are most gunsmiths pain in the butt

[gilream]

You're joking right?

 

[Cigarcop]

Personally I think this whole story if full of crap.......sorry but I just don't believe it.

 

[fullersson]

Cigarcop,
Now don't be shy go ahead and tell us how you really feel. ;D

 

[Eddie Harren]

Ammo aint all that's getting flung around here.

 

[1000yardstare]

I would be worried that a few more extra items that he thinks you "really need" are going to be added to the project without your knowledge.

Or the price for agreed upon items inflates after initial payment.

At pick-up time you find what you thought was final cost turns out to be a down payment with a balance owing.

Hope I am wrong.

Bill

 

[CJ6]

"I've been calling this guy for weeks" It might be that he was a little fed up answering the phone instead of working on his stuff, o'course most Smiths will tell you staight off if their backlogged with too much work (come see me in six months etc).

 

[andrews1958]

One stop shopping with Robert.

He builds an incredible rifle. The best I have seen in 30 years. I say this from experience as I have most of the rifles built by all the other well known smiths.

He bends over backwards to gain your customer satisfaction. He cares and is extremely honest

No surprises on his prices. What you agree to is all that you pay for.

A shop so clean and organized it could be used as an operating room.

http://www.gradousrifles.com/shop.php

https://picasaweb.google.com/robertgradous/ShopPics#5408850464118305170

 

[Mark S in NM]

I think your gunsmith trained my secretary :

LOL, THAT one made my day ;D. I think her sister worked for me.

 

[flinginammo]

Personally I think this whole story if full of crap.......sorry but I just don't believe it.

I DONT THINK I HAVE EVER BEEN CALLED A LIAR ON A MESSAGE BOARD BEFORE. hold on while i try to figure out if i should be mad,embarresed or happy that this story is so unbelievable TRUE that my integrity gets questioned...

 

[tome]

Randy D...I had one like that also...some days a joy.. other days i bit my lip..she was always large in charge and loyal to the bone..on balance..an asset

 

[areaone]

True or not it brought a smile to my face. I can not believe the dictates went on as long as they did, I would have interupeted after the first, NAH-308 with a NO you do not understand this is MY rifle not yours. Anyway, try Mickey Coleman in Alabama, good guy, knowledgeable and would put a spade handle on it if you want him to and chamber it in a 20/458 if you can find a reamer. He will build it for you, with what you want. Super to deal with and very timely with quality work. Good Luck.

 

[tome]

Flinginammo..I've met people like you described..their way or the highway..personally i enjoyed your story...and if you know it's true ..that's all that matters..remember it's the internet..and for the timebeing..anybody can say anything..it really doesn't matter

 

[flinginammo]

True or not it brought a smile to my face. I can not believe the dictates went on as long as they did, I would have interupeted after the first, NAH-308 with a NO you do not understand this is MY rifle not yours. Anyway, try Mickey Coleman in Alabama, good guy, knowledgeable and would put a spade handle on it if you want him to and chamber it in a 20/458 if you can find a reamer. He will build it for you, with what you want. Super to deal with and very timely with quality work. Good Luck.

you are exactly correct... i called him 3 weeks ago and our conversation was very professional. He was so nice even on the phone. he probably has to talk to dream builders constantly,so you would think his phone patience would be short. he said for me to order what i wanted and he would build it. after talking to him i got hammered by text,phone calls from friends of mine about this other guy which is 3 min from my work so i called him and you know the rest....

i start vacation next week. i will take this old .243 to mickey to start breaking down and truing.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Good for you flinginammo, I would not question your integrity like some, anything is possible out there in this shooting world. Especially those that get swelled heads. I was going to suggest Billy Stevens which is verygood and wants his customers to be return customers. I hope I'll never have to deal with a Gunsmith like that.

 

[WyleWD]

Anyway, try Mickey Coleman in Alabama, good guy, knowledgeable and would put a spade handle on it if you want him to and chamber it in a 20/458 if you can find a reamer. He will build it for you, with what you want. Super to deal with and very timely with quality work.

+1 on the quote above.

flinginammo - I haven't run into Mickey for a few years now, but after the 'smith you walked away from.... I'm thinking you'll be pleased and impressed with Mickey's work. I've never heard the first ill word said about him.

Just look at it as another life lesson and appreciate and take care of a good smith when you find one. WD

 

[DanS]

When he said $2,600.00 you should have said "Nah, I'll pay you $800.00" ;D

That's how I would have replied

 

[wapiti25]

I would not use him period. I do understand the smith's side because you get the gun your way and it does not work the way you thought, he is going to take the blame. I have a car repair shop that only will use factory parts because the third party stuff was so bad and it cost them money. People wont go back because of the cost. Barrel makers take a lot of heat when they have only part of the control of what was done on their barrel. there are a lot of parts that don't work out of the box guess who has to fix them. I would agree on the Krieger barrel, Jewel trigger, and the stock B&C is second to H&S. People want smiths to work for min wage when they want the big dollars for themselves. In this case you need a smith that will do what you want but don't blame him for your choices after the fact. I like the list as what you want done. Good luck and find a smith that you and him agree on what to do.

 

[GSPV]

You'll have a good experience with Mikey Coleman. He understands "value engineering". Listen to his recommendations, he'll be trying to save you money on the rifle that *you* want.

 

[T 700]

John Myers, great smith and will take the time to talk to you. Super nice guy and knows his stuff!!

 

[okedoke]

i am glad you found a good smith to build your rifle for the kids, just remember to tell the gunsmith what you expect from your new 7-08 ( GREAT CARTRIDGE ), factory ammo, hand loads, standard or vld bullets, how much lead in your chamber, type of bedding, recoil lug & what moa do expect from your new rifle. be sure you make a list of things that concern you, it will help your gunsmith a-lot --------- good luck & be safe------ craig take care