guyfromohio
Member
I like a wood grip on my Sigs, Czs, and Berettas. Other than that, I feel no urge.
Do you personalize your guns?
- Thread starter SVTOhio
- Start date
- Status
GBExpat
Member
Except for grips on potential carry guns, I generally leave all firearms as they came from the factory.
Rock185
Member
Unless the gun is something special, I do change things to suit me. I have never believed that there is anything sacrosanct about keeping the average gun in exactly the same configuration as it left the manufacturer. For instance, I don't care to use factory guns with sights that require "Kentucky windage", grips that don't fit me or I don't like the looks of, poor trigger quality, sharp edges, improperly crowned barrels, etc,etc. Yes,yes I've heard the old "buy a different gun". Thing is, the guns I have chosen to spend hard earned money on are good basic guns, and while they might be perfect for another shooter, they are rarely completely right for me due to the reasons cited above....ymmv
I do have some guns that are completely stock. Invariably these are guns that are limited production, out of production, have potential collector value, etc.
I do have some guns that are completely stock. Invariably these are guns that are limited production, out of production, have potential collector value, etc.
Only if you find someone interested in those exact modifications. Once you do something like this you really limit potential buyers. If you get lucky you might actually get a little more than a used 700 in factory condition, but it may take a loooog time to find a buyer. I wouldn't touch a gun with a curly maple stock with a 10' pole. Having a nice match barrel or aftermarket trigger means nothing if the gunsmith didn't know what he was doing. When buying a custom this is always a concern.
This is subjective, so I'm not being judgmental in any way.
For me, I make changes only when I think it's needed for function. I never make changes for aesthetic reasons.
What I especially try avoid is to attempt any kind of amateur gunsmithing, like taking a dremel to polish a feed ramp or to do something to a sear for a DIY trigger job.
For me, I make changes only when I think it's needed for function. I never make changes for aesthetic reasons.
What I especially try avoid is to attempt any kind of amateur gunsmithing, like taking a dremel to polish a feed ramp or to do something to a sear for a DIY trigger job.
1) that setup i described was just an example....it could be any one or combination of those mods described......also, that setup is not terribly "specialized", i dont think youd have any trouble finding a buyer for something like that.
2) if your gunsmith cant rebarrel and retrigger a Remington 700 properly.....hes not a gunsmith.
Holescreek
Member
I mostly build mine from scratch, that way the only bubba that ever touches it is me.
In the 80s, I wanted an "N" frame with a 4"skinny barrel and chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge. Model 22, 1950s and the like were way out of my price range IF they could be found and the Mountain Revolver series was not even a thought in the S&W factory. I took a M28-2 and shipped the barrel of to have it bored and rifled for the .452 bullet I intended to use and fitted a new cylinder to the revolver. I also replaced the frame lug with one appropriate to the ACP cylinder. The only thing I slightly regret doing is rounding the grip frame but that is easily compensated fro with new grips. WOuld I do it again? Sure!
I also had a Winchester M1895 chambered for the 30 US cartridge. The bore was long gone from firing corrosive primers and not cleaning so I shipped that one off and had a 41 caliber barrel installed and the action reworked to handle the 405 WCF.
The list goes on. If I get a firearm and it is not what I want/need but it is usable, I will transform it to make it mine.
For handguns, all my keepers get stag or ivory grips. And fancy gunleather.
Kevin
I also had a Winchester M1895 chambered for the 30 US cartridge. The bore was long gone from firing corrosive primers and not cleaning so I shipped that one off and had a 41 caliber barrel installed and the action reworked to handle the 405 WCF.
The list goes on. If I get a firearm and it is not what I want/need but it is usable, I will transform it to make it mine.
For handguns, all my keepers get stag or ivory grips. And fancy gunleather.
Kevin
Sheepdog1968
Member
Most of them stay stock except for the sights. I have a few that I have customized to suit my taste because I don't plan on selling them. For those customizations it has varied between different triggers and shorter LOPs and shorter but still legal barrels (16.5" lever gun barrels and 12.75" LOP).
Interesting question.
I have 28 guns. Eight are Surplus rifles that I left alone, so take them out.
Leaves me with 20. Eight of those have had custom finishes, trigger jobs or was cut up for a takedown gun. I don't count a mere scope on a rifle as anything custom.
