Goons Gunworks Query

[Mizar]

OK, I'll play although necromancing threads is not my thing...

Let me tell you a story, a real one. A client calls me - he needs parts for his 20 ton excavator and he needs them urgently. The machine broke on the site, they have a time frame, blah, blah, blah. I find the parts and try to call him back (on his mobile.). 2, 3, 4 times with no success - the phone just keeps ringing. After two days he calls me, furious, because he never hear from me - I'm, obviously, responsible for a penalty fine from his contractor. When I explain, calmly, that I DID try to call him back, but he did not answer, the explanation was: "Oh, I never answer unsaved (unknown) numbers!". And I'm like: "Oh, OK! (click)".

Now, do you understand my point, Rachel?

 

[RachelAnne]

OK, I'll play although necromancing threads is not my thing...

Le me tell you a story, a real one. A client calls me - he needs parts for his 20 ton excavator and he needs them urgently. The machine broke on the site, they have a time frame, blah, blah, blah. I find the parts and try to call him back (on his mobile.). 2, 3, 4 times with no success - the phone just keeps ringing. After two days he calls me, furious, because he never hear from me - I'm, obviously, responsible for a penalty fine from his contractor. When I explain, calmly, that I DID try to call him back, but he did not answer, the explanation was: "Oh, I never answer unsaved (unknown) numbers!". And I'm like: "Oh, OK! (click)".

Now, do you understand my point, Rachel?

Oh, I understand your point. Unfortunately, you were dealing with a knucklehead. If I need immediate contact with someone I make sure I am by my phone. That is just common courtesy.

 

[JN01]

I've been trying to get into contact with Mike for the past month and a half, no response to my voice mails or text messages, today his voice mail box is full.

Mike, if you are reading this, PM me as I have an update to my contact info.

 

[JN01]

After my last post, Mike contacted me and said my Navy would be shipped out on October 15. I still hadn't received it on Oct 21, so I sent a text, then a voice mail the following day. Got a text back on Oct 22, said he got me mixed up with another customer with the same first name, whose gun was being worked on at the same time. Said he was out of town, but would finish it up and have it in the mail on Oct 28, and would text me the tracking number. Didn't hear anything by Oct 30, so I sent a text. No reply. Left a voice mail on Nov 4. No reply.

I think I've been patient, it has been over 2 years and 7 months since I sent my revolver in, thought it was finally coming home. I don't know what to think at this point.

 

[whughett]

Sounds all too familiar. Too bad. The work is without peer.

 

[Keith Hays]

I sent in my Uberti 1847 Walker in the first part of July ... almost 6 months since I sent my gun to Mike (prepaid for the work too) now. Mike was very friendly and generous with his information on the phone. He told me it should be done in about 6 weeks. In that time I've been frustrated a few times and left him several messages. They'll go un-answered for a time, but then Mike will call or text me and put my mind at ease again. I am VERY encouraged to have found this group and this thread, because instead of thinking my Walker is gone forever, it seems there are two common themes here. 1. Mike does excellent work and is worth the wait! 2. He should not make completion time estimates that he knows he cannot keep. I do NOT mind waiting, Just glad to know I'm not alone and frustrated, BUT, It seems like Mike's work is worth it from what I have read here!

 

[Keith Hays]

Well Mike just called me after my post only minutes ago. I am VERY satisfied and happy that my Walker is in his capable hands! I appreciate his calling me and his friendly demeanor. I think he does such good work that he now has more than he can keep up with, as fast as he'd like to. He was very honest and he does have 2 more still ahead of mine, but he will get to it and when he does it will be a very good tuning job! I do NOT mind waiting as long as he needs to get it done. And thanks again Mike.

 

[45 Dragoon]

No problem Keith, thank you for your business!

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Mike

 

[dickydalton]

Merry Christmas, Mike!

 

[.38 Special]

In my experience there is "regular" time and "gunsmith" time. Regular time is what the clock says it is. Gunsmith time is, well, I don't know what gunsmith time is. It's time in a black hole or at light speed or something like that.

