odd6
Arch Deacon
Reged: Dec 20 2000
Posts: 510
Loc: Maine,
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Very good!
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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any updates?
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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Boy I wish I had something to tell you.
I seem to have run into a situation where I've lost control of the end project. The gunsmith in OH has the barreled action for bluing. I was in OH in November hunting with Ken and Shaun and was able to meet with him personally. I handed over a check and he assured me it would be "ready in two weeks". I've been in contact with him 3 or 4 times since over the phone, and written three times. The stories are varied and numerous, but generally involve something like "I've been away a lot working for the Government and just haven't had time to ship it." I've been assured the work is complete, I just can't seem to get the guy to return the piece. He also has my 6.5 X 55 Swede which dates back to 2006, and I still have not seen that either.
Frame still has the stock which I'm told is "two coats away", but I haven't been able to break that loose. Unfortunately, he's been too busy to intercede on my behalf with the "smith" who is 15 minutes down the road.
I've never had a situation like this before. I'm reluctant to get angry or pushy which usually gets you nowhere with a gunsmith, but this is getting crazy. I've been polite, understanding, and even paid in advance, all to no avail. It's my fault I guess; "caveat emptor"; but I've never had a tradesman, particularly from the mid-west, look me straight in the eye and blow smoke up my ass. That's CA stuff, and I'm used to it out here.
I'm sure it will be forthcoming eventually. Part of me wants to burn some frequent flyer miles and go get both of the damn things, but that would be stupid. Lesson learned.
Can't wait for Matt to get his FFL.
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1091
Loc: Arizona
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Mike, I'll be over in OH in late June/early July to haul of my mom's belongings out here to AZ. I have to swing through Cols. on my way, so if you want I could probably fit it in the schedule to pick up your pieces parts. Then they'll only be a few hundred miles away instead of a few thousand and you can pick it all up on your next visit to the promised land.
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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mike i swear i saw your slug gun sitting next to your stock 
frames taken an obsession to crappie fishing... drain the lake and he'll get your gun done.
Edited by littleking (Wed May 21 2008 11:21 AM)
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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That's a generous offer Mark, and I appreciate it. I don't want to get anyone else involved at this point. I have a half baked theory on what's going on, but I'm reluctant to pursue it. I hope to have the guns back shortly (he said again).
As for Frame and the Crappie fishing, there's nothing new about that. It's the perfect venue. You can spend 12+ hours in total silence staring at the water while smoking as many cigarettes and drinking as many beers as you like. There's nobody to remind you of what you're doing to yourself. These days, he seems to focus on one thing, and one thing only, at a time to the exclusion of everything else.
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1091
Loc: Arizona
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Not a problem Mike. If you change your mind just let me know.
I'm all too familiar with Mexican time. In fact Cochise County time makes it seem quite prompt. There it's "maņana... maņana". Here it's "sometime... maybe... if we remember".
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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Quote:
That's a generous offer Mark, and I appreciate it. I don't want to get anyone else involved at this point. I have a half baked theory on what's going on, but I'm reluctant to pursue it. I hope to have the guns back shortly (he said again).
As for Frame and the Crappie fishing, there's nothing new about that. It's the perfect venue. You can spend 12+ hours in total silence staring at the water while smoking as many cigarettes and drinking as many beers as you like. There's nobody to remind you of what you're doing to yourself. These days, he seems to focus on one thing, and one thing only, at a time to the exclusion of everything else.
oh my 11th degree sunburn knows all to well..
rumor has it, the smith working on your pieces was down in quantico building pee-shooters for uncle sam
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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Yea, I talked to him, and I heard all about that *@^&%. That's his standard answer for everything. He was due back in mid-April. So I called back end of April and he was gone again. Due back 2nd week of May. Well, here I am; still waiting.
He says the work is done. So my question is, why not just ship it in between trips to work for Uncle? How long could it take?
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1091
Loc: Arizona
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You're a patient man Mike. I'd have flipped my lid by now.
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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takes 10 min at ups store
stock is 2 coats behind according to the gun gawd himself
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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Problem there is, it's been two coats behind since I was back there in November. No more whining from me, I promise.
