removing the refurb finish from SKS and SVT bolt carriers

[nickarino]

Is this considered restoring it to a more original condition, or is this C&R sacrilege since the refurb process is part of the rifle's history. I don't particularly like purple bolt and black bolt, but if it is going to adversely affect the value of the rifle, I definately won't do it. If it is okay, has anyone done this and how do you remove those finishes?

[Fate]

Don't think it will help or hurt value as long as you're honest about it. The bigger issue is those who try and hide the refurb history, polish out the electropencilling and some actually RESTAMP the serial number in an attempt to hump up an "original matching" rifle and sell it for big bucks. It's being done and it IS evil.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

It is sacrilege to do that. Your gun was refurbished at an arsenal if it has that purple bolt or other parts. Don't "restore" it. That would be like "restoring" a 1932 San Fransisco quarter by polishing it up with salt, vinegar, and a wire brush. Sure, it'll look better, or closer to whatever you wanted it too. But you will have destroyed any collector's value, and damaged an irreplaceable piece of history. If you want one that looks old and battered, go find one that already looks that way. Don't go trashing a good gun because you get some wild "I wanna be a Bubba" hair up your backside. Future generations will thank you.

[Milsurp Collector]

Is this considered restoring it to a more original condition, or is this C&R sacrilege since the refurb process is part of the rifle's history.

The latter.

If a military organization did the work it is legit, and changing what they did is not restoring it. If Bubba did it then undoing what he did is restoring it.

If you got a CMP Bavarian M1 Carbine with a Bavarian blued finish and you parkerized it, that is not restoring it. It no longer has the correct finish for a Bavarian carbine, even though it has the "correct" finish for a USGI carbine. But if you bought a M1903A3 and Bubba put polyurethane varnish on the stock, then stripping off that finish and applying a correct oil finish is restoring it.

[Fot]

I say unless it's some super rare piece do what you want to your gun..

[JAGGUY]

I'm not too sure about how much a re-furbed Russian SKS will appreciate, but an "in-the-white" bolt carrier can be had for 10 - 15 bucks and is not a fitted part. Then save the black one for later.

[Double G]

I say unless it's some super rare piece do what you want to your gun..

I'll second that. There are plenty more available.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

There's no sense in removing the finish. Whatever you would replace it with would probably look worse. They are fine the way they are. What's with the obsession of having to make C&Rs pretty? They're military guns!

[AngryPossum]

But if you bought a M1903A3 and Bubba put polyurethane varnish on the stock, then stripping off that finish and applying a correct oil finish is restoring it.

LOL....Thanks for noting that Milsurp. I would only "restore" a rifle that has already been bubba'd. The sloppy Polyurethane puke on my 1903A3 Had to go (and since has) and my rifle will soon have a more appropriate finish. It's my first time messing with one of my rifles, so I'm not promising a miracle. I figure I'm doing my rifle a favor saving it from what my buddy did to it...Screw PETA, I'm all about helping abused service rifles in their war against BUBBA!!!!!