I became a much happier person when I resigned myself to the concept of gunsmith time. I just send the gun off with the expectation that I will someday get it back. (On several occasions I have actually bought two of the same gun and sent one off. Then at least I have one to play with over the ensuing months or years.)

And Merry Christmas to you, Mike!

 

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning!
Let me chime in! Merry Christmas to Mike! Our Goon in Gunworks! It took some (Gunsmith) time to get my orphan 1860 Army back a few years ago but as I cycled it the other day, still as smooth as glass.
Thank you sir.
Merry Christmas to all!

 

[45 Dragoon]

Thanks! You folks are the best!!

Mike

 

[Conical220]

Hey Mike, this is Paul S. from Texas, I have lost your phone number(my cell phone bit the dust) and I would appreciate it if you would call or email me. Thanks Buddy, Paul

 

[NineMilePete]

I've called Mike a few times to see if He was still alive and well. He responded back in the affirmative. He slicked up a Santa Barbara 58 for me a few years back and did an outstanding job. He currently has my 2nd Edition Colt 51. I've missed it so much that I bought another one. So now I can relax and know that someday, I'm going to receive my "baby" back. Mike offers an excellent service, but one must read the book of Job and try to emulate Him. Cameron.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Mike offers an excellent service, but one must read the book of Job and try to emulate Him.

This is true of just about any good gunsmith. I'm waiting on a pistol from Tilo Dedinski that is 3-4 months overdue. I won't mention the revolver Andy Baumkircher is building for me, he told me when I ordered it would be a while.

 

[PowderMark]

I sent a gun to John Linebaugh once, took 40 months.
Please God let Mike finish my Dragoons faster than that! Shooting season is coming!

 

[Alex Van Gorden]

I am new to this forum and, relatively, new to BP shooting (about 18 months). I have fallen in love with it and now have a handful of BP pistols both original (1860 Army, 1858 Remington, 1851 London Navy, 1849 Pocket (2)) and replicas (1858 Remington (2) and 1851 Navy). After reading and researching as much as I could get my hands on (mostly through forums and websites like this one), I became comfortable "tuning" the replicas myself. Now, I am 100% sure that I am miles from "Mike level" but you guys do a great job in helping someone like me make solid progress - my 1851 is now smooth as "all get out" and very reliable!

I found Goons through my research and have been concerned about Mike and the possibility of this sport losing a talent like him. I am VERY glad to hear that all is well and that Mike is catching up and making everyone happy!! Now, Mike, I need to see about you taking this 1851 Navy to the next level... Please PM me if you are taking on more work...

Thank you, all, again for all of the help and awesome information!!!

 

[Old Stumpy]

Pro tip: The guy that takes forever has too much work on his hands for a REASON.. he must be doing SOMETHING right.

Or, there are just not many people specializing in tuning up Colt cap & ball revolvers.

In any case, I don't care whether someone is fine-tuning a revolver or repairing my lawnmower for me, I expect them to be honest about how long it will take. If they don't know for sure, then they should say so.

Sort of reminds me about the joke where a guy took a pair of shoes in to be half-soled just before WW2 in 1941.
He goes off to war and forgets all about them.
In 1951 he rediscovers the forgotten claim check, and just for fun goes in to the shop to see what happens, expecting them to be long gone.
Surprisingly, the same little old shoemaker is still there.
Without comment he takes the claim check into the back and emerges a few minutes later.
His reply?
"They will be ready next thursday."

 

[45 Dragoon]

Hey, you're pretty close Old Stumpy!! I'm the ONLY one that does or even offers what I do so . . . thanks helping point this out!! Lol!!

In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the first ever to offer a coil spring action in a Remington S.A. revolver! Since your such a Remington fan I'd think that would be of interest to you. In fact, I've introduced many things for the cap and ball revolver such as -
The captured wedge,
Adjustable wedge bearing,
The Outlaw Mule coil spring action (for Colt actions),
The Outlaw Mule coil spring action for Remington S.A. actions,
Upgraded latch spring for Ruger Old Armys/3 screw models,
Upgraded pawl spring/pushrod,
Upgraded and relocation of the Ruger O.A./3 screw trigger spring,
The Action Shield,
Interference pins,
The Lug Lock for Colt open top revolvers,
And soon, a Gated conversion for the ROA.

