Gunsmithing Are gun smith years the opposite of dog years?

[BurnOut]

So ya know how "they" say that for dogs, every calendar year is equivalent to seven years? I have developed a theory that states that gun smith years (or months, or weeks) are the inverse. There must be balance in nature, right? So, if dogs effectively age seven years for each calendar year, then something has to balance that out... enter gun smiths. So, if a 'smith says that a given project will take a month, it will actually take seven months.

What do y'all think?

 

[jackinfl]

My experience has been the opposite. Timely delivery if not beating stated delivery times. I have had work done only by a few. GA Precision work performed by moon. Moon at Crescent Customs. Dana at English custom rifles. Clear communication has been the key here, I believe.

 

[Mordamer]

I have had 3 gunsmiths, 2 of them very well known, lead me on like this for long periods of time. The key is to get them to commit to a date and then hold them to it. I had to stop taking the typical, "Your build is next in line" crap and ask them straight up to commit to a date. I had a very well known gunsmith literally tell me for 6 months that my build was next while posting pictures of dozens of other builds on his facebook page in that time period. It is a disease among gunsmiths.

I also had a conversation with a very good older gunsmith who simply told me that he had too many other builds in the works to take mine. He suggested I get another gunsmith because it would take him unreasonably long to do my project. I very greatly appreciated this honesty. The norm among gunsmiths seems to be to readily take on new builds while they have 12 months of work already lined up.

 

[lancetkenyon]

One month just SEEMS like 7 months when you are anxiously awaiting a rifle to come back...

 

[justwoody1]

That's assuming all you parts are there?
I'll tell people 10 to 12 weeks turn around once all your part are here all the time. But your stock might take up to 12 months to get in. Or your barrel may be 3 to 6 months.

Woody
Accurate Ordnance

 

[parshal]

I have a buddy that just had his build shipped to me from a very well known smith that makes well known actions. It took eight months to get it and he'd sent all the parts to the smith in one box so no waiting on parts. The tough part wasn't how long it took to build but he kept getting told "it will ship next week" for three months! I think all anybody really wants is a realistic expectation. Set the expectation up front. If the buyer doesn't like it they can shop around. But, at least nobody's surprised when expectations are properly set.

 

[Rthur]

To be fair some times the acquisition of parts takes considerable time on builds.

R

 

[BurnOut]

I think all anybody really wants is a realistic expectation. Set the expectation up front. If the buyer doesn't like it they can shop around. But, at least nobody's surprised when expectations are properly set.

Bingo!

 

[Milo 2.5]

To be fair some times the acquisition of parts takes considerable time on builds.

R

A consumer should really take the smith out of the equation on this, why waste his time, actions bought elsewhere can be shipped directly to the smith. Unless of coarse pricing of parts at reduced costs on the smiths behalf. Ohterwise ship or drop the build parts off.
And as anything else, never pay in full, incentive to finish is lost.

 

[Rthur]

A consumer should really take the smith out of the equation on this, why waste his time, actions bought elsewhere can be shipped directly to the smith. Unless of coarse pricing of parts at reduced costs on the smiths behalf. Ohterwise ship or drop the build parts off.
And as anything else, never pay in full, incentive to finish is lost.

This is a solid way to also find out how long it can take to get parts.
This also can make the smith's life considerably easier on a completion date for the customer.
On a current build I have had 3 different versions of delivery on a chassis that the barreled action is waiting for.


R

 

[Milo 2.5]

This is a solid way to also find out how long it can take to get parts.
This also can make the smith's life considerably easier on a completion date for the customer.
On a current build I have had 3 different versions of delivery on a chassis that the barreled action is waiting for.


R

No doubt there, lol
Plus, I have a friend who runs ins agency, he summed it up telling a client, "not all customers equal in this business", well ins is not alone. I'm friends with and a damn good customer of prominent smith on this site, but I know full well he has guys that spend a shit ton more than I do and if my stuff takes a back seat, that's life.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

So ya know how "they" say that for dogs, every calendar year is equivalent to seven years? I have developed a theory that states that gun smith years (or months, or weeks) are the inverse. There must be balance in nature, right? So, if dogs effectively age seven years for each calendar year, then something has to balance that out... enter gun smiths. So, if a 'smith says that a given project will take a month, it will actually take seven months.

What do y'all think?

Many gunsmiths who jumped into the tacticool building world were taught by "Hookum & Rookum". A school that instills their thought process into all their students, be they used car sales folks, Dr's lawyers, an many other "Professions" Promise everything, tie the job up and get to it when you have nothing else that pays better. Keep the party line open an going by saying I'm sorry but X_________________ happened an that is why it's taking so long.

Fix a date, stick to it, and get your shit back when the lies start!