Why Your Custom Builder

[Zen Archery]

Started pondering a 2020 project. When it comes down to it I have the knowledge base and can obtain/borrow tools to build my next long gun.
Had a conversation with my custom builder and decided to go that route.
My question for you ladies & gentlemen, what does your builder provide you that makes you willing to wait 9 months to a year-and-a-half for that build?

 

[Mram10us]

He's smart, good looking and free

 

[milo-2]

My question for you ladies & gentlemen, what does your builder provide you that makes you willing to wait 9 months to a year-and-a-half for that build?

For me, absolutely nothing would justify a 9-18 month wait. My barrels do not last 18 months. Even if I had a build I really didn't like, with a concerted effort, toast in 8 months and start over.
Let me state, I do not own a dedicated hunting rifle, so my thoughts may be nullified.

 

[Rhovee]

He holds BR records. Has customers that have multiple records with his rifles. Constantly testing new ideas and theories at 1K yards, bringing those practices into his hunting/ LR rifles. Builds them all the same. Makes his own tool's to ensure concentricity. I have shot with him at 1K yard matches and is dedicated to progressing the sport and shooting the smallest groups

 

[ducky]

My builder has my rifle back to me in days to weeks, never has it been close to two months after I drop the parts off. There is no reason for a 9 month wait if your builder has all the parts unless they are hand building you a stock.

 

[marioq]

Who are your builders???

for me it's time and garage / equipment base.

 

[nmbarta]

It can take a long time to get the parts, some stocks take months to get.
Some guys are your only choice, I'm building a 375 am, only one guy does that, and he does everything himself. Once all the parts are here, it'll take a couple more months to get it built.
Point is, it's not usually waiting on the smith, it's him waiting on your parts.

 

[J E Custom]

A normal custom build should take less than 4 months. 3 months for part delivery and 1 month or less for the build/labor.

Most of the time it is much less that 4 months unless it is something exotic.

J E CUSTOM

 

[milo-2]

A normal custom build should take less than 4 months. 3 months for part delivery and 1 month or less for the build/labor.

Most of the time it is much less that 4 months unless it is something exotic.

J E CUSTOM

Do you mind, or like if guys just drop off all the parts? For me, having or getting most parts has never been an issue, but it is rare I need to be the first with new products.
IMO, big time saver.

 

[bigngreen]

A normal custom build should take less than 4 months. 3 months for part delivery and 1 month or less for the build/labor.

Most of the time it is much less that 4 months unless it is something exotic.

J E CUSTOM

That is only reality if you can get all of your parts from in stock inventory. Two years ago I was just over 6 months for barrels and a 12-14 months on stocks and 8-10 months on actions IF there were no snafus!!

 

[J E Custom]

Do you mind, or like if guys just drop off all the parts? For me, having or getting most parts has never been an issue, but it is rare I need to be the first with new products.
IMO, big time saver.

Many gunsmiths prefer this way of doing business as long as they have a say in the selection of parts if they are going to be held responsible for a certain accuracy requirement.

If you talk to the smith and agree on this method it takes the headache off of him and makes it easy to schedule the work a timely manner.

This is also a good way to spread out the cost of a build over your budget restraints.
(Spend it when you have it)

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[elf]

I had a well known BR smith promise me I would have the custom rifle back in 6 months. It actually took 18 months. I later learned that he completed work for his regular customers ahead of mine. I found a new gunsmith.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

With my Gunsmith, I buy all the parts and drop it off to him, and he builds em !
Best part is how fast he is, once I dropped off the parts on Thursday and Monday he called and said it's done ? Huh done like finished ? Yup so was able to drop in Tuesday and pick up a full custom built 280AI rifle !
Since then Gary has built me 40 or more rifles, he's pretty busy these days so it takes a little longer, we have become great friends, go hunting together,
If I need anything done no matter how minor I can pop into his place as he only lives 30 minutes away,
The other thing is every year we build a rifle together to donate to the Wild Sheep Society of BC to raise funds, he's always willing to support our wildlife in BC so we have lots in common.
I drop the parts off he builds them and I get to test fire the new builds

 

[Zen Archery]

Minus the "time" and "parts" rabbit trail. 3 of you answered why you use your builder. Thank you.
Interesting how quick turn around may be the factor in choosing a smith.