Tell me what makes a custom rifle?

[DalesCarpentry]

What makes a custom rifle? I don't think just changing stocks and triggers do it. I don't think changing a barrel on a 700 action is either. Please give your idea of a custom. Thanks Dale

[Mikey]

Dale - a lot of us here call an action that has been re-barreled and settled into a new or new style stock, with new trigger and scope and all that a custom rifle.  Some folks call a dressed up mil-surp a custom, or customized rifle. 

No matter what you start with, unless you create the action and bolt yourself you are buying or using someone else's creation.  How or what you barrel it with or what the caliber eventually becomes, it starts out with someone else's action - a Rem 700, Winchester M70, Savage, Springfield, Mauser, P14/M17, etc., etc., etc.  Same thing with barrels - unless you cut your own, you purchase someone elses and the same for stocks. 

So it really depends on what your definition is.  If you feel your Rem 700 in a 260AIx2 with a gizmold stock, burpies trigger, eyeballess scope and slap happy mounts is a custom rifle, then that is exactly what it is for you.  Someone else might disagree but he doesn't own your rifle and may not have anything like that himself. 

Most of the items you considered not being custom is what many feel make a custom rifle.  I think the concept of 'preference' might be the broad based definitive phrase here.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[StrawHat]

Dale,

My idea of a custom rifle, hmmm. 

My last one was a rebarrel of an old Winchester M1895.  Original barrel was like trying to look through a sewer pipe.  I also added a Lyman aperture sight and a banded front sight.  I like my barrels on the long side so I choose to have it cut at 28 inches. 

Prior to that I married an 1866 trapdoor barreled action to an 1841 musket stock and hardware.

I also had a Swedish Mauser reworked to accommodate the 458 x 2" cartridge.  And another Swede reworked to .358 Winchester.

So much of what I consider custom is barrel work.  But not all...

Currently on the bench is an italian rolling block in 45-70 that is being reworked to resemble the style of a J.P.Gemmer Hawken gun.

I have had several rifles that I built, or more properly assembled, from the ground up using parts I purchased in a variety of places.  These include both muzzleloading and breech loading rifles.

My next rifle is an italian rolling block that is being sent off to be rebarreled to accept the 50-70 cartridge.  A decent set of sights and it should be a wonderful hunting rifle.

None of my guns , so far, have been engraved or plated or scoped.  That may be what some consider custom.

To me, custom is making the gun into what I want that firearm to be used for.  Refining what was originally there to what I think is perfection.

I enjoy shooting and each firearm I create or cause to be built reflect my ideas at the time.

Hope this helps but I realize these are merely my thoughts and not binding on anyone.

[roper]

Dale, I have afew customs Rem 700 in that the barrel was change but the action was squared new recoil lug pinned ,new Pacific bolt with Sako extractor,Wyatt magazine,Jewell trigger,Gre-Tan firing pin assembly, pillar bed factory wood stock..  I spend more money on the action than rebarreling the rifle.  Sure I could of gone out and purchased a custom action but since I already had the action why not rework it.  You need a platform to build on you can use a custom action or factory reworked all the other componets are what you want.  I've got a new custom being done in acouple weeks it has a Lawton fluted barrel reworked win 70 CF action,Williiam bottom metal/extractor,reworked factory trigger,Bansner stock.  A $5000.00 bedded wood stock isn't going to shoot any better than a factory wood stock bedded some things are just cosmetic IMHO, I love to have one of those fancy stock but don't think I'd take it out hunting elk at 15 below.  All my rifles are what I call using rifle.

[Doesniper]

I have a 96 Swede that I rebarreled to 250-3000, added a cock on open kit, Talley rings and bases, a new bolt handle, all bead blasted and blued to a nice matte finish. I had a nice peice of Claro walnut turned into in a nice trim sporter style with a blind mag. I feel it is a custom rifle. The deer don't know the difference, but I have exactly what I wanted, my ideal caliber, my stock design, my whitetail rifle.

[David D.]

Most my guns are TC Encores and Contender rifles and pistols. Most wear custom built barrels from various barrel builders built to my specifications. All have wood that was built by various custom wood shops, most reshaped by myself to fit my hands and finished by me. I have taken all my frames apart and given trigger jobs. In my opinion all my TC'S are custom built.

[giturgun]

Websters on line


Main Entry: 2custom
Function: adjective
1 : made or performed according to personal order
2 : specializing in custom work or operation

Main Entry: cus·tom-built
Function: adjective
Pronunciation: 'k&s-t&m-'bilt
: built to individual specification

Main Entry: cus·tom-made
Function: adjective
Pronunciation: 'k&s-t&(m)-'mAd
: made to individual specifications


   From this I will step out on a limb and say this .  A custom rifle , pistol would be a built to order from new or modified parts to satisfy the owners end product expectations and or use. The building to be custom should not include the addition of scope mounts or a scope unless modifications to the original parts were necessary for the mounting.

 I would consider stock work , modification to be classified custom if it was performed with a specific purpose in mind , such as ( wide flat fore end for benchrest , or  a super fancy one of a kind or color stock.