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Post by mike454 on Jan 30, 2017 22:35:20 GMT -5
Has my paycheck not been keeping up with inflation or have custom guns been heading up quite a bit in price recently? Oh well, I probably won't stop buying, just have to save a bit longer. Certainly don't begrudge these guys charging what they need to to stay in business.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jan 30, 2017 22:53:46 GMT -5
These top smiths won't be with us until the end of time. It's inevitable that one or two will retire eventually and then guys will wish they had gotten in line...
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Post by fanofthefortyone on Jan 30, 2017 23:17:48 GMT -5
These top smiths won't be with us until the end of time. It's inevitable that one or two will retire eventually and then guys will wish they had gotten in line... Ain't it the truth! ronnie |
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Post by mike454 on Jan 30, 2017 23:19:35 GMT -5
By all means, these smiths aren't getting any younger and the work isn't going to get any less expensive. If you want one no better time than the present to order. In addition, I don't see a whole lot of younger guys lining up to fill the void these guys will one day leave. I bought my first custom, from Horvath, about 25 years ago and have bought a fair number since. It just seemed to me that the pricing that I see from most smiths has taken a sharper turn up in the last several years than I had noticed in the past. Not complaining, just commenting.
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cubrock
.401 Bobcat
TLA fanatic and all around nice guy....
Posts: 2,841
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Post by cubrock on Jan 31, 2017 7:59:02 GMT -5
By all means, these smiths aren't getting any younger and the work isn't going to get any less expensive. If you want one no better time than the present to order. In addition, I don't see a whole lot of younger guys lining up to fill the void these guys will one day leave. I bought my first custom, from Horvath, about 25 years ago and have bought a fair number since. It just seemed to me that the pricing that I see from most smiths has taken a sharper turn up in the last several years than I had noticed in the past. Not complaining, just commenting. Supply and demand, I think, along with an increase in prices in certain of their supplies. In that same time period, we have seen wait periods go from weeks to months to years. With that kind of increased demand, their pricing will only go up. |
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Post by bushog on Jan 31, 2017 8:49:52 GMT -5
I don't have any problems with the builders.
It's the used gun market that makes me a little crazy..
I've always sold my used (or not) guns for a fair price.
Some of the prices that some customs have been bringing on the auction site have been way overboard.
Yes, prices have been creeping up due to the increased cost of labor, parts, inflation...whatever but these costs don't warrant what some folks are willing to pay.
The market has been in some cases bearing the high value though.
The top smiths are backed up far more than they'd like to be so they are building a BUNCH of guns.
Folks are going to sell these guns and I for one am not going to be part of the inflation of the used custom single action market.
Now some, like Stroh guns may warrant bringing a premium as Jim isn't building any more.
Many think they have something "special" when very few really are.
JMO.......
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Post by princeout on Jan 31, 2017 9:16:23 GMT -5
Recently several have mentioned that Alan Harton is focusing on Colt work to the exclusion of Ruger customs. Does this info impact the real or perceived value of existing Harton-built customs? Is it just a temporary move to catch up on his Colt backlog or is it to be considered more permanent?
Tim
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jan 31, 2017 10:13:49 GMT -5
Recently several have mentioned that Alan Harton is focusing on Colt work to the exclusion of Ruger customs. Does this info impact the real or perceived value of existing Harton-built customs? Is it just a temporary move to catch up on his Colt backlog or is it to be considered more permanent? Tim Tim, all one needs is to observe is the scarcity of Harton customs on the block. I've only sold mine to finance more complex or ambitious ideas... |
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RpR
.30 Stingray
Posts: 196
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Post by RpR on Jan 31, 2017 13:30:21 GMT -5
Custom firearms from some have taken the route of college and hospital costs, up a goodly more than to keep up with inflation.
While also being more picky, offering less services so some guns now simply will not be worked on.
At the same time, when I used to buy a goodly number of firearms from the on-line auction houses, I was competing with others for four out of five I bought, now you look at those sites and nineteen out of twenty have zero bids.
As some smiths get older their only retirement fund is that which they create. It is no longer tomorrow is just another day, another dollar. Tomorrow is now a day closer to the day they say that is all their is, there will be no more.
They have to make sure doing that does not leave them on the street.
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Post by dutch41 on Jan 31, 2017 21:43:19 GMT -5
Supply and demand, pure and simple.
I don't have the funds (or the ability to get the most out of a full custom), people buy what they want and what they can afford.
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Post by callmaker on Feb 1, 2017 8:37:19 GMT -5
Supply/demand plays a part, skill plays a large part. Scarcity of those with the particular skill set as well.
I would suspect, and only suspect, part of the price is also there to slow things down a bit. Back orders are no fun, and can be quite daunting, so a price increase can often dissuade those who just want a product due to it being unique and "neat". It is only worth the cost to the true believer. And once you have enough orders to see you through the next 6 to 8 years, it becomes worth a premium for dealing with the hassle. Not everyone is going to wait patiently, and you must spend much time talking on the phone and corresponding. Not to mention, I am sure, those who just have to change their idea during the wait.
I deal with it a bit in my business (hand crafted woodwork), and at times I field so many calls and emails I think about how much shop time I am losing, and how far behind I am. And when folks call after hours, and I feel obligated to take the call, I feel like I lose time with the family. No one wants to talk to the help. They want the ear of the man. And in truth, I totally get that.
So... With a gunsmith, the way I look at it, you pay for the total package all his skill, effort, craftsmanship, time, patience, etc.
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mpd61
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 18
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Post by mpd61 on Feb 1, 2017 9:08:46 GMT -5
Gary Reeder seems to have streamlined some of the process with his specific named package guns.
On a side note I have a bone stock NM BH in .41 Mag that I want to have Turnbull do a CCH job, and somebody do a barrel cut to 5.5" I'm probably still looking at $500-600 just for that right? I'm sure Turnbull can do both tasks!?!
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Post by Alaskan454 on Feb 1, 2017 10:56:34 GMT -5
It's not only the cost of materials, labor, or other inflation related expenses. Many of the top names are also limiting their catalog work to specific firearm platforms. I know a few that I talked with were unable to accommodate certain projects moving forward, which in turn continues to push prices up for those doing more specialized work. Unless we get an influx of younger skilled gunsmiths to take on work it will continue on this way.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Feb 1, 2017 14:10:18 GMT -5
Gary Reeder seems to have streamlined some of the process with his specific named package guns. On a side note I have a bone stock NM BH in .41 Mag that I want to have Turnbull do a CCH job, and somebody do a barrel cut to 5.5" I'm probably still looking at $500-600 just for that right? I'm sure Turnbull can do both tasks!?! You didn't ask me for my advice, so keep in mind I am just trying to help. You have to be careful cutting a factory barrel. It's not very much more to have a new custom barrel installed. So, in order to justify the expense that factory barrel needs to be a proven performer. With the .41 Magnums your chances are way better than most the factory barrel is a good shooter. |
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edk
.375 Atomic
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Post by edk on Feb 1, 2017 14:15:17 GMT -5
Typical machine shops in the US bill at around $60-80/hour. That works out to about $2400-3200 for a 40 hour week (or job). I know this is a bit of an over simplification as we are not even considering materials, the complexities of a particular job, etc. But I think we can see why these customs cost what they do.
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