[MT GUNNY]

I have only slightly modified my firearms, IE; grips, Lasers, Springs, stocks,
I would think that sending one of my firearms off to have hundreds of dollars
of custom work done would be waste of a already fine firearm.

Ive seen posts and heard stories of stock firearms out performing 2000 dollar modified stuff.

My query is simple should i select a firearm and get it customized or just leave well enough alone?

All my firearm are listed below if you think one of them is a canidate for mods post what you would do with it.

The poll is for general concensous

[skud_dusty]

I think if you feel it could be made better, go for it. If you think it's fine just leave it.

[10-Ring]

I have learned to do mods after I've put a few 100 rounds through a gun first...sometimes, guns break in & don't need anything, some OTOH cry out for a little TLC -- really up to you & each particular firearm

[PotatoJudge]

If the mods you want are major, like a 1911 build, you can save a lot of money by buying one already modified. Custom guns go up for sale regularly and usually significantly less than they would cost to have built.

I've seen some pretty cool stuff done to Vaqueros, so if I was going to have one gun worked on that would be it.

[Cosmoline]

As long as it's nothing permanent, you can always change it back later. Mod away! I'd be much more reluctant to do permanent alterations. In fact I generally leave those to the professionals. Action jobs, for example. Think twice, cut once.

[BullfrogKen]

Its up to you. There was a time I said the same thing you did. I would think that sending one of my firearms off to have hundreds of dollars
of custom work done would be waste

And, you're right. I imagine right now you won't appreciate what custom work does to a gun. I didn't. Now I do.

My Commander started out looking like this.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59180&stc=1&d=1181537059

It now looks like this, and had it rebuilt as a 9x23 with a spare 9mm barrel for training:


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59183&stc=1&d=1181537278


I then had a Commander built from the ground up as a custom gun. These are them side by side:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59184&stc=1&d=1181537278


Maybe someday you'll get to the point where you'll appreciate it. Or maybe you won't. Sights are probably the most common upgrade. They don't really make it custom, though. 1911s are the most commonly customized guns. Once you get into safeties, checkering and such, then you're getting into custom work. Sometimes you can buy it the way you want it, sometimes you can't.

Personally, all my guns get gold bead front sights put on them now. I've never seen that as anything other than custom work, except on some high end S&Ws.

[sm]

BullfrogKen,
Well you could of at least taken a picture of that Gold Bead sight you and myself talk about around here. ;)


To mod, or Not to mod?

Yes. No. Maybe. :D

I like a bone stock 1911 in full, Commander, and Lightweight Commander, in 45ACP.

Feel the same about Colt 38 Super.

9x23 brings out the Rebel in me. :)

I still like these pretty much "simple" , especially for CCW.
I don't have a need for a race gun, especially with Optics...but I can have a real good time with the optics off. :)

For a long time I too have believed in a Commander sized 1911 in 9x23 being a real nice CCW piece.

Gotta have the gold bead insert too. ;)

[BullfrogKen]

OK Steve.



http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59185&stc=1&d=1181539195


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59186&stc=1&d=1181539252

[RNB65]

I'm not really into gun mods. A smoother trigger and better sights are the only mods I would want on a gun.

All the guns I own right now are bone stock. A trigger job on my CZ SP01 and a 2-stage trigger on my Bushy AR are the only mods I'm considering.

[Jim March]

Mods that make the gun fit YOU (mainly sights and grips) make the most sense.

Reliability mods are important if they're needed.

But ANY mod needs to be carefully tested post-install.

For example:

There was an interesting tale posted over at Rugerforums recently. Somebody installed a Belt Mountain base pin in a single action Ruger. Normally these are a good idea: they're a tad oversize and hence often tighten the action, and the set-screw feature absolutely prevents them jumping out under big recoil.

But in this particular case, it didn't work out.

This particular gun was technically "in spec" but something was mis-aligned enough that cylinder bores weren't lining up with the barrel quite right - and it was off in the "vertical" direction rather than the more common "rotation". Either the frame or cylinder was off a tad.

With the normally sloppy cylinder fit due to the base pin, the gun was finishing the line-up process at firing. The bullet was basically doing the last alignment step.

