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Open Gun Opinions Everyone has one

Poll: Who built your open gun?

Who built your Open Gun?

You cannot see the results of the poll until you have voted. Please login and cast your vote to see the results of this poll.
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#1 User is offline   SV-COP 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 04:00 AM

For the last few weeks I have been reading posts, looking at Custom Gun shop websites and making calls to just about everyone I know about the different Open Guns available. Thanks to all of you who answered my questions!

What I learned is that no matter how many good things you hear about a certain builder, you will find at least one (if not more) shooters who have seen a problem, heard of a problem or just don't care for that particular builder.

So, who built your Open Gun?

This post has been edited by rangertrace: 05 June 2009 - 07:05 AM

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#2 User is offline   SV-COP 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:04 AM

For those of you who choose "other" would you please add a post with the builder's name?
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#3 User is offline   BrianATL 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:10 AM

I would suggest any of these builders are a viable choice. My suggestion is to go with the builder you have the easiest access to. For when your gun may need a tweak or two.

#4 User is offline   Bigpops 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:12 AM

Just voted. I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. (you just may have to wait awhile which sucks)

#5 User is offline   dfwmiket 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:24 AM

I think you know my choice! :)
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#6 User is offline   joecichlid 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:24 AM

I have an older gun, built in 1994, that was built by Dawson back when he was at STI from what I have been able to find out through STI. The thing just flat out runs great as long as I don't go cheap and try to save my brass too long. lol

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#7 User is offline   JFlowers 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:28 AM

I have an older PARA based race gun which was in dire need of a rebuild and was completely redone by Jeff Abernathy of Tommy Guns in Mt Holly, NC.
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#8 User is offline   gunracer38 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 05:57 AM

Ihave an EGW,Bedell and Gans. All in 38 Super,all work flawlessly.

#9 User is offline   dajarrel 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 06:03 AM

I honestly don't know who built my gun. I am at least the third owner of it and other than cleaning it occasionally and replacing the rare broken part (thumb safety and ejector) it has run flawlessly.

It's a .38 stupor built on an STI frame with a shortie barrel. I just never did ask for the pedigree when I bought it.

fwiw

dj
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#10 User is offline   UW Mitch 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 06:19 AM

John Larson - JPL Precision. www.jplprecision.com

I've been really happy with the performance of the gun. John worked with me to make it the gun that would work for me. He recognizes that everyone's shooting style is different, and therefore the guns will all be a little different. The is the point of "custom".

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#11 User is offline   03k64 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 06:26 AM

I would gladly have any of those smiths build me a gun, but if I had to choose, it would be Gary Natale at Gans.
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#12 User is offline   sgtis108 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 06:30 AM

Joe Camperi built my SV. I am the 2nd owner. The reason I bought this gun was that I watched it's previous owner shoot the crap out of it. I saw how reliable it was before he was ready to sell it. Now he always says he wishes he still had it.
I beleive he is from NOLA and out of the business.

I bought a used limited gun from a different guy. Same story, same smith.

#13 User is offline   UltraTen 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 07:34 AM

I can't say too much about some of the smith's in your poll but I'm sure any of them would do a great job.
I can say alot about Bedell.
He worked on my SVI and did a fantastic job.
I've never had any problems with the gun after he was thru working his magic.
I have a couple of guns that are going to be brought over very soon.
The one nice thing about Dan is that he's only a few minutes down the thru-way from me.
Really nice guy that's very knowledgeable.
I hope to shoot with him sometime!!
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#14 User is offline   caspian guy 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 08:00 AM

My open guns were built by hardy custom in georgia.

I have 2 general comments...

I have shot guns from several of the smiths above. The build quality was uniformly excelent. Any of them will build you an quality gun.

That being said I will second the recomendation of brianatl. Don't under estimate how helpful it is to have your gunsmith close by. When something breaks it always seems to be before a big match.

The other thing that might impact your decision is how soon you want the gun. Some of those guys you list above usually have pretty lengthy backlogs.

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#15 User is offline   HSMITH 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 08:47 AM

I built my own.

#16 User is offline   UltraTen 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 08:48 AM

View PostHSMITH, on Jun 5 2009, 11:47 AM, said:

I built my own.


Talk about having your gunsmith close by. :roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

What.... you didn't vote for yourself??

This post has been edited by UltraTen: 05 June 2009 - 08:49 AM

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#17 User is offline   matt2ace 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 08:53 AM

View Post03k64, on Jun 5 2009, 09:26 AM, said:

I would gladly have any of those smiths build me a gun, but if I had to choose, it would be Gary Natale at Gans.


:cheers:

Could not have said it better..........

#18 User is offline   Rolex 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 08:54 AM

Jim Anglin- Sailors Custom Gun
.9mm
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#19 User is offline   LeoHallak 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 09:25 AM

Don't forget Tangfolio...

#20 User is offline   Jack Suber 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 09:40 AM

There are so many good smiths out there. I personally have 3 guns built by Millenium (2 LTD and my sons open gun). Have not had one gun related hick-up with any of them other than the sear breaking on one of my LTD guns. I really like Bob's guns and his other work (I only use Brazos tuned mags, front sights, and his trigger kits). I have handled Benny's guns and I really like them, especially his 6" LTD guns. I have also been REALLY impressed with Bedell's guns. I would consider having one built by him if I can go directly to him.

But, loyalty is important to me. Derek has taken care of me over the last few years. No question that I have gotten more than what I have paid for in the guns he has built for me. I can't ask for more..

My problem is that I don't have enough money to buy all of the guns I want!!!

BTW, the Open gun that I was shooting that puked out on me was not built by Derek. It was an economy job that I bought used for my son to start on...
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#21 User is offline   JThompson 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 09:56 AM

Matt McLearn from M2I build some great blasters and has designed a lot of the stuff for these guns... If I'm not mistaken, he was the one who designed the SC cartridge too.

http://www.mattmclearn.com/index.html

JT

Also, have seen many of Howard works and they all run and look great. I would have had Howard build me a gun already cept I'm always a dollar short.

Two guys that I trust to build guns and are a bit cheaper are Jim Anglin at Sailors and Matt Cheely, who is the most improved builder I know. Matt is really coming into his own style now and I would not hesitate to have him build for me again. (I'm shooting a Cheely open right now. )

This post has been edited by JThompson: 05 June 2009 - 08:47 PM

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#22 User is offline   Shay1911 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 10:01 AM

View PostJack Suber, on Jun 5 2009, 12:40 PM, said:

But, loyalty is important to me. Derek has taken care of me over the last few years. No question that I have gotten more than what I have paid for in the guns he has built for me. I can't ask for more.


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#23 User is offline   All-Gator 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 10:12 AM

Over the years and various pistols: Tony Kidd, Rusty Kidd, and Steve Bowen. Right now my main gun was built by Tony and rebarreled to 9x19 by Rusty.

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#24 User is offline   SV-COP 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 11:16 AM

View PostHSMITH, on Jun 5 2009, 09:47 AM, said:

I built my own.


You didn't vote for yourself :roflol:
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#25 User is online   Bullzeye 

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Posted 05 June 2009 - 11:22 AM

OTHER: Fred Craig built my open gun. Its a shooter and a keeper!
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