[Crusader Smithy]

I’ve talked with quite a few people in the last month. I’ve also found a great forum for “gun nuts” and had an online conversation about this very subject. There seems to be a lot of you out there that have been burned by the local gunsmiths. I’ve heard too many stories of poor service and poor workmanship. Several of you have resorted to trying to do as much of your own work as possible.
I’m not writing this article to brag up myself or tout how much better I am than the other gunsmiths. Instead this is more of an apologetic natured article. The stories I have heard, from several sources, are simply inexcusable. I can’t imagine trying to keep my head above water with so many poor service stories directed at me.
I think there are too many “gunsmiths” out there that got their certificates from mail order schools. Several years before I went to Gunsmithing School I sent for one of those to check it out. The first thing they tell you to do in their “Professional Gunsmithing Coarse” was to tell me to evaluate if I could do the repair or send it to a “Professional Gunsmith”. I sent the coarse back the next day.
Now American Gunsmithing Institute has a lot of great information for all kinds of firearm backgrounds. However what they can’t give you is an instructor to answer your questions. An instructor there because they care and want to pass on as much information as you can absorb. They actually want the next generation of gunsmiths to be quality craftsman.
I can’t say where the other gunsmiths received their training. In fact I can’t say I know much about them at all other than the disgruntled stories of their former customers. All I can say is that lack of professionalism isn’t what should be the norm in Utah. This is the west. This is where real men and women care about things like family, hunting, and yes guns. Not only that, Utah is part of the Browning legacy. For me it’s not just that we are gunsmiths. Being Utah, it is a pioneer gunsmith thing. Not just of crossing the plains but of the innovation, and invention of the John Browning name.
If this newsletter reaches any other gunsmiths, this is your call to get your act together. I will gladly take all your former customers and treat them right, however, get yourself squared away and stop polluting the name of “gunsmith”.

 

[Strategic Tactical]

GREAT post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

I care little for customers. I care little for satisfying a customers desires. I do what I do well for my own sake. It is my pride that concerns me; the last person in the world I wish to disappoint is myself.

It speaks volumes about someone who will do shoddy work; what sort of creature they must be. To allow themselves the disgrace of mediocrity.

rant over.

 

[bane]

I care little for customers. I care little for satisfying a customers desires. I do what I do well for my own sake. It is my pride that concerns me; the last person in the world I wish to disappoint is myself.

It speaks volumes about someone who will do shoddy work; what sort of creature they must be. To allow themselves the disgrace of mediocrity.

rant over.

Well-put!

Though I certainly want people I hire to do a good job for me, our society has developed too far into the Wal-Mart mode of thinking (i.e.: "The Customer is Always Right" garbage). While the need to satisfy customers is inherent in staying in business, I agree with you that one's ultimate motivator should be self-pride! Thank you for putting it so eloquently: I learned something new today!

 

[Crusader Smithy]

I care little for customers. I care little for satisfying a customers desires. I do what I do well for my own sake. It is my pride that concerns me; the last person in the world I wish to disappoint is myself.

It speaks volumes about someone who will do shoddy work; what sort of creature they must be. To allow themselves the disgrace of mediocrity.

rant over.

You are absolutly right. That should be our personal motivation. Im just saying that there seems to be too many people out there that feel they have been craped on and had poor workmanship passed of on them.
Those like yourself that have the right motivation I applaud.