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If You Ever Wondered Why Custom Guns are Expensive

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07 August 2008, 03:18
adrook
If You Ever Wondered Why Custom Guns are Expensive
I stopped by Mark Penrod's shop over the weekend to pick up a rifle he was working over for me before I go to Zambia next month and he showed me a .375 that he is building for guy on a stainless M70 Classic action.

He had machined a quarter rib that fits over the front ring of the M70 action and is milled on the top for the scope rings. It looked just like the front bridge of a square bridge Mauser. He said it started out as a 4 pound block of stainless steel. I asked him how long it took to make the quarter rib and he said 3 days Eeker. It must take incredible patience to do something like that as well a good bit of talent. It was beautifully done, by the way, also. Mark is a real genius with metal.
07 August 2008, 04:56
ddunn
I have always been impressed with the gun smiths that actually MAKE something.
07 August 2008, 18:39
.366torque
quote:
Originally posted by adrook:
I stopped by Mark Penrod's shop over the weekend to pick up a rifle he was working over for me before I go to Zambia next month and he showed me a .375 that he is building for guy on a stainless M70 Classic action.

He had machined a quarter rib that fits over the front ring of the M70 action and is milled on the top for the scope rings. It looked just like the front bridge of a square bridge Mauser. He said it started out as a 4 pound block of stainless steel. I asked him how long it took to make the quarter rib and he said 3 days Eeker. It must take incredible patience to do something like that as well a good bit of talent. It was beautifully done, by the way, also. Mark is a real genius with metal.



That sounds pretty good! Any pics though?
07 August 2008, 19:00
adrook
quote:
That sounds pretty good! Any pics though?

Unfortunately, no. We've tried to get Mark to come on AR but he just isn't interested although he does have email.
07 August 2008, 22:28
Clayman
Yah, good call. Anytime anybody complains about the cost of custom gun work, I say just pick up the tools yourself and get started! Big Grin


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07 August 2008, 23:20
Robgunbuilder
Its even more fun to machine the quarter rib, recoil lug and front sight island all out of the same barrel blank in one piece! Now that takes talent!-Rob


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