Apparently the "Beware of Macon Gunstocks" saga continues. Last July (2015) I shipped a very high grade (AA+) Bastogne Walnut stock blank to Macon Gunstocks to have shaped and semi-inletted. It took 4 months to receive the stock. My high grade blank had been destroyed and unusable for the intended barreled action (1924 Yugoslav Mauser). An action for which inletting is specifically listed on their web site.
Two months were then consumed trying to negotiate a replacement stock of comparable quality properly inletted for the specified action. The stock had a large cutout under the barrel channel typical of what might be done to repair a warped or broken stock (neither requested nor ordered). The stock was cut for a heavy sporter barrel (neither requested nor ordered). The semi-inletting for the action had 1/8" overcuts front and rear and comparable overcuts for the bottom metal. I was told by CEO and shop foreman Bryan that they did not make mistakes and I don't know what I'm doing. He also said that their work met industry standards. When I questioned him for a source of "industry standards" he told me that they were the largest stockmaker in the U.S. and they set the industry standards. I returned the stock for their review and 6 weeks later, without comment from them, I received a replacement stock. This stock again had 1/8" over cuts on the inletting for the bottom metal and the left side of the cut for the front receiver ring was 3/16" longer than the right side. The cut out on the right side was the proper length. In addition to the very sloppy unacceptable inletting done by the Macon shop, the quality of the replacement stock was well beneath the quality of my original blank. I reported this to Bryan in an email with photos illustrating the issues. I was told by him in an email that they did not make mistakes, that I was stupid and did not know what I was doing and that he would no longer correspond with me. He also stated that I would be banned from doing future business with him or any of Macon's dealers. I have not been able to locate any dealers for comment. I have been able to speak with a number of gunsmiths, stockmakers and gun dealers in California, Oregon, Idaho and South Carolina. The reports on Macon were consistent. Those who had done business with Macon would not repeat that attempt and those who had not directly done business with Macon had heard nothing but negative stories.
All of this is well documented and documentation including photos can be provided upon request. This experience has cost me nearly a year, a $500 walnut blank and $175 in charges from Macon plus shipping both ways both times.
