Top 15 Military Surplus Gun Upgrades

Needless to say, the charm of a classic military surplus gun is its history. Every etch on the stock or scratch in the finish tells a story about where it has been and what it has done. However, there are circumstances where non-permanent modifications to these old warhorses can give them a new lease on life. For example, outfitting a military surplus rifle with a modern, high-tech stock or a handgun with new grips can make it into a modern shooter that is more useful, comfortable and user-friendly for a day on the range. Following is a round up of some of today’s modern options for your classic surplus firearm.

Altamont Hi-Power Super Walnut Grips 

Altamont is well known for manufacturing high-quality gun grips. The Super Walnut grips for the Browning Hi-Power are similar to the classic Hi-Power grip, except they are smooth with a brilliant wood figure. Slimmer than the classic Hi-Power grip, the Super Walnut feels good in hand and can make the old Browning look fresh. (altamontco.com; 800-626-5774)

Apex Walther P.38/P.1 Grips 

Some 76 years ago, the Walther P.38 was a cutting-edge, high-tech combat pistol used by German troops during WWII. After the war, and renamed the P.1, the Walther continued to serve in the German military and with German LE agencies. Apex Gun Parts has original P.1-style grips to replace cracked or broken grips. Made of black-checkered polymer and with a slot for a lanyard, the Apex grip is a factory original removed from service pistols. (apexgunparts.com; 719-481-2050)

ATI SKS Fiberforce Stock

ATI’s completely ambidextrous Fiberforce stock for SKS rifles has a familiar Dragunov design appearance due to its thumbhole, skeletonized stock and vented handguard. The pistol grip has a textured pad for improved grip when shooting and the adjustable cheekrest allows for a better cheekweld and eye alignment when shooting with optics. The cheekrest also has a storage compartment for cleaning supplies. The stock is constructed of lightweight, glass-reinforced polymer and fits most SKS barreled actions. Available in black, desert tan or destroyer gray. (atigunstocks.com; 800-925-2522)

ATI Enfield Stock

Update the classic Enfield No.1 Mk III rifle with a two-piece, glass-reinforced polymer stock with Monte Carlo cheekrest. The stock is scratch resistant, has a checkered grip and forearm as well as a 3M Soft Touch checkrest on the raised Monte Carlo comb for more shooting comfort. Two sling swivel studs and a recoil pad are included. The Enfield Monte Carlo Stock installs quickly and is available in black or dark earth brown. (atigunstocks.com; 800-925-2522)

Boyds’ Featherweight Mosin-Nagant Stock

Boyds’ sporter thumbhole stocks are made from laminated wood for strength and beauty. The stock is inletted to accept a barreled action from a Mosin-Nagant 91/30. Other models may fit, but minor additional fitting may be required. Being a sporter stock, it is not inletted for barrel bands, but can be fitted to accept most barreled actions. The thumbhole design allows for comfortable shooting in a variety of positions. Stocks feature Boyds’ 0.5-inch-thick recoil pad. The Featherweight stock is available in forest camo, nutmeg, pepper and Royal Jacaranda. (boydsgunstocks.com; 605-996-5011)

Crimson Trace LG-309

The classic Browning Hi-Power is enhanced with the Crimson Trace LG-309 rubber over-molded laser sight grip. The laser is turned on by dual activation pads, making it completely ambidextrous. The grips allow for a normal shooting position and laser activation. Powered by two #2032 batteries, the expected battery life is over four hours. The laser is factory sighted at 50 feet. The grip is constructed of polymer and rubber, and it completely replaces the factory grip. (crimsontrace.com; 800-442-2406)

Crimson Trace LG-480 Lasergrips (Walther PP, PPK/S)

Outfitting the famous Walther PP and PPK/S series of pistols from the late 1920s with Crimson Trace LG-408 Lasergrips brings each series squarely into the 21st century. Slim and snag free, the Lasergrips replace factory grips and feature a checkered texture. The laser is activated by an activation pad located on the pistol’s front grip strap; it is easily turned on by pressing with the index finger of the shooting hand. Completely ambidextrous, the Lasergrip is constructed of polymer. The activation pad is over-molded rubber. (crimsontrace.com; 800-442-2406)

