Goons Gunworks Query

[Cowhide Cliff]

Some people think they are the only ones with an order on your board, I deal with it all the time. Then there are those used to ordering custom work and realize perfection takes time. It's not a china made product Amazon can just deliver, it's custom work for pete's sake.

I've been waiting on a custom rifle now for over a year, it'll get here when it's done, I want it right not rushed and other understanding customers are the same, they don't want there's rushed so he can get to yours sooner.

 

[judgejohnmd]

I've reached the age(78+) where I'm(finally!! according to my spouse!!) learning that I don't need to be in the lead car in traffic; don't need to have my food 5 minutes ago; etc, etc; I'm happy to wait what I understand will be an excellent piece of craftsmanship, which I'll be pleased to turn over to a loved one, probably in the not too distant future. I did send Mike a note; got a reasonably quick response; and am looking forward to being able to shoot my 1858 Pietta Remington in the next few weeks; whenever it gets here!
Lighten up, people!!
Judgejohn in MD

 

[whughett]

Yes,Yes,Yes but 2 years for basic gunsmith repairs.

 

[arcticap]

As a general remark about any internet gunsmith, I think that it's important that people know that their gun is actually being worked on in the order that it's received.
If one person sends in their gun and it's not finished in 2 years, and another person has their gun finished in 1 year, then it's reasonable to assume that the guns aren't being worked on
and completed in the order that they were received.
One would think that it's important that people have some faith that their gun is actually being completed in an honest and timely fashion and not being skipped over to complete jobs for others based on
reasons other than just waiting on parts.
Of course there's going to be some logical reasons for some guns to not take as much time to complete as others, but it's important that both parties understand that an honest effort is being made to stay on an honest schedule without
any favoritism involved or by placing a gun on the back burner indefinitely without a good reason or an honest attempt at communication explaining the delay.

I once sent a gun to a specialty outfit who after 2 years said that the gun was still sitting on the shelf since the day that he received it.
Sure he had his reasons, he moved his business, his wife was sick, he has other businesses that take up his time.
I only called him once every 6 months or so, and he was supposed to do specialty work that no one could do.
I wasn't in a rush even though people kept asking me whatever happened to my gun getting fixed and why wasn't it received already.
I finally received it back without any charge, not even for shipping after a final phone call and another 2 month wait.
But it wasn't totally fixed either.
What can you do but bite the bullet?

 

[45 Dragoon]

Harvey, it will head home probably Thu. (not sure when I'm going to the p.o. yet). Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to evaluate the lug "re_attaching" job and the long season to think about a solution (since it is a "Southern" gun and you wouldn't need it till the following winter). Of course, things happen over long times and the time to spend on "project" guns seems harder to find.

Just to let folks know (again) I'm a "tuner" not a gunsmith. I use what's there and I don't "inventory" parts other than what I use as a tuner. I don't have time to run down parts. So, if your revolver needs parts, I'll replace them if they are replaceable and you send them to me or with the gun. I'm plenty busy doing what I do.

Since this seems to be an easy fix for a gunsmith, I'm sure it won't be hard to find one locally.

Ok, lesson learned, no more guns will be accepted for evaluation.

Mike

 

[whughett]

Well I can certainly attest to your “tuning” skills. My three Colts I paid for, A Walker, 1860 Army and an 1862 Police run like fine watches, as does another the 1851 Navy I acquired. What you do you do well.
Thank you for the phone call.
Harvey

 

[John L Venable]

Yes, I have a cell phone. Yes it's with me all the time. Yes I missed a call in June (I'm in a freaking shop. It gets loud sometimes!!). I called the O.P. back the next day. For 51 secs. I talked to him (I assume, I don't leave long messages). I'm sure I told him (if we talked) that the group of Walkers/Dragoons are coming up and his was one of them. I missed his call 2 days ago and here we are. On a public forum.
I will apologize to all here for all future times, I do not call to give updates to your "baby" ( I'm way too busy.) If you miss me, text me, if you can't text me, email me. I have no emails or texts from the OP since I texted him in April. 1 missed call, 1 returned call , another missed call 2 days ago and here we are.
Is this sufficient? I have records. I've talked with Ken (we are ok).
As a reminder, John's Walker will be finished Mon. or Tues. (I'm not as clairvoyant as some are so I can't tell you exactly when I'll be done. If it were simple, maybe so . . . )

Mike

Yes mike, I got your message saying the Walker would be finished in a day or two. After your not responding to Email and a couple of calls, I posted here and in another forum to see if anyone else was having similar issues, apparently, I was not alone, your turnaround time and lack of communication is also being discussed in a facebook percussion forum. Your work gets terrific reviews. I would respectfully suggest you be more straightforward in your turnaround times.

