doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com General Impressions of Tony Galazan and CSMC

Thank you, Mark.

I know Tony and he is a great guy. He is one of my customers and I am one of his. You will learn alot from CSMC! If you have any questions just email me at doublegun@sbcglobal.net


Jim

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, opinions, and encouragement! This is exactly what I was looking for, since I am so new to the industry I have no idea who has a good reputation and who is a little shady. I have tried to find as much as I can through my research, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you, word-of-mouth is the real marketing of the gun industry. Especially of the double gun world.

While I am writing let me ask your opinions and thoughts of the other companies I am considering...

Cole Gunsmithing and it's owner Rich Cole
Turnbull Restorations and it's owner Doug Turnbull

Thanks again guys! I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help on this. I am torn between the options presented and can use all the info I can get, to help with the decision.

Thanks again

Boone

Doug is a very good guy and has a very good business. It will likely be different type of work than at CSMC (restoration/upgrade vs. new construction, respectively) so one thing to consider is what do you want to do. If you like the type of work that they do at Turnbull's, then I would jump at the chance to work for Doug if I were in your position. When you look at his quality of work and the types of guns going through his doors, you will see it is a very short list of businesses that will offer you this oppurtunity.

One thing to consider and ask each potential employer about is non-compete agreements. This may or may not matter to you. At this point in your career, I would focus on working and learning in the areas of my intrests. If that means you may not be able to do that work for 18 months or whatever after you leave a place, so be it.

TBB,

You are looking at 3 very different companies. All of them with a certain market speciality. All of them regarded very highly by most people.

Cole's is unique. Rich Cole has a very special relationship with Beretta. He travels to the Beretta factory several times a year. A lot of times the Beretta Gallery gunsmiths will refer people to Cole's for certain work. Of the 3 shops you mentioned, Cole's is the most focused. You will become very familiar with certain Beretta products. They do work on the Beretta semi-autos as well as their o/u guns. All of this is mostly repair, enhancement work.

Turnbull's speciality is restoration. Some very expensive, in some cases one of a kind, firearms have been entrusted to Turnbull's. Their reputation is impeccable. You will be dealing with much more than shotguns. You will not be building guns, but may in some cases be making the occasional part. Hopefully, you will learn the art of case color hardening. With that skill alone, you could build a career.

The biggest part of the interview process is knowing the company you are talking to. You will not be coming to them with experience, but rather raw talent, a willingness to learn and a great work ethic. This means at first, don't be concerned if you are working long hours. Those long hours will be paid for years later with the talent and skills you have refined. This applies not only to your current career choice, but just about any career path you intend to follow.

Pete

Had you entered the market at some earlier time, you would have been riding a receding wave in your chosen field. Today, you are entering the fine gun manufacturing and restroration business at a time when the sky is the limit. You have chosen three excellent companies to choose from. You will learn from any of the three, but the secrets are more intriguing at CSMC and Turnbull Restoration.