Production v Custom?

MichaelOrick · 01-03-2002, 12:05 PM

I'm confused.

So if I buy a SA mil-spec and send it to some guy (or even SA) to do what is already done to the loaded pistols it's a "custom" pistol, but if I buy a SA loaded pistol (or Kimber Custom) it's a "production" gun, not custom?

Tomayto, tomahto; they are both red?

Or is it more like the difference between delicious garden grown and the factory farm stuff I see in the supermarket? :wink:

Torpedo · 01-04-2002, 03:32 PM

I guess your tomatoe analogy is pretty much on the mark. A "Custom" Production gun has some bells and whistles but it's not the same as a Full House Custom where you can have anything you want on the gun. (Within reason)You can pick the slide and frame, or what barrel you want and the bushing setup. One or two piece guide rod. Ambi safety. More importantly it can be built on any manufacturers parts that you and the builder decide on. Plus there will be a great deal more hand fitting by a custom smith. Now don't get me wrong, there are some pretty nice "Custom" Production guns out there. Brown, Wilson Baer SA and many more. They are good but it's just not the same as having your hand in the complete decision making process with a One Man Custom Shop that will cater to your desires and build you a one of a kind masterpiece that has your unique signature on it, as well as the Custom Smiths. And if your going to spend the big bucks wouldn't you rather have something that was built especially for you? Set up to fit you and your idea of what a Custom Handgun is? The most important thing is that whatever you do, that you're gonna be happy with the end result. So stop and really think about what it is that you would like in a Custom Gun and then compare what the Production "Customs" offer and what the Full Custom Shops have to offer you. I think that you'll find that the Full Custom Smiths can give you more of what YOU want in that Custom. That's just my .02 cents worth on the subject. But it really doesn't matter what I think or anyone else for that matter. Only what you think. Nuff said!

Mute · 01-04-2002, 06:02 PM

Let's not forget that on the "production" gun, the parts are probably machined to fit with very little if any hand fitting necessary.

If I sent it to be custom installed, unless we're talking DEEP DISCOUNT, I expect the fit and finish on the parts to be much better than you would see on the production pistol.

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01-03-2002, 12:05 PM	#1
MichaelOrick Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 257	I'm confused. So if I buy a SA mil-spec and send it to some guy (or even SA) to do what is already done to the loaded pistols it's a "custom" pistol, but if I buy a SA loaded pistol (or Kimber Custom) it's a "production" gun, not custom? Tomayto, tomahto; they are both red? Or is it more like the difference between delicious garden grown and the factory farm stuff I see in the supermarket? :wink:

01-04-2002, 03:32 PM	#2
Torpedo Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 24	I guess your tomatoe analogy is pretty much on the mark. A "Custom" Production gun has some bells and whistles but it's not the same as a Full House Custom where you can have anything you want on the gun. (Within reason)You can pick the slide and frame, or what barrel you want and the bushing setup. One or two piece guide rod. Ambi safety. More importantly it can be built on any manufacturers parts that you and the builder decide on. Plus there will be a great deal more hand fitting by a custom smith. Now don't get me wrong, there are some pretty nice "Custom" Production guns out there. Brown, Wilson Baer SA and many more. They are good but it's just not the same as having your hand in the complete decision making process with a One Man Custom Shop that will cater to your desires and build you a one of a kind masterpiece that has your unique signature on it, as well as the Custom Smiths. And if your going to spend the big bucks wouldn't you rather have something that was built especially for you? Set up to fit you and your idea of what a Custom Handgun is? The most important thing is that whatever you do, that you're gonna be happy with the end result. So stop and really think about what it is that you would like in a Custom Gun and then compare what the Production "Customs" offer and what the Full Custom Shops have to offer you. I think that you'll find that the Full Custom Smiths can give you more of what YOU want in that Custom. That's just my .02 cents worth on the subject. But it really doesn't matter what I think or anyone else for that matter. Only what you think. Nuff said!

01-04-2002, 06:02 PM	#3
Mute Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: People's Republik, Komrade Posts: 934	Let's not forget that on the "production" gun, the parts are probably machined to fit with very little if any hand fitting necessary. If I sent it to be custom installed, unless we're talking DEEP DISCOUNT, I expect the fit and finish on the parts to be much better than you would see on the production pistol.