While I'm sure that this post will sound like sour grapes to many I just felt compelled to write. I'll start off by saying that the communication between Ray and myself was beyond what I expected during the time span that he was building me a custom "Lehigh". Sent pictures of the wood blank for my review and approval. I originally told him I wanted a single trigger (he changed it to a double "set" trigger without asking my opinion first. The rifle was completed on time as promised. Ray sent pictures prior to shipping the rifle to me. The pictures were not clear enough to realize the following, the comb has absolutely no curve (roman nose) to it at all. The workmenship of the wood to metal fit is poor at best, the trigger guard is not centered and points to one side of the rifle. The butt plate looks like it was meant for another gun with the gaps at the comb and is crooked.
The first time I looked down the barrel it was obvious that the dovetail for the rear sight was not parallel with the top flat of the barrel, in fact I had to have it corrected. Took the gun to Dixons and he fixed the rear sight $60.00. I asked to have the barrel browned, it was but the texture is extremely rough.
I know what a lot of you are thinking why didn't I just call him back, well its not that simple. I blame myself for not further researching their work and asking for a list of previous customers (sometimes this works other times it doesn't) The main reason for not calling back was that this gun was a gift from my wife for our 5th wedding aniversary. Upon opening it had I shown my disgust with the workmenship her feelings would have been hurt thinking that I chose a builder based on price alone. I'm not saying that they cant produce a quality gun, I just wish it looked more like a "lehigh" rather than a "Dickert" In closing I wish you the best in your recent purchase and hope that my gun is not indicitave of their caliber of work. Like the saying goes "let the buyer beware"
