[mr00jimbo]

I don't know why but any time I see a heavily modified 1911 like a Colt or a Springfield, the work generally looks awful and sometimes mods to things like the feed ramp make me cringe.

It seems to be the case that guns are set up to run right from the factory, most of the time.

I have had a local 'smith modify my SP01 with some parts, including a competition hammer, extended firing pin spring, etc.
The trigger pull is great on it now.
But if whatever reason I wanted it to be stock, I have all the parts and could easily swap it back.


But sometimes people modify guns permanently, including screwing with 1911 frame/slide fit and feed ramp and dremel work on stuff that ruins the gun. Also, swapping out stock parts and selling them off/losing them and having a gun made from random manufacturers. I seem to see this a lot in 1911 stuff.

I can see legitimate custom shop work increasing the value of a gun, but amateur kitchen table smith jobs to me makes the gun seem less valueable, even if people swear up and down otherwise.

Your thoughts?

[glock2740]

I hope it doesn't hurt the value, because I have customized most of mine. But then again, I don't plan on selling them either.

[CajunBass]

The only way it adds IMHO, is IF the modification happens to be something I want, and would do for myself sooner or later. Even then, really it wouldn't add, it just wouldn't detract.

[Cole125]

It depends on the type of modification and who does it. If its done by a professional gun smith, and you can prove it, yes it increases value.

A bubba gun smith job reduces value.

[bac1023]

If you have a well known smith do the custom work, it can increase value.

Otherwise, it generally hurts value.

[cysoto]

It most often decreases its value.

[deputy tom]

I lost my shirt selling a custom 1911 done by a well known IPSC Master shooter and renown gunsmith. The finished product didn't shoot any better than a Norinco I had at the time.I only shoot stock guns now.YMMV. tom.

[jakebrake]

it all too often reduced the value, and the owner isn't aware of that fact. when they try to sell it, it becomes one helluva rude awakening.

some modifications (if done right) can increase a value. but i wouldn't engrave my 1911 hoping to increase the value.

[45caldan]

Originally Posted by bac1023

If you have a well known smith do the custom work, it can increase value.

Otherwise, it generally hurts value.

This.......

[countrygun]

Originally Posted by jakebrake

it all too often reduced the value, and the owner isn't aware of that fact. when they try to sell it, it becomes one helluva rude awakening.

some modifications (if done right) can increase a value. but i wouldn't engrave my 1911 hoping to increase the value.

For instance, one of the "I shouldn't have let it get way" guns in my life was a highly customized S&W 58. It was perfectly done by a major well known company "Magna-port" but in it's caliber with a 3" barrel it was handloader's gun. Factory ammo t the time was all full throttle hunting ammo.

I saw it sell 3 times at well less than a stock 58 would have brought. Now that I handload I would pay more for it than I did my stock 58. But it would still be a "niche" gun, within a "niche"

[ProCarryNAustin]

Originally Posted by bac1023

if you have a well known smith do the custom work, it can increase value.

Otherwise, it generally hurts value.

-----
+1

[barth]

I think of customizing a gun much like customizing a car.
Generally it doesn't increase the value.
And sometimes can actually decrease the value.
Particularly if the gun cannot be returned to a stock condition.

[raven11]

I remeber seeing a CZ-75B customized by CZ custom , trigger, hammer, sights and 4-5 magazines , he priced it at $850 and it went for months without selling I think he got tired of trying to sell it

So unfortunitaly I do think custom guns for whatever reason bring less money

[RonS]

If the average gun owner recognizes the name on the gun from having seen it on the cover of American Handgunner, maybe. Otherwise it is like a custom van, the value is reduced in most cases.

[ilgunguygt]

Originally Posted by glock2740

I hope it doesn't hurt the value, because I have customized most of mine. But then again, I don't plan on selling them either.

Its all in WHO customizes it. In the case of most of yours, yes!

[Bruce M]

My guess also is that the less well known the customizer, the more likely the value will deteriorate.

[ak103k]

I think it depends on whats being done, and whos doing it.

