DFG Canadian Airguns

[rsterne]

OK, so I know we all (well, almost everyone) does this as a hobby.... I know that realistically, since we enjoy that hobby time, we shouldn't expect to get paid for it.... My question is, what is a well built, custom Airgun worth?.... I've kept track of the last couple of my builds, and here is a summary of my costs and the time involved:

22XX PCP HFT Rifle in .177



Parts:
2260 tube - $24
Steel breech - $40
.177 barrel - $30
HPA tank & regulator - $100
QB79 tank block - $30
2289 stock parts & carbon tubing to customize - $50
22XX trigger group. hammer, transfer port & seal, etc. (heck just buy a 2240 for all the small parts) - $70
Discovery valve & screws - $25
Discovery pressure gauge - $16
2289 hammer spring - $3
Misc. parts, screws, aluminum, etc. - $7
Bushnell 5-15 x 40 AO Legend scope - $249
Leapers medium rings - $16
TOTAL PARTS - $690.... WITHOUT THE SCOPE - $425....

Machining time (at $20/hr):
Manufacture extended valve front end with gauge port - $40
Safety modifications to QB tank block - $20
Shorten, drill, & deburr main tube - $40
Manufacture breech band & free-float barrel - $40
Modify trigger group for barrel band - $10
Deburr & polish trigger parts (including hammer), change spring, etc. - $30
Bore out Disco valve - $20
Extend bolt probe - $20
Manufacture RVA - $20
Modify foregrip - $20
Customize rear stock (raise comb, shorten, mount with screws) - $40
TOTAL TIME - $300

TOTAL COST OF PROJECT - $990.... WITHOUT THE SCOPE - $725....

When you think about what it is worth, ask yourself, what would I spend to get a .177 cal PCP for HFT that would shoot 70 shots at 20 FPE?.... What else could I purchase that could do the same job, and what would it cost?....

2260 PCP Bench Rest Rifle



Parts:
2260 - $119
Steel breech - $40
HPA tank & regulator - $100
Discovery valve & screws - $25
0-2000 psi pressure gauge - $15
Discovery hammer spring - $3
Misc. parts, screws, aluminum, etc. - $13
Bushnell 4-12 x 40 AO Legend scope - $119
Leapers medium rings - $16

TOTAL PARTS - $450.... WITHOUT THE SCOPE - $315....

Machining time (at $20/hr):
Manufacture extended valve front end - $30
Manufacture custom tank block c/w Picatinny rail - $160
Manufacture bench rest bipod - $30
Shorten, drill, & deburr main tube - $40
Manufacture barrel band & free-float barrel - $30
Deburr & polish trigger parts (including hammer), change spring, etc. - $30
Bore out Disco valve - $20
Extend bolt probe - $20
Manufacture RVA - $20
Manufacture Muzzle Brake - $40
Shorten & refinish stock - $20

TOTAL TIME - $440

TOTAL COST OF PROJECT- $890.... WITHOUT THE SCOPE - $755....

When you think about what it is worth, ask yourself, what would I spend to get a .22 cal PCP that will shoot 45 shots at 32+ FPE?.... What else could I purchase that could do the same job, and what would it cost?....

Please, keep this thread to the intended topic.... Let's share our thoughts about what you would realistically pay for guns such as this.... Are they worth the money and time it takes to build them (or have them built for you).... or are you better off to purchase something else with similar performance?....

Bob
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Dominion Marksman Silver Shield - 5890 x 6000 in 1976, and downhill ever since!
Current Airsonal: .177 Diana 34, 1750 CO2/DPH, .177 Uber-Pumper, .22 Uber-Carbine, .25 Discovery, 2260 PCP Carbine w/RIM (Grouse Gun), 2260 PCP Rifle (50 FPE).

[notec]

Any of my custom guns that I parted with I usually based the value on the cost of the gun plus any add ons........my time was well spent working on the gun so I never felt the need to charge for it.

But........

If I were to make a business of it im sure a small labor fee would be accepted by most customers.

I made good money making custom motorcycle parts to pay for a good chunk of my tuition. But that was because people were willing to pay for that custom, one off piece. Not because it took alot of my time. Some items like billet bar ends took less than 10 minutes to make, but people would pay the same for them as something I spent hours on.

You will always get people that say they think a price is unfair......but they are usually the people that dont understand the skills required to custom make a piece. They usually associate cost based on cookie cutter items turned out by the thousands by CNC machines or foreign countries using sub standard quality control.
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[ellodrith]

As posted on another board.....

The problem you will run into is that those who can most appreciate the work that you have done are the ones who do much the same thing themselves(if not at the same level of craftsmanship), and thus would be more interested in buying the parts and building to your plans . I'm an amatuer who truly appreciates reading your posts, learning from them and in turn putting some of the ideas into my own work, I would love to help out but I cannot afford those kinds of prices for an airgun (she would smoke me upside the head), I would however love to donate a few bucks to help you further yours and my knowledge of this sport.

Perhaps a raffle for the gun/s, raise some cash for your next project with the gun going as a prize in one of the gun shows/competitions that are coming up. This way you gain the cash you need, we get the ongoing access to your brain , and someone gets a phenomenal custom airgun.

cheers
Jeff
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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.

[zook]

I posted this on CAF as well

I have myself gotten much of my modding information from Bob, and in saying that he has my utmost respect in a hobby I am new too. He has always been there to help me with my questions and I marvel at what he has built. Too be totally honest I know nothing of the more expensive airguns, mostly because I, maybe like some are on a pension with very limited funds, but the custom builds using the lower end guns platforms and building ag of such quality gives me an appreciation for what even that $100 gun can become.

If I were a wealthy man I could see spending up to a thousand on a gun. Hell I am still paying off a $20,000 truck because my wife liked it. I would have been happier having one of Bob's guns. That way she could take the truck out and leave me home to shoot.

Thanks Bob for always checking here for postings that require your much appreciatted opinions and knowledge.

Tony