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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: m1garand_man on May 17, 2018, 11:16:20 PM

Title: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: m1garand_man on May 17, 2018, 11:16:20 PM
I'm researching some options for kits and I don't want to get a kit in which I'll be dissatisfied. I was looking at "the rifle shoppe" and noticed they offer pretty much one of everything but that their prices may be higher than others. I was wondering how they pan out when it comes to the quality of the build parts and of the stock blank. I'm willing to spend top dollar if I'm able to expect top quality.

I was mainly looking into thier model 1803 harpers ferry kit and thier ferguson rifle kit. Maybe later something else but those two guns are ones that have always captured my imagination.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Darkhorse on May 17, 2018, 11:36:14 PM
Can't speak for the Rifle Shoppe but TOW has a Harpers Ferry kit. You might want to check it out.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Mike Brooks on May 17, 2018, 11:40:22 PM
They are manufactured from unobtainium.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: rich pierce on May 18, 2018, 12:14:35 AM
I have one experience only, a French fusil ordinaries kit. The lock is top notch and all metal castings are very good. The precarved stock was of good, hard walnut but it is for me, a throw-away. Inlets are too big and there is ZERO extra wood to accomodate the slightest correction or adjustment.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: m1garand_man on May 18, 2018, 12:15:49 AM
They are manufactured from unobtainium.

What kind of lead times are folks experiencing? I'm not sure where else I could even find a Ferguson or a 1819 hall rifle.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Joe S on May 18, 2018, 12:18:10 AM
I have bought two locks from the Rifle Shoppe. One was fine, but the other I managed to salvage only the cock and the frizzen spring. Everything else had to be made from scratch. Putting together a Rifle Shoppe lock can be a real project.

There are two issues in dealing with these folks; first, getting in touch with them to place your order, and second, actually getting the parts. If you search Rifle Shoppe on this site, you'll find a lots of stories on how long it takes to get stuff from them. Sometimes, right away. More often, months to years. I just ordered another lock from them a couple of weeks ago. I also planted an English walnut on the same day. I expect that by the time that tree is ready to cut into stock blanks, I will have the lock.

Last year I thought I'd try their competition, so I ordered a lock from Blackley and Son. That was 422 days ago, and I have not yet received it.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: dbraw on May 18, 2018, 12:33:02 AM
Tip Curtis has some really fine kits. Over 100 different patterns. Outstanding quality.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Rolf on May 18, 2018, 12:52:09 AM
Last year I thought I'd try their competition, so I ordered a lock from Blackley and Son. That was 422 days ago, and I have not yet received it.

I paid Blackley £506,00 25th of July , 2016 for  two pairs of Locks. One pair of Wogden Locks for a double barrel pistol and a pair of Mortimer Locks for a shotgun. He promised me less than 6months delivery time. I'm still missing the rigth handed Mortimer Lock. I have sendt dozens of e-mail. They are mostly ignored. His service can best be discribed as irratic. Quicker and less hassel to build what you want from scratch.

Same problem With Peter Dyson (another English supplier). I paid him £ 20,00 two years ago for casting of a standing breech from a double barrel barrel Wogden pistol. Still waiting. I managed to get him on the phone today. He said I'll get the casting in 6weeks. We'll see. I'll let you know if I get it.

Best regards
Rolf
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Mike Brooks on May 18, 2018, 01:42:59 AM
They are manufactured from unobtainium.

What kind of lead times are folks experiencing? I'm not sure where else I could even find a Ferguson or a 1819 hall rifle.
My experience for delivery was 3 months to six years. If I was a hobby-ist that would be fine....well, not really.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: WKevinD on May 18, 2018, 01:56:54 AM
The last time I ordered from them the same 12 sets of parts that I had previously ordered and received, it took over a year. When they arrived they were good but I decided never again. I spoke to Jess every month for a year and was assured "next week"
Too bad, they have alot of stuff I want.


Kevin
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: WadePatton on May 18, 2018, 02:01:38 AM
They are manufactured from unobtainium.

