I just got a note from Butch Searcy with a picture of the Classic 470 Nitro Express Rifle that he made for me. Been what seems like a very long wait for it to be finished.
Just want to share it. I expect the rifle will be shipped within a week or so.

Bob, that's great. Soon you will need to change your byline from "Future Double Rifle Guy" !!!

Congratulations! How long was your wait from the time you ordered it?

congrats and enjoy!!!

You will love it. Great guns by a great guy.

Both of my Searcy rifles have served me well. Even if Butch is a fat old bald guy from New Mexico.

There isn't a more personable gun builder on this planet once you get to know Butch!

For some unknown reason someone at Butch's place said they want to receive payment in full before sending the rifle.
And here I was thinking that my trustworthiness was never in question.
Guess since the rifle deal was totally done verbally, I shouldn't be surprised that the bill would eventually come due.
As to how long it took, all I will say is that its been about two months longer than I hoped, since I was looking forward to using it this past deer season. Butch let me know a couple of months ago that he has had to downsize, and that has probably slowed the completion of a number of rifles.

Hey Bob,

Looking forward to a report complete with a bunch of photos of your new beauty.

I can't see what is in the photo in your first post above but from photos of Butch's other work, I am sure it is excellent.

Bob: I wouldn't be offended at all about that. Butch is just being an astute businessman. On my visit to Boron last summer he told me a story about building two double rifles for one of the Jurassic Park movies. He had been told by another vendor that a number of the vendors had been asked to supply items for the movie and then they had not subsequently been paid. He told me that he then made it very clear to the movie folks that neither of his rifles would be shipped without payment in full first. I think that's his business policy and I can't blame him for wanting payment before releasing a new double rifle-to anyone. Just good business sense. IMHO, there's no reason to take any offense at Butch's request.

I may be wrong but I detect a bit of sarcasm in Bob’s post….

Of course I was joking about payment up front.
In this age of internet scams, one always needs to do his homework up front.
I did my homework to find out as much as possible about Butch and his business dealings with folks. Every one of the 25 folks I gleened info from provided proof that he is an exemplary businessman and totally honerable and that his rifles will at some point in the future be considered premier items worthy of collector status.
I have no qalms at all about my dealings with Butch.

My father and I purchased a rather elaborate .577 NE DR from Butch about four years ago. One damn fine rifle. If you do a seach for it, I'm sure you will scare up some photos of it.

Last year, my young wife passed away from Lung Cancer. I hadn't been in contact with Butch that much since purchasing the gun as there with nothing wrong with it.

It did, however, post here on AR of her passing and our loss (I had a five year old son at the time.) Upon arriving at her memorial gathering in Alexandria, VA, I saw a floral arrangement from the folks from "B. Searcy & Co."

I was FLOORED. Here I was a customer from a number of years prior, yet Butch saw my post, found out where Karin's memorial gathering was, and took the time to send my son and I flowers in her memory.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE HUMBLED IN ALL MY LIFE!!!!

That simple act speaks testaments to the man Butch Searcy is. I admire that man with the utmost respect. He is a consumate gentleman, businessman, and friend. I am honored to call him everyone of the above; he is my friend.

quote:

at her memorial gathering in Alexandria, VA, I saw a floral arrangement from the folks from "B. Searcy & Co."

Dude...that says it ALL.

Gary
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