With the tighter pin it was spitting lead and accuracy was turd-like. Stock pin back in, it shot reasonably well.

Not a common situation and I'm certainly NOT panning Belt Mountain. I plan on scoring one soon myself. But through "the checkout" I'm quite sure my New Vaquero isn't a "bad monday gun" and I'm still going to do "the checkout" post-install.

Because you never can tell for sure...

[1911 guy]

It would be a waste. If, however, you've got a specific purpose in mind for a specific firearm, it can be very useful. I've got a carry gun due back any day now that had: all internals replaced with Ed Brown Hardcore parts, front strap checkered 20lpi, 20lpi MSH installed, bevel mag well and a little polishing and light engraving for eye candy.

[sm]

BullfrogKen,

Thank you Sir!
Nice photos !


Folks,
Bookmark BullfrogKen's post number 8 with the gold bead insert.

Gold Bead and Gold Bead inserts are not a new idea, still these flat work in daylight, low light, no light situations, and hold up!


:)

[BullfrogKen]

Well, yes Steve. The gold beads are old school technology. Because there's things out there like radioactive gas that glows in the dark they've become in vouge.


But after 10 years they've lost their luminance and need replaced.


Not many folks seem to remember how guys who actually fought, and still fight with guns, solved the front sight in low light problem. Its rare to see them spec'd on a custom gun anymore. I've never seen a "gubmint' spec for one. But I still see them in droves amongst our guys, and at the NTI.


Gold beads only need done once. Gold doesn't tarnish. When it gets dirty from the gasses at the muzzle it doesn't need anything to clean it besides a thumb swipe. And it reflects light extremely well. Any ambient light, even starlight, gets picked up by a gold bead.

[Justin]

I'm a big fan of improving the trigger. Many of my guns have either had after-market trigger groups installed, or had a trigger job done to them.

[jeepmor]

Is that real gold or just a brass or gold plated bead? Thanks for the info on that, gonna have to visit my local gunsmith. I like the luminescent nightsites, but as stated, gold never goes dim now does it.

jeepmor

[ArchAngelCD]

I wouldn't waste money on custom work just to do the work but if you have a reason, like using it in competition, then you should do what is needed to make the gun shoot better. Nothing wrong with better sights custom barrel work and a trigger job for a competition gun. Again, if you are doing the work just to say you did work on your gun, it’s a waste of money IMO.

[BullfrogKen]

jeepmor,

Its not brass. Its not plated. Its gold. These are bought as a gold rod and cut to sectioned lengths and press fit into the front sight.


ArchAngelCD,

There are reasons besides competition that folks have work done to their guns. Neither of those are competition pieces. I don't do any competitive shooting. Those are both carry pieces.

[ArchAngelCD]

ArchAngelCD,

There are reasons besides competition that folks have work done to their guns. Neither of those are competition pieces. I don't do any competitive shooting. Those are both carry pieces.
BullfrogKen,
I agree there are other reasons for doing work on your handguns. If you look at what I said, I said if you have a reason like.... Competition was the reason I used to make my point but not the only reason.

My main point was not to waste money just to say you did work to your gun without a reason.

[BullfrogKen]

Yes, you did leave it open for other reasons when you said "like competition".

Hell, who am I to say what is of value to another, and tell him how he should spend his money. If a fella wants fanciful engraving all over a j-frame, then I wouldn't say its a waste of money. If it brought him satisfaction, then it was probably money well spent. I'm usually pragmatic, but I still recognize beauty and artwork can bring a satisfaction all its own.

[ArchAngelCD]

Ya see, now you made a point I can't argue with... Who am I to tell someone how to spend their money!! LOL
At least I did add a "IMO" to my first post.:p

[BullfrogKen]

:D . . . Happy Happy Joy Joy. It must be getting late here on THR for folks to begin simply agreeing.


jeepmor,

Finding guys who will do a proper gold bead on your handgun isn't easy. Jim Garthwaite (http://www.garthwaite.com/OrderContact.htm) out of Watsontown does all the Team's work. I go to him first before I look anywhere else, even if its something I know he doesn't normally work on, like long guns.