Why Does It Cost So Much To Restore a Firearm

Join us as we talk about the process of a proper restoration for a vintage firearm and the costs involved.

[@CameronMcCreary]

In the 1970s and 1980s I worked for John Martz Luger Carbine maker from Lincoln, CA. I lived nearby in Auburn, CA at the time and had my own shop. I found that as time went it became more expensive to do the various jobs for John and try to pay the bills that I had to quit and go to work for a local machine shop. I miss the Luger Carbine work but like other stock work I've done it is a lot of precision and time consuming work. So, between making the stocks, parts and rust bluing, days can turn into months just trying to finish the work.

[@Dwyer88]

Mark you hit it on the head when you say you get what you pay for. Quality ain’t cheap.. love the videos brother

[@chrischiampo7647]

Good Work Ain’t Cheap and Cheap Work Ain’t Good Is The Philosophy I Go By 😊😀😊👍🏼 Mark Your Spot On 😀

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you, Mark. Excellent video. As a carpenter, I also spend time educating people as to what is worth doing OR not doing and … how quickly money can be spent😁!

[@JohnTrumpe]

Mark speaks the honest truth. You can't dispute the truth. I admire that!

[@perrypappous1550]

Mark, thanks for the video. I hope fewer people will question restoration costs now. Quality work is necessarily expensive. As you said, we should choose which gun gets that level of treatment. That’s how we can control costs, not by complaining about excellent work on heirloom pieces. Perry P., SoCal, CA

[@dianecullum1281]

(Mike C.) The decision to properly restore a vintage firearm should be approached as more of a commitment to history than just a project. We live in a small historic town in Arkansas with many examples of butchered building restorations. One notable exception is an old bakery that waited for a year to have custom period bricks made to restore their damaged storefront. If you want a shooter but don't want to spend the cash on a proper restoration, consider selling that original to a collector and use the money to buy yourself a good quality repro. Really appreciate the work you fellas are doing there Mark!

[@flintrichards945]

I have restored a few firearms myself and they came out fine for me but it is a lot of work to do it right. Also you have to make the customer happy.

[@patrickshannon4854]

The general public has no understanding of what's involved in developing a a suitable finish. They want it shiney. They have no conception of the time, care & expense required to achieve an acceptable high polish. Generally, their background consists of using a wire wheel mounted on a grinder in their granddaddy's garage.

[@daveklooster4905]

This was a great illustration of why quality work is expensive. For me it also answers the question "why can't they make 'em like they used to?" If manufacturers today produced the fine finish and fit of 100 years ago, when labor was a lot cheaper, we wouldn't be able to afford their products.

[@sticksnstuffguy93]

Never apologize for doing a job right!

[@usnchief1339]

What I learned today is that my daughter's boss got a good deal for a Winchester 1894 cleanup that was an absolute rust bucket. I only did it for my daughter. Thanks for the video!

[@billbearback2591]

i love your work my friend , i enjoy all your presentations cheers big ears from down under

[@keithlincoln1309]

We piss and moan that craftsmanship is a lost art.

[@ralphbernieri3362]

Thank you skilled ones..Tis' a dying art!

[@fredflora-6004]

Thank you for the great talk

[@jeffgrier8488]

Thanks for taking the time to explain the process, it's much appreciated!

[@edwardabrams4972]

Time is money as is quality 🙌

[@dggfishingllc3657]

Mark restored my dad’s Winchester 1886. Costly yes, but money well spent, rifle looks great and shoots great. It was still cheaper than buying a new lever action and no doubt an original Winchester beats any modern lever gun on the market (in my opinion at least)

[@frank4fun64]

True craftsmanship ! Much respect