All those things didn't fall out of my head one afternoon but they are part of my service that has matured over time.

P.S.
Of course I realize that's your "opinion" and that's ok . . .






Mike

 

[Old Stumpy]

Hey, you're pretty close Old Stumpy!! I'm the ONLY one that does or even offers what I do so . . . thanks helping point this out!! Lol!!

In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm the first ever to offer a coil spring action in a Remington S.A. revolver! Since your such a Remington fan I'd think that would be of interest to you. In fact, I've introduced many things for the cap and ball revolver such as -
The captured wedge,
Adjustable wedge bearing,
The Outlaw Mule coil spring action (for Colt actions),
The Outlaw Mule coil spring action for Remington S.A. actions,
Upgraded latch spring for Ruger Old Armys/3 screw models,
Upgraded pawl spring/pushrod,
Upgraded and relocation of the Ruger O.A./3 screw trigger spring,
The Action Shield,
Interference pins,
The Lug Lock for Colt open top revolvers,
And soon, a Gated conversion for the ROA.

Quite the commercial for your business.

 

[woodnbow]

Geez Goon... looks like you have a stalker...

 

[Alex Van Gorden]

From what I have read here and other places, Mike doesn't need to advertise much, he has quite the reputation for excellent and innovative work. The ONLY complaint I've seen is time delays, which appear to be clearing up now.

It would be good to hear what people are experiencing now as far as timing and meeting expectations as I am interested in possibly sending in a gun or two... (Uberti Colt 1860 Army)...

 

[45 Dragoon]

Alex, you're right!
I'm catching up with what has taken me over 5 years to dig myself into!! Lol
This whole thing has been amazing for the most part. It didn't take too long for me to see where newer technology would be a great advantage for the Colt action. Cap posts were new to me but had been around for some time. From the beginning I figured they would be best "screwed in" rather than just staked in place. Dressing the action parts the way I was taught was fine but I started incorporating my own ideas and some picked up from other makers and well known tuners. Then, along came the competition crowd and the introduction of Ruger "influence". Seems hand springs are better when in "coil" form but that introduces "throw-by" problems (problems Ruger folks don't seem to mind). Only when I could make them do the job like the flat springs they were replacing could I incorporate them into my service. Then, if you bring coil handsprings into the mix, why not a coil bolt spring? Might as well coil spring the trigger too for a truly "modern" (hello 1950's !!! Thank you Bill Ruger !!) action. Things like Bolt blocks and action stops have always been a part of my service, over kill as it may be, but those two things extend the life of a revolver for generations!
Today I'm offering things like action shields, interference pins (a couple of my own developments) which allow cap guns to be almost maintenance free. All you need to clean is the cylinder, the barrel and wipe down the frame. The action will stay tight, clean and lubricated for life. Pretty cool for cap guns!!
This along with all the other standard things I've done since day one have now become "standard". It took quite some time to figure the best way install my own handmade springs, and how my springs could replace the factory springs in Ruger Old Armys/ old 3screw models . . . not to mention figuring out how anyone could ever coil spring the actions in Remington revolvers . . . but I did it!!

Now, I feel I've developed all their needs to be . . . at least for now. So, I've been very busy catching up with all my customers (most have been extremely nice and very understanding) while taking care of new ones . . .
Thanks for asking Alex

Mike

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

In fact, I've introduced many things for the cap and ball revolver such as -

Hope you have them all patented so you can sit back in retirement and collect your licensing fees!!!

 

[45 Dragoon]

Thanks Ephraim Kibbey! Well, I said "introduced" but probably should say "re-introduced". Most things folks come up with have been done before which is why I rarely claim anything as my invention. The only things I'm pretty sure I did are the coil action for Remington S.A. revolvers, the action shield in S.A. revolvers and possibly the interference pins.

I do have (have for quite a while now) some " high power" nipples I designed and a gated conversion for the Ruger Old Army. Those will get some protection . . .

I'd really like to offer a "wedge-less" Dragoon in 45C with "Ruger Only" load capability (and a Cap gun version as well). "One-a-these days" . . .

Mike