What kind of lead times are folks experiencing? I'm not sure where else I could even find a Ferguson or a 1819 hall rifle.
My experience for delivery was 3 months to six years. If I was a hobby-ist that would be fine....well, not really.

G-man,

It won't take much of a search to find that this has been a common "Thread" with regard to TRS. 

-and this one might be locked soon.

From such previous discussions over the years, I've decided not to ever "roll the dice" with 'em but you may be a bigger gambler than I. (nothing to do with quality of their products you understand)

Best of luck either way!  8)
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: wormey on May 18, 2018, 02:18:51 AM
I built a Ferguson rifle from their parts a couple of years back and had no problems...with them or the kit.  The kit was first rate.  The lock was complete and very nicely done.  All parts were first rate and for the money I paid it was a bargain.  I know others have had problems.  I did not get a bayonet and have been trying for 2 years or so to get one and have essentially given up.  In fact, I am making my own.  By the way, the Ferguson is wonderful since I have been lusting after one for more than 40 years.  I can finally check that one off my bucket list.  Wormey
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Gunnermike on May 18, 2018, 03:59:14 AM
Here's a Model 1817 Common Rifle I built from parts obtained from The Rifle Shoppe and from Track of the Wolf (Track no longer carries TRS parts, the few parts they have they are disposing on their site).  I received the lock parts within 90 days from The Rifle Shoppe.  The parts from Track were faster because at the time they carried sets of The Rifle Shoppe parts (though they had a habit of sending the wrong stuff that YOU had to pay the return shipping costs).
(https://preview.ibb.co/cmLaOy/000_0016.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bFTjGJ)

This is what the parts look like when you receive them:
(https://preview.ibb.co/dLmX3y/1817_lock_parts.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jjrziy)

(https://preview.ibb.co/gp5Lqd/IMG_4086.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k4i6Vd)  The parts are castings and you have to clean off the casting sprues, drill holes and fit things together and then hardened the tumbler, sear and springs.  The castings only require cleaning & straightening because they are made from the actual piece.  I made all the screws (including the wood screws), made the breech plug, the ramrod, the butt plate, and welded casting flaws in the barrel bands and trigger guard.  You will have a high quality reproduction when (if) you finish, but it is not a beginner's project.  TRS will do certain work like assemble & hardened the lock and some barrel work, but that makes more time until they ship the parts (you need to check their site if they still offer that work).

ALWAYS make sure they have the parts in stock BEFORE ordering.  The have to make all the wax positives first and bring multiple orders to a foundry, then bring them back and cut the parts apart and assemble your order.  It is no small thing to do what they do.  It took me over 90 days & 6 e-mails just to get a catalog from Blackley & Son (England), so I decided not to order from them - they are completely disorganized & claimed they had sent the catalog twice, when they had not sent it.

I think the 1803 rifle is probably one of the more requested guns.  They used to advertise finished guns for about $2400 but that was over 5 years ago & I don't know if they offer that option any more.   Good luck, Mike
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Gunnermike on May 18, 2018, 04:05:47 AM
I forgot to say that if you see a gun made from TRS parts on The Track of the Wolf for sale.......... just buy it and be done with it!!  Just my 2 cents.  Mike
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Ardito on May 18, 2018, 04:30:55 AM
Real bummer to hear that people are still having problems with lead times and customer service. I was hoping that they might get better with the facility switch and all. I also have some stuff I'd like to order from them once I get more proficient in this hobby.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: m1garand_man on May 18, 2018, 07:23:10 AM
It's a shame to hear about these issues with these suppliers but I have found these kinds of stories to be common place with regards to manufacturers of otherwise uncommon or esoteric firearms modern or otherwise.

What other options are there out there for a correct Ferguson  rifle? I'd even be interested in considering an already built gun as well.

