doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Please Beware of Macon Gunstocks

This thread is a bit odd to me. You usually get what you pay for, if I send a gun to the UK (or America) and supply the blank I am not going to get any change at all from 2000GBP or 3000 USD for a job well done, in fact top stockers in UK will now be getting 7000 USD ??!! best, Mike

There are still several small, lesser-known, stockmakers that will restock a shotgun for less than $1k, using your blank. They do quality work, and don't advertise. Many of us use these fellows, but are not in a hurry to broadcast their names. Most have all the work they can handle, and often have 6 to 12 month waiting lists.

Talk to your friends, local gunshops, fellow shooters, etc. and you will find one.

Jerry

Mike,

I knowingly signed up for a non premium transaction to service a broken utility gun. Had this been for a mint model 21 which I needed restocked the story you tell would be of greater significance. Fact is, I could have purchased a new Browning 425 for clays and been better off at this date in time.

My post originated to relate my story of one of the worst customer service experiences I've ever been involved with. I choose to share with individuals that share in common a love for a hobby that the company I've been dealing with "services".

That is all.

Macon is makin' no mo' bacon.

Being a wood dealer for some decades now, I know many who turn blanks. A normal rifle stock runs about $100 if done on an 8x duplicator with accurate but not sharp cuts and $400-500 if done on a quality single duplicator like a Hoenig machine. The piece on this machine (in the right hands) is extremely sharp and not much inletting is required. Final work varies considerably. Many guild members want $6500 and many local craftsmen charge MUCH less. Some of the locals are better than some of the less endowed guild members. Time varies considerably. Craftsmen are generally much faster than arteests.

Anyone can contact me for a list of stock turners.
Pete

Sorry RW I wasn�t casting any aspersions, I think as you say you would have been better off just buying a second hand gun, the chaps you chose to deal with are obviously useless, best, Mike

Mike, I've no experience with US and UK stock work but can't imagine paying those prices. I've had splendid work done here in Atlantic Canada on a fine Francotte and VH Parker for a fraction of those prices.

Jerry those stockmaker's you speak of turning out a stock for less than a $1000...is this on a sxs (any type ) or a pump or semi or rifle ? is it a finished product ?

If that's the case, then these guy's must be starving,or much ,much faster than me ! there's no way I could turn out a a finished sxs for that much and be able make anything in the end to pay bill's ....I worked this way for year's,for the love of it,for a friend who needed a favor etc...that's until I sat down and worked out my hour's and material.

I then scoured the net and seen the price's that were being charged ,some I thought were quite reasonable, some are way up there, they're the elite and you get what you pay for. Then you have the Steven's ,the Iver's and then old single shot's from whomever and you can't expect someone to pay the loot to get these restocked so a good duplicator would fit the bill here for the D.I.Y guy's

I've never dealt with Macon,but it sound's like a no brainer to me...garbage is garbage any way you look at it,and it can't last.

On the other hand good work is good work and it should be appreciated and properly compensated for,the guy's who turn out decent stock work for less than a grand and have enough for a 12 month wait list as you say,they make it hard for someone trying to make a living on it...It's like a small town fireman and his crew,who build house's on their three day's off for cash..they have no idea how much it hurt's the local carpenter who has to keep his crew and bill's paid.

Just my two cent's.

Sometime back I was out at the gun club and a fellow came up to me and was excited about having his Kreighoff custome restocked. He wanted to show it to me for my opnion. He was very happy with the work and when he told me that he paid $1200 for both the stock and forearm, I thought I had found the holy grail.

He then brought it to me and when I saw it it was horrible. I commented how nice it was as he was happy and I guess thats what counts. I could have trained blind monkeys to do a better job.

One thing that I have noticed is many people do not know what good work is. I see this many times in Houston, work done but knowned gunsmiths, some with a national name.

John
Quality Arms

Mike, I didn't read your post thinking you were looking for trouble! Instead, you gave me the opportunity to clarify my intentions. Thanks.

Rob