In Defense of Modifying Older Firearms: My SKS Project
DISCLAIMER: Before any peering eyes of law enforcement get their panties in a bunch, this rifle resides in Pennsylvania and no local or state laws where I reside have been broken. There’s a large segment of the 2A community that considers modifying older firearms to be sacrilege—dismissed as “bubba-ing.” While I understand the desire to preserve historical examples, I also believe there are situations where modification is not only acceptable, but in the firearm’s best interest. Case in point: my SKS. I purchased it cheaply because the original stock had a significant lateral crack running from the trigger group pocket halfway up the barrel channel. The previous owner attempted a repair using fiberglass mesh, but it was neither attractive nor, in my opinion, safe to fire. At that point, originality was already compromised. And ultimately, it comes down to a simple truth: it’s your firearm. Do what you want with it—just do it safely and avoid true “bubba” work like tape, epoxy blobs, o...
