Lastest custom on route to me - how do you prepare for possible disappointment?

Sounds maybe like a case of unreal expectations. Like hitting a bottle cap at 1000yds shooting over your shoulder with a mirror in a 40kph wind.(I won't add riding a bike at the same time, but I could)
 
Dogleg said:
On a good day, building custom rifles is like taking a large pile of 100 dollar bills, splitting it in half and setting one half on fire. You could mentally prepare yourself for disappointment by randomly setting both piles on fire with a keg of powder, but that doesn't quite equate since it's only money you're losing. Close but no cigar, you need something that costs lots of money, takes lots of time, and you had to wait years for, and probably won't get a do over.

International big game hunting is the perfect solution. The price typically is the same as adding a zero to a custom rifle. Success is lower , crooks are common, waiting can run into multiple decades, and if you complain about anything including outright fraud you're a whiney little #####.

You're welcome. ;)
Click to expand...
Ha Ha Ha, I was thinking about going the custom route but you just put me off. Thanks dogleg, I think I'll just stick with my kimbers.
 
Mauser98 said:
So. Specifically, what's your beef with how the rifle turned ou?
Click to expand...

The stock design was not my cup of tea. It was my third attempt at stocking this particular barreled-action, and my last attempt.

If I ever lived close enough to a gunsmith, I might reconsider in the future as I would insist on being "fitted".
 
Briefly. I have had a few custom rifles built. I have always gone with synthetic stocks. One of the reasons is I cannot afford a good stock maker. A good one will be expensive. A fair one will be a disappointment. Even synthetic stocks can be a major screw up. Be careful.

Know what you want it to weigh. Know how you want it to balance. Then select components accordingly. Stay away from Mausers unless you are willing to spend a lot of money on someone who knows what they are doing. Avoid cutesy stuff like colour case hardening, engraving etc. Unless, once again, you are willing to spend big money on people who command big money. They can charge higher for their services for a good reason. Passable decor looks like crap. Avoid strange cartridges or cartridges that will test the dimensional capability of feeding systems. I see people on here claim to be able to have X cartridge in Y receiver with no modification. 99% of the time they are either lying or are just plain ignorant to the whole thing. Look for actions that have plenty of aftermarket compatible components. It makes life easier. Finally pick your smith carefully. A good one is a very rare bird indeed.
 
I deserve the abuse... keep 'em coming... some of this is rather entertaining! lol :)

Yes, I could have put $6000 towards many nice things, including a down payment on a new Triumph Tiger... but you know... dumb is what dumb does.
 
Well..... Kurgan, since you desire the abuse, I will inflict my new mentality on you....... $6k Would have bought a decent hunt and a true experience for you rather than a posession.....
 
Last edited:
the spank said:
At least you received it! Try ordering a trap gun that is standard catalogue listed with a 5 month promised delivery, over 75% down payment and 17 months later it has still not arrived plus it is even more expensive than your custom rifle!!:mad:
Click to expand...

I waited 3 yrs. on a JAE stock (with a large deposit), and still got charged a penalty for cancelling
 
i feel for you Kurgan.
a few years back i got 10 mags cera coated flat black. they came back looking like new, but cost me $25 dollars each....new mags go for $25 dollars!
it felt like when i had my first car and got scammed for $500 to fix my reverse lights, in my $500 car.

not quite the same thing. but still feels the same way..
 
The best way to deal with it would be to rid yourself of it completely by giving it to me. You would also have the added bonus of good karma and feeling good to have given to an aspiring hunter with limited budget and love for fine rifles. :)
 
Stopped with customs a few years ago for this reason. Gunsmith in this country is not the same thing as in Europe but neathr is the price. Loose more than half the money if you sell. And you always sell when you are not happy
Never had one come out the way you want it. Even a synthetic stock that was soposto be green with black. Came to me blue with white and a bolt knob to close to the stock you can't use with gloves on.
Got treated like i just punched the smiths first born when i wanted it fixed. Never was fixed
Now i buy factory as i dont have the cash to get someone like Martini Hagen to make me one. Lol
Feel your pain. And so does my bank account
 
Well.... they say the best way to get "over" one is to get "under" one... oh wait, we're talking about rifles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom