I hate to say it because I enjoy my guns right up there with the best things in life. Unfortunately in a rather lengthy tenure working with gunsmiths and custom gun builders I find almost all to be rather aloof.
I put them right up there with swimming pool contractors.
Another recent example. I sent two SXS barrels off after talking to the gunsmith by phone who told me 'two day turn around" . It is now going on 3 weeks.
The big name guys and the up and comers seem to have the same business ethics. Never have I had one notify me that my job was done early although I have had maybe 5 guns make the promised date, which turns out to be about a 10% completion on time rating. I too have had to drive a full day to pick up expensive guns that never were completed or even started after sitting at their shop for a year.
