"U Fix 'Em" guns

D

dakota.potts

New member
I've heard that several places used to sell guns in poor/broken conditions to people who could fix them at low prices. Supposedly they were mostly old milsurp rifles that had been abused.

Are there any places that still do this? Sounds like a good way to get some practice in.
 
I keep an eye on local auctions for stuff like that. They don't really show up anywhere else around here - even the pawn shops don't want "mostly complete and partially broken" firearms.

Last year, I picked up 4 long guns - 2 shotguns and two .22s - plus a pellet rifle, from a place that does online and in-person bidding on bi-monthly auctions. I don't remember which price went with which gun, but the winning bids were $5, $7, $8, $11, and $13. Altogether, including some reloading tools, I was out the door for less than $75. ;)

I immediately turned around and re-sold the pellet rifle and most of the reloading tools for $90, making the rifles and shotguns free. :D

One of the .22s turned out to be a complete basket case, and I've given up on it. (You can't always win. ;))
But, the two shotguns were salvageable. One needed a spring and guide rod, running about $16. The other (which had been run over by a truck) cost me about $60 in shop supplies and parts - with most of the cost being for a magazine - and a lot of labor to repair the stock.
The other .22 turned out to be one of the best investments I've ever made. I think I paid $8 for the rifle, minus the bolt. For $35, I got bolt off Gunbroker, and it is now a family favorite ...in all of its beaten, battered, Bubba'd glory.
 
Thanks. I've been to their site before, and I know they have some really cool parts kits.

I've found out Century is the big supplier but they only ship to C&R/FFL and I'm only 18 so I'm not eligible for either of those licenses.
 
-sell guns in poor/broken conditions
Click to expand...

Well, there's Taurus. :D

I’ve often thought this kind of stuff works on two levels.

Level one: you puzzle out how to take the gun apart and say ‘hey, if I clean all the gunk out of this mechanism maybe it will work’ or slightly more advanced ‘hey, these two pieces with the jagged edges that look like they used to be one piece…if I buy a new piece maybe it will work’.

(This is pretty much the level I am at.)

Level two: somebody that actually knows how the thing works or can figure out how it works so that they can say ‘these tolerances need to be tighter (or looser)-I know how to do that and then maybe it will work’ A guy named W. Edward Deming called this ‘profound knowledge’ and he meant you actually knew what you were doing.

Some folk have an intuitive talent for this type of thing. Others get frustrated trying to puzzle these things out. Some folk need classes to get the info and some can get it through trial and error experience. I think I would have done best with the classes approach.

Good luck.
 
Dale,
I have applied for the gunsmithing program at Piedmont Technical in South Carolina, but they only take 18 people a class and it may be until Summer or Fall of next year before I can get in and I want to take advantage of the time I have before them.

I also have basic machine experience and have made pieces fit some pretty tight tolerances (made some 1-2-3 blocks square within .0001") but I had to learn everything that I know and I'm not naturally gifted with my hands or machines and have to work pretty hard at it. So if I can get some experience now I would like to.
 
J&G Sales usually has something in their broke stuff section. They're out in Arizona somewhere, and I'd think the costs would pan out between what you learn, shipping, parts, any future resale... maybe.
http://www.jgsales.com/gunsmith-specials-c-424.html

And over at Simpson Ltd, there's usually a pretty long line of stuff that's boogered up one way or another- you just have to wade through all the other stuff to find them. The prices still seem kinda high for rifles they know don't cut the mustard compared to ones they seem to think ought to work ok.
http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=350_359
 
J&G Sales usually has something in their broke stuff section. They're out in Arizona somewhere, and I'd think the costs would pan out between what you learn, shipping, parts, any future resale... maybe
Click to expand...

My experience with their "gunsmith specials" is (1) that they are generally grossly overpriced to the point where you can get the same thing in working order for less and (2) often are unsalvageable from a safety standpoint.
 
Wall Hangers

Gunshops in my area sell wall hangers. I have bought several and brought them back to function. You might also try second hand shops. These folks go in and purchase estates and handguns are often found in trunks or dressers when the original owner gave up on them. I have one left to fix myself a H&R BP .32 S&W revolver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top