Now I'm not speaking on collector firearms (so don't kill me). I'm speaking on your everyday range and hunting guns. Do you like to personalize them or keep them stock?( boring) ? I'm talking sights , stocks, triggers exc. I find myself going out of the way to make the gun "mine" even if it kills the resale value later on. Does anybody else have this problem? My most recent modification way having the barrel on my beater 243 handi cut to 16.5 inches so it fits into the spare wheel well of my everyday driver. I know I would have a hard time giving the rifle away now, but it's my gun for my uses so I guess it doesn't matter. Thoughts?
Do you personalize your guns?
- Thread starter SVTOhio
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Says it all.
i usually personalize all of my guns to some extent.
my pistols i usually just replace the grips with a nice wood set.
my rifles/ shotguns, i almost always refinish the stocks....factory finishing is usually awful....so i spend a week or so making them look up to par.
my pistols i usually just replace the grips with a nice wood set.
my rifles/ shotguns, i almost always refinish the stocks....factory finishing is usually awful....so i spend a week or so making them look up to par.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
One of Doc's rules;
When you pay my bills you can have a say.
Do what you want my friend it is your hard earned money and life is too short to worry about what others think.
I dont change much on my weapons but when I do it is for me.
For the record I would buy a 16.5 243.
When you pay my bills you can have a say.
Do what you want my friend it is your hard earned money and life is too short to worry about what others think.
I dont change much on my weapons but when I do it is for me.
For the record I would buy a 16.5 243.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I don't own many guns that aren't modified in some way. Not really an intentional thing, i.e. to make it "mine," but to help in some area of performance for a specific need.
I'm 68 years old. Life expectancy is 82. Mods, in my mind, reduce the value of most guns, so I don't feel compelled to make changes to well-engineered firearms. The guns will be here long after I'm a memory.
Same for cars for sale. If I see one that's been jacked up (big tires, lowered, custom paint job, etc.), I consider it to be re-engineered by a non-engineer. I'll pass.
Same for cars for sale. If I see one that's been jacked up (big tires, lowered, custom paint job, etc.), I consider it to be re-engineered by a non-engineer. I'll pass.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
Typically I customize or personalize my guns by changing out the grips. Primarily for ergonomic purposes but sometimes, usually with my revolvers, it's pretty much for aesthetic reasons.
you put far to much faith in engineers to actually "engineer" something......when it comes to guns, car, ect...lawyers and accountants have more sway over the "engineering" than the engineers do.....
and when engineers do get a say...youd be amazed at the amount of times "yeah, thats good enough"gets thrown around.
Scarpia
Member
I once drilled hole in the side of my Corvette to mount an antenna for my ham radio. I own it (yes, the Vette was paid for in cash), I'll do with it as I please. As far as hand guns go, I've only added grips but my collection of Marlin lever actions have had their stocks redone.
As a retired engineer with nine years teaching experience at an engineering college, let me assure you that not everything brought to market is, let's say, well engineered.
No, life is too long to worry about what others think....
Last edited:
justin 561
Member
Where I live the only reasonable distanced outdoor range opens 2 days a month so I go for 2 8hour days. Does the sweat soaked into the stock (South Florida heat) and the blood from my thumb in the magazine count as customizing?
Glad to hear someone say they would also own a 243 with a short barrel. Looks to be common "internet" knowledge that the 243 barrel should not be cut. This was a time that I wanted a single shot centerfire rifle for under 200$ to chop and the one I happened to find was a 243. If it was next week it could have been a 308 or 30-06.
Most of my bolt rifles are in McMillan Edge stocks. My revolvers have aftermarket grips, and some of the rifles have had the trigger worked on. That is about it. I've owned one custom rifle that I bought used, sold it a few years later for the same price I paid.
Most custom features don't add any value to the guns and often detract. But if it helps the individual shoot or like the rifle better then I have no problem with someone doing so.
