Milsurp Red Dots
There’s nothing quite like the look of cold, oiled steel and aged walnut. Whether it’s a Mosin-Nagant, a Mauser, or even a classic SKS, these rifles have character. They’ve got stories to tell—stories that probably end with someone getting shot. But there’s a new controversy brewing in the gun community: Should you put a modern red dot sight like a Firefield on your old warhorse?
Let’s be real. Sometimes, slapping a red dot on a milsurp is a little like putting a carbon fiber spoiler on a ’57 Chevy. Does it improve performance? Probably. Does it look like a bad decision? Also probably. Let’s break down both sides of this heated debate.
Why You Should Do It
You didn’t get that Mosin because it’s a precision rifle. You got it because it was cheap, rugged, and could probably double as a boat anchor. But now that ammo is getting pricier and your shoulder can’t handle another day of feeling like a mule kicked it, you’re thinking about hitting what you aim at. You want something effective, reliable, and affordable. Enter the Firefield red dot sight.
Red dots are both fast and practical. If you’re looking to turn your Mosin into a functional hunting rifle or take that SKS on a fast-paced hog safari, a Firefield red dot makes sense. It gives you quick target acquisition, which is exactly what you need when the pig you just missed decides it’ll turn all its prey-driven aggression on you.
Or maybe you’ve got an old bolt-action rifle that’s been in your family since snakes had legs. You’re not trying to ruin it, but you also want to actually hit something at 100 yards instead of sending lead into your neighbor's target on the range by mistake. A little modern tech goes a long way toward making a vintage piece a practical shooter.
Why You Absolutely Should Not Do It
Because Bubba would do it. That’s right. The second you strap a Firefield red dot to that gorgeous M1 Garand, it’s official: You’ve Bubba’d it. Your range buddies will look at you like you just slapped a spoiler on a Studebaker. And God help you if your granddad sees it—he didn’t survive the biting cold at the Chosin Reservoir so you could turn his beloved battle rifle into a bad meme on r/guns.
Purists will tell you that optics on a milsurp are like putting a smartwatch on a sundial. You’re ruining history. You’re taking a perfectly good piece of military craftsmanship and turning it into something it was never meant to be. And if your mount or sight isn’t period-accurate, you might as well paint the whole thing neon green and call it a day.
When It’s Worth It
If you’ve got a milsurp that’s already been modified to the point of no return, go ahead. You’re not breaking anyone’s heart by adding a Firefield red dot to a sporterized Enfield that hasn’t been original since the Reagan administration. Or if you genuinely need it for a practical purpose—like dispatching hogs or coyotes—then it’s your rifle and your business. Plus, let's be honest—there are absolutely metal and walnut lever action rifles with red dot sights that are perfectly acceptable to everyone who isn't a rabid purist.
When You Should Leave It Alone
If your rifle is in original condition with matching parts and carries some historical significance, think twice. You will never get that vintage look back once you start drilling holes for Picatinny mounts or sticking adhesive bases on the receiver. And let’s be honest, nothing’s worse than the very real possibility that after all your modification efforts, the red dot doesn’t actually make your rifle shoot any better. You'll be left with a rifle that’s both inaccurate and ugly. Great job.
So, Is It Bubba or Brilliant?
At the end of the day, it’s your rifle. Do what makes sense for you. If that means turning a Mosin into a hog-slaying beast or an SKS into a rapid-fire plinker, do it. Just be prepared for the side-eye from the purists. And if your goal is to keep your milsurp as authentic as possible, that’s cool too. Just don’t judge the guy next to you who decided to go full Bubba on his MP40.
You might regret it. You might love it. Either way, it’s going to start a fight on the internet. Isn’t that what the gun community is all about?
To shop Firefield red dots, click here.