Too bad not everyone operates like Jim Chambers does. I'm ym one experience with them I was extremely satisfied. I needed a replacement mainspring for my rifle and they honored thier warranty even though I bought the rifle second hand.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: smart dog on May 18, 2018, 01:24:42 PM
Hi,
I built a Ferguson and quite a few other guns and locks from TRS.  In my case, I made the stock from a blank.  I am not a fan of precarved stocks.  The best strategy is to call them and see if what you want is in stock.  If it is, you may get it within 2 weeks.  If not, months to years.  These are not really kits unless you purchase the lock assembled (you may wait even longer for one).  It is also not a project for an inexperienced builder. I am fortunate for having had access to the original Ferguson rifle in the Morristown Historical Museum in NJ.  After that experience, I went back and stripped the finish off my Ferguson and reshaped and slimmed down the stock.  One detail that you cannot pick up from published photos is that it is daintier than you imagine, particularly with respect to the fore stock and comb. The stock and lock are also more crudely made than you would expect.  The rifle also has a serious flaw in the stock design. There is very little wood left between the screw breech and lock mortice. Most originals that show signs of use are broken there.  It is ironic that there is so much interest in the Ferguson, of which only about 100 were issued, and little interest in the British pattern 1776 muzzleloading rifle, which was present in America in much greater numbers with light infantry and had much greater impact than the Ferguson. 

dave 
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: KC on May 18, 2018, 03:14:56 PM
I've never been able to sustain any communications long enough to actually purchase anything from The Rifle Shoppe. I've only actually been able to make contact on one or two occasions after multiple emails and multiple calls. I've always heard good things about the quality of their parts but cannot vouch in any way for their service. I've even made it clear to them that I had money to spend and wanted to send it to them but there was no interest on their part.
K.C.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: SteveK on May 18, 2018, 05:27:28 PM
Check out Don Stiths website. He shows a Lewis and Clark rifle that might work for you.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Bob Roller on May 18, 2018, 08:49:19 PM
They are manufactured from unobtainium.

That alloy is as rare as a football bat.I got parts from TRS years ago in 9 months
and it stretched my skill set to the limit to make two pairs of flint locks from them.
Paying in advance is a mistake and ACCEPTING advance payment is an even bigger
one.

Bob Roller
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: jerrywh on May 18, 2018, 09:55:36 PM
 Bob Roller.
    If you have one of those football bats I'll take one.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Craig Wilcox on May 18, 2018, 10:29:21 PM
I have had great responses from Muzzleloaders Builder's Supply in Idaho.  Parts and stock are very good, response time is really quick.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: smart dog on May 18, 2018, 11:44:21 PM
Hi Craig,
The Rifle Shoppe in OK and E. J. Blackleys in England are suppliers of cast and other parts for a huge array of historical firearms way beyond what MBS , TOW, or any other supplier carries. TRS has the widest selection of complete part sets for matchlocks through percussion guns.  They are the sole source for many of those sets including Ferguson rifles.  The problem we all have is neither business operates in a timely fashion and customer service is erratic at best. 

dave
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: rich pierce on May 18, 2018, 11:53:25 PM
In the case of TRS, they offer so many parts and kits that it would be a virtual impossibility to keep everything in stock.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: jerrywh on May 19, 2018, 03:41:02 AM
If they don't have them in stock they should say so instead of lying about it.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Bob Roller on May 19, 2018, 04:01:48 PM
Hi Craig,
The Rifle Shoppe in OK and E. J. Blackleys in England are suppliers of cast and other parts for a huge array of historical firearms way beyond what MBS , TOW, or any other supplier carries. TRS has the widest selection of complete part sets for matchlocks through percussion guns.  They are the sole source for many of those sets including Ferguson rifles.  The problem we all have is neither business operates in a timely fashion and customer service is erratic at best. 

dave

MBS frequently has something to sell and we can work with. This idea of doing
business from an empty shelf and waiting and waiting and waiting some more after
money is sent is a bad idea.The money to the supplier is sent and spent and the work
still must be done to fill the order with no real incentive to do it.In the early 1970's
there were some that took advance pay for gums and never delivered and found their names
on warrants for fraud. One outfit while going bankrupt(filed)took money under false pretense
and delivered nothing.I have some lock work to do but not one cent has been accepted in
advance and won't be.When the work is ready I will then request payment.
Bob Roller
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: WadePatton on May 19, 2018, 06:29:15 PM
...
Paying in advance is a mistake and ACCEPTING advance payment is an even bigger
one.

