This is an interesting concept. A company is now manufacturing a NEW FP-45 Liberator. The company name is Vintage Ordnance Company LLC, www.vintageordnance.com........................ NOw here is the clincher.... wait for it.... wait.......wait.......they want $599.00......
Ok, the orig ones that go for $2000 have historical value and I do realize the value of that. New mfg Liberators using old Guidelamp tooling (lower tooling costs) and charging such a high price is a slap in the face at history, gun owners and potential gun owners.
This is the ad as seen in Shotgun news.
I downloaded the available tooling and item drawings and blueprints, they are available ONLINE. I did a quick materials cost based on those drawings. A Rough estimate is $13.88 in materials. I am not sure how much the old Guidelamp tooling needed to be refurbished. It does however require a standard stamping press, 4 slide press, automatic weld fixtures. The only REAL change in the new Liberator is that the barrel is rifled. Packaging costs are roughly $1.70.
I am sure some will buy these at the $599. I for one will not, no matter how badly I want one.
In reading the info at their web site.... they say this "Though our reproduction is sold as a firearm and exceeds the mechanical strength of the original through the use of superior materials and vastly tighter chamber and headspace tolerances, WE STRONGLY ADVISE CUSTOMERS NOT TO FIRE THE PISTOL." and this "In light of the above mentioned facts relating to the relative safety of the FP-45 in general, we will not drill the firing pin hole completely through the cover slide. Therefore, our reproduction as shipped is technically incapable of firing and significantly safer than the original pistol. VINTAGE ORDNANCE IS NOT LIABLE FOR INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING FROM PURCHASERS MODIFYING OUR PRODUCT IN THIS UNAPPROVED MANNER.
The dang thing does not even shoot. For $600, I would expect maybe just a lil more from a company.
Ok, the orig ones that go for $2000 have historical value and I do realize the value of that. New mfg Liberators using old Guidelamp tooling (lower tooling costs) and charging such a high price is a slap in the face at history, gun owners and potential gun owners.
This is the ad as seen in Shotgun news.
I downloaded the available tooling and item drawings and blueprints, they are available ONLINE. I did a quick materials cost based on those drawings. A Rough estimate is $13.88 in materials. I am not sure how much the old Guidelamp tooling needed to be refurbished. It does however require a standard stamping press, 4 slide press, automatic weld fixtures. The only REAL change in the new Liberator is that the barrel is rifled. Packaging costs are roughly $1.70.
I am sure some will buy these at the $599. I for one will not, no matter how badly I want one.
In reading the info at their web site.... they say this "Though our reproduction is sold as a firearm and exceeds the mechanical strength of the original through the use of superior materials and vastly tighter chamber and headspace tolerances, WE STRONGLY ADVISE CUSTOMERS NOT TO FIRE THE PISTOL." and this "In light of the above mentioned facts relating to the relative safety of the FP-45 in general, we will not drill the firing pin hole completely through the cover slide. Therefore, our reproduction as shipped is technically incapable of firing and significantly safer than the original pistol. VINTAGE ORDNANCE IS NOT LIABLE FOR INJURY OR DEATH RESULTING FROM PURCHASERS MODIFYING OUR PRODUCT IN THIS UNAPPROVED MANNER.
The dang thing does not even shoot. For $600, I would expect maybe just a lil more from a company.
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