Gunsmithing Is the world going nuts?

[Oddball Six]

So a couple months back I wanted to get a custom build started. I talked to probably a dozen well-known smiths via phone and email. After finishing these conversations I made my choice.

Fast forward to today.

One thing conitnues to strike me from that conversation: they were all off-the-wall busy! The smith I chose, for example, has all the parts for my rifle at this point but is so busy he wont get to the build probably for a few months.

From what I understand this is a universal story right now. Some of the nice folks that were willing to spend a few minutes helping me think through my build were talking build times of at least a year or more.

This contrasts rather strikingly with the economic situation we live in. I dont know about you guys but I havent gotten a raise in 2 years, my benefits have been axed and yet life goes on and the bills come in and you pay them. You read the Wall Street Journal and they are talking about not resuming steady growth until 2014 or 2015 and things will be bouncy until then.

At the risk of people pointing and snickering, it feels like we are on the verge of crazy times. I am glad I bought my rifle when I did and I will feel a lot better when it comes in late this year or early next year.

I wonder why all the custom builds. Shops that have ANY kind of name recognition are slammed.

Anyone have a theory?

 

[locked&loaded]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

Priorities...
Crazy times=a need for reliable,accurate weapons

 

[excess]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

Isn't it just that people are scared to miss the opportunity? Many people feel that given the current administration there may be a finite amount of time to make certain purchases after which you may never be able to buy such items again.

I think it's getting better though - it appears GAP for example is getting caught up, though still busy.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

my opinion is this, the types of people that this questionable "recession" hit arent the types buying custom built rifles. Those of us who are into those types of things are smart enough to have our finances under control and not living outside our means, hence the housing gaggle, hoping and waiting for momma gov to bail me out. just an opinion by a humble 30 something year old. jus sayin

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

Remember some shops are doing work for government agencies. But the better shops have ALWAYS been busy.

Although there is a recession,not EVERYBODY is directly affected.Personal finance is just that PERSONAL. Ever watch the high-end car auctions? People are STILL spending ALOT of loot.Every Ferrari being produced is already spoken for-at least for another 2 years.

jayjayPunisher is ABSOLUTELY 100% correct. When you keep your finances under control a "problem" in the economy isn't that big of a deal. Those that live beyond their means have suffered- and its about time. Sooner or later-you have to pay. Its those that live highly leveraged have found that there starter "Mansions" aren't worth what they paid for them.

Crazy times? Pure hyperbole. I can remember when the money markets were paying over 18%.

 

[RONINUSMC]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

"IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT AND I FEEL FINE" LMAO

i have noticed this with buying ammo, went to buy .45 acp yesterday and i had to go to three different shops to finally get some.. talked to the shop owner who says they can't seem to keep any ammo in stock, everyone seems to be buying in bulk.. but in a recession?? i guess everyone is gearing up to go POSTAl???

not to mention the ar race.. everyone is buying an ar at this point..

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

Custom builds don't usually make anyone millionaires, usually a barrel shop or pipe fitter has to have either an OEM line or government contract to make the ends meet. Which means machines are going to be stacked up working on the parts for that particular line until it's completed, to make that delivery and collect that check. Customs are like prototype builds, the set up time eats ass, you're ordering one part rather than 5000ea so your cost is up and take longer to get in, and machines which could be running are setting idle to get this one gun done. What often happens is you work into the production schedule a 'window' where that situation is going to hurt the least, once you have all the parts quoted and allocated, and machines which need to do the work are free to change over. There's a lot of planning that has to happen to keep a shop profitable.

JR

 

[Oddball Six]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: __JR__</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> There's a lot of planning that has to happen to keep a shop profitable.
</div></div>

Please understand im not knocking the 'smiths at all. People have to have a job. These people have developed skills I dont have, invested time I dont want to apply, and invested money in amounts and things I have no interest to obtain.

There are a lot of people in the world that fall into those categories to provide a great service to the rest of us.

Its more the (apparent? perceived?) demand that I question. There are some great responses here.
"Because I can."
"The people who are affected by the economy probably arent the same demographic interested in high end firearms."
"I want XYZ firearm while I am still allowed to get it."

 

[border_reiver]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

Oh, I know what you're saying. While one would think in these economic times custom sales would be down, I think they are up due to all the factors stated. And guns hold value fairly well, good for trade if cash flow gets sticky..

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

The time (and place...) to buy a gun is when it's under your nose. If you wait for crazy times, the process with be crazy.

Greg

 

[scotharr]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jayjayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">my opinion is this, the types of people that this questionable "recession" hit arent the types buying custom built rifles. Those of us who are into those types of things are smart enough to have our finances under control and not living outside our means, hence the housing gaggle, hoping and waiting for momma gov to bail me out. just an opinion by a humble 30 something year old. jus sayin </div></div>
LOL, now that's funny....live a little longer and you'll wisen up to the many errors in your prior statements. jus sayin...

 

[toolmaker]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jayjayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">my opinion is this, the types of people that this questionable "recession" hit arent the types buying custom built rifles. Those of us who are into those types of things are smart enough to have our finances under control and not living outside our means, hence the housing gaggle, hoping and waiting for momma gov to bail me out. just an opinion by a humble 30 something year old. jus sayin </div></div>
LOL, now that's funny....live a little longer and you'll wisen up to the many errors in your prior statements. jus sayin...

</div></div> +1

 

[marduk185]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lt. Arclight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Remember some shops are doing work for government agencies. But the better shops have ALWAYS been busy.

Although there is a recession,not EVERYBODY is directly affected.Personal finance is just that PERSONAL. Ever watch the high-end car auctions? People are STILL spending ALOT of loot.Every Ferrari being produced is already spoken for-at least for another 2 years.

jayjayPunisher is ABSOLUTELY 100% correct. When you keep your finances under control a "problem" in the economy isn't that big of a deal. Those that live beyond their means have suffered- and its about time. Sooner or later-you have to pay. Its those that live highly leveraged have found that there starter "Mansions" aren't worth what they paid for them.

Crazy times? Pure hyperbole. I can remember when the money markets were paying over 18%. </div></div>
think alot of guys on uncle sugar payrolls arent feelin the crunch and its easy to say working class problems are caused by irresponsible behavior when in fact this is exactly this misinformation that covers the upper crust stealin fromn all of us... just sayin

 

[stillbuster]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

In times of economic recession the recommended investment is the "Three G's"
Guns
Gold
Ground

As mentioned above they are all liquid assets.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Is the world going nuts?

I find that as the economy circles, my own situation becomes comparatively (I say 'comparatively') more bearable. I live on a government supplied fixed income. It remains pretty constant. Up to a point it's outperforming a lot of private sector annuity type incomes. As long as the dollar retains a reasonable value, I'm fairly OK. Of course when the government dumps, I'm in the toilet; but then, so is pretty much all the rest of the world, too.