I find the McMillan stocks fit better and the Edge versions are about 1/2 lb lighter which is my primary reason for swapping. The factory stocks can be kept and the gun put back original if you ever decide to sell and used stocks retain their values very well.
Most custom features don't add any value to the guns and often detract. But if it helps the individual shoot or like the rifle better then I have no problem with someone doing so.
I find the McMillan stocks fit better and the Edge versions are about 1/2 lb lighter which is my primary reason for swapping. The factory stocks can be kept and the gun put back original if you ever decide to sell and used stocks retain their values very well.
bannockburn
Member
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- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,308
khegglie
Sorry about that.
There should be a disclaimer on here that says seeing nice looking guns may lead you to buying more nice looking guns.
Sorry about that.
There should be a disclaimer on here that says seeing nice looking guns may lead you to buying more nice looking guns.
cat_IT_guy
Member
Most of my guns have at least some customization. Only a few are left stock....
Depends on the gun and it's intended use: long range rifles get telescopic sights, flat top ARs get open sights and maybe a low power scope or red dot of some kind, some hand guns get lasers, some handguns get custom grips, some get high end trigger jobs, some remain totally stock. There's no fixed paradigm, it changes with the gun and shooter.
My son has undone some of my modifications and that's fine. He has his own view of what's right and acceptable.
My son has undone some of my modifications and that's fine. He has his own view of what's right and acceptable.
entropy
Member
Functional customization, yes, but not to my milsurps, unless it is non-permanantly altering. The others, sure, I'll touch up a trigger, replace springs to achieve a lighter pull weight, or ensure ignition, etc. I have one in the works where I'm changing the caliber because I have lots of primered brass in .30-06, the rifle is a .308 Rem 740 I got dirt cheap; I don't want to add another caliber, and the gun is a 'fixer-upper' anyways. The rails on it are in great shape, which is rare for the 740/742/7400 series of any age.
One thing I will not do is engrave a 'crimewatch' number in my guns like my Dad did back in the 70's, and apparently many other Minnesotans did too, as I see guns with those numbers on them at shows and in shops all around MN and WI. Or carve my name into a stock like my son did a while back.....
One thing I will not do is engrave a 'crimewatch' number in my guns like my Dad did back in the 70's, and apparently many other Minnesotans did too, as I see guns with those numbers on them at shows and in shops all around MN and WI. Or carve my name into a stock like my son did a while back.....
J-Bar
Member
Deliberate Abuse
I use several pairs of revolvers in cowboy action shooting. I "antiqued" two pair, two Pietta 1851 brass framed percussion revolvers, and a pair of Ruger Old Armies. The Piettas were cheap guns, purchased new on sale for $150 each, but the ROAs became quite valuable when Ruger discontinued production. I debated about removing the blue from the ROAs and making them look beat up, but what the heck. It's fun having revolvers that do not look like every other gun on the table at a match! And I don't worry about dinging them while shooting.
I use several pairs of revolvers in cowboy action shooting. I "antiqued" two pair, two Pietta 1851 brass framed percussion revolvers, and a pair of Ruger Old Armies. The Piettas were cheap guns, purchased new on sale for $150 each, but the ROAs became quite valuable when Ruger discontinued production. I debated about removing the blue from the ROAs and making them look beat up, but what the heck. It's fun having revolvers that do not look like every other gun on the table at a match! And I don't worry about dinging them while shooting.
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HankB
Member
A number of my guns have custom touches, some more than others. I did the mods for ME, without regard for potential resale down the road, as I don't plan on selling any of them. And even if I DO sell them and take a little hit on the price, well, that's the cost of several decades' worth of added enjoyment; that's worth it, in my book.
Oh, and one more thing - NONE have been buggered up by misuse of a Dremel!
Oh, and one more thing - NONE have been buggered up by misuse of a Dremel!
