I honestly have no idea as to the shooting capability of the M/N rifle. Again, for me getting there is half the fun. It's like the guy who buys the rust bucket car or truck and drops money in it just because he likes to turn wrenches and want something to occupy his time on a "working man's budget." I figure that for 50 bucks (actually I got TWO for 50 bucks) plus another 50 bucks for the ATI Black Synthetic Stock and 50 bucks for the bent sniper bolt and who knows how much I'll spend on an inexpensive (most likely NcStar) scope, I'll at least have a conversation piece in the gun cabinet that most folks don't have.

As for wanting one I feel the same way about ugly a** chevelle's, but that's just my opinion and I tend to keep it to myself rather than insult other peoples preferences. As for it being junk, go over to the Mosin-Nagant forum and tell them that and see how fast they bounce you out on your keyboard. And as for that half-truth fact about not using them due to thier use in "killing Americans", it seems when the rest of the story fell (thanks to Eldequello) it seems that not only were Americans armed with these "cheaply mass produced surplus Soviet peasant conscript battle rifles" but they were made by Americans as well. Imagine that?

If you want to own it, own it. If you want to sporterize it, sporterize it. If you want to shoot it, shoot it. If you want to hate it, that's fine too. It's unfortunate that the old adage of our elders has fallen by the wayside along with manners, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything". And IMHO (in my humble opinion) these days seems to contain no humility or kindness.

Driftrider, I appreciate and admire your constraint in "not degenerating this thread." Greatly appreciated.

DougK, your inability to "imagine how anyone would want one" demonstrates a myopic viewpoint with regard to the appreciations of others. You are however are entitled to your opinion of them as being "a real piece of junk" is noted and respect as just that (OPINION) none the less.