulled a bolt off of some dead Soviets 91/30 to use.

[Deputy]

Bolts don't need to match, could be the Finns just didn't get around to Finn matching it. Another possibility is that the Finnish soldier broke an extractor or something and just pulled a bolt off of some dead Soviets 91/30 to use.

I saw a Finnish movie about one of their wars against the Russians and one guy said "Take the bolts from the Russian rifles, they work smoother". I wondered about that.

[Junk Yard Dog]

They would have been broke in maybe, or like with movie lines it was something that just sounded good when the character had to say something.

[TopperT]

My : Bollywood line for sure...........

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Deputy]

LOL...yes, it was a very dramatic moment in the movie.

[Deputy]

Well I e-mailed Burns again and told them at this point I'll take ANY M39 stock as a replacement. I have to say I am pretty disappointed with Burn's customer service.

[Junk Yard Dog]

C'est la vie

[finloq]

Bolts don't need to match, could be the Finns just didn't get around to Finn matching it. Another possibility is that the Finnish soldier broke an extractor or something and just pulled a bolt off of some dead Soviets 91/30 to use.

I saw a Finnish movie about one of their wars against the Russians and one guy said "Take the bolts from the Russian rifles, they work smoother". I wondered about that.

Or a Finnish M27 bolt with the wings.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Oh yea, I would want a spare bolt if I had to pack a M27.