Gunsmiths and build deadlines

[Kayle]

Is it just me or is finding a gunsmith that will actually get the work done in the time frame that they quote you getting as rare as the mystical unicorn? Don't get me wrong, I know it takes time for the top smiths to get work done. There's a reason they're good and care and precision is taken with each buid but they should have some type of time frame of how long it's taking to get builds out. My last two builds by smiths that are well known but I won't name I was quoted six months and eleven months. The six month build I have been waiting over ten months and the smith from Louisiana that quoted me eleven months I patiently waited over two years before I finally told him to ship my parts back and I'd have someone else do it. Just don't see how you can miss your builds by that much. Guess it's just me venting, wanting my toys for Christmas!! Lol

 

[Biggabe]

I know exactly where you are coming from. Some of the smiths I have used over the years have met the mark some have missed it pretty bad. I usually don't like to pay a deposit, I figure my parts are the deposit. I never pay up front. When you do that there is no incentive to get the work done in a timely manner and 6 months later your money is long spent. Then again I think some of the smiths quote a quicker time frame just to keep a customer from going somewhere else. The really good ones will have a longer wait time and justifiably so. I guess it is what it is.

 

[Lapua40X]

I think it all comes down to time management. Some artists (and some gunsmiths are indeed artists) look at the big picture and estimate the time it'll take to get the job done. Even the most conscientious gunsmiths may not (and often can't) estimate how many little things might get in the way over a period of many months. If you're working on an involved time consuming project that will provide a few bucks only when it's finished and someone drops by with a small project that can be done quickly, the promise of ready cash today tempts you to let the big project wait a little while. If the small jobs increase in frequency the wait times for the bigger jobs compound over time. And that's only for the conscientious members of the family.

 

[X-Caveman]

There are a few good guys in North TX. If you want names, shoot me a PM.

 

[SHootSTraight22]

Is it just me or is finding a gunsmith that will actually get the work done in the time frame that they quote you getting as rare as the mystical unicorn? Don't get me wrong, I know it takes time for the top smiths to get work done. There's a reason they're good and care and precision is taken with each buid but they should have some type of time frame of how long it's taking to get builds out. My last two builds by smiths that are well known but I won't name I was quoted six months and eleven months. The six month build I have been waiting over ten months and the smith from Louisiana that quoted me eleven months I patiently waited over two years before I finally told him to ship my parts back and I'd have someone else do it. Just don't see how you can miss your builds by that much. Guess it's just me venting, wanting my toys for Christmas!! Lol

This is exactly why I don't use "socalled gunsmiths.." All that makes a great rifle (giving you picked out good parts) is the chamber job and the action bedding... All it takes for a good chamber job is a good machinist... With a little practice you could do the bedding yourself if not better considering it's your rifle.. Just a thought??? I mean, if your not wanting a rare over and under or African games gun from a certain "artist" (I say art because of the value involved after having certain hands do the work) then why not just find someone that builds rifles on the side or for themselves to put yours together... I used Butches Reloading to build mine and they did it as fast as I shipped them the parts I wanted incorporated into the build..

 

[shortgrass]

I work around "machinists" every day. I'd not want any of them to do chamber work.

Is it just me or is finding a gunsmith that will actually get the work done in the time frame that they quote you getting as rare as the mystical unicorn? Don't get me wrong, I know it takes time for the top smiths to get work done. There's a reason they're good and care and precision is taken with each buid but they should have some type of time frame of how long it's taking to get builds out. My last two builds by smiths that are well known but I won't name I was quoted six months and eleven months. The six month build I have been waiting over ten months and the smith from Louisiana that quoted me eleven months I patiently waited over two years before I finally told him to ship my parts back and I'd have someone else do it. Just don't see how you can miss your builds by that much. Guess it's just me venting, wanting my toys for Christmas!! Lol

This is exactly why I don't use "socalled gunsmiths.." All that makes a great rifle (giving you picked out good parts) is the chamber job and the action bedding... All it takes for a good chamber job is a good machinist... With a little practice you could do the bedding yourself if not better considering it's your rifle.. Just a thought??? I mean, if your not wanting a rare over and under or African games gun from a certain "artist" (I say art because of the value involved after having certain hands do the work) then why not just find someone that builds rifles on the side or for themselves to put yours together... I used Butches Reloading to build mine and they did it as fast as I shipped them the parts I wanted incorporated into the build..

 

[SHootSTraight22]

I work around "machinists" every day. I'd not want any of them to do chamber work.

Is it just me or is finding a gunsmith that will actually get the work done in the time frame that they quote you getting as rare as the mystical unicorn? Don't get me wrong, I know it takes time for the top smiths to get work done. There's a reason they're good and care and precision is taken with each buid but they should have some type of time frame of how long it's taking to get builds out. My last two builds by smiths that are well known but I won't name I was quoted six months and eleven months. The six month build I have been waiting over ten months and the smith from Louisiana that quoted me eleven months I patiently waited over two years before I finally told him to ship my parts back and I'd have someone else do it. Just don't see how you can miss your builds by that much. Guess it's just me venting, wanting my toys for Christmas!! Lol

This is exactly why I don't use "socalled gunsmiths.." All that makes a great rifle (giving you picked out good parts) is the chamber job and the action bedding... All it takes for a good chamber job is a good machinist... With a little practice you could do the bedding yourself if not better considering it's your rifle.. Just a thought??? I mean, if your not wanting a rare over and under or African games gun from a certain "artist" (I say art because of the value involved after having certain hands do the work) then why not just find someone that builds rifles on the side or for themselves to put yours together... I used Butches Reloading to build mine and they did it as fast as I shipped them the parts I wanted incorporated into the build..

