DIY gun assembly

[bearcatter]

NAA has a parts list, with numbers and prices, for each gun. Just for fun, I totaled up the Guardian 32 prices, and the entire list would be $ 370. They do not sell the takedown button, or the slide, and the frame/barrel assembly. So, say maybe $ 650 for the whole gun? It lists for $ 409, I paid $ 335 for mine, so I'd guess wholesale is about $ 275. Less than half the "parts price".

I did the same thing once with a Ruger, when they were still showing parts numbers and prices, and the percentage is about the same. I wonder which gun company has the worst part prices?

Still better than car or motorcycle prices. Probably 200K for a 20K car in pieces. I remember there were a few simple cars sold in crates, and you put them together yourself. Cheaper that way, then.

[barrytheprof]

You have an unusual definition of 'fun'. 
It would be cheaper to buy the gun, then take it apart. You could even sell the pieces! Or you could put it back together. Then you'd have a 3D jigsaw puzzle. Or you could try this one:
https://www.seriouspuzzles.com/vw-bus-t1-162pc-3d-jigsaw-puzzle-by-ravensburger/

[RICKS PLACE]

You have discovered my secret to buying 2 of the same model gun.  Parts are expensive and many only available by sending the gun in.  Also, many gun companies don't seem to worry about how long they take to get around to fixing their wares. (NAA and Ruger are exceptions.)  Some parts are no longer available.  My S&W 5906 and Colt Detective Special example.  It's usually cheaper to buy a used gun of the same model to insure always having spare parts. 

[bearcatter]

I've long had the habit of keeping spare parts for guns, especially the parts likely to ever break or go airborne. That's mostly springs, extractors, firing pins, screws, and small pins. You never know what the market or politics will do to parts availability. Some guns change over time, and then newer parts won't fit an older model. I've known of too many cases where a nice gun became a paperweight due to lack of a single part.

Should a part break, etc., I'll still order the part or send the gun in. The stash is for when those options aren't available anymore.