I pondered that idea too BAR as I became the proud owner of a couple somehow. Would make a nice shoulder fired 50 BUT...... In the UK semi autos are a big NO, NO! I had thought of de-gassing it, removing the gas block and pressing a stainless steel bush over the gas block part and making it hand cocking. Then how do you fit a shoulder stock was the next problem........ The next problem was the non availability of the short round. Reloading was simplicity itself but the reloading of cut down standard cases was impossible because the brass wall thickness at the point of cutting down was too thick to form............
But it's the thought that counts..............
Hey, Tom, we're talking about the little M8C .50 short spotting rifle fitted to our 120mm tank and anti-tank stuff........