How Much Do You Spend to Modify a Handgun

[ChattanoogaPhil]

This one came with a flared magwell I didn't like so that was removed. Installed a Wilson Combat flat-wire spring kit for $50 and that was about it. Oh... also tossed the Kimber mags for Wilson Combat mags $30ea.

 

[Old TexMex]

Bobbed hammer and a Tyler on a mdl 37 count? Ivories on a Colt Officer’s ACP. I can’t think of a thing I would do to my CZ....
My deer rifles are all “home made”.

 

[TomkinsSP]

I will usually "invest" to put a gun back to original configuration, but otherwise they shoot better than I can and the cost of any modifications can go toward another gun instead .

I too like to have all original(ish). There is a market for vintage 'aftermarket'. So even if you keep them after replacimg them on the gun they can be recorded as 'investments'.

On those few guns where I prefer something other than original (or where the stocks are fragile, or have been refurbished), the originals are kept with the gun and clearly labeled so they can be reuinted one day. The phosphorecent paint can be eaisly removed with a bit of thinner.

 

[TomkinsSP]

I once re-barreled a model 29-2 to 22 hornet!

How did that work, I have seen a 53 or two for sale. Neat, but I bought 15 acres for the same money instead.

 

[JH1951]

I don't do many mods. On a carry J-frame, I may add Pachs or Uncle Mikes for a good grip if it didn't come with them in the first place. My other K /N frame items came pretty much as from factory and that's generally how I keep them.
Now, on 1911's, I am a sucker for maybe adding new stocks to my carry pieces - Depending on the piece and purpose, maybe some burl or ivory. But the ivory path is a tough way to travel these days, so the newer additions may see stag or bone if wood doesn't do the trick.

 

[Road Rat]

Depends...

As new $400

After a couple add-ons $1,200

Now, let me tell you; I could run a lot of ammo through a gun like that just for the smile I would get!!!

 

[URIT]

Mostly springs and plastic guide rod replacements. I had a couple of my Gen3 S&W semi-autos tuned to "BlueBelly" specifications which cost me $160.

 

[loknload]

I just spent $45. dollars on a set of Hogue Coco Bolo wood grips for my Beretta Cougar. They really make it look great!
I can’t believe I left it go this long with the plastic grips from the factory!

 

[bobbyd]

Model 25-2...
...shortened barrel to 4-1/2"
...recessed target crown
...King mirrored front sight
...Bowen Rough Country rear sight
...narrowed and smoothed trigger
...engine turned hammer
...relieved right side of trigger guard
...new springs/action tuned
...original Fishpaw Bearhug grips

I never added up the cost and fully realize that I would ever get all of money back out of it but that was never my intent.
This is EXACTLY the gun that I wanted with full custom features important to ME. To my eye, this is a fully shootable work of art!
I appreciate and own NIB, unfired, collectible vintage S&W's.
I also have utilitarian working/shooting guns that I would spend very little on. I do, however, have an affinity for quality custom work, both modern and traditional and fully enjoy the entire spectrum.

 

[CajunBass]

I like my guns to look just the way they came to me. I very seldom even change the grips. I will buy a BK adapter from time to time but that's about it.

Unless you count a couple cents worth of Flitz and Ren Wax as modifying.

 

[glenwolde]

Sometimes nothing, sometimes twice the price of the gun. You seldom see a return from custom work. I'm particular about sights, and triggers / trigger pulls, and to some extent aesthetics.

The type of S&W revolvers that I like are getting scarce in excellent condition. When they are they have a price to match. Sometimes you're better off buying a beater and fixing it if you know where to get that done right.

 

[H Richard]

Well, there are a few I have done a little more to, but depends on the purpose of the firearm. This 1911 was used in competition and has had extensive work done, most of it by myself, but: Frame slide fit tightened, all internal parts hand fitted, beavertail grip safety, mainspring housing re-designed and stippled, front strap stippled top of slide stippled, Bomar sights fit, patridge Front sight, mag well, frame metaloy finished. grips changed out (a couple times).


Or; custom grips made up for my IZH 35M bullseye gun. Made up to fit my hand, and Burris FastFire 3 installed.

 

[nachogrande]

NUTTIN HONEY.

Seriously it depends if it needs fixing & if the "improvement" will show on my targets with MY skill set, so not much. I spend more on rifles. Buck Rogers called, guess what he wants back?

 

[BE Mike]

I modify 90% of my handguns with things like grips, T-grips, optics, etc. Many have had modest trigger work. Of course competition guns have been totally reworked (accurized) and mucho dinero spent. My model 60, 2" has the hammer spur bobbed, but the 60-10 (3". 357) only has a set of Crimson Trace grips as a mod. I had a model 28-2 I carried on duty for several years and had it hard chromed. I don't regret the plating, but do regret trading it off decades ago.

 

[kraynky]

Some mighty nice modifications to some of those guns. I'll typicaly make sure the grips fit nicely and look good, maybe a spring kit and then a nice holster. That's about it for me.

 

[gemihur]

aftermarket work on guns?

muzzle brakes/extension to use contender super 14 barrel as carbine cost of $150 for work

 

[shocker]

Hopefully zero. I bought an aftermarket barrel and custom recoil spring kit for a Glock 10 mm. Cut rifling to better handle cast bullets, and a stouter spring so the cases didn't eject into the next county with maximum loads.

 

[rich5674]

Not much

The most I ever spent to modify a handgun was just recently I added a titanium cylinder to my 360J. Before that $100 for Ahrends grips to bring my 686 Stocking Dealers Special back to original equipment

 

[Erocksmash]

Everything I tend to grab gets a full detail and or night sights if available... if the opportunity comes about I would like to have a general night shoot idea of where the bullet goes....

 

[hcaroselli]

Not as much as I would if I could find a good gunsmith in my area.