Anyone here have a custom gun?

Depends....

For me, I prefer 1 custom gun over 5 boring Rem 700s.

After 10-20 years, you could theoretically have 2-3 realllllly nice guns compared to a safe full of the same stuff everyone else has.

I've got 2 Coopers, 2 HS Precision and a Ed Brown....I wouldn't trade them for 40 Savages or Remingtons or Kimbers.

Additionally, I'm a lefty, so getting the model in the caliber I want usually isn't possible from the big manufacturers....so I order what I want in the caliber I want.

Ed

I have two a mosin nagant 91/30 that I had scoped and a arisaka type 99 that was rebarreled to 308 and will be scoped next mounth. Most people will tell you to save your money that it is not worth it. I did not have the rifles built for them but for me and what I want, I did build the 91/30 from parts and the arisaka had allready ben sported. I love both of my guns and if it is what you want go for it.

I have a custom '03 Springfield in .35 Brown-Whelen, built by CW Fitch of Phoenix, Arizona in the late '60s. It's a great elk rifle, and I really like it. But if Iwere in the market for another rifle, I'd rather have a standard caliber.

I do. Only pistols though.

If you can afford it, there is nothing like a firearm that was hand-made to fit your hand and your needs and based on your choice of materials. Sets it apart from everything else in the world.

Does everyone need one? -No. Is it much better than off-the-self, maybe a little bit, but not if you look at it based on costs only. It is mostly the experience of owning something completely different.

Sometimes you have a custom gun built because you have special requirements that cannot be met by a factory piece. Usually, it's WANT rather than NEED driving the acquisition of a custom gun. I have a few but never spent anywhere near the prices quoted in the original post.

Remington Model 30S from the late 1930s rebuilt in 460 Jeffrey (404 necked up to 458 and blown out). About as custom as they come. In the early 1980s this cost me about $800 including the $230 I paid for the original rifle.





I have a number of Mauser 98s (both commercial and military) that I rebuilt, often largely myself to save money. This is maybe the nicest of the bunch. Did this one up about 3 years ago for a total investment of about $550 or so including $245 I paid for the action in new condition.





Never felt the need to customize handguns too much and only a couple have been modified and not really all that much. Had the sights and ivory stocks put on this Government Model back in 1975. I recall the stocks were $32.50 and I thought that was outrageous.





This one has been customized only in appearance. The wife (bless her heart) had this Model 10 engraved as BD present 4 years ago. I added the ivory stocks to finish it off.





Is having a custom gun built a good investment? Usually not. But it's fun and there is a certain panache about having something that is one of a kind.

Hey, only 13 more days to go on my double secret probation.

>> Anyone have custom guns?

I guess it depends on how you define a custom gun... I have 2 Ruger 10/22s (22lr and 17Mach2) and the ONLY stock parts left are the recievers and (for now) triggers.

I guess I'd call this a semi-custom gun since it is using commercially available parts with some fitting/tweaks done by myself...

Cheers
Chris in VA

Many of mine are, from my 30HRT AR15 to my 30ppc Largo bench gun to a Mauser M1891 sporter in 7.65x53mm

Even my A1 style retro AR is semi custom in that you can't buy one like it.

All Custom

My custom SIG 210, well technically a Danish contract M49 SIG. The late Joe Bonar at Novak's built this in 1999.
Black T finish, modified to 1911 style magazine release,six magazines modified. Novak Lomount sights with gold insert front sight. Beavertail and textured front strap. Sorry I am not the greatest photographer. Joe did beautiful work, God rest him.

Here is my Ti Caspian frame with stainless steel slide. Jess Gypin at OnTarget Custom Gun Works did all three of these.



My Browning Hi-Power.


And finally my Bobtailed S&W 1911sc.

Saxon, Who put the S&W sight on your 1911? I have one that is done a little differently. It was done by Davis in Sacramento Ca. back in the late 80's.
I also have a Smolt, which is an N frame S&W with a Colt python barrel. If I can figure out how to post pics I will do so.

