"Just a shock, 60.00 increase. How much metal actually goes into it. I know it's very labor intensive to scratch build one, but........60.00 is a lot. We can now get cnc machined locks from Kibler for 285 and the two offerings are far superior IMO. Just saying, 250.00 is a lot for a cast product."
I hear you on the price increases PAFlinter. I am feeling the money crunch too. Not fun.
You mentioned you got into this because it was cheap. I am cautious about using that word "cheap". Inexpensive holds a different meaning for me than cheap. Cheap to me means junky and low cost. Inexpensive can be good quality for low money. On a $2,000, $3000 or $4,000 longrifle, I don't want "cheap" anywhere near it. But then, this is probably what you were meaning too PAFlinter.
To me, the barrel of a rifle is the heart, and the lock is the brain. There is nothing more frustrating to me than a cheap lock. Why own a gun that doesn't have a good brain? I want the best I can get, and as a critical part of the rifle, it is of relatively modest cost.
I would also caution that just because something is CNC machined, that doesn't necessarily make it better. Let's use this example: Do you want an soft aluminum CNC machined lock or an investment cast steel lock that is not CNC machined? Some of the strongest, toughest firearms in the world are built with investment cast parts. Many of these are used as the basis for several thousand dollar custom firearms. Steel casting does not mean low quality, in fact it can mean the reverse.
I'd like to ask a very serious question of you: Have you compared a Chambers and a Kibler of the same model in your hand at the same time? The comparison we made was a Chambers Round Faced and a Kibler Round Faced. I sat down with a very respected 40-year maker of longrifles. We both examined and operated both locks, and studied them in detail. In the end, we both preferred the Chambers lock, and that was what was used on an important project. One factor was we both felt the mainspring was spongier on the Kibler. Not bad mind you, and I am not criticizing the Kibler lock. The Kibler is a fine lock. Just don't automatically assume a Kibler is better than a Chambers.
I have kids in their 20s. I keep hearing about the minimum wage needing to go up by 50%. I try to tell them that will just jack up the price of everything. They don't seem to listen.
I went to Chick-Fil-A the other day. I used to get a meal package for something like $6.49. Post-covid we are now looking at $9.50. Everywhere I go I see signs saying "Help Wanted". Lack of people working means businesses are having to spend more for good workers.
Enough of my talking for now. This is just my opinion, and others may have a different one. I do feel your pain PAFlinter. Hang in there brother! God Bless, Marc
