For giggles I was over on E-bay looking at mills. I noticed several that seemed ok (don't know enuff to tell the difference - hope to learn more once I get to Tool and Die school) and noticed several of different HP ratings 1.5, 2.0 and 4 hp - Bridgports.

Was wondering how much HP is enuff for a mill or a lathe?

Thinking the usual gunsmithing duties -- rebarreling with accuracy being job 1 and installing sights, beavertail safetyes on 1911's ect.

Mill/lathe wise - I know the South Bend Heavy 10 and the Bridgport are favorites but are there any other name brands a guy should look at?

I wouldn't think CNC would be necessary but DRO seems like the cats ass.

Suggestions?

My mill is a 2-horse variable speed motor and is fully adequate for my needs. My lathe is also 2 horse and that too is ok because it's not a production lathe.

Years ago the Bridgports had a step motor and a 1-horse 3-phase power plant...this too did the job as this also is not a production mill.
Personally I'd say a 2-horse motor is in the ok range for either the lathe or mill.

Lagun makes a good mill Bridgeport was the standard for the type of mill that we use so it's hard to go wrong with any of the 2 HP versions and your right DRO is slicker than snot on a doorknob. Reference the lathe go for weight; within the size perameters you can accomodate opt for the heavier machine. If you buy on ebay I would buy from established dealers that have 99% satisfaction ratings that's probably the best you can hope for buying sight unseen. I just sold a really nice Hardinge TM-UM mill that is passable for gun work but a little on the small side for other things. But unlike women a little more weight is better in machine tools.

Roger that on the weight - wondering (Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy down the line) If I were to build a dedicated shop (small, cozy and heated) would there be any cosiderations as to the slab? Heavier where the machines are projected to be ect?

As far a lathe goes I really like the clausing colcester 15 inch. I have a colchester with 3 and four jaw chucks and the 12 inch taper attachment. There are a number of things I like about it. It's rigid as a brick, you pick up the spindle drive with a clutch which works real nice when threading barrels, I have mine set up with a travadial on the carraige which is really nice for setting the barrel thread tennon length, lots of speeds 25 to 2000 rpm. Inch and metric threading without changeing gears. 7.5 hp allows one to take heavier cuts if need be. You'll like the Clausing Colchester 15x50 find one 1970 to curent, Not a tinker toy.

for your type of use I can't see any reason to go beyond a 2-3 HP machine. Stay away from the chinese crap. You are much better off going to a used machine that you can afford. There are lots to choose from. Lathes like LeBlond, colchester,
sheldon etc are all good, on mills I like to stick to bridgeport, but others are also OK. Often you can go to used machinery places and they will have old high school shop machines that are in like new condition, CNC is not necessary, but a good digital readout is one of those things once you have, you can't live without. Watch your electricity much of this stuff is in 3 phase so if you only have single phase available it will limit your choices