Gunsmithing is small business, one-man operations or small shops. I'm small business too, so I understand the commitment and problems of keeping things going. That said, customers have to be treated right and honestly. Getting in a more interesting project isn't an excuse. Saying two weeks and taking nine months ain't getting it. No excuse for that.
I don't know how you filter them out. I left a gun with a smith at the Grand American one year and the gun was waiting for me, done right, when I got home. I've had other smiths, well regarded, spend over a year lying about the progress on what should have been a ten-day turnaround
