These problems will continue to happen especially in guns less than $2000. Lots of blather follows- you been warned!
This custom gun business in the low end and mid-range (low end being under $1000 and mid-range being under $2000, for the sake of discussion) is a very difficult one for both buyers and makers. I really do believe the best solution for most people may be to buy off the shelf unless they are buying art peices from the top 50 makers in the country (That may seem like a lot but it's one per state, eh?).
I realize that $1700 is a pile of money for many folks, myself included. That's why I build my own! But the margin is close for anyone wanting to achieve a wage suitable for a day laborer, and not achievable for someone wanting to get a skilled wage. I've not found a way to build a plain rifle in less than 60 hours even if the hard work is done- barrel inletted, ramrod hole drilled, highest quality castings used, locks top notch, etc. It's easy to spend 15 hours in finishing metal and wood alone and that's if there's no carving or engraving.
None of that helps the customer who wants a fine gun but can't understand why a $1700 gun could have flaws. That's why going to Friendship and buying off the shelf would be a good idea, or buying from a consignment house or shop where you get to inspect the piece and decide if it's right or not. The whole "waiting business" is left out of the equation that way also.
This is pertinent to me because I am accumulating parts and beginning work on 3 guns (because it's taking me a year to get some of the parts) that will be for sale. Two are F&I War era rifles. One will have a custom barrel (custom profile, the works) and a custom lock, custom made furniture, nothing off the shelf. Plain wood, modest carving, lots of engraving, as the original is. A job like this is complicated and I'll need to get $2000 out of it. if I put it up for consignment (if it does not sell when I advertise it on websites myself) it will run closer to $2800. If I was a "name" maker, such a custom gun (one of a kind, including architecture, mounts, lock, barrel) could go to $4500 easy. I'm not a name maker, and just need to get an honest value. The other rifle will not be not far behind, having custom mounts on it, more carving, no engraving. $1800 is what I'll need. The third will be a Hudson Valley fowler, custom long barrel (in other words made to my specs) and a custom lock built from castings taken from an original. I have no idea what I can get for that one but the cost and time I'll spend will be equal or greater. It's harder to get good money for smoothbores.
The good news is this way, I get to build what I want to build. And customers will get to look at them when they are done, and agree to purchase, or not, after inspection, covering shipping, handling, insurance. The guns won't be perfect but I hope they will be perfect for someone. If not, I've got guns for myself that I really wanted to build.
I'd sure never, in my wildest dreams, go into production of a line of a few models of guns in the $1000-$2000 range. It's too hard to get parts, components, wood, barrels with consistent deliveries. I've seen dozens of these ventures fail since the 1970's. Good makers, ruined, and customers, frustrated and disappointed.
This does not happen as often (thankfully!) with high end guns, cause then it's one and done (one bad result and the maker is cooked!). Lots of high end guys have thrown away stocks, lockplates, all kinds of parts when they made a mistake or found a flaw. The mid-range guys can't eat that kind of cost and still eat food.
Done sermonizing. Sure hope it works out somehow for Fatman.