 

[StrawHat]

Hey Mike,

I am shipping an 1860 to you tomorrow. Why haven’t you contacted me and told me it’s already done? How long do you expect me to wait?

Kevin

 

[45 Dragoon]

Well thank you for your wonderful advice John. As far as Facebook goes, I don't "do" Facebook so I'm not able to speak for myself (so I'm sure it's a great read). Just as in this thread in this forum, 2 revolvers were sent for me to evaluate (not necessarily to just tune) with no pay involved so it was my time spent NOT working on customer guns but instead, trying to help those that sent them . . . only to be smacked a little here . . . needless to say, I won't be doing any of that any more. You wouldn't know the circumstances though just reading the posts.
I'm not claiming to be perfect, just a tuner that developed a superior action (over some time) as I worked through my customers (upgrading theirs as well at no cost). Needless to say, I'm extremely busy catching up customers, delivering a much superior product (that for the most part is standard now meaning any more development will be minimal).

Mike

Lol Kevin!! (I'm a slow "keyboard operator " !! ) Well I saw the big problem before you send it but didn't want to tell you till it gets here!! (My clairvoyants is kicking in! )
Thanks Kevin.

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

Brackett has one of the best reputations of any practitioner doing anything - the guy is famous for his expertise. You're lucky to get a gun in the same room with him.

I also admire people who don’t “do” Faceberg.

 

[olgeorge]

Hey! I'm the "gentleman"(a rather loose use of the term) from Alabama. Don't rush things! I won't be 82 until the first of Sept!. Jim, I got the parts and installed them after installing a hammer stop screw into the trigger guard. They fit pretty well. Not perfect, but you have to look closely to notice the mismatch. I'm happy with them. The grip fits my hand much better than the old "tail' style. To others, be advised that the delay was entirely my fault. I had a lot of family stuff going on. I've been accused of slowness anyway. By the way , I'm originally from Ohio, wife is from here.
Jim,I tried to send you a PM on the other forum, but took too long typing it and was automatically logged off. Then when I hit send it all disappeared. Now that forum is down, so I may send it on this one. It was about the above plus a description of some mods to a .44 Ruger Bisley. I might just post it, in case others may be interested.
By the way,I used to use my real initials on forums, but after age 75, I thought it might be more appropriate to turn "lo" around and make it "olgeorge".
Oh, I don't do facebook either!

 

[Stormson]

Whats this "facebook" thing yall keep talking about??? LoL

Nope... No little Markey round here either!

 

[arcticap]

Whats this "facebook" thing yall keep talking about??? LoL

Nope... No little Markey round here either!

There are muzzle loader group pages on Facebook that are just like the black powder forums that discuss the same topics that we do.
Some only discuss pistols & revolvers while others discuss both rifles & pistols.
Some have thousands of Facebook members who belong to the closed groups.
A person needs to be a Facebook member to sign up to be able to read and post in these groups.
Some Facebook groups discuss more specialized topics than others.

 

[expat_alaska]

Hey! I'm the "gentleman"(a rather loose use of the term) from Alabama. Don't rush things! I won't be 82 until the first of Sept!. Jim, I got the parts and installed them after installing a hammer stop screw into the trigger guard. They fit pretty well. Not perfect, but you have to look closely to notice the mismatch. I'm happy with them. The grip fits my hand much better than the old "tail' style. To others, be advised that the delay was entirely my fault. I had a lot of family stuff going on. I've been accused of slowness anyway. By the way , I'm originally from Ohio, wife is from here.
Jim,I tried to send you a PM on the other forum, but took too long typing it and was automatically logged off. Then when I hit send it all disappeared. Now that forum is down, so I may send it on this one. It was about the above plus a description of some mods to a .44 Ruger Bisley. I might just post it, in case others may be interested.
By the way,I used to use my real initials on forums, but after age 75, I thought it might be more appropriate to turn "lo" around and make it "olgeorge".
Oh, I don't do facebook either!

I am glad that you are fairly pleased with the grip assembly I sent.

I don't want to hijack this thread, so just send me a PM on this forum or start a thread of your own.

