Customized "cheap" guns

[extremefishin00]

It seems to me that there is a stigma attached to spending more money on customizing a gun than what it is worth. So I'm curious, are there any out there that carry or shoot a customized Star, Makarov, Bersa, FEG etc? I'd love to hear of any, as well as see some pics of them.

Chris

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Stephen Camp has a Makarov he's put a heavier Bulgarian slide and Novak sights on. He seems exceedingly pleased with it, and in his hands it's spectacular.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/makarov.htm

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[extremefishin00]

Rabbit,

Actually Mr. Camp's page was the inspiration for this post. I noticed he's also had a couple of Star pistols customized, which I rarely hear of. I just know there have to be some other people out there that have done the same.

Chris

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If you have no real interest in selling the guns that are being customized, the "perceived value" of the guns, in terms of resale value, is relatively meaningless.

I suspect THAT was the reason that Stephen would spend money customizing an older Star or a Mak: taking basically good gun and making it better, with no thought to later selling the gun and recouping the amount spent.

(But, remember, you run the same sort of risk ANY TIME you get a "name" gunsmith to tune or do action work to a gun that he didn't build from scratch for you... Yet, many think its STILL WORTH THE EXPENSE.)

 

[Wade]

I've had one of my Bulgarians "customized" as follows:

Novak Low-mount sights
"Commander" hammer
Mac's Tuff Gun finish
African Blackwood grips

Obviously, I've spent more customizing than I paid for the gun, and it was worth every penny. I know I would never get my money back out of it if I were to sell it, but this baby ain't for sale

 

[bfox]

Come on Wade show us a pic

 

[extremefishin00]

Yes Wade, it is torture to describe such an object and not satiate our lust for eye candy...

Chris

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Mr. Sherrill was exactly correct in his estimation of why I had a Makarov customized along with a Star Model 28 and a Star Model B. I have no intention of selling these pistols and being able to get back the money spent on them.

All of these were good shooters and I intended to shoot them more, but both of the Star pistols hit WAAAAAAAAAY too high and the sights on the Makarov were just too small for me to use effectively.

Some of the other touches on the Star pistols were for other reasons, but essentially to make what I considered pleasing guns more useful and therefore more pleasing.

Others feel differently and see such modifications as the height of insanity or at least a bit daft. Each has their own priorities and will meet them as they see fit, as will we all.

Best (and above all have fun).

 

[Wade]

Ask and yea shall receive

 

[Bill Z]

Im did a job on an Auto-ord once, it had more sentimental value than anything. Far as ai know it's still running 100%, but I don't think it's worth anymore as a resale than it was beforehand.

 

[Bill Z]

But it sure beat this I think.

 

[Longbow]

I did an AMT Hardballer before ( I paid $100 for the gun ). I installed a $25 caspian extractor, a used $35 colt elliason sight and a new barrel bushing given by a friend. It shot like my Kimber after that. I managed to put close to 5K of trouble free rounds through it before I traded it for a Kimber. I still managed to get $200 off the trade.

 

[Onmilo]

I had a customer want me to put Bo-Mar sights on a Bryco full size nine.
While I don't mind repairing these pistols, this is one request to which I said "No."

 

[STORMIN29]

customizing

Go to the web site of WWW.APWCOGAN.COM
Look in the Kel-Tec section and see how you can easily add on an extra $500 with action work, hard chrome, night sights, and porting. Good looking guns, but a very expensive Kel-Tec.

 

[extremefishin00]

Wade, that is a fine looking Mak.

Bill Z, looks like you did a great job on that one. It looks like that gun had seen better decades..

Onmilo, Bo-Mar sights on a Bryco? I guess there comes a point where the insanity is just a little too crazy.


Chris

 

[BHPshooter]

In about 4 months, when I can carry, I'll be carrying a FEG HP clone that I've done a bit to.

It started out as an FP9, with the ventilated rib.

Now it's exactly the same as my Browning. Let's see if I have a current pic...

Okay, I don't have any of the right pics on this machine. I'll see if I can add them later.

Wes