Building a Semi-Auto vs Buying

[schmeky]

I'm wanting to build a from the ground up 1911 using Caspian or Fusion, Kart, Ed Brown, etc. components. I will easily spend $1,200.00 to completion and I will do all my own work.

Here's the question and I think I know the answer:

Using a Colt 1911 as comparison, which one would have the better resale value down the road?

 

[jigglyjames29]

How skillful are you?

 

[schmeky]

^^Fair question ^^

 

[Canuck-IL]

Using a Colt 1911 as comparison, which one would have the better resale value down the road?

The Colt ... unless of course "Schmeky" someday becomes as well known as Giles, Swenson, Yost, Harrison, Roger's, et al.
/Bryan

 

[schmeky]

Somehow I just can't envision a custom "Schmeky 1911" being mixed in with those guys.

 

[mljdeckard]

Go win a few big titles with it, then see what it's worth.

I'm scratching my head with this as well. And not just 1911s. I am building a couple of ARs, and everyone keeps telling me; "Frankenguns have no resale value!!", and I worried about it until someone asked me; "Do you plan on selling it or using it? If you don't plan on selling it, who cares?", which makes sense to me.

I'm currently considering two projects, a Fusion 10mm long-slide, and a ground-up frame for my .22 conversion kit. The advantage of the Fusion kits is that all of the difficult fitting is done before they ship it to you. For the .22 it will be a good exercise, the main thing I will need to experiment with is how to pick a mainspring light enough to let it cycle more kinds of ammo, but still stout enough to make sure I don't get light firing pin strikes.

 

[Magnumite]

If you use quality brand parts and do good work, you'll have some sale value, probably as much or more than the standard model 1911 Colt. But as noted, your name isn't a big name so it won't bring premium $$$ at time of sale, should you decide to do so. You build it because you like to and you want to keep it.

Example, I have a Caspian framed pistol I built. All good parts. This pistol was built for my hand. I have a Les Baer PII also. My Caspian shoots under 3" at 50 yards with ball and SWC ammo. It has a splendid trigger and is highly reliable. It is nicely fitted. I prefer it over the Baer because it fits me, points well and I know it. It was worth the money and effort. The carbon steel parts are home finished with OxphoBlue.

But I must build another...my son likes the Caspian, too, and it has become "his" gun. Or I might be able to talk him into letting me build one for his hands.

 

[Snowshoe]

If I may.....

Why put all the work and parts into a gun
You have already decided to sell?

Build it like you want it,
Shoot it as you wish.

Sell it if and only if you absolutely must

I spent the money to have a gunsmith build my
commander. I have about $1300 in the piece and
have no thoughts of selling it EVER.

Just curious, That's all.

 

[Magnumite]

One likes to know they can recover a part of an investment is all. I don't ever plan on selling the Caspian, but knowing there will some credible return is important.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You should undertake such a project with the pride of having built it yourself in mind, not its resale value.

 

[schmeky]

Magnumite,

Precisely. I have no intention of building a pistol, then turn around and sell it. However, if I spend $XX.xx dollars, I would like to think it was a "good" decision (not necessarily an investment).

 

[SmokyBaer]

I've built three from the ground up and each one has a different personality and feel. All had quality innards such as Ed Brown, Cylinder and Slide, Smith & Alexander with a little Wilson and Novak mixed in. Even with those quality parts tuned together for a fine shooter, folks still ask, "what IS that?" "It's a FrankenColt" or my "HomeBuilt #2" is usually the response. You can see the eeeouuu lip curl like they just stepped in a pile BUT when we go collect the targets it's "WOW!"

Don't build it to sell. Build it to keep.

 

[Zerodefect]

Build it. I like the look of the Fusion kits.
Shoot it at IDPA or IPSCA.

If you can shoot decent and the 1911 came out good people are going to ask. If it comes out really good, chances are someone else may be interested in it if you choose to sell it.

Every gun I've ever sold was at a shootout, range meet, run&gun, etc. There's allways someone talking guns thats looking for something special that you may have. Alot of folks won't buy a used gun unless they see you using it well, and they can try it to.

 

[schmeky]

jigglyjames,

This is one of my prior projects, a full size 9mm 1911 that started with a RIA frame, everything else is pretty much hand fitted, match barrel, custom slide, matte finish, etc.



This one is a custom CZ-97. It was difficult to photo due to the high polish blue. This one has a shortened frame dust cover, slide bored and slotted for a match 1911 barrel bushing, ,specially machined rear sight with no visible dovetail, fully cut slide serrations, etc., etc.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

That does look like impressive work.

 

[JoeSlomo]

A "high dollar" custom build has a smaller base of potential buyers than would a "standard" build imo.

There aren't as many folks who are as appreciative of fine parts, and the price it takes to acquire them, and those that would, would be less inclined to purchase that type of gun from an unknown smith.

Could you sell it? Sure. However, it may be quite a challenge to get your initial investment back.

 

[Magnumite]

Schmeky, here are some not too good pics of my Caspian, one of my builds anyway.

 

[ilikepancakes]

Sounds awesome. Having a gun you can say you basically built... a truly custom 1911, not just a "custom" model.

Were it me, I would go into it knowing full well it's a money sink, just like all hobbies usually are , and enjoy every minute of it.

But to answer the question to which you already know the answer a factory model will have better resale.

Your 9mm 1911 above looks really good btw.