BTW, I don't do any social media, either.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[72coupe]

I sent Mike a dragoon and a pocket police in June of 2018. I haven't contacted him nor has he contacted me. I am not worried. If I thought there was anything to worry about I would not have sent them in the first place.

 

[SharpDog]

I sent Mike a dragoon and a pocket police in June of 2018. I haven't contacted him nor has he contacted me. I am not worried. If I thought there was anything to worry about I would not have sent them in the first place.

I truly hope you are satisfied and the purchase is worth the wait.

I myself would not wait longer than 6 mos. for any custom item. It's just not worth the wait for me.

For the OP, I have directed my bank to withdraw funds from fraudulent purveyors, in at least one case there was legal fraud. In another there was theft. 2 Cases still pending. I would send several letters and voicemails stating my intentions and, when enough time has passed (e.g. a few mos.) start the bank proceedings.

 

[StrawHat]

I have no problem waiting for quality work. Shoddy work doesn’t take nearly as long.

Different strokes, different folks.

Kevin

 

[Stormson]

There are muzzle loader group pages on Facebook that are just like the black powder forums that discuss the same topics that we do.
Some only discuss pistols & revolvers while others discuss both rifles & pistols.
Some have thousands of Facebook members who belong to the closed groups.
A person needs to be a Facebook member to sign up to be able to read and post in these groups.
Some Facebook groups discuss more specialized topics than others.

I know. I was in quite a few of them myself. I found that the level of knowledge wasnt quite up to the level found here and on other forums, but that was ok...

When they started the anti American, anti freedom, anti free speech BS I HAD to walk away. Its a private company.. they can do as they choose... But I am a private citizen and so can I. I am not forced to partake, uphold or support their shenanigans... So I chose not to.

I would be more then happy to return... If they ever chose to do business on a fair and open basis. Until then, well, I dont see little Marky out here fixing my porch for free, why the hell would I write HIS content to support HIS business for free.. as he happily stabs in the back all that I believe in?

Sorry.. Nope. Not gonna happen. Now.. if he wants to discuss this broken down old porch out here and work some deal out for my time posting.. Well.. Im sure he knows how to reach me.. til then.. Nah.. I dont see it.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Amen brother, I don't do any of that social media nonsense either other than this forum.

 

[45 Dragoon]

72 Coupe, Kevin, Dogg and others, thank you for your words/support. I'm told by many they want the best and not to hurry and some want it back last week. I totally understand both sides and my intent is to impress the customer beyond anything they could get anywhere from anyone else.
A "revamp" of my website should be done this week and a lot of "firsts" will be listed as available in certain services. All the services are "complete" meaning they are suitable for anything the customer wants to do be it a "fun gun" or for competition. This new approach should go a long way to help maintain a more "reasonable" time line for everyone. As I posted above, I'm hoping to be somewhat caught up with all but the most recent customers sometime in Sep.
Thanks again,
Mike

 

[olgeorge]

I've been thinking on this thread and thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth, just for the heck of it. I have neither done business with Mike nor met him in person. I have, however, corresponded with him through PMs and via the phone. He has always been friendly and helpful and willing to share his knowledge. I've learned a lot from him. Maybe, for the sake of his business, he is a little too willing to put up with people asking questions. The better the craftsman, the bigger his backlog seems to be. As Strawhat says, shoddy work doesn't take nearly as much time as good craftsmanship. L. O. G.

 

[wmgeorge]

FYI phone calls take up time, sometimes needed but if your in business a short email can save a Lot of time and it can be answered anytime.

 

[olgeorge]

Yes, I already figured that out. That's why I don't call often. It's probably been a year or so.

 

[RachelAnne]

I'm sorry - I have no dog in this fight as you might say, but in the 21st century you guys are using landline phones for communication?!? At least this is the impression I get from reading your posts...

Hey, I'm an analog girl trapped in a digital world. My cameras use film, my pool table uses actual pool cues and balls (no batteries), my house is filled with mechanical gadgets that may or may not require batteries but not microchips. Carrying a cell phone around would be like wearing a dog leash.Gosh! Even my guns are analog!

 

[SharpDog]

Well I've waited on a semi-custom adapter plate that was supposed to ship in 3 weeks, it finally shipped yesterday after 8 weeks. I spoke to the proprietor 3 weeks ago and he indicated it would ship last week. Sometimes that's just how it goes.