Custom vs. Semi custom ?

[oldtravler61]

  Ok just a thought. But is this going to drag on like the person that misspelled the word Hawkins/Hawkens.
 Really is it that big a deal?
 When a client orders a gun.  They talk to the builder,school of style, parts needed, trigger pull etc.
 The builder SHOULD KNOW the lines of that gun. An advise the customer exactly how the architecture should be Etc. Thus Custom. It's built to fit that person. Semi means no special order received. But to be sold  as is to whoever buys it.
 Same quality for both guns. Remember your lively hood depends on it. So quality should be the same.
  Then again maybe I'm missing something.  It's just a word an there's better thing's to worry about.   Oldtravler

[hanshi]

Well, I know less than nothing about this subject; and even what I think I know just ain't true.  Taylor's parameters on the subject were point on, IMHO. 

I have rifles built with my choice of barrel, lock, hardware and style and my lop.  Two of these rifles are identical except for caliber; yet the architecture is quite different between the two.  They were built from blanks pursuant to many telephone calls by me.  They would appear to be built by different builders under casual examination.  I consider them "custom" - I don't like that word, as well.  Another rifle is absolutely "custom".  It's daddy was an early Lancaster, but it came out of the womb looking illegitimate.  It's a beautiful rifle but still looks like a cross between and EL, LL, York and a youth's gun.  I designed it and there is none like it anywhere; thus "custom".  Another rifle was also built from a plank as a kids rifle by another gifted builder.  I saw it and had to have it and it can't be called "custom" as it is a true one among many, though all differ substantially, to be sold at "vous" and such. 

As far as quality goes, I have a walnut stocked US M1841 .54 I'd put up against many customs.  Quality defines neither "custom", semi-custom or even factory.  Now I think we all should take a break and go get a drink.   

[rich pierce]

After two days of nearly constant serious contemplation, (hey, I got nothin' better to do.....) I think "custom" and "semi custom" are really poor words to choose for the guns we build. From now on those words will NOT be spoken on this forum. So says I.....

Hear! Hear!

Just kidding. Different folks use these terms differently.

I guess according to some Jim Bivins' Bicentennial rifles would have been semi-custom just like TVM.

[Majorjoel]

Interesting topic!  I can kind of see where there is some form of high fallootin snobbery going on in regards to semi-custom referral's!   And when the fella tells you that THIS is a custom longrifle, he has to hold up his little pinky finger high in the air!

[sqrldog]

That's too funny Joel. I'm still laugjing.. Tim

[oldtravler61]

  Dag nabbit Joel, yeah plum forgot the wine or martini in the other hand!!!   Tim I'm still laughing too!  Oldtravler

[Molly]

Hey, Brooks is ALWAYS right.    He should be promoted to master generalissimo of the forum.  And his work is reasonable, from a few bucks all the way up to several hundred million just to engrave a screw head!

[Mike Brooks]

Hey, Brooks is ALWAYS right.    He should be promoted to master generalissimo of the forum.  And his work is reasonable, from a few bucks all the way up to several hundred million just to engrave a screw head!

WOW.....it happens to be a woman that is one of the first to finally admit I'm right about everything all the time.

[Robby]

Custom, the way things are usually done.
Semi-custon, the way things are usually done half the time, depending on the custom.
robby

[oldtravler61]

  Molly when you admitted Mike was right. Yeah wasn't hittin the sauce was yeah?  Oldtravler

[n stephenson]

 

Hey, Brooks is ALWAYS right.    He should be promoted to master generalissimo of the forum.  And his work is reasonable, from a few bucks all the way up to several hundred million just to engrave a screw head!

I`m not so sure Mike , should immediately be promoted to Master Generalissimo , he is already making decrees and everything, maybe let him linger at Colonel or Major for a while . Once we all feel comfortable or, at least not so uncomfortable about it , go ahead and make him a General, kind of a time in grade sort of thing . That will also give us time to set up a shadow government and ,possibly prepare for a coup.    JMHO 

[nosrettap1958]

OK, I'll throw some gasoline on this fire.

A Green River Hawken or a Sharon Rifle Barrel Company Hawken is a semi custom whereas a rifle from the Hawken Shop is a custom.

But, are we really talking about a big difference in quality, if any, here?

[conquerordie]

I think the phrases used should be custom, or a gun made from a plank, or customized, any gun decorated to a customer's liking, but built from a gun that is exactly like another ( i.e. any kit).
Greg

[Seth Isaacson]

As a bit of an outsider as a non-builder, my first thought was that guns built from patterns and builders kits from places like Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading, Chambers, Kibler etc. with only mild individual modifications would be semi-custom. For a custom gun, I think of a gun that is the result of far more hand work and design by the builder but not necessarily built from plank. It could be built using a basic kit, from plank, etc. but it wouldn't look like someone bought up a kit and then just finished it differently or simply added a patch box or something.

[hanshi]

Reality alert!!  Don't make mike a colonel or especially a general!  You don't seem to understand or realize what kind of monster would be created! OH, the humanity!!

[bob in the woods]

I have heard from others that a semi custom gun would as an example , be a gun produced by a company like TVM. They have their set designs and , basically, you go from there. They can add decorative efforts [ they used to sell a "Grand" rifle ]  but you are still looking at what is a standard TVM gun. The semi custom term is applied because these aren't "cookie cutter"  guns, as a CVA or Pedersoli etc

[Ric27]

I would think that a custom gun would be one made with differentiation unique to the customer's needs and desires. Including any thing with in the makers ability or desire to offer the customer. It might be the choice of wood all the way to a rifle that has been physically sized to fit the buyer in every way. A custom longrifle could be a lot of things but never just one thing cubby holed into a simple concept.     

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

"cookie cutter guns"  I really like that - even better than custom and semi-custom.  Would a gun that was only half custom be a demi custom gun?

[Gaeckle]

After two days of nearly constant serious contemplation, (hey, I got nothin' better to do.....) I think "custom" and "semi custom" are really poor words to choose for the guns we build. From now on those words will NOT be spoken on this forum. So says I.....

So if we follow the eddict of not using these words is that then to be a custom not to use 'custom' or 'semi-custom'? No wonder nothing gets done at City Hall.....

[t.caster]

Ooooh, my head hurts from reading this Too many hairs being split.
I'm in the Brooks camp on this one. That's two, and counting, for Mike!

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I'm afraid we may have stolen the word custom from the automobile industry.  A vehicle rolls off the line, just like the last one, and the next one, but the owner takes it to a person who adds custom features, from the word customer, to make it personalized.  That's it.  Nothing complicated, and it's simply a personalization thing, and mostly prestige.  And it certainly doesn't matter...unless someone is purporting a custom made rifle, that isn't.   He, he, he...

[sqrldog]

This whole thread would make a fine episode on Seinfeld. Much ado about nothing. It all started because someone felt their rifle had been slighted. You caint please em all. Tim

[Robby]

Hmmmm, maybe those terms should go the way of 'all natural' or 'home grown', which today means, it came from this planet.
Robin