Rustic Arms Builder

[terry blankenship]

Can any one tell me if Rustic Arms out of Missouri is still building guns? I paid him 1400 to build me a gun about two years ago and have not heard anything from him in well over 1 year.

 

[jbwilliams3]

Hello, there. Did you try calling? I would suggest it. Also, that seems very dangerous to pay that much money up front. Down payment for parts is understandable, but the full price? He didn’t require that, did he?

Terry Williams built a gun for me in 2010, which I had commissioned from his step-dad in 2008 (with the down payment of something like $400 I think). It was almost exactly 21 months from the time of the order, which is not unheard of from many makers, by any means. It’s a very good gun, the architecture is far better than what I have seen from TVM and other guns in the same price range. I will say, like many one many shops, it’s almost impossible to get a very precise time frame for a build. Having spoken with him over the phone several times in the past, he seems like an amiable guy. Again, I’m very surprised that much money was paid up front”¦

James

 

[terry blankenship]

He did not require me to pay full amount. I did pay the down payment of 400 and then over the next year I paid it off. Once I got it paid for he quit returning my calls and not answering my calls. I have called at least once a month since with no answer. I leave a message and he will not return my calls. Thank You for the information

 

[terry blankenship]

How do you like your rifle and which one did you get? Would You have a current Phone Number by chance i do call the number on his web site but it may not be the same I know mistakes happen.

 

[Claude Mathis]

It's interesting that the Admin for the Domain is not the builder, but whatever...

Here's the WHOIS info

Domain name: EarlyRusticArms.com

Registrar: TUCOWS DOMAINS INC.

Registrant:
NA
485 Smiths Lane
Mayfield, KY 42066

Administrative Contact:
Henson, Robert [email protected]
485 Smiths Lane
Mayfield, KY 42066
270-970-0956

 

[rfdr]

He did not require me to pay full amount. I did pay the down payment of 400 and then over the next year I paid it off. Once I got it paid for he quit returning my calls and not answering my calls. I have called at least once a month since with no answer. I leave a message and he will not return my calls. Thank You for the information

responsible communications by both seller and buyer is the cornerstone of good business.

unless this gunmaker is seriously sick or dead, sounds far too much like he's either massively irresponsible and/or yer getting scammed, since he has all yer money and you have no rifle.

truly hope the best for ya ....

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

I did the same with another builder, with the same result. Lesson learned: I won't pay the entire amount up front. It seems that some gun builders put you at the back of the list when you do that. 4 years later I am still waiting for that gun.

 

[Dane]

I've been a builder for the last 18 years off and on.
To begin a project, it is normal to place a downpayment to cover parts. That is expected. I am in constant contact, usually via email with my clents, at least periodically with updates of materials etc.
Unfortunately, with today's parts/barrel situation, it sometimes takes a year or more to get a custom barrel.
However, that should ALWAYS be conveyed to the client. Sounds like your builder has kind of lost interest. That is no excuse.
I hope you get this worked out.

 

[jamesthomas]

For that kind of money I would be making a road trip or a plane ride to see whats up!! :shake:

 

[jbwilliams3]

A few thoughts:

a) I wouldn’t take issue with the fact that he is not the admin for the site’s domain. For what it’s worth, I remember that he pays someone to maintain it for him. Back in 2009, I remember his old site went down without his knowledge (I don’t think he checked it very often) and there was some claims over the internet that he had gone out of business and anyone who had paid money was now screwed over, etc. I called him to inform him of the website’s status and of the internet chatter and within a couple days the website was back up. Many craftsmen out there don’t even have websites, so that he has one that isn’t checked frequently doesn’t really surprise me.
b) I can understand paying something off in good faith, despite the fact it might not make the best sense. I can empathize, though it’s not a good practice on the buyer’s part.
c) It is inconceivable that an honest businessman would take the full payment and then put the project on the backburner. I hope that’s not the case, for your sake.
d) He offers a pretty good value from my experience”¦ Unfortunately, not everyone engages in valuable communication between buyer and seller. In my opinion, there should always be at least some.

 

[Billnpatti]

Early Rustic Arms has a website and appears to still be in business. Give Terry Williams a call at (573) 216-2531 to check on your rifle.

 

[poordevil]

I had a gun ordered and built about the same time jbwilliams did and he and I talked about this. I had to threaten Terry with the law and did contact the sheriff's office. That got his attention.

I won't call Terry a lair, but he was less than honest with me. Also what I don't understand is the enabler type people who will say that . Well 21 months is not really bad. The quoted time was 1 year. If I wanted to wait 2 + years I would not have gone with Terry. While I was waiting and waiting, Terry was quoting people a 10 month time line. A deliberate misrepresentation.

 

[R.C.BINGAMAN]

A few years back same problem with a colonial smooth bore. Long wait lots of conflicting information, promises made and not kept. End results a very nice smoothie, almost 36 months later after ordering fowler arrives. Lessons learnt. Good luck

 

[kaintuck]

36 months????? wowowowowow!!!

tha just ain't right!.....everyone should think Tip Curtis~ he has in stock alot already to shoot...and in the 'kit' form A WHOLE bunch!!!

i have built from a blank to a customer...9 months....but then I have Tomtom to help me...but if someone wnated a kit built....I think Tip could make one in a week....if'in you asked real nice....

 

[George T.]

WOW! That is not a good story to say the least. It is a shame that this kind of thing keeps happening. I hope you get everything sorted out. In the mean time I have made a mental note! Geo. T.

 

[kodiakmarine]

Sorry to hear this happened to you. It seems like a good reason to buy some quality parts and build your own. Good luck getting this resolved. - John

 

[Dean2]

There seem to be a few of these guys that are perennial problems. If you have had problems with him I would suggest you go to his site, do a Google review of him and his work. This way others Googling him can find your ratings and experiences.

 

[Dean2]

http://www.earlyrusticarms.com/

Here is the link to his site. He is also on facebook if you are interested.

 

[poordevil]

WOW! That is not a good story to say the least. It is a shame that this kind of thing keeps happening. I hope you get everything sorted out. In the mean time I have made a mental note! Geo. T.

Yes I did. I finely got it. The BBL is DOM. Not a custom BBL worth waiting for, nor one that was rare and hard to find or build. The gun is OK and works. But nothing special or worth the wait or headache. I don't know if the guy drags his feet, hoping the customer will give up and forfeit the deposit, therefore making money, not earned. But his business practice is shadie to say the least.

( some folks will say, Well why didn't you check him out before sending money, etc. ) I did and when I placed my order it was to the founder, Terry's stepfather. He had a good rep. and made guns pictured in the various blaclpowder mags. This guy is trading on the stepfathers reputation and doing badly. OH I also sent the Dad 2 written letters detailing what Terry was doing and got nothing back. So there you go.

 

[rfdr]

all's well that ends well for you, poordevil ... well, sorta.

actually, there still is a problem and issue for the op.

i have no sympathy, empathy or pity for scammers and thieves.

the cardinal sin of any business, but particularly a micro business, is the sin of no communication with your customer. there is no redemption for such behavior and such foolish perpetrators will have their names and business tarnished for quite some time if not for life.