What would you pay?

[Tdsmith517]

Someone could build a similar rifle off and action in their shop, and it will shoot equally as well, but it won’t be worth what this rifle is. Certain companies work will always command a premium, weather the actual rifle is “worth it” or not.

 

[RR 314]

I attempted to double quote, but looks as if I failed miserably. If I was in the market, I think as a buyer that rifle would be worth $9500-$10,000 to me. There is most certainly a .404J premium (as there is for .505G, .500J etc). This premium can approach 20% (even though price to build is same as other offerings).

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I voted purely for the participation award. My most expensive rig is less than half the asking price, and it's the most expensive rig I'll ever buy. However, I'm not knocking anyone who would spend that on a beautiful piece like this. For me, I'll pick my Buff over the rifle.

For guys and gals willing to pay this, it isn't a mutually exclusive proposition i don't think.

 

[LimbNoMo]

I’ll bet it is closer to $16k if you build it on Parkwest’s website.

 

[Tdsmith517]

15 k with no scope and the options that were listed on Parkwests website right now.

 

[rookhawk]

I think the big miss in the calculations for those that are talking about never spending that kind of money on a rifle is this:

You could buy that rifle. Drag it through the dirt. Beat the hell out of it. Kill a bunch of buffalo. Get old. Realize you’re never going back to Africa again. Send it back to Parkwest with $700 for a refinish and removal of all dents/scratches.

You could then list it today for $10k and get it sold in 72 hours, perhaps in a bidding war.

Name another rifle that holds that kind of value. It isn’t something that cost $3000-$6000 new of recent manufacture.

I’ve never been wealthy enough to afford cheap watches, rifles, or shotguns. Everything I buy yields at least the rate of return of t-bills and is functional art. I’ve never owned throw away, a sign of conspicuous consumption.

 

[Sabre]

First of all let's think about a public sale versus a private sale. Gulf Breeze is a retail store and he wants top money for his guns. As for a private sale I would say $8,000.

Great point.

I don't see how a private sale or sale from a retail store constitutes $4,000 extra on a used rifle. I'm not arguing the value of this specific rifle, I'm just saying in used rifle sales I don't see how it adds that value.

If the retail business selling it was someone who specialized in that specific rifle maker or style and had gone over it and given it a stamp of approval and guarantee in regards to condition that would make more sense.

 

[Tdsmith517]

Let’s be honest, if someone really wanted to buy that rifle they could in most cases. How many people who wouldn’t buy a $10,000 rifle have a boat, Jet ski, snowmobile, side by side, ect. that sits in the garage or driveway?

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

If someone wants, as in really wants, that rifle they will happily pay the asking price. And as long as they aren’t putting others in need/ deprivation, then they can spend their money on whatever they want. I wouldn’t pay that as I don’t need another one and I could build my own for a lot less, but the average punter can’t. Tight wads, like my neighbour who has millions but won’t spend a cent unless he has to (and not paying people money they owe them), will complain endlessly about how much it’s overpriced and tote a thrashed 1980’s Remington whilst whinging about how it doesn’t quite work and why new stuff should be cheaper…..
I seem to have ranted a bit….
I may have just had another phone conversation with him about a 2mile length of fence he thinks I should pay for whilst not paying me for grain harvested from my land….
I digress
Gumpy

 

[Ray B]

Posts confirm my belief that Oscar Wilde's Lord Darlington was correct.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Posts confirm my belief that Oscar Wilde's Lord Darlington was correct.

"I can resist everything but temptation "…….?
Gumpy

 

[Ray B]

Right guy, wrong quote- the one applicable to these comments was regarding the fellow who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Posts confirm my belief that Oscar Wilde's Lord Darlington was correct.

This is a welcome literary turn i didn't see coming.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I love a free market. Some obviously have no interest for any number of reasons. Some cao their spend on a gun to save for other things (like a hunt) and some see the collectability and potential for appreciation (or at least low depreciation). Kind of what I guessed.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Not if you add the correct upgrades. Quarter rib. Upgraded wood. Ebony plugged crossbolts. Custom LOP. Color Case Hardening. Etc.

The upgrades I cannot detect unless in hand is if the barrel was upgraded, if it has a pop-up night sight, if it was rust blued, folding/standing rear sight count, etc.

But a Dakota is worth more than a Parkwest as well.

When you say a Dakota is worth more than a Parkwest, why is that? I was told by them that it is the same guys using the same tools in the same town (maybe the same building). Is it just the years since Dakota went under and some change in quality, regardless of name? I have spoken with Ward and Steve's son Jason there and that was the vibe I got from them.

 

[rookhawk]

When you say a Dakota is worth more than a Parkwest, why is that? I was told by them that it is the same guys using the same tools in the same town (maybe the same building). Is it just the years since Dakota went under and some change in quality, regardless of name? I have spoken with Ward and Steve's son Jason there and that was the vibe I got from them.

They are 100% identical in manufacture by the same hands using the same templates and machinist's drawings. Yes.

I didn't make a quality claim, I made a value claim. All the money in the world will never get you another Dakota firearm custom built to order. They are finite. Don Allen will never preside over the company again. The trademarks have been surrendered in Remington's bankruptcy filing.

For those reasons, vintage Dakotas have more collector appeal than a brand new identical Parkwest.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Gotcha. Makes sense.

 

[Rare Breed]

Someone could build a similar rifle off and action in their shop, and it will shoot equally as well, but it won’t be worth what this rifle is. Certain companies work will always command a premium, weather the actual rifle is “worth it” or not.

I have just had very bad luck on two custom build rifles in terms of chambering a round after firing and i spent a pretty penny on both. It swore me completely off them. I now only buy companies that are proven like Rigby. While beautiful both would not chamber a round after firing only in the heat of Africa not in my native US where I had no problems in practice

 

[Mark458]

I have just had very bad luck on two custom build rifles in terms of chambering a round after firing and i spent a pretty penny on both. It swore me completely off them. I now only buy companies that are proven like Rigby. While beautiful both would not chamber a round after firing only in the heat of Africa not in my native US where I had no problems in practice

What was determined to be the problem? Was it an extraction issue or feeding issue?

 

[Tdsmith517]

I have just had very bad luck on two custom build rifles in terms of chambering a round after firing and i spent a pretty penny on both. It swore me completely off them. I now only buy companies that are proven like Rigby. While beautiful both would not chamber a round after firing only in the heat of Africa not in my native US where I had no problems in practice

What was the temperature you were shooting in state side vs in Africa? Ammo that has been sitting in very hot climates will shoot at slightly higher pressure. I wonder if this caused more stretching in the brass? Where they match cut chambers? Reloads that were only neck sized vs full length resized?