Thanks to all of you responding to helping me buy my Wife a new gun. She is leaning toward a 7mm thanks to ya'll. I know a brake works wonders but now I'm wondering about value. I think almost all AR's want one but for a bolt and wood stock I'm not sure. Thoughts please.
Does threading a barrel add or decrease value to the gun?
- Thread starter CANNONMAN
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fireman 9731
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If its done properly I would think it would increase its value. If the future buyer doesn't like whatever is threaded on there it is an easy change. If they don't want anything on there at all, a quality thread protector is the obvious solution.
WardenWolf
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Generally speaking, it decreases it. To most people who buy hunting rifles, muzzle brakes are unsightly, as are exposed threads or thread protectors. Even I have to agree it wouldn't look good on your typical hunting rifle. That said, threads can always be cut off as long as the overall length is enough.
You could always go for MagnaPorting. That's less unsightly, although more permanent as it ports your barrel.
You could always go for MagnaPorting. That's less unsightly, although more permanent as it ports your barrel.
Vern Humphrey
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It depends on why the buyer wants the gun. If it's a collector's item (say a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester) any modifications will decrease the value, sometimes dramatically.
If he's just interested in a hunting or target rifle, threading will have little or no impact on price.
If he's just interested in a hunting or target rifle, threading will have little or no impact on price.
I side with Vern on the collectors part. Some guns it will hurt the value.
Now, on most hunting rifles which act as and become tools, I am on the side where it will not hurt value, and possibly make it an incentive to buy over others. Threading costs money, especially if you need to remove the barrel. So, a good amount of work if its a factory rifle. Even more so if the brake is turned down to match the barrel (some can be unsightly). I have brakes and thread protectors on a few rifles. I don't notice much POI (if any) change at hunting sight in ranges (150-200 yds) with the brake on or off.
But it does make sighting in more more pleasant...for me. I try not to use the brakes if others are around. Guides aren't to keen on them much of the time as well. Less recoil, less rise, makes for a faster session or ability to get more accomplished, IMHO.
Now, on most hunting rifles which act as and become tools, I am on the side where it will not hurt value, and possibly make it an incentive to buy over others. Threading costs money, especially if you need to remove the barrel. So, a good amount of work if its a factory rifle. Even more so if the brake is turned down to match the barrel (some can be unsightly). I have brakes and thread protectors on a few rifles. I don't notice much POI (if any) change at hunting sight in ranges (150-200 yds) with the brake on or off.
But it does make sighting in more more pleasant...for me. I try not to use the brakes if others are around. Guides aren't to keen on them much of the time as well. Less recoil, less rise, makes for a faster session or ability to get more accomplished, IMHO.
jim in Anchorage
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What do you suppose the actual percentage of hunters in the US using suppressors is? .0001 %?
Most buyers would consider the threads as unnecessary and ugly.
Orcon
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Meh, thread the sucker. If you ever decide to sell it just put the word tactical in your advert. You can charge 200 to 500 more than normal asking price if it's "tactical". Just ask any mall-ninja.
Judging from what I've seen on hunts and at the past 2 years of shot show, suppressors are becoming much more popular with hunters and I would guess a least 5%-10% of hunters now have them or will be using them this year.
BUT, with MANY more states allowing them and the prices dropping considerably I believe you will see that percentage surpass 20%-25% in the next 5 years.
Ranger Roberts
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I don't think it would hurt the value. I would prefer to have a threaded barrel. Even if I didn't put a suppressor on it, or a brake, pop a thread protector on.
It will decrease value period. Depending on the gun, at least by the amount you pay to have it threaded, maybe much more. If it will make the gun more user friendly to you, don't worry about resale value. The gun is a tool, modify it however it best suits your needs.
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As a general rule, any and all customization done to a rifle is given away in resale or actually decreases the value. That is unless you can find a specific buyer who specifically desires the mods that have been accomplished. Obviously there are exceptions to every rule. For me something like a threaded barrel especially one with a break attached is a deal killer. The only thing I'm going to do with that is cut it off, I HATE breaks. I have no use for a suppressor.
cougar1717
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Most customization decreases a firearm's value. The potential buyer has to evaluate the condition of the rifle and quality of the aftermarket work. It also raises questions in the potential buyer's mind about why the seller is selling. There's a ton of examples on armslist and gunbroker of both poor gunsmithing and mods for which the seller is asking nearly full price for "custom" features, which makes potential buyers cautious of all modifications, even if well done.
Jackal
Member
It depends whether or not the buyer has a silencer...
Ditto - I've had both Savage 93R17-BTVS-RJ (17HMR) and MK II BTVS (22LR) barrels threaded by a local gunsmith.
I will be using a silencer on both of them.
I told him when he made the thread protector, keep it looking exactly like the barrel came from the factory (smooth SS finish on the outside, recessed crown on the end).
I've had more than a few folks look at both rifles, and we we start discussing silencers, they inform me I'll have to get the barrel threaded.
When I tell them the barrels are threaded, they have to eyeball them awfully close to see where the protector meets the barrel.