Well, common scents in making your choice would be a given regarding this as well.. Just like picking out good parts for the build... That's why I mentioned finding someone that builds their own stuff... I have a guy that travels around gunsmithing for CowBoy Action shooting.. His main stay in life is a machinist.. He owns his own company and has all the great C&C/water jet machines we've come to love..

 

[Eddie Harren]

SHootStraight22, if you come across any of those common "scents" in almond, please save some for me. My girl friend loves the smell of almonds.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Well, this is an odd business. For me once I have all I need I can turn out a rifle in a couple weeks. Chambers and other metal work I will turn around in a week. Complete rifles are a pain. I am doing 3 right now. When I ordered the stocks I was told 3 weeks. I knew that wasn't gonna happen so I told my customers a couple months. Well, 4 months later I get the stocks. It wasn't until they were ready to ship I noticed an issue with the inlets I was not happy with. So he rushes me out some new blanks. I am spending my hunting season re-doing these stocks, free. Stuff happens. This is not a business I would want to base my whole lively hood on. So at the end of the day, I was way late on my estimate and I hate that.

 

[SHootSTraight22]

SHootStraight22, if you come across any of those common "scents" in almond, please save some for me. My girl friend loves the smell of almonds.

I spelled it that way on purpose... Your not being "bright" here... I used the word scent (as in nose or smelling) since instinct could be described as something one smells,,, not "sense" as in common sense to look both ways before crossing the street... Your not the writer so if in doubt to what I'm saying just ask... Thanks...

 

[SHootSTraight22]

Well, this is an odd business. For me once I have all I need I can turn out a rifle in a couple weeks. Chambers and other metal work I will turn around in a week. Complete rifles are a pain. I am doing 3 right now. When I ordered the stocks I was told 3 weeks. I knew that wasn't gonna happen so I told my customers a couple months. Well, 4 months later I get the stocks. It wasn't until they were ready to ship I noticed an issue with the inlets I was not happy with. So he rushes me out some new blanks. I am spending my hunting season re-doing these stocks, free. Stuff happens. This is not a business I would want to base my whole lively hood on. So at the end of the day, I was way late on my estimate and I hate that.

That's what I was trying to tell the guy.. To purchase everything he wants incorporated into the build then mail it to the builder.. All it takes then is a bedding job (if not a chassis) and a chambering... Everything else can be done by a 10 year old.. If he wants a Cerokote job then the curing time will take longer.. The actual painting needs to be done in stages to provide a good base (don't let painters rip you off) so that would be intermingled between the other work not one direct all day job...

 

[Canadian bushman]

I work around "machinists" every day. I'd not want any of them to do chamber work.

That hurts a little, but i get where you are coming from.

 

[XTR]

The guys at Predator in Knoxville have never missed a commitment on one of my rifles, though they have called me a day or two early from time to time. ;D

 

[germanlongbow]

Sorry to hear. I have a local smith. Drop parts off on Monday. One week later complete rifle. Allbeit is not one of the big name smiths he delivers on time and his skills are impeccable. Should give him a try. EGA Gun Works. Ask for Miike 13197502907. I can send you photos and or group sizes. All are benchrest quality. Scott

 

[joshb]

There ya go. Now, he'll be flooded with work and you'll have a 6 month wait time. It's like a good fishing hole. Tell a friend and it's over run. The age old problem still exists. Artists don't make good business people and vice versus. I'd rather wait for the artist.

 

[Kayle]

I've had some that made it on time as well and I know how suppliers can go but when you start missing your build quote by double or triple the quote, then something is wrong. It sucks pulling the pin on a build you've waited over two years to get but enough is enough. Now I have two years wasted of my time and the parts at another smith. That will get you a little 😡😡

 

[tashabay716]

Well I guess I will give away my "secret fishing hole" also. I just took delivery of my 6mmBR from Matthew Stewart from Smithville OK. Excellent work, delivered on time in 6 weeks and a great guy. I drove up from Texas and took delivery. He did everything I had detailed on my build list and did not "add" anything that he thought I might need. Pierce action with 16.5 inch barrel threaded for suppressor. Shoots sub 1/4MOA with Nosler BT. Have not tried Berger or Match. Matthew just left Surgeon Rifles and is just getting started. I highly recommend Matthew. BTW, I think I know the gunsmith you are talking about in LA. He was over a year past promised date on a build and refused to refund my deposit when I cancelled. I finally drove to his shop to pick up my parts and got half my deposit back because that was all the money he had. I only got the barrel and action, he said McMillian has "lost" my stock. I called McMillian and they said he had never ordered it. I believe McMillian.

 

[savagedasher]

If it is a complete custom build . And the gun smith has all the parts in hand . 2 months should be good turn around time. To do a barrel and action with parts in hand 2 weeks tops.
I never have had more then 3 day when I took him all the parts. Nice to have a friend. Larry

 

[rkittine]

With very little experience, I have been fortunate. Once I confirmed that all the parts were ready to go, the 4 weeks I was quoted for a custom build was only stretched by one week. I order the action for that build and was quoted 12 weeks and had it in 14. I think a lot has to do with sourcing parts if they are not all supplied at once.

Bob

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If your gunsmith has another job sometimes that comes into play as well. Usually your gunsmith knows- as my customers can attest- when somebody needs something done so if i have a customer going to a match next week and just needs a barrel he may get that before a guy that needs his deer rifle in 8mo. Its all about letting us know whats going on and not lie about it either. A good relationship goes a long way. When is gunsmiths day? They have secretary day, bosses day, grandparents day- i want a gunsmiths day. And i want presents and probably cake.