doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Restock or part out?

I have a Lefever H grade in the project pile. About only thing this gun has going for it is nice barrels. It needs a new butt stock. The trigger guard was crudely repaired by brazing. Somebody blued the receiver.

I had myself psyched up to restock and renovate it but now I�m thinking it isn�t worth the effort.

It occurred to me I have a much easier option; fit the project gun barrels to a second Lefever H. The �good� Lefever is cylinder/skeet. My project barrels are still in extra full configuration so I can do anything with them. I would have the functionality of both Lefevers without much effort. And, spare parts for the long haul.

But, it seems improper to break up a gun I can fix. I will need to remove metal from the breech face of the �donor� barrels so there is no easy way back.

What say you?

They aren't making any new Lefevers lately, are they?

Curious as to the extent of the Mods to the extra bbl. If you have to remove much from the "Face" of them then a recut of the rim seat may be in order. If you are referring to removing metal from around the perimeter of the standing breech because these bbls overhang then you could run into problems with firing pin strike, for if the bbls are larger, they also likely have a wider firing pin spacing. There is a lot to consider here before you go to "Cutting Iron".

I have spent more restoring a gun than it was worth when I was done. I did it because I wanted just that gun and was prepared to go through the bother. That said I am so very happy that I did it. That the gun is just right and in my hands shoots wonderfully.

That said I have done the same and gotten a gun in near prefect order only to determine it is not what I want and to this day I have not worked up the energy to sell it, even though it never leaves the safe.

In the end it is not a question of right or wrong, but one of what is better strawberry or chocolate ice cream. If economics is the center of gravity part it out, if it is about something more, if the project is a dream or love you can afford to lose on then go ahead and embark on the project. That said if you restock it take the time to get a stock made to the right dimensions, get fitted.

Take the time to do the math and add 75% and if you can do it and you really really want it, go for it.

But I end with the caution, you may end up with a good gun you are upside down on and don't want, accept that chance before committing.

PS Make sure on the barrels, check wall thickness, pretty maybe honed and not sound.

You could keep as is and find a take off stock. Might need to glass bed it or re-inlet it. No harm in making it into a shooter with a another butt stock. There are enough mismatched part gun out there and if the barrels are sound all the rest can be made right given time and money. And the more time you invest the less money it will take.

I know a guy who would buy it for a rational price.

bill

I agree with the "old colonel." If the gun pleases you, it doesn't matter if you invest more in it than it is supposedly worth, otherwise ....

only a philistine would part out a fine gun...

Ryan, you said it needs a new butt stock. You would be amazed at what can be done to make a stock usable if it is even somewhat structurally sound around the head and lock plates. I wouldn't part it out if you don't have to. If the stock is completely shot, I see donor stocks and guns all the time on gunbroker and elsewhere. It's probably fixable, and shootable, and like Dave said, they aren't making any more of 'em.

Or, fire up the old Victor Combination set-- 5 on the acetylene, 10 on the oxygen and the smaler Rosebud tip- nice neutral flame at 6000 F at the cone tip- and "Warp-City Color Case-Hardening" in a jiffy- that's your 'secret' to restoring/ruining a fine shotgun, right Eddie??