That makes it about 40% for me, or 28% if you include the surplus rifles. All changes done by professionals (not me). Based on what was done, and who did them, I'd say about half went up in value, and half probably went down a notch...if I were to sell them with those upgrades.
Only one of the eight was purchased already modified. It was a nice .357Mag S&W 19 with a chamfered Performance Center trigger job, wide case-hardened target hammer and target trigger. Too nice to pass up for the price.
I have 28 guns. Eight are Surplus rifles that I left alone, so take them out.
Leaves me with 20. Eight of those have had custom finishes, trigger jobs or was cut up for a takedown gun. I don't count a mere scope on a rifle as anything custom.
That makes it about 40% for me, or 28% if you include the surplus rifles. All changes done by professionals (not me). Based on what was done, and who did them, I'd say about half went up in value, and half probably went down a notch...if I were to sell them with those upgrades.
Only one of the eight was purchased already modified. It was a nice .357Mag S&W 19 with a chamfered Performance Center trigger job, wide case-hardened target hammer and target trigger. Too nice to pass up for the price.
ConstitutionCowboy
member
I "personalized" a couple.
One is a Rossi Ranch Hand that I wanted to shorten to be able to carry in Oklahoma. It had to be under 16 inches long. (I sell these now.)
The other filled my need to have a 308 bullpup with wood furniture. It began life as a Springfield M1A SOCOM.(Don't worry, it can be returned to its original stock. Nothing was done to alter the basic rifle.) The top half can be exchanged to a low profile piece of furniture that facilitates installing an Eotech red dot (or other) sight.
Woody
................
One is a Rossi Ranch Hand that I wanted to shorten to be able to carry in Oklahoma. It had to be under 16 inches long. (I sell these now.)
The other filled my need to have a 308 bullpup with wood furniture. It began life as a Springfield M1A SOCOM.(Don't worry, it can be returned to its original stock. Nothing was done to alter the basic rifle.) The top half can be exchanged to a low profile piece of furniture that facilitates installing an Eotech red dot (or other) sight.
Woody
................
Bigdog57
Member
My Colt M1991A1 is about as 'personalized' as I have gotten with a handgun, with custom grips and the Series 80 bit removed. Had a full competition grip on it once, but my MECGAR magazines would not fit into it.
A couple .22 rifles have non-OEM peep sights, and my CETME is camouflaged and has a Weaver rail for the scope.
My Ruger Securitysix has custom wood grips, which were heavily sanded and ugly when I bought it (the store clerk even apologized for them!), but they fit my big hand as if made for me, so I refinished them. It has had a trigger job too, which suits me well.
A couple .22 rifles have non-OEM peep sights, and my CETME is camouflaged and has a Weaver rail for the scope.
My Ruger Securitysix has custom wood grips, which were heavily sanded and ugly when I bought it (the store clerk even apologized for them!), but they fit my big hand as if made for me, so I refinished them. It has had a trigger job too, which suits me well.
ChCx2744
Member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
For aesthetic reasons, I've put wood grips and chrome finishes on pistols. I've also filled in lettering/numbering with color to stand out, mostly magazine round count and safety selector indicators.
Other than that, all other modifications are for changes in functionality, comfort or ease of operation.
Other than that, all other modifications are for changes in functionality, comfort or ease of operation.
I'm all about making my guns my guns. If it is something that strikes my fancy the sky's the limit, though I'm mostly a handgun guy so my long guns stay relatively stock by comparison.
Here's a few of my favorites-
My usual carry gun is this custom Colt 1991A1 .38 Super. It's had 9mm and 9x23 Winchester barrels fitted to it as well.
This Clark Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact is one of my favorites and gets carried on special occasions. The last time was for my son's wedding.
This S&W Model 10-6 was somebody's unfinished PPC Frankengun. I bought it cheap and had a gunsmith I use a lot finish the work and turn it into my wife's house gun.
I really wanted a lightweight 9mm snubby but the factories refuse to make one for me. So I bought a S&W 360J and sent it to Pinnacle Guns to be rechambered to 9x23 and some other work. It's going back next week to have a titanium .38spl cylinder fitted to it.
Here's a few of my favorites-
My usual carry gun is this custom Colt 1991A1 .38 Super. It's had 9mm and 9x23 Winchester barrels fitted to it as well.
