Re: Smiths who can build/fit a 2011 Upper?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skunkworks</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would contact Mike (Skunkworks). He builds guns off of these frames. </div></div>
Skunkworks is definitely not well-known in the business of 2011s. That was this spring and there's been no update on it at all. </div></div>
Thanks RAD....
Downzero, You don't know anything about me or Underground Skunkworks. You and I had one phone conversation regarding sponsorship where you were completely overbearing and tried to convince me that you were well tied and you asked a lot of questions that were out of bounds. You also sent me a video of your shooting that I had an IPSC Grand Master review and he picked it apart. Bottom line is, you're a Class C shooter and you didn't make the cut. There are others on SH that will. My 2011 project is still in the works and will continue to move along at my pace. </div></div>
Now you're going to make it personal? I was trying to be nice, but now I might as well let the cat out of the bag.
First of all, your phone conversation was full of lies and misinformation. The first mistake you made was talking about infringing on the patents of the two men who invented the 2011. I highly doubt you have the production facilities to actually produce the polymer lower that makes the 2011 what it is, but you claimed that you didn't care and would manufacture it anyway. If you thought I was going to willingly take possession of something that violates a patent, you've got more than just a little to learn about me.
Second, you acted like you know everything about practical shooting, when the fact of the matter is, if your name isn't out there and represented at a major tournament, it doesn't matter if the people holding your guns are GMs or Ds, you're never going to sell anything to real competitors.
Third, you claimed that you weren't interested in sponsoring me because I'm not an "IDPA" shooter. News flash: IDPA has only one division in which a 2011 is allowed at all, and there's no reason that a factory STI can't be competitive in that division. It also bans bull barrels and slide lightening--the key features which a shop like yours would presumably offer.
And after wasting 45 minutes of my time on the phone, what did you have to say? That you designed a new.......HAMMER....for the 2011?
Sorry to say, but Doug Koenig already has a patent on the best hammer for these guns. Nobody's going to be interested in a hammer even if it is true that you made one, which I highly doubt.
The fact of the matter is that you started a thread on this forum to try to get some free publicity. And this year, I've shot several major tournaments, including staffing one, in which I would have had plenty of time to evaluate whether you actually had something new and innovative, or whether you just put your machines, which from what I understand are known for producing high-quality long guns, to producing a product that you know nothing about, in an attempt to make money.
It was obvious from talking to you that you don't understand how this sport works, that there are no alibis, that a gun that doesn't function or acts up even once could cost you a match, and that some GM's opinion on how your product functions doesn't say anything to a mainstream shooter.
I smelled a rat before you ever called me, and we see what came of it. Not a single one of your guns is in the hand of any USPSA shooter, your supposed "support" for the sport was a sham, your research and development was supposedly done by your brother, and the only thing you can claim in the aftermath is that you attempted to violate STI/SV's patent and presumably that tree bore no fruit.
My shooting skill and performance isn't in question here. I've posted my USPSA number on the forum before. Anyone who wants can see that I'm a C class shooter. That was never in doubt.
You said you wanted someone to evaluate your product and it never showed up. You also claimed that it'd be perfect right out of the box because your brother said so. I know I'm not the only one who thought that was a joke, and I can guarantee you that anyone who is getting paid to shoot or competitive enough to be at the top of the rankings isn't interested in finding the truth value of that at a major tournament.
Perhaps the most unfortunate thing for you, is that IF your product had actually reached the market, and proven itself to be what you said, I have contact information for an up and coming junior shooter who will likely be among the best who have ever played this game. And when I find a gunsmith who actually supports the sport and is interested in building 2011s that don't violate a patent and are truly innovative, I will share that information. And I guarantee you that the shooter in question will bring a LOT of good publicity to whatever gunsmith has the opportunity to sponsor that shooter.
And one final point--I assure you that no shooter is going to take your statement that your gun will run 100% on faith. That has to be verified with the ammo and the shooter who is shooting your gun. Even if your brother really is an "IPSC Grandmaster," the rule is "trust, but verify" in this game.