What would you buy if the choices were

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Ya might give Mike Brooks a write.

I'm only about half honest! :rotf: JUST kiddin'. My plate is full and I am not taking any more orders for awhile.
 
Just a reminder...to the fellow who pointed out that Caywoods were cut out with computer-controlled machines--so are all other 'kit' guns that I am aware of, including Chambers. Other than one or two who have posted about 'bad' dealings with Danny, I have not heard anything bad about Caywood guns--as far as quality/reliability goes--they are very popular around here [arklatex] as you might expect, they being made in this region. I know numerous folks with Caywood guns and have heard absolutely no complaints. All the ones I have handled looked great. I have had no dealings with nor have I seen in person [just pics] NSW guns, so I cannot compare. IMHO, from what I have seen, either would be a good choice--as would a Chambers kit gun. This forum reaches alot of folks and has a significant influence on folks beliefs--therefore I think we should all be cautious about bad-mouthing someone's product on hearsay or one less than perfect experience [although experiences are worth repeating, as they are all many have to go on]. I have a fine gun from a maker who screwed alot of folks--the other extreme, I was lucky to get it at all. Caywood, NSW, TVM, Chambers, and several other companies are reputable folks who try to do right, near as I can tell. All work on a small margin of profit with limited designs, and, like McDonalds, special orders can upset them.
 
Just a reminder...to the fellow who pointed out that Caywoods were cut out with computer-controlled machines--so are all other 'kit' guns that I am aware of, including Chambers.
Mine aren't. :wink: They're made one at a time by a hand controlled duplicarver. No computers involved what so ever. :blah:
 
I may stop by NSW on my NEXT Trip to MT, as NSW ise just a few miles from where I alway go once a year on a secret mission :rotf:
 
I'm getting to be a geezer and have owned a lot of fowlers in my time. I'm an avid trap shooter and bird hunter, and can say that Mike Brooks makes an outstanding product. I've owned a couple of Caywoods, and had one in hand when I saw my first Brooks fowler.There was simply no comparison between the quality of my Caywood and the Mike Brooks fowler owned by a competitor. Mike's fowlers are authentic custom arms. Caywoods are production guns. From quality of components to fit and finish, Mike Brooks fowlers are superb. The pan to barrel fit is perfect on a Brooks gun and ignition is instant.

I had a unique opportunity to do a side by side comparison between the Brooks and Caywood products, and made up my mind then and there I had to have a Brooks fowler. It was the best decision I've ever made. I purchased a 12 gauge fowler from Mike Brooks and am thrilled with it. It out performs any fowler I've owned.


My purchasing experience with Mike Brooks was outstanding. The gun shipped when he said it would, delivered in a hard plastic case, and arrived in perfect condition. I felt strongly that Mike took every effort to insure my satisfaction and make certain that my gun arrived undamaged.
 
That is a good piece of info. Having handled more than a few Caywoods, such praise of Mike's products by comparison is high praise, indeed. The only Brooks pieces I have seen were in pics, but they look great to me! Glad to hear they perform as well as they look.
 
Mike Brooks said:
Just a reminder...to the fellow who pointed out that Caywoods were cut out with computer-controlled machines--so are all other 'kit' guns that I am aware of, including Chambers.
Mine aren't. :wink: They're made one at a time by a hand controlled duplicarver. No computers involved what so ever. :blah:

:wink: yeah, maybe some others also use 'hand duplicators'--my point of course being that kit guns are not true one-of-a-kind custom guns. They are hand-assembled and finished parts guns. Every stock of a given style is like the next except for 'customizing' touches of carving or finish. Caywood, as far as I can tell, uses the same stock design for three 'different' trade gun types, just varying the hardware. That does not mean the final products cannot be very nice. Probably my best rifle started life as a Chambers kit.
 
Mike does make a fine gun. :bow: I have been fortunate enough to handle a couple of them.
 
Roy said:
Mike does make a fine gun. :bow: I have been fortunate enough to handle a couple of them.

I looked at his web-site and I am sure he is swamped for years with backorders.:shocked2:
 
Worth the wait :wink: Most builders will have some sort of wait time. Sometimes we get gaps between builds though, waiting for parts or custom barrels... best time for a kit to be built imho. Contact him and find out the wait time... :thumbsup:
 
Roy said:
Worth the wait :wink: Most builders will have some sort of wait time. Sometimes we get gaps between builds though, waiting for parts or custom barrels... best time for a kit to be built imho. Contact him and find out the wait time... :thumbsup:

Could do that. :hmm:
 
Iron Jim Rackham said:
Mike's got a brand new Type G trade gun posted on his website now. No waiting required.

Yes I saw it and want a 28 Gauge
[url] http://www.fowlingguns.com/gunforsale4.html[/url]

:surrender:
 
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A general knowledge of the price of parts, a general knowledge of what a completed gun with those parts would sell for, a knowledge and appreciation of quality gunbuilding, and a knowledge of what price a particular builder commands for a particular type of gun based on his ability and name would be my guess. :hmm:
 
Definately check with Mike Brooks,he built a Chambers Fowler for me and the wait was surprisingly short. Well worth looking into, and great guy to work with.
 
Iv,e had a bunch of smoothbores over the years. About 10 years ago I got a stock, out of the box
TVM fowler in 28 Gage. It has a long hammock barrel and a large siler lock iron mounted. After
10 years I still have it! This says a lot considering my track record holding on to guns!
( always trading and selling up )

Grizz :wink:
 
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