Bob Roller

Most excellent point Mr. Roller. I too think it is VERY important for folks going into business, who want to keep their names unsullied to understand this.

and on the other subject, maybe if I hit the lotto* I can hire some folks to guy buy out that shoppe and get it sorted and put things right- according to business as expected by reasonable prudent persons.

*remind me to buy a ticket.  :P
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: davec2 on May 19, 2018, 06:38:59 PM
Bob,

Great philosophy.  Each week, I make quite a few custom military insignia (rank, warfare specialty, etc.) and military insignia jewelry out of solid 14 and 18 karat white or yellow gold.  I never take any payment, or even partial payment, in advance and never even arrange for payment until I have shipped the customer's order.  I have had many people (including customers) tell me that sending objects made of solid gold in advance of payment is very risky.  However, I have been making military insignia for members of our armed forces for almost 40 years and I think I have been stiffed once by a customer in all that time.

I like your style, Bob.

All the best

dave C
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Rolf on May 19, 2018, 08:56:46 PM
In the case of TRS, they offer so many parts and kits that it would be a virtual impossibility to keep everything in stock.

I can sympatize With that. I could live With a 6-12 months lead time if they quoted a spesific max time and kept their promise. Two years or more, not exceptable. Breaking promised delivery times not exceptable. Defect parts not exceptable. I was promised by Blackley less than 6months delivery time. It's gone two years.

Best regards
Rolf
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Bob Roller on May 19, 2018, 09:02:56 PM
Bob,

Great philosophy.  Each week, I make quite a few custom military insignia (rank, warfare specialty, etc.) and military insignia jewelry out of solid 14 and 18 karat white or yellow gold.  I never take any payment, or even partial payment, in advance and never even arrange for payment until I have shipped the customer's order.  I have had many people (including customers) tell me that sending objects made of solid gold in advance of payment is very risky.  However, I have been making military insignia for members of our armed forces for almost 40 years and I think I have been stiffed once by a customer in all that time.

I like your style, Bob.

All the best

dave C

DaveC2 and Wade Patton,
Thank you both for the favorable response to my opinions of "Pay and wait and wait and no satisfactory response"to inquiries.
It's possible that ongoing bills (debts) will cause the "need"for money up front.....maybe. Runar mentioned sending a fair sum
to some outfit in England and getting no response as to when or where the parts are.That is NOT a oood business method or ethic.
Helmut Mohr in Germany said that under German law no business debt can run beyond 30 days without permission from the person or
business it's owed to. Maybe the Brits have a similar law.
We are fortunate in having no debts at present that would require us to worry or be evasive or have to go back to work for
someone.Liabilities that exceed assets are not a good thing and maybe slow delivery of parts and pieces is somehow tied to thisand I hope all this can be reconciled without hard feelings or legal actions being brought.

Bob Roller

DaveC2, My style is just me.Maybe it's abrupt but it reflects me like a mirror
and the locks I make tell the buyers what I think of them.
I got shafted once by a guy in Florida whose check bounced and his girl friend
accused me of hiring two thugs to beat the $#@* out of him and I told her I didn't
work at that low level and she needed an upgrade on he choices in boy friends.
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: blackley on July 07, 2018, 01:39:40 PM
...
Paying in advance is a mistake and ACCEPTING advance payment is an even bigger
one.

Bob Roller

Most excellent point Mr. Roller. I too think it is VERY important for folks going into business, who want to keep their names unsullied to understand this.

and on the other subject, maybe if I hit the lotto* I can hire some folks to guy buy out that shoppe and get it sorted and put things right- according to business as expected by reasonable prudent persons.