HB
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I would be shocked if 10% of hunters knew that "silences" were "legal".
I don't think I'd buy a gun that was threaded by an unknown gunsmith even if I did have a suppressor. Probably not a good idea to stick a $500 tube on threads that might have been cut by Jimbob and a die.
HB
$500? Ah...The seventies.
Its not that difficult to check bore to thread concentricity and its pretty evident if its a hack job or if the threads were cut on a lathe to spec .
Like home improvements though you shouldnt expect to get what you paid for out of any gun improvements. That $60K kitchen remodel might up the value of your home by $30K.
Txhillbilly
Member
Considering the number of states that now allow hunting with suppressors,and the mere number of suppressors sold in the last few years,the number of hunters using suppressors are getting higher everyday.
Almost every rifle and pistol I hunt or target shoot with has a threaded barrel for my suppressors.
Txhillbilly
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Then be prepared to be "SHOCKED". Only someone that lives under a rock wouldn't know the hunting laws of the state that they hunt in. And that same type of person probably doesn't belong to any organizations like the NRA,GOA,or their state's firearms/hunting or shooting sports clubs.
Are you one of those types of gun owners?
HB
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No. But many gun owners are.
I have shot competitively at the local, state, and nation level in a variety of disciplines from 10m Air Pistol at the Olympic Training Center in CO Springs to 3 Position rifle at Camp Perry Ohio. I shoot 3D archery tourneys (not very well) and have shot sporting clays at the state level (even worse). I have shot NRA Bullseye, Service Rifle, and limited amounts of .22 Silhouette. I am trying to get into 3 Gun but I don't have the time to travel to matches.
I hunt everything except furbearers regularly. I keep a journal of my days spent afield with notes regarding weather, temperature, animal movement, decoy placement etc...
I reload 5 calibers and shoot twice a week. I have taken Missouri's CCW class. I also work in the outdoor industry.
I DO also shoot at the local public ranges frequently and I HAVE taken the Hunter Ed course required in Missouri. There were adults in my class that had to be read the test as they were illiterate.
Go to walmart the night before rifle opener and ask each hunter in line about suppressors and tell me what you find.
Back on topic, I wouldn't pay a premium for a threaded gun and I would probably pay less if it wasn't threaded by a known source. Similar to that of a scope mount requiring extra holes, vestigial sights, or other "improvements" that I don't need.
100% agreed, It all comes down to what the buyer is looking for. I don't have a suppressor because I don't know if I'll be in Missouri for the next 50 years.
Cannonman, I would get it threaded for a brake and use electronic ear pro in the field. It will make the gun much more pleasant for practice and I doubt she will want to sell it down the road once she puts meat in the freezer.
HB
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HB, this is your own experience. Competitions aren't hunting and Missouri is one state. Funny enough as of last year I hunt with a suppressor in Missouri. Just outside Lancaster. I buy my permit at Bosco's however, not Walmart. There's at least 4 of us in my group that use them. I've also been on hunts in Texas and Arkansas in the past year where I saw quite a few on rifles and used them myself.
I work in the Industry as well, and if you do I'm sure you went to SHOT. and the #1 trend, again, was surpressors. Silencerco even won the best booth award, again. It really was awesome guys, pictures don't do it justice. Yes, more and more hunters know about them and more are using them.
Back to the OP post. A good thread job with Brake and thread protector is a nice feature I look for because I know I can save at least $100+ on the thread job. If I saw a used 700 BDL in 300 Win at 95% condition next to an identical rifle, but one with a threaded barrel and thread protector, absolutely grabbing that one if the price difference is under $75 (depending on if a brake comes with)
Elkins45
Member
This is the correct answer. Prior to 2014 I could have cared less but now I consider it a desirable feature. This assumes it is a common mass production gun and not some sort of collectable or rarity.It depends whether or not the buyer has a silencer...
A prudent person checks bore concentricity on ANY unfamiliar gun before firing it with their valuable can attached.
Thanks everybody! My Wife's .308 just got out for the first time in over 10 years and it beat her up a bit at the range. I like black guns and she leans more to the bolt and wood look. The .308 was a hunting favorite of hers and her Father's. I am amazed at how well brakes perform. Noise is not an issue but I know she questions how threading a barrel would affect it's value. I've been taking a gun smith class for a few years and I'm amazed at how many "friends" I've got wanting a threaded barrel. Up to this point I've just realized they all have brought me black gun barrels. It's not a pricey gun so I don't think I can screw it up too much. The idea of a thread protector that would mask the work is a great idea.
Side note: Some times a new student will want a barrel just at legal length. The mess up the thread job. Now the barrel is short by 1/2"ish. A "masking" brake might be the answer. Anyone know if adding a bit of smooth bore to a barrel gets to be considered as barrel length?
Side note: Some times a new student will want a barrel just at legal length. The mess up the thread job. Now the barrel is short by 1/2"ish. A "masking" brake might be the answer. Anyone know if adding a bit of smooth bore to a barrel gets to be considered as barrel length?
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