RangerTrace Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) For the last few weeks I have been reading posts, looking at Custom Gun shop websites and making calls to just about everyone I know about the different Open Guns available. Thanks to all of you who answered my questions! What I learned is that no matter how many good things you hear about a certain builder, you will find at least one (if not more) shooters who have seen a problem, heard of a problem or just don't care for that particular builder. So, who built your Open Gun? Edited June 5, 2009 by rangertrace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 For those of you who choose "other" would you please add a post with the builder's name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianATL Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I would suggest any of these builders are a viable choice. My suggestion is to go with the builder you have the easiest access to. For when your gun may need a tweak or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigpops Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Just voted. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. (you just may have to wait awhile which sucks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfwmiket Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I think you know my choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joecichlid Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I have an older gun, built in 1994, that was built by Dawson back when he was at STI from what I have been able to find out through STI. The thing just flat out runs great as long as I don't go cheap and try to save my brass too long. lol Joe W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFlowers Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I have an older PARA based race gun which was in dire need of a rebuild and was completely redone by Jeff Abernathy of Tommy Guns in Mt Holly, NC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunracer38 Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ihave an EGW,Bedell and Gans. All in 38 Super,all work flawlessly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajarrel Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I honestly don't know who built my gun. I am at least the third owner of it and other than cleaning it occasionally and replacing the rare broken part (thumb safety and ejector) it has run flawlessly. It's a .38 stupor built on an STI frame with a shortie barrel. I just never did ask for the pedigree when I bought it. fwiw dj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UW Mitch Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 John Larson - JPL Precision. www.jplprecision.com I've been really happy with the performance of the gun. John worked with me to make it the gun that would work for me. He recognizes that everyone's shooting style is different, and therefore the guns will all be a little different. The is the point of "custom". ~Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
03k64 Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I would gladly have any of those smiths build me a gun, but if I had to choose, it would be Gary Natale at Gans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtis108 Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Joe Camperi built my SV. I am the 2nd owner. The reason I bought this gun was that I watched it's previous owner shoot the crap out of it. I saw how reliable it was before he was ready to sell it. Now he always says he wishes he still had it. I beleive he is from NOLA and out of the business. I bought a used limited gun from a different guy. Same story, same smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraTen Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I can't say too much about some of the smith's in your poll but I'm sure any of them would do a great job. I can say alot about Bedell. He worked on my SVI and did a fantastic job. I've never had any problems with the gun after he was thru working his magic. I have a couple of guns that are going to be brought over very soon. The one nice thing about Dan is that he's only a few minutes down the thru-way from me. Really nice guy that's very knowledgeable. I hope to shoot with him sometime!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caspian guy Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 My open guns were built by hardy custom in georgia. I have 2 general comments... I have shot guns from several of the smiths above. The build quality was uniformly excelent. Any of them will build you an quality gun. That being said I will second the recomendation of brianatl. Don't under estimate how helpful it is to have your gunsmith close by. When something breaks it always seems to be before a big match. The other thing that might impact your decision is how soon you want the gun. Some of those guys you list above usually have pretty lengthy backlogs. Peter Adams FY-39604 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I built my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraTen Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) I built my own. Talk about having your gunsmith close by. :roflol: What.... you didn't vote for yourself?? Edited June 5, 2009 by UltraTen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt2ace Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I would gladly have any of those smiths build me a gun, but if I had to choose, it would be Gary Natale at Gans. Could not have said it better.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolex Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Jim Anglin- Sailors Custom Gun .9mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeoHallak Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Don't forget Tangfolio... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 There are so many good smiths out there. I personally have 3 guns built by Millenium (2 LTD and my sons open gun). Have not had one gun related hick-up with any of them other than the sear breaking on one of my LTD guns. I really like Bob's guns and his other work (I only use Brazos tuned mags, front sights, and his trigger kits). I have handled Benny's guns and I really like them, especially his 6" LTD guns. I have also been REALLY impressed with Bedell's guns. I would consider having one built by him if I can go directly to him. But, loyalty is important to me. Derek has taken care of me over the last few years. No question that I have gotten more than what I have paid for in the guns he has built for me. I can't ask for more.. My problem is that I don't have enough money to buy all of the guns I want!!! BTW, the Open gun that I was shooting that puked out on me was not built by Derek. It was an economy job that I bought used for my son to start on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JThompson Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) Matt McLearn from M2I build some great blasters and has designed a lot of the stuff for these guns... If I'm not mistaken, he was the one who designed the SC cartridge too. http://www.mattmclearn.com/index.html JT Also, have seen many of Howard works and they all run and look great. I would have had Howard build me a gun already cept I'm always a dollar short. Two guys that I trust to build guns and are a bit cheaper are Jim Anglin at Sailors and Matt Cheely, who is the most improved builder I know. Matt is really coming into his own style now and I would not hesitate to have him build for me again. (I'm shooting a Cheely open right now. ) Edited June 6, 2009 by JThompson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shay1911 Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 But, loyalty is important to me. Derek has taken care of me over the last few years. No question that I have gotten more than what I have paid for in the guns he has built for me. I can't ask for more. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All-Gator Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 Over the years and various pistols: Tony Kidd, Rusty Kidd, and Steve Bowen. Right now my main gun was built by Tony and rebarreled to 9x19 by Rusty. A-G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerTrace Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 I built my own. You didn't vote for yourself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullzeye Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 OTHER: Fred Craig built my open gun. Its a shooter and a keeper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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