*remind me to buy a ticket.  :P

Hi, An issue raised there that is without question a extremely valid one.
We (as many know) have operated in that fashion for years, mainly as it was the only option in the way our banking and transaction apparatus would work, payment with order. Great if everything is in stock of course, and parts can leave within a few days. If not however it is a problem.
IT HAS caused no end of problems, not to mention friction and some bad feeling when it does not work out.
After all, it is hard earned funds that have been spent, and something has to be forthcoming in a timely manner.

I appreciate Bobs point, but also there are times when of course a part or parts are bespoke to a individual, thus if there was no security that the order would stand, it may not be a option to sell to others.
Albeit, less common I guess.
So yes, paying upfront for most things to an unknown company may be a concern for the standard catalogued item.
We have obviously realised that the main issue with any such order is the importance of pre-payment, as opposed to any delay or similar.
Also of course, communication is paramount, another slippery slope in the past for us.

We introduced PayPal recently to our payment options, but even if we allowed part payment for orders, it only allowed for a few days before the balance was released back to the customers account.
On other words, a order requiring of our 'casting process' to complete it, would obviously be well beyond that paypal time limit for requesting the balance of the payment.
Paypal also is attractive to many as it does lend a confidence in safety of funds.

With that we have now introduced another option to our payments, oddly enough is not taken up that often, but it would allow the order to be placed, then we would contact for payment when it near completion.

Our website is under construction behind the scenes, the present one will be ongoing in the meantime, but the new one will hopefully be a little more streamlined in regards payment options etc. Also with the the new 'whizzed up' ability to access it on small screen devices and still read it! Not to mention a load more parts, as we only presently show off about 1/4 of our wares.
You would think that after 49 years we would have it all on show by now really, wouldn't you!
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: Bob Roller on July 07, 2018, 03:36:58 PM
It's still  trying to do business from an empty shelf.Being 82,a two year wait might be of zero benefit to me
and I'll stay with what I can get.I started using the externals from L&R several years ago for their small Manton,Durs Egg
and Ashmore and have had NO trouble with the quality or availability of these parts.Also I've used when available the
externals from the Chambers Late Ketland and again,NO problem but due to heavy demand they are not readily available
and I am glad that Jim and Barbie are selling more than they can make.I have no interest in reviving the old Chet Shoults
Ketland or another Ketland variant that I once made for the so called "flint Hawken".I thought about the variant @300$ but
decided against it.
The pictures of exoticly styled locks can arouse the desire to try to make them but if the components are not readily available
then why bother?

Bob Roller
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: blackley on July 07, 2018, 04:39:34 PM
It's still  trying to do business from an empty shelf.Being 82,a two year wait might be of zero benefit to me
and I'll stay with what I can get.I started using the externals from L&R several years ago for their small Manton,Durs Egg
and Ashmore and have had NO trouble with the quality or availability of these parts.Also I've used when available the
externals from the Chambers Late Ketland and again,NO problem but due to heavy demand they are not readily available
and I am glad that Jim and Barbie are selling more than they can make.I have no interest in reviving the old Chet Shoults
Ketland or another Ketland variant that I once made for the so called "flint Hawken".I thought about the variant @300$ but
decided against it.
The pictures of exoticly styled locks can arouse the desire to try to make them but if the components are not readily available
then why bother?

Bob Roller
Bob,
I agree, if one can acquire elsewhere off-the-shelf, then I would certainly do the same, assuming quality was as I wanted, who wouldn't.
As for the 'Business from a empty shelf' - we have a huge stock of items here, never the parts you want though are they!!
I am sure I speak for  TRS ect, and also a point raised by KC a while back, that having a large product range brings on its own issues of stock replenishment, although some clearly manage it relatively well.
We have often wondered if casting in house is the right way, although after so many years it is the only way known to us I guess.
One of our problems?? is that a foundry attracts other forms of 'out work' such as  model engineering, medical etc where the small batch option is still an option for us to offer, not quite so with some of the larger caster companies.