WestKentucky
Member
Small reversible changes, or changes that enhance overall user experience. Polished internals to smooth a trigger, grips, stocks, things of that sort. Very rarely do my guns go to the smith for work. In fact the only gun I have owned which gas been to the smith for any purpose beyond repair is my 11-48 which I had threaded for tubes.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Absolutely! Nothing is sacred to me. I like to make them mine and I like to make them fit my needs, wants and preferences. I've got over 60 handguns and the majority of them have at least custom grips. I've got half a dozen custom revolvers with another on the way and several more in the planning stages. I've had barrels cut, sights changed, action jobs, caliber conversions, engraving, fancy finishes applied, etc.. Fact is, rhetoric about "re-engineering" aside, most factory guns can stand some improvement. If I own a firearm that is bone stock, it's because I haven't got around to it yet. I look forward to doing my first custom rifle next year.
Further, the conventional wisdom about custom work no longer holds true. If it is done by a well known gunsmith, you're not going to lose your money.
Custom grips and a magwell:
Custom grips and a Bob Munden action job:
Most handguns benefit from custom grips:
Custom grips plus full action work, freespin mod, custom sights and fancy finish work:
Full custom including conversion from .357Mag to .44Spl, premium barrel, custom grips and hard chrome:
To engraving:
Further, the conventional wisdom about custom work no longer holds true. If it is done by a well known gunsmith, you're not going to lose your money.
Custom grips and a magwell:
Custom grips and a Bob Munden action job:
Most handguns benefit from custom grips:
Custom grips plus full action work, freespin mod, custom sights and fancy finish work:
Full custom including conversion from .357Mag to .44Spl, premium barrel, custom grips and hard chrome:
To engraving:
also, if the gun is not a collectible, and the mods are well done, you may not necessarily decrease the value of the gun....you may increase the value of the gun....
if you take a run of the mill remington 700.....put a nice match barrel on it, a nice curly maple stock, a good trigger, ect....you can easily fetch more than the stock 700 cost......you wont likely get your money back, but the overall value of the gun has increased.
if you take a run of the mill remington 700.....put a nice match barrel on it, a nice curly maple stock, a good trigger, ect....you can easily fetch more than the stock 700 cost......you wont likely get your money back, but the overall value of the gun has increased.
Dain Bramage
Member
I didn't buy a Bedazzler for nothing.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Personalized guns. I have been known to get bored when confined to the house on bad winter days and nights.
First. A Marlin Model 60, which unusual for me, has not been personalized and won't be.
The next two are examples of what happens when I have a salvagable pawnshop orphan and a long winter afternoon watching Mad Max, Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome back to back. Frankly, one of those last two guns goes with me to the mountain while the pristine Marlin usually stays home. (With scope mounted, both pawnshop orphans shoot ten shot minute-of-squirrel-head groups at 25 yards.)
Second. The Nylon 66 was on a pawnshop rack in 1996 for $50 with a busted stock held together with electrician tape and missing extractor & extractor spring. It was what most locals would call a "parts gun" - buy it for salvaging its parts. I drove to the gunsmith shop on the way home and became the first customer he could remember asking for parts for a Nylon 66 (extractor and spring $13). After a failed glue attempt, I got a good epoxy mend to the stock (fixing Nylon #66 material is tricky); the stock was fixed but ugly. I decided to wrap the stock with cloth camo tape and Tandy DuraFlex and bind it all with camo paint. And I shortened the barrel to 17.25" from the original 19.5".
Third. An abused orphan Model 60 rescued from a used gun rack for $53 in 1992. It had never been cleaned and the action was packed with years of residue from powder and dried WD40 wax. It's last jam must have been spectacular. It's magazine tube and spring were damaged. I could salvage enough tube and spring to make a 17" (12 shot) magazine so I shortened the barrel to match the magazine (what? order a new full length magazine tube assembly? where's the fun in that?) It fits an MTM Compact Arrow Case. I also had a Ramline folding stock for Model 60. With the hinge wearing out, I converted the folder to fixed stock. I kept the wood stock as a PC spare.