Buying custom guns is much like buying custom knives. Neither is for the masses. I do not own a true custom and likely never will unless I find one at a show and buy it used.

west coast, to post pics, upload to photobucket, and then copy/paste the IMG tags. into the reply box. im interested in the smolt.

Yes I do - 4 Ruger Revolvers that have had facelifts by one 'smith or another. Worth it? Since I wanted a particular configuration or material and those weren't available any other way yes it was worth the $$$.

Sad is that some consider a change of grips as "custom".

A custom gun is a gun tailored especially for your needs and wants. I have a model 98 Oberndorf Mauser that I have long considered evolving into a customized rifle- good walnut with tasteful checkering, milling out the excess metal, switching to a low swing safety, drill and tap, Timney trigger, etc. When I would be done with all I would like though, I would be out at least 1500.

Dang, didnt finish my last post..
I already have a Ruger Mark 77 ultralight in .308 that I glass bedded and free floated, with a Timney trigger, that does all I could want. Very difficult to justify the true custom without having disposable bucks for it.

OK I'll try the pics again.


I'll be darned, it worked. I'll leave it to you folks to figure which is the 1911, and which is the smolt.

No photos, but...

I have an M-1 Garand that was built from the receiver up for .308. The 7.62 NATO rounds fit just fine in the standard .30-06 clips, as well they should, considering the lineage of the .308.

I also have several single-shot rifles and a break-action Rexxo handgun that were originally built as .22 LR but were re-chanbered and re-lined for .17 Mach2. I can't remember when I last shot them, though. Probably the last time I had .17M2 ammo.

Finally, I have a M-1917 S&W revolver in .45 ACP that's been re-barreled with a big ole squarish chunk of steel that has intergal sight rails. It was once used for target shooting. The owner had sold me an M-1 Carbine, then he decided that he wanted it back so he could pass it on to a grandson. The modified M-1917 was part of the deal.

- - - Yoda

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I have 7 custom deer rifles and one custom shotgun, most bought used, only one made to my order. Custom guns are like hot rods... the guy who first builds 'em spends a ton. Buy them used and they are lots cheaper. However, quality, reliability and accuracy? Sure, it's all there...

Then I pick up a used Remington 788 in .243, at a gun show for $295. And the first group I shoot with it - with PMC ammo also bought off a table at the gun show - goes into 5/8".

If you intend to have a custom rifle built, I believe you should select a custom builder who is well known for excellent work. The rifle will retain its value and depending on the builder, very well may increase in value.

In 1978 when I lived in Los Angeles, I had Frank Pachmayr of Pachmayr Gun Works, build me a custom rifle. Frank took me through his stock blanks warehouse and helped me select a very nice piece of English walnut.

I had a cherry 1909 Argentine DWM Oberndorf Mauser action on which the rifle was to be built. Apex .280 Remington barrel, Cannjar trigger, 26 LPI checkering, pistol grip cap with my initials engraved and inlaid with gold (gold wasn't selling for much in 1978 ), Winchester 70 style safety, Remington Express iron sights, Pachmayr Old English recoil pad and L.O.P. 14", some metal checkering, jewelled, polished and extractor adjusted bolt, Pachmayr hidden sling swivels, plus some other minor goodies. Today, I've been offered a good bit more for it than what it cost originally.

I attribute that to the excellent craftsmanship and the fact that it is from one of the premiere custom riflesmiths, Frank Pachmayr.



I've killed one elk, one large Black bear, one antelope, and two mule deer with it. Shoots my handloads 3/4" consistently, whatever the weather.

L.W.

Leanwolf that is an amazing rifle. You are obviously very proud of it as you should be. I too am wanting to build a custom rifle. Is it worth it? That is something only you can decide.

+1 on the second owner reaping the benefits of someone getting bored with their toy. I have acquired several this way at a reasonable cost. My best is a custom jap arisaka reworked into a custom 300 savage carbine. A most accurate tack driver. For pistols My Ruger MK II SS with custom weighted 10" Bull barrel, Millett red dot, rosewood finger groove grips and volquartsen trigger kit.