Our aim at present ? is to work at stocking the most popular parts, not exactly rocket science I guess, however you would be amazed at what can take the focus away from the 'blindingly obvious'.
One other thing of course, is that despite our skills, extreme hard work and many out of hours spent here, we are not necessarily the most prudent business people.
We are aware of our faults, and address it we will.

keep well


Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: heinz on July 07, 2018, 07:18:25 PM
I have bought locks from Mr Roller over the years. He does business exactly as he says.  I currently have parts or some parts for about 4 rifles and 1 smoothbore with BOB Roller locks and triggers for all.

I have no experience with the rifle shop.  I have good experiences with orders from Pecatonica, Log Cabin,

I recently built a rifle from a Kibler Kit. They are well worth the price and the best parts and inletting I have worked with in any kit or precarved
Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: oldtravler61 on July 08, 2018, 06:31:57 PM
  This is my opinion only. If it takes two years or more to get your parts. The supplier had little intentions of sending you the parts in the first place an should refund your money !
   Before you order a custom firearm seriously check out their references. Long time ago 20 years. I ordered a custom rifle. Sent a down payment but never received the gun!  The builder has since passed on.
   Now I build my own. So if I want it done I have to do it...! There are excellent honest builders out their that I would not hesitate to order a gun from or anything else.  All the builders on here I would not hesitate to order from.
   But like I said this is just my opinion. Also I'm really frugal as my friend Duprey says ..(cheap) Jack's a nice guy but I know what he meant.
     Oldtravler





Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: WadePatton on July 08, 2018, 07:17:09 PM
While I certainly do NOT envy anyone who endeavors to put it right, and I MUCH appreciate every unique supplier in our narrow and tiny field of interests, I do not accept that it cannot be done because of the volume or variety or combined manufacturing/retailing under one company.  I don't because there are plenty of other examples of retail and manufacturing with vastly more complex inventories and processes and the successful ones have sorted out a way to make it happen.

Sure, most of them are not in the same field, but parts numbers and inventory management let them keep a reasonable understanding of WHAT they have and WHEN they can get it to you.

We might think of Mouser Electronics or McMaster Carr on a huge scale (with global sourcing and distribution/support). I just cannot swallow the "lots of parts" argument.  On the small side, I have a bro with an automotive parts house.  They purchase from a myriad of suppliers, provide on-site services, maintain a retail outlet, delivery service and sell at retail and jobber pricing.  I saw this company (it started on a parts-delivery truck) go from index-card type inventory system with paper catalogs, to fully digital and business is still growing for them. I helped transfer inventory from the card-system to the first program my pal tried to adapt to parts-house use (after years of battling the "old guard"-his Dad founder, now 91 and still working limited hours).

Two or six systems later, it's all integrated (some paper catalogs are in the back room for archaic reference) and they'll get you whatever you need for a 1953 Packard, a 2016 F-150, a farm tractor, industrial equipment, or your lawnmower.  Not many "auto-parts" houses like that.  But it -can- be done.

I do get that manufacturing in-house adds a level of complication most folks don't deal with these days. I'm an ideas guy (what box?). I'll be glad to help in private with possible solutions because I respect and support the idea to keep more options available to more folks who want to participate in this field of interest. Just holler. 

Or I'm sure there are consulting firms out there who can assist putting things into order. Best of luck with it.



Title: Re: What quality are kits from "the rifle shoppe" compaired to others?
Post by: SingleMalt on July 09, 2018, 01:41:15 AM
First, I'll say that I've never had a complete kit from TRS.  I have, however, had castings from both TRS and Blackley's.  The castings from TRS were nice, but I felt that the lock molds were worn, or didn't have a good wax made.  They were usable, but not great.  The castings from Blackley's were very, very nice.  Sharp, crisp lines and no surprises.  Simply a pleasure to use.  The stock is the relatively easy part to fabricate yourself.  Even the barrel is in many cases a phone call away.  Lock castings, trigger guards, and butt plates are a different story.