I probably won't do any cutting, I want to leave the Sporter in about as close to being able to be returned to original as possible. While it would be nice to try the Tech Sights again, I think I would rather them on a 20" barrel SKS. I just kind of hate the naked RSB you have to defrock for view.
My crappy 46 year old vision actually seems to like the shorter sight radius, but I have yet to shoot the beast yet. The TERRIBLE trigger is my first goal before firing. I did put a really sweet Krink style brake on it, purchased an extra short gas tube for playing around...but haven't got a stock it won't potentially fall out of without a mag in it. My Sporter is kind of a back burner pseudo project in waiting.
The one thing I would like to 'fix' by messing with it at all is better mag loading. The thumbhole stock reminds me of uncomfortable fumblings in the back seats of cars as a teenage horndog. I want to say I am quicker with duckbills.
Did yours have a decent trigger already? Mine has a week long creep that only breaks a flea's fart of a millimeter from the trigger guard. That is the main reason for not being rambunctious about firing it, it has been over a year.
I like the idea of being able to play with muzzle brakes with these.