This Clark Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact is one of my favorites and gets carried on special occasions. The last time was for my son's wedding.
This S&W Model 10-6 was somebody's unfinished PPC Frankengun. I bought it cheap and had a gunsmith I use a lot finish the work and turn it into my wife's house gun.
I really wanted a lightweight 9mm snubby but the factories refuse to make one for me. So I bought a S&W 360J and sent it to Pinnacle Guns to be rechambered to 9x23 and some other work. It's going back next week to have a titanium .38spl cylinder fitted to it.
1911 guy
Member
Yes and no.
General use guns, like a knock-around .22 bolt rifle, are left stock. Not by some sort of decree or principle, but because there's no specific need to be addressed.
My handguns, however, are altered from stock. Specifically, the grips. Checkered grips wear holes in my shirts, so i swap them out to smooth and use checkered frontstrap and MSH. One in particular is a custom build on a Springfield frame.
None of my ARs are what you'd call "stock", as in G.I. configuration. They are all altered to suit a specific need or purpose.
General use guns, like a knock-around .22 bolt rifle, are left stock. Not by some sort of decree or principle, but because there's no specific need to be addressed.
My handguns, however, are altered from stock. Specifically, the grips. Checkered grips wear holes in my shirts, so i swap them out to smooth and use checkered frontstrap and MSH. One in particular is a custom build on a Springfield frame.
None of my ARs are what you'd call "stock", as in G.I. configuration. They are all altered to suit a specific need or purpose.
This Clark Meltdown Colt 1991A1 Compact is one of my favorites and gets carried on special occasions. The last time was for my son's wedding.
im not usually a fan of "melted" guns....but DAMN that is a nice looking piece!
Hardtarget
Member
The only gun I have that has been changed by me,for me is...my AR 15. I had it a few months before I put in a Jard 3lb single stage trigger. It also has a scope now.
Every other gun is like it came from the factory.
Hold on! Almost forgot. My Savage, mod 24, .22/410 does have a customization. On my way to my cousins house (I was maybe 13) I went through a wooded area, caught the rear sight on a vine, and lost the sight elevation piece. My cousin cut one on his bench grinder...this was in '63.
I don't change much.
Every other gun is like it came from the factory.
Hold on! Almost forgot. My Savage, mod 24, .22/410 does have a customization. On my way to my cousins house (I was maybe 13) I went through a wooded area, caught the rear sight on a vine, and lost the sight elevation piece. My cousin cut one on his bench grinder...this was in '63.
I don't change much.
Jackal
Member
I personalize my guns every time I drop them.
Zach S
Member
Yes and no...
Take my Glock for example, having lost a few of the front plastic slot fillers with previous Glocks, I installed a night sight. I hate the white outline rear, so I spun it around backwards. The finger grooves didnt fit, so I removed them (about 5 minutes after getting it home). The grip wasn't agressive enough, so I stippled it with a soldering iron, and again later with the chisel tip on a woodburning pen. At some point, I cut about 3/16" off the bottom of the grip, makes it easier to remove a stubborn magazine...
I didn't set out to make it mine, it just ended up that way. And while it is "my" Glock, its still just a Glock...
None of my firearms are stock, but with the exception of grinding the billboard off an STI Spartan, I can't think of any mods that were personalization oriented.
Take my Glock for example, having lost a few of the front plastic slot fillers with previous Glocks, I installed a night sight. I hate the white outline rear, so I spun it around backwards. The finger grooves didnt fit, so I removed them (about 5 minutes after getting it home). The grip wasn't agressive enough, so I stippled it with a soldering iron, and again later with the chisel tip on a woodburning pen. At some point, I cut about 3/16" off the bottom of the grip, makes it easier to remove a stubborn magazine...
I didn't set out to make it mine, it just ended up that way. And while it is "my" Glock, its still just a Glock...
None of my firearms are stock, but with the exception of grinding the billboard off an STI Spartan, I can't think of any mods that were personalization oriented.
Last edited:
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I agree, that little Clark meltdown is a peach! It's screaming for ivory.
Inebriated
Member
I change things to make them work for me.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yep. As many varieties of factory made guns that are out there, it doesn't mean they make one that exactly as I want. Some guns need some modifications.
- Status
Similar threads
