Ale-8(1) said:Can't assume the same for some of the works of gunsmith art from some of the "big name" guys.
JMHO
Bowen's work costs more because it's better. Reeder has lots of satisfied customers, no doubt about it but you can't have quantity and quality.mohavesam said:
It's not really relevant but I would not make that assumption at all. I would actually assume quite the opposite. Most these guns are built to use, all of mine were.Ale-8(1) said:I'd bet most of Reeder's guns get shot, and quite a lot at that.
Can't assume the same for some of the works of gunsmith art from some of the "big name" guys.
JMHO
My wife and I had this conversation just this morning. IMHO, this stuff costs too much NOT to use it.MaxP said:
MaxP said:Ale-8(1) said:Can't assume the same for some of the works of gunsmith art from some of the "big name" guys.
JMHO
That is not an assumption I would make. Take the revolver pictured below for example. It's a best grade .500 Maximum that has been dragged from here to hell and back, abused properly, and has accounted for a number of big game animals to include black bear, wild hog, and water buffalo. Expensive price doesn't preclude use and abuse. :mrgreen:
IMHO, obtaining this information is all part of due diligence. The fact that some folks honestly think that they're getting the same level of craftsmanship from Reeder that one might get from one of the other aforementioned gunsmiths is compelling evidence that this stuff doesn't get discussed often enough. Is Bowen going to tell you his work is superior to Reeder's? Probably not. Is Reeder going to tell you his work is superior to that of others'? He might. He is a lot of things but modest isn't one of them. He tells folks that lineboring is a waste of money. Which is the truth? Do you buy a new car ONLY by the information presented in commercials? From the salesman? Of course not. If we can't have an open and honest discussion about these things here, then where? Where can this information be obtained? Do Gary Reeder fans just want everyone to be kept in the dark about what they are and are not getting for their money? Or do they even know? Who's feelings are you protecting?mohavesam said:Even in the age of "instant-gratification" internet ordering;
Whatever happened to the intelligence of (a customer) taking bids from potential contractors/gunsmiths for a specific menu of desired work? Winner gets the contract!
'course, as my bride said on our honeymoon: "Maybe you expect too much..."
CraigC said:In a nutshell, they're good guns and a fair value but Gary Reeder's work fits the price point. What that means is that his conversions cost less and for a very good reason. You are simply not getting the fit, finish or bells & whistles present on most other gunsmiths' guns. His goal is quantity, not quality and there is as little hand work as possible. There is no finishing that cannot be accomplished with a heavy hand at the buffing wheel. On his conversions, you're not getting a linebored cylinder. No opening of the frame window for the largest cylinder possible. No blocking of the action. Same for the "engraving", which is actually EDM etching. You're not getting the work of a proper engraver but you're not paying for it either. There is little regard for layout with elements that seem to end before they should, others that are misaligned and some that run off the canvas. More of a "let's see where this stencil fits" sort of arrangement. Which is fine, if it appeals to you. Some folks like nekkid wimmen more than English rose & scroll but let's be honest, it's worlds away from real hand cut engraving. Overall the work is better than factory but still less than you should expect from Bowen, Harton, Horvath, Linebaugh, Huntington, Clements, Stroh, Forkin, etc..
I visited Gary's shop back in the summer of 2012. I took with me my pre-conceived notions but also an open mind. I found my pre-conceived notions to be accurate. I also found an old Colt Officer's Model Match that exhibited a poor attempt to buff out some deep barrel pitting and then a liberal application of "engraving". Looked great across the room but in hand it was an abomination. All that said, I don't rule out ever owning a Reeder gun but it will have to be the right one at the right price.
Not to even get into the personal issues I've observed over the last 15 years. Like losing his composure because a customer wants his old parts back.
Now folks can get all bent outta shape about these observations but it's the truth as I know it.
BearBio said:
