Do you modify your firearm? why or why not?

[kstud]

Just feeling out a consensus on whether I should add any mods to my firearm deviating it from stock configuration.

Was thinking about adding nights sights, apex kit, etc...to deck out some of my firearms but I'm having second thoughts.

My thoughts are the firearm was engineered to function a certain way with countless hours and financial resources dedicated to R&D. Modifying it internally or externally could lead to a less than ideal product or on the opposite spectrum a more enjoyable product.

For now, I've decided to forgo the apex trigger kit (although I've heard great things about the trigger kit) because modifying the firearm's internal voids the legendary SW warranty. Also don't want to mess with anything internal as it's most important that the firearm goes "bang" when I need it to and I'm not at the stage where I'm comfortable messing with a firearm internally.

I'm also on the fence about night sights as I don't think in a real SD/HD situation, under stress and duress...it'll more than likely be a point and shoot situation.

So, do you add mods to your firearm or prefer stock configuration?

 

[wsr]

I mod most of mine to suit my needs

 

[randyr5]

I've done some "Burwell" trigger work to both my 9c and Shield. Definite improvement, IMO.

 

[BAM-BAM]

To 'fit" me better or see the sights or target better....... sure

handguns......grips, sights...... even round butted a 686,,,,,,,,,

Long guns ..... scopes,red dots, peep sights.......slings....sure

Internal polish ..... on a couple but only by a "very good" gunsmith

Changes to how the gun functions...... not so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Comrad]

I like all my stuff stock. I usually buy what I like and then there's no need to turn it into something I like because it's already there.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

My brother says I "mortify" mine. He's probably right.

 

[loknload]

I might add night sights to a handgun, scope a rifle and change out grips but I've never felt the need to modify any.
Like'em mostly the way they come from the factory!

 

[Ranger17]

with only a few years of experience under my belt; I keep all my handguns stock. Figure best for me to continue learning and practicing on the overall process and not worry about a trigger here, a sight there, etc.
To be honest i do pretty well with my MP's being stock; and frankly with my grandpa eyesight and achy shoulders tweaking the trigger wont make me into a marksman lol.

Not that I'm against any mods, just dont see a value in them at this stage in my 'hobby'. This is all subject to change of course.

 

[MichiganScott]

It depends on what you are using the firearm for and your own personal needs. I keep my self defense firearms box stock with the exception of night sights on a couple of them. My competition guns are modified within what is allowed by the rules if the modifications help my score or time. My hunting rifles are mostly stock because all that is needed is a sling and sighting equipment or maybe some glass bedding.

 

[kstud]

For your information, if you can get the mods you want already install or as a package, SW will extend their lifetime warranty to the mods as well.

I got a MP9 FS with a crimson trace laserguard from factory and SW said they will extend their warranty to the crimson trace as well. Essentially, the crimson trace add-on from factory is covered under SW lifetime warranty where crimson trace only covers 3 years. Going to see how I like the CT laserguard, if all works out well, I'll be selling my Shield and getting a Shield with crimson trace. Had an extensive comparison of the MP9 CT laserguard and that thing is dead on. It attaches via both the rails as well as the trigger guard making it very steady and reliable.

SW service has been the best I've ever encountered PERIOD. Sent in my Shield for them to check the trigger and sight alignment, no questions ask. I have no doubt if the CT Laser ever goes dead or out of alignment, I can always depend SW to take care of it.

The firearm is coming in tomorrow and I'm going to blow through a 50 round Box of Federal HST 147 gr and a couple of federal fmj 147 gr for quality assurance.

My reservation of aftermarket mods comes from my dealing with SW. They won't even look at or warranty an add-on...sights, trigger, springs, etc....If SW were to incorporate the Apex trigger, crimson trace, and night sights into their pistol...I'd be first to order.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I like wood grips.
Peace,
Gordon

 

[crankyoldlady]

I like wood grips as well. But rubber grips like me.

 

[Whitwabit]

Never felt the need on most of my pistols .. I do have one my Tanfoglio TZ-75 Series 88 Pistol .. I bought it from a young lady who shot it competitively in matches and whose husband had gone through and stoned all the internals and it has a competitive trigger in it of just over 2.0 pounds .. Its a range only gun with that trigger and its short reset ..

None of my carry pistols my S&W Compact, my Beretta PX4 Sub Compact or my Sig Legion P229 in 40 S&W have hand any work done on them ..

Only thing I might do in the future is put night sights on my PX4 ..

 

[indigo22]

Yes, I'm a mod fan... I've picked out great guns that suit my needs and made them mine (i.e. better, for me). It has to a point become a hobby that others have asked me if I would help them work on theirs. I have no issues with slicking up a firearm or tweaking it to meet its needs.
Truthfully there were only a few of my guns that never even had the grips changed or trigger work done. One of them was a S&W 2206TGT that I kick myself regularly for selling off. It was one of the best guns that fit my needs and my hand that I have ever owned. Recently I have picked up a 2214 that it amazes me how quickly I have adapted to its manual of arms due to muscle memory despite its diminutive size. Some day... Some how, I keep telling myself I'll replace it with another one. My Holy Grail.

 

[kilyung]

Gun manufacturers design firearms to fit the average shooter. I like to customize mine to make it easier for me to fire. Some are stock while others are heavily modified.

 

[McE]

Modify it only if you know how.
But you'll never know how until you do it.

As for the whole 'them S&W geniuses made things the way they ought to be' perspective, that's hardly the case with any product from any company. Engineers design, accounting cuts corners, engineers redesign, mass manufacturing introduces tolerance issues not seen on the engineer's plans, you get a product that is hardly a precise realization of the engineers' perfect conceptualization.

Every mass produced product is compromised, every product can be improved. Hell, some companies intentionally under-engineer products just to give themselves room to 'improve' in the next model or to differentiate product lines.

 

[Bozz10mm]

I've done some minor things. Put an Apex sear in my Shield to get a better trigger pull. Put a heavier recoil spring in my 1006 to handle the Underwood loads better. Put a PRP trigger kit in my XDm 3.8. Installed a 3.5 connector in the Glock 17.

Installed Talon Grips on the Shield, XDm, and Glock.

 

[BigBill]

Revolvers, trigger and action work.

Pistols, Built my own 1911 from a well used norinco.

All my guns are lubed with moly.

 

[lrrifleman]

Some will say that I am splitting hairs and others will say it is a matter of symantics.

When I hear someone talking about modifying a firearm, I envision someone altering the design or function, such as lengthening the slide on a semi-auto, changing the grip style, or shortening a barrel.

When I hear someone talking about customizing a firearm, I visualize altering stock dimensions to improve fit, changing grips or triggers, or sights. I don't see exchanging parts as being classed as a modification.

Typically, I purchase firearms for a specific mission, and my mission requirements may not necessarily be met by a stock firearm; hence, a degree of customization is usually in order.

In my instances, I customize rather than modify my firearms. I have had 1911s throated to improve function with SWC ammo. I have exchanged grips and stocks to improve the fit of a firearm. I have even glass bedded stocks and grips to improve accuracy. I have exchanged triggers to improve accuracy. I have even had receivers drilled and tapped for target sights. While these improvements enhanced the operation of the arm, they didn't alter the functioning of the arm.

Never have I done anything to an arm that physically altered the functioning, mechanical appearance, or operation of the arm. When my 686+ comes in, I anticipate disabling the IL, since I am not an IL kinda guy. Since I would be disabling a design function, that would be the first modification I have made to a firearm.

 

[coachray]

The only modification I've ever done is just to polish the feed ramp on one of my guns. I did however purchase my Shield and a Beretta with night sights already on them. I really like the night sights.