They are nice collector items, but I can't say they would stand up long term or convert into a sporter. The receiver is alloy, with steel insets for bolt lug seats. Most of the ones I saw when they were imported in the 60s were brand new and had never been issued. They were the last gasp of Madsen as a military rifle manufacturer. FWIW, I recommend purchase but only as a collector item to be fired very little.
Jim