Why dont firearm companies...

[icebones]

...just sell barreled actions?

I mean, 9/10 people who shoot have bought a plain jane Ruger 10/22 only to put an aftermarket stock, barrel and even trigger units on them. I know myself personally have two factory wooden stocks and barrels from 10/22 sitting in my closet. Shure, I could sell them online, (an some I have) but who wants a factory barrel for a 10/22? Wouldnt it have made more sense money wise if Ruger just sold 10/22 recievers for about $100 a pop? I know I have wished more times than I care to remember that Remington just sold barreled actions for the model 700's. I know I would snatch up a bull barreled model 700 action in a New York minute simply because every Model 700 I own has an aftermarket trigger or stock on it, only to have that cheap factory synthetic stock take up space in a closet somewhere.

Or do they sell them???

 

[Bubbles]

We'd love to get just a receiver from some companies, never mind a barrelled action...

 

[TechBrute]

Ice, if Remington sold barrelled actions, people would complain that they have to remove the factory barrel to put what they want on. They already sell bare actions, and to me that's even better.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=32498/Product/REMINGTON_700_SHORT___LONG_ACTION_RECEIVERS

I do agree that they need to sell 10/22 actions..

 

[Lee Roder]

Because ... it's more profitable not to?

 

[Sunray]

Remington does not(Brownell's made a deal). Savage does.
"...for about $100 a pop..." It'd cost more than that. Ruger insists critical parts be factory fitted anyway.

 

[merlinfire]

Howa does.

 

[Onward Allusion]

icebones
Why dont firearm companies...
...just sell barreled actions?

I was thinking exactly the same thing the other last night - specifically the 10/22. The 10/22 is probably one of the handful of rifles/pistols that have so many aftermarket barrels & stocks. It's also a breeze to swap accessories with the 10/22. I think the gun companies make more money selling the whole firearm rather than just the receiver or action+barrel.

 

[merlinfire]

I'm sure they make more money, and on top of that, there's a much larger market for "complete" guns.

 

[Big_E]

The price on those bare receivers almosts costs as much or more than a factory gun alone.

It seems like it would make more sense to buy a complete rifle, take the factory stuff off, sell that for a little $$$ and put it towards the build.

 

[mgmorden]

I think Remington might actually sell 700 receivers separately. I know I've seen few for sale from places like Brownells and such.

All in all though, if they do it, it's not going to be heavily advertised. I think it probably goes back to customer service calls. If Ruger sells a receiver it's not a working gun. How many calls are they going to have to field for people trying to put the guns together who really haven't the skill to attempt it?

Not your average enthusiast mind you - most people on a forum like this are interested enough to learn. I'm talking your average person on the street. The type of person who blows up a gun getting into reloading because they just figured you just fill the brass with powder and place a bullet on top of it (this actually happened at a range I go to ). It's easier for them to sell a working product and let others customize it.

That said, for 10/22's specifically, if you want, Volquartsen makes 10/22 receivers available for separate purchase. They're steel instead of Ruger's aluminum ones, and appear to be of higher quality. Kinda funny that the aftermarket parts market for the 10/22 is literally good enough that you can build a 10/22 from scratch with no Ruger parts whatsoever .

I will say though, that my 10/22 happens to be a bone-stock model that I don't really plan on modifying any. There are a few of us out there .

 

[Mightee1]

Then they would be the Les Baers, Kimber Customs, and Ed Browns of the Plinker market. Would you pay $800 for what essentially boils down to a dressed up 10/22?

Besides, the AR platform allows you to customize / upgrade nearly every component on the gun.

 

[dagger dog]

Check out the Brownells Catalog, CZ A's ,Ruger BA's,Dakota A's. Clarks .22 rimfire BA's, plus about a gadzillion AR uppers.