doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com LeFever project costs

Ok, most of us have seen the thread Ken started about the possibility of producing a new Lefever barreled action. Not counting the cost of the action and barrels, what would a project like this cost to complete?

I know that with engraving, the sky is the limit, but what I am asking is what would the cost of stocking and finishing the rest of the gun cost? I know we have several on this board who have done this before, so your input would be appreciated.

Hard to say how much wood, engraving would be. Everyone will want something different. Probably at the least $4000 to $6000 to finish the gun with nice wood and moderate engraving.

H grade Lefevers don't have any engraving and look fine for a hunting gun, especially if case colored. That should knock the cost down to around $2500 or so for the stocking. I guess any way you slice it, you're still looking at a $4-7k gun, but at least it doesn't have to all be paid for at once. That's a great strategy, and I like the opportunity for individualizing the gun to the owner's tastes. I have wanted to engrave my H grade myself after I get up to speed, but have resisted because I don't want to ruin a piece of history. This new gun however, would be the perfect blank canvas. Now I just have to come up with an extra few grand

If the receiver can be made as tight to spec as the builders claim, there is no reason a stocker with good pantograph can't tool up to cut stocks to those dimensions at a reasonable price. It's all in how identical each action is.

Bill, All work is done by CNC run equipment so frame size won't vary. Ken

Why do people want to try to save money on a stock job? The labor is most of the money and why use a lain blank? If I am willing to spend 40-70 hours working on a stock job I am certainally willing to spring for a nice blank. Never hunt with a ugly dog or gun. Bad enough to hunt with an ugly hunting partner, on his own land.

I agree. If you have to hunt with an ugly partner, make sure he has a lot of land and hunt in the middle so no one can see you.

The wood is important. It does not need to be gaudy, but it does need to be wood that you just plain like. Take the time to find one that is "you". It doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Glenn

I had a Fox restocked and engraved to a "C" grade type of pattern.
With allthe work and a case fitted with accessories I had about 6K in 1998. The 4 to 7K figure that bbman3 said is a good one for me.

Regards, Gordon

KY Jon, I've wondered about that myself but I will say that the clients that I have want nice wood and expect to pay a fair price for the work that I do.

BTW, don't let Glenn fool you he's a closet coveter of fancy wood. I believe that he even accused me of corrupting him at the Guild show. Not true!

I didn't read the whole other thread and didn't see a target price for the action. But if it's around $2500, I can see a project like this gobbling up $7k in a hurry without even engraving it.