High Cost of Parts

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The topic on lock prices got locked before I could add a comment that I feel is valid, for me at least.
Canadians buy their components from the States and are happy to pay for the privilege of being able to build these fine firearms.  But we pay a lot more for the same stuff you find expensive, than you do.  Add 25% for exchange, add 13% on top of that for taxes (Goods and Services Tax and Provincial Sales Tax, and add on top of all that $10 handling fee, after having paid astromonically high mailing costs.  It's the price we pay to enjoy this hobby.

[DavidC]

Investment casting and then cleaning up the components is less efficient than machining so it surprised me to see the comparably higher cost of cnc locks. I think Chambers has always been pretty generous on the price considering what a finished rifle shoppe lock costs relative to a set of castings.

As for the taxes, blame the rise in nationalism you see as a result of hard economic times. All the supercentarians with sound minds are thinking "Hey, I've seen this episode before!"

Don't blame the "state of the union" because union is a red word...

[tecum-tha]

That is predominantly true in countries which do not have their own muzzleloading niche market or who are majorly served by Italian and Spanish replica mfg.
Perception of what is good always depends on what is available in the market. Based on what you see available on the Market, one thinks Pedersoli is the gold standard in Europe.
For years it was no big deal to get US parts shipped to Europe. Most US businesses don't ship anymore to Europe and this has mostly to do with changed shipping regulations of "gun parts" into Europe and not the unwillingness of the US business to sell their stuff.
Because the EU tries to starve interest in firearms by tightening regulations, direct internet marketing into Europe and other markets is pretty much dead due to shipping issues.
In addition, import of muzzleloading related stuff into the US is free of custom fees.
Similar to Canad, the exact opposite in the EU: they add value added tax of 19% + custom fees based on what it is.
Essentially all practices which are not "Fair Trade".

[Bob Roller]

In 2011 I found this forum and not long after I said I was going to buy external parts from R.E.Davis and make 10 of the Twigg locks with a major upgrade in the part that IS the lock.I sold all of them with little effort and did 4  more when 4 people sent the parts to me they had bought.I got $300 each for the 10 and then allowed the actual cost of the parts and I think I got $250 for the custom mechanism.That was 11 yeas ago so the current over $200 prices are not out of line at all IMHO.NO specialty parts for anything are aimed at a distressed market any more than luxury cars are.We are craftsmen and women on this forum and we also have the option from time to time to engage in barter of parts for services or services for parts with each other.Tools and materials are sometimes loaned or given in some cases.
Put more water in the soup,better times are coming.

Bob Roller

[RMann]

Most of us as craftsman don't mind paying a premium for the best.  But it is disappointing when the quality is less than expected. Today I examined 4 of the same locks, from a reputable maker, and all of them were poorly ground where the face of the bolster snugs up along the barrel flat. And the side of the frizzen cover slightly overhung the bolster as well.  I did buy the best of the four, but still need to stone out a .006 "dish" for the bolster to be flat.  Then I will have to grind/stone the edge of the frizzen cover flush with the bolster. This is frustrating since I never had to fix these flaws on the 2 previous locks I purchased. Maybe I expect too much in the quality control department and should expect to do more than polishing.  Even the guy behind the counter explained "You know none of these locks are really finished." Just venting a little, but I'll call the manufacturer tomorrow to share my complaints, for their sake.

[Bill Raby]

I made a lock from scratch a few years ago. After doing that I am amazed how inexpensive commercially made locks are. If lock prices doubled I would still think it is a bargain.

[Mule Brain]

Don't forget all the state taxes levied on purchases now.

[Ky-Flinter]

Thanks Taylor, many are probably unaware of the extra costs borne by our friends to the north to enjoy this hobby.

I guess some of you others missed the following from the "Lock Prices" thread, so I will repost it here.....

Keep politics out of it if you want to keep discussing this topic. No “clever” veiled references to politics. Do that elsewhere.

Since the topic that sparked this one was locked, I'm locking this one also. 

Ron