Crimson Trace LG-917

Designed to fit the classic 1911 pistol, the LG-917 Master Series Lasergrip from Crimson Trace combines cutting-edge laser design with classic good looks. Featuring cocobolo side panels, the grip features frontstrap activation for ease of use and simplified operation, and the grip is cut for ambidextrous safeties. The laser, powered by two #2025 batteries, is a 5mW red laser unit housed at the top of the right-hand panel grip. (crimsontrace.com; 800-442-2406)

Ergo Warrior Grip 

The Warrior Grip is designed to give the 1911 platform pistol a new, sure grip that works dry or wet. Constructed of a rigid polymer frame with soft rubber inserts molded in, the Warrior Grip enhances a user’s control. The slotted texture pattern offers good purchase. Give Uncle Sam’s favorite .45 a new look. Finish choices are black and dark earth brown. (ergogrips.net; 877-281-3783)

Kimber Rosewood Double Diamond Grips

The Double Diamond 1911 grip from Kimber is manufactured from exotic rosewood and features the classic double diamond checkering pattern. The grip is cut to accommodate ambidextrous safeties and will fit Kimber’s Custom, Pro and Ultra+ model pistols. It will also fit Government and Commander models of almost any brand of mil-spec 1911 pistol. (kimberamerica.com; 888-243-4522)

Magpul MOE 1911 Grips

The Magpul MOE 1911 grips were designed with input from Magpul’s training division instructors who wanted a 1911 grip with advanced features to improve control. Constructed of heavy-duty reinforced polymer, the MOE 1911 grips have an aggressive texture for more positive control with dry or wet hands and a pronounced magazine release cutout. The grips work with pistols equipped with ambidextrous safeties and fit full-size 1911s with standard grip screw bushings. (magpul.com; 877-462-4785)

Nighthawk CocoBolo Double Diamond Grips

Known for its custom 1911 pistols, Nighthawk’s Coco Bolo Double Diamond grips reflect the same attention to detail the company puts into its pistols. The grips are manufactured from exotic cocobolo wood and are available in either thin or standard thickness. They fit most Officer- and Government-size 1911 frames. They are also cut for use with ambidextrous thumb safeties. The Nighthawk logo is laser engraved in the center of each grip. (nighthawkcustom.com; 877-268-4867)

TAPCO SKS Stock System RAILED

The TAPCO SKS railed stock system instantly modernizes a dated mil-spec SKS rifle and counts as three 922(r) compliance parts. Using TAPCO’s Intrafuse SKS stock, the system features a six-position T6 buttstock, a SAW-style pistol grip and an upper handguard with a Picatinny-style rail located at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. Other models offer bayonet slots or a smooth gripping surface in place of the bottom rail. With the stock fully extended, the length of pull is 14.75 inches; it is 11.5 inches when collapsed, so it will adjust to fit shooters of different stature. The system is available in black, olive drab or dark earth brown. (tapco.com; 800-554-1445)

VZ 1911 Double Diamond Rosewood Grips

VZ manufactures the classic double diamond checkered pattern for 1911-style pistols in elegantly figured rosewood. The grips fit full-size 1911-style frames—Government and Commander models—from most 1911 manufacturers. Thickness options include standard thickness or a thinner slim-line thickness. The beveled bottom is standard, but mag well, round bottom and bobtail bottom options are available. A thumb notch magazine release option and cutouts for an ambidextrous safety are other options. The checkering is a medium texture. (vzgrips.com; 850-422-1911)

VZ Hi-Power Grips

VZ Grips give the 80-year-old Hi-Power design a new look and literally a new feel. Four grip styles—320, Diamond Back, Pro Slim and Simonich Gunner—made from G10 laminate offer specific grip textures for specific uses. The 320 has a smooth, comfortable texture that is well suited for concealed carry. The Diamond Back grip has a very aggressive texture, making it best for tactical situations. It is also slimmer than original Hi-Power grips. The Pro Slim grips are also slimmer than factory originals and offer a medium texture that provides a good all-around grip texture. The golf ball-like texture of the Simonich Gunner grips is very aggressive to provide maximum grip retention and is intended for tactical use with or without gloves as well as action-shooting competitions. Depending on the grip style, finish choices are black, hyena brown, army green, battleship gray, earth brown, military brown, desert sand and tiger stripe. (vzgrips.com; 850-422-1911)