Back in the late 60's, early 70's, if you wanted the latest and greatest in 1911's, and some others, you had to make some changes. Those guns tended to bring more, especially if done by the right people.

These days, most of that type stuff comes in just about any flavor you want from the factory.

Personally, I still prefer some of those early 70's guns over the new factory stuff. Never really had any of the function issues the new stuff always seems to have.

[RJ's Guns]

Originally Posted by bac1023

If you have a well known smith do the custom work, it can increase value.

Otherwise, it generally hurts value.

I agree with Brian.

Not only does it make the firearm less valuable, I will not even purchase a customized firearm unless the work was done by a well known gunsmith.

However I would like to purchase a Sig or H&K, for a good price, that has been customized (particularly with their comp trigger job) by Gray's Guns

http://grayguns.com/


RJ

[crazymoose]

Originally Posted by bac1023

If you have a well known smith do the custom work, it can increase value.

Otherwise, it generally hurts value.

This. If you have something worked over by Yost, Christiansen, Vickers, etc., it adds immensely to the gun's value, for both the name recognition, and the fact that most of the great 'smiths have long backlogs.People are willing to pay a lot more up front to have a gun worked on by one of the legends now rather than later.

[Bill Lumberg]

In general, it hurts. Whether due to lower intrinsic value or because of decreased interest is mere semantics.

Originally Posted by mr00jimbo

I don't know why but any time I see a heavily modified 1911 like a Colt or a Springfield, the work generally looks awful and sometimes mods to things like the feed ramp make me cringe.

It seems to be the case that guns are set up to run right from the factory, most of the time.

I have had a local 'smith modify my SP01 with some parts, including a competition hammer, extended firing pin spring, etc.
The trigger pull is great on it now.
But if whatever reason I wanted it to be stock, I have all the parts and could easily swap it back.


But sometimes people modify guns permanently, including screwing with 1911 frame/slide fit and feed ramp and dremel work on stuff that ruins the gun. Also, swapping out stock parts and selling them off/losing them and having a gun made from random manufacturers. I seem to see this a lot in 1911 stuff.

I can see legitimate custom shop work increasing the value of a gun, but amateur kitchen table smith jobs to me makes the gun seem less valueable, even if people swear up and down otherwise.

Your thoughts?

[12131]

Does modifying pistols increase or decrease their value?

There are purists who will poo poo at modifications to firearms, but personally, I judge each potential purchase on a case-by-case basis.

[M&P15T]

I would think that if one gets a firearm modified to fit their personal desires, one should no longer care about re-sale value. It's tailored for you, it's really, really yours.

[Jason D]

It's not the modification so much as who did it, the quality of the parts, and the quality of the work that really matter.

A home built 1911 no matter how nice it looks will never be worth what a 1911 built by Brown or Wilson would be worth unless you crafted it out of gold.

When I go shopping for a gun. I always avoid something that has been butchered, though I would take a modified gun if.... A. The mods could be undone without damage to the gun. B. If I could get it cheap.

Rarely does gun-smithing add value to a gun.
In the rare case it does. They are always guns that have been worked over by a well known gunsmith, and there is proof to back that up.

[Patriot328]

I think it usually lowers the value. I say usually because there are some things such as custom work done by well known smiths that will definitely add value to a pistol. When I am looking for a glock or m&p or such for sale and see a stipple job, however, I pass right by it. Not interested in buying work that can't be undone and not sure I will like. I have a Bushmaster AR upper that started as a heavy barrel but was turned down by ADCO to a lightweight profile. I doubt it added value.

I have a SA M-7 AR from Arsenal. It's a ban gun. I added a rail and a two stage trigger that rivals some of the best AR triggers on the market. Because it's not original, I doubt those items added any value to the rifle. If I wait around long enough maybe someone would want it, but as it is now it's has value only to me because it's set up the way I want.

[vikingsoftpaw]

Technically you shouldn't view the gun as more valuable than its original price. The difficulty with customization is when the pistol is sold, you need to find a buyer with the same preferences as you.

Eating the cost of custom features is something we all have done at one time.