Anybody know what's up with him? He hasn't answered my emails. Last time I heard from him was several months ago saying he had received the stock blank for my 450 Dakota.

Hey Bob, I got an email from him a few day's ago. He said he'd been back logged with his construction company and not able work on the guns much lately. He also said he had 6 rifles to finish and that was it. He's closing up the shop after that. I've got one down there, I know Rusty has two and you one. That accounts for four of'em. I'm not too worried, I'm sure he'll "get'R done" when he can.

Terry

Good deal Terry. Thanks. I hope things are better for him. Too bad he's going to get out of the business.

I hate to see him close up, too! He's had his hands full. Waiting is never easy! I know he will get the projects out as soon as he can. I just hope mine are first!

Not to wish you bad luck Rusty, but me too.

I hate it for both you guy's , I got pictures !

Terry

It's a shame John is closing up shop, as he did great metal work. I had him barrel three rifles for me, and couldn't be happier with his work.

He was also a great asset in sharing what he'd learned on machining and tooling for smithing.

I must be the fifth rifle. He e-mailed me a month ago, said it would be done soon.

Did he say why he was closing up?

I used him because he used to post on the Shooters.com years ago. He answeared many questions for me, and I said to myself that if I ever needed a smith I would use him. So, when I finally got enough dough together to have a barrel put on, I sent it to him.

"Did he say why he was closing up?"

Sorry, I re-read and saw about the construction Co.

My rifle must be number six. This gun has been the kiss of death for gunsmiths. It is the third one it has visited. The first two are now out of business.

quote:

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Originally posted by J_Zola:
My rifle must be number six. This gun has been the kiss of death for gunsmiths. It is the third one it has visited. The first two are now out of business.

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Sorry to hear about that. I will say that if I have to wait for a smith, and I think most every one I've used has taken longer then I'd expected, I at least want to be happy with the work. I can say all three of the rifles John has barreled are shooters, and I don't know of anyone that has been unhappy with how his guns shoot.

I think what got him is he was just too nice of a guy to run his smithing as a serious business. I think doing so takes the fun out of it, but on the other hand, if you make too many comittments, and aren't getting paid for the extra things you do, it bites you in the end.

So, keep waiting, and you should be happy with the work. There are a fair number of smiths that both can't make deadlines, and can't do the work. John can definately do the work.