tigercat, Take some advice on sporterizing a M-38, DON'T DO IT! If you must do a job on a 6.5, look for a M-96. The M-38s are getting fewer and fewer, and good ones demand a premium price, I recently seen one go for $800. at a gun show, It was a near 98% gun. An average will sell between $300.-$500. You can still find good 96s for less than $200.
Over the years I have customized well over a hundred of the 38s and 96s, going from one extreme to another in the process. Of the last batch of ten guns (96s) I bought, I have three unaltered guns remaining, four are in various stages of modification, and three have been finished and provided a good home elsewhere. The three unaltered will remain that way, maybe a good clean up and stock refinish, but they will remain original configuration.
Take a look at Sarco, Inc for an action, purchase a new barrel ( Adams and Bennett is a good inexpensive choice) then look around for a stock and put a nice sporter together that way, keep in mind, to inlet a stock takes a bit of talent in the woodworking area, and is much easier with in-letting tools. And if you find that nice 38, clean her up and find a place in the safe for it. It should increase in value within the next few years.