Some of my other personalisatons have been less radical. I put Williams peep sights on my CVA in-line muzzleloader .50 rifle, my Marlin .30-30, and my Savage 24 .30-30/12ga combo gun, the only change I needed but I personally like peep sights on a rifle.
But I did go "space gun" on my Explorer II pistol. At first I did it as a joke just because I had the components (AR-7 side mount, rings, pistol scope, sling swivels) lying about unused. Then a couple of range sessions convinced me it could be a good foraging gun for sniping rabbits for stew. (After this photo, I added a .22 laser sight clamped to the left side of the scope tube for fast schusting. The wind and humidity gauges and compass will come later. With the barrel unscewed it fits an Elite Travel Accessories shaving kit bag.)
I also have Mosin 91/30, Mauser C96, CZ52 and .30 Carbine that stay as-issued (or as-arsenal-reconditioned) for military matches as well as for what resale value they might have. I even restocked a bubba'ed Chinese Type 53 "sporter" into a Russian M1944 issue stock just because it seemed like the right thing to do to atone for my past "sporterizing" of what I considered non-collectible but still shootable military surplus rifles.
First. A Marlin Model 60, which unusual for me, has not been personalized and won't be.
The next two are examples of what happens when I have a salvagable pawnshop orphan and a long winter afternoon watching Mad Max, Road Warrior and Beyond Thunderdome back to back. Frankly, one of those last two guns goes with me to the mountain while the pristine Marlin usually stays home. (With scope mounted, both pawnshop orphans shoot ten shot minute-of-squirrel-head groups at 25 yards.)
Second. The Nylon 66 was on a pawnshop rack in 1996 for $50 with a busted stock held together with electrician tape and missing extractor & extractor spring. It was what most locals would call a "parts gun" - buy it for salvaging its parts. I drove to the gunsmith shop on the way home and became the first customer he could remember asking for parts for a Nylon 66 (extractor and spring $13). After a failed glue attempt, I got a good epoxy mend to the stock (fixing Nylon #66 material is tricky); the stock was fixed but ugly. I decided to wrap the stock with cloth camo tape and Tandy DuraFlex and bind it all with camo paint. And I shortened the barrel to 17.25" from the original 19.5".
Third. An abused orphan Model 60 rescued from a used gun rack for $53 in 1992. It had never been cleaned and the action was packed with years of residue from powder and dried WD40 wax. It's last jam must have been spectacular. It's magazine tube and spring were damaged. I could salvage enough tube and spring to make a 17" (12 shot) magazine so I shortened the barrel to match the magazine (what? order a new full length magazine tube assembly? where's the fun in that?) It fits an MTM Compact Arrow Case. I also had a Ramline folding stock for Model 60. With the hinge wearing out, I converted the folder to fixed stock. I kept the wood stock as a PC spare.
Some of my other personalisatons have been less radical. I put Williams peep sights on my CVA in-line muzzleloader .50 rifle, my Marlin .30-30, and my Savage 24 .30-30/12ga combo gun, the only change I needed but I personally like peep sights on a rifle.
But I did go "space gun" on my Explorer II pistol. At first I did it as a joke just because I had the components (AR-7 side mount, rings, pistol scope, sling swivels) lying about unused. Then a couple of range sessions convinced me it could be a good foraging gun for sniping rabbits for stew. (After this photo, I added a .22 laser sight clamped to the left side of the scope tube for fast schusting. The wind and humidity gauges and compass will come later. With the barrel unscewed it fits an Elite Travel Accessories shaving kit bag.)
I also have Mosin 91/30, Mauser C96, CZ52 and .30 Carbine that stay as-issued (or as-arsenal-reconditioned) for military matches as well as for what resale value they might have. I even restocked a bubba'ed Chinese Type 53 "sporter" into a Russian M1944 issue stock just because it seemed like the right thing to do to atone for my past "sporterizing" of what I considered non-collectible but still shootable military surplus rifles.
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