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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Quote:
Problem there is, it's been two coats behind since I was back there in November. No more whining from me, I promise.
just pick it up when you come deer hunting, ken can pick his rack up then too, its right next to the stock, and the slug gun
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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from what i hear, the swifty is done???
i heard this while out shooting his new styer aug.
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littleking
Druid
Reged: Jun 16 2006
Posts: 158
Loc: Columbus, OH
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did it show up yet mike? i'd like to see it
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Ken (Catskin)
Universal Rabbi of the House
Reged: Nov 24 2000
Posts: 3336
Loc: Redmond, Oregon
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Its Done!!
Its Done!!
Its Done!!
Its Done!!
Its Done!!
Its Done!!
Posted for Mike....
A long time coming, but worth the wait.
Concept and stock blank acquisition: Catskin
Stock turning and shaping: Great American Gunstocks
Final sanding and hand rubbbed oil finish: S.Frame
Pillar bedding and final inletting: Larry Knight
Action: Montana 1999
Caliber .220 Swift
Barrel: PacNor Super Match CM finished at 26"; Heavy Sporter #6 Contour
Bluing: Jim Caudill, Sunbury OH
Scope: Leupold Vari-X III 6.5-20 fine cross hair; target knobs in Conetrol mounts
Bills Paid: By me.
I'm indebted to Ken for the inspiration and the help in acquiring the components and of course, to Shaun for hours of labor on a one of a kind stock.
Here's hoping it shoots.
Edited by Mike Harter (Wed Oct 01 2008 10:16 PM)
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disco1946
Mouse Dipper
Reged: Jul 01 2007
Posts: 849
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Mike/Ken,
That is a beautiful piece of burl maple, Want me to checker it for you? I could bring my rusty piece of hack saw blade to the rondy and could easily take care of that in about 3 gin martinis.
Dave 
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Friends don't let Friends shoot Rugers
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DanS
Crown Killer
Reged: Sep 14 2003
Posts: 2465
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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Mike,
Hey, that is a really nice looking setup. But why am I not surprised? I especially like the forend tip. That is as shiny gloss black as your Leupold scope.
Now your going to have to shoot some little critters with it. Heck, you may even have to let Ken shoot it a few times. 
No white line spacers? 
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Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1091
Loc: Arizona
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Quote:
No white line spacers?
I had the same question. I have some old bleach bottles 'round here somewhere. When he goes to sleep at the Rondy we can fix it up for him.
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
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Walter
Druid
Reged: Jan 06 2006
Posts: 156
Loc: Texas north of Dallas
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Thats very nice
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disco1946
Mouse Dipper
Reged: Jul 01 2007
Posts: 849
Loc: Mesa, Arizona
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Mike Iffen ya don't want it checkered, I could paint it for ya.
Then it could be purty like mine.
Dave
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Friends don't let Friends shoot Rugers
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odd6
Arch Deacon
Reged: Dec 20 2000
Posts: 510
Loc: Maine,
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Mike; Very nice. It would be very tough to find a better looking piece of birdseye maple. Ken did just about perfect coming up with that find.
The cheek piece looks quite elegant.
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Hilltop
Bishop
Reged: Feb 06 2004
Posts: 779
Loc: Zaitseving coyotes
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OH!!! Ya'll were talking about the other Swift.
Well, I'll post some better pics (with a camera and not a phone) of this one when I do the grooming and finish work and set him on something. Thought Mikey might like it.
On a side note: I'm not sure which gun Harter shot him with, but there was a .17 caliber hole with 'NO' fur damage and 'NO' exit, very impressive results on a 6-8lb. animal.
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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The previous picture does not do justice to Dave's really excellent artistic rendition of this Swift Fox. I have it at home now, and it is lovely. I'll have Ken post some decent pix of it when he has time.
And to be clear, I did not shoot this Fox (sadly). He was live trapped by Tim Behle in his front yard and dispatched with a pistol chambered in .17 HMR I believe. I thought him pretty enough to add to the collection, and since his fate was sealed in any case, the impulse seemed reasonable. Dave is working on a very nice Fisher and the 2008 Bobcat for me. The Bobcat I DID shoot at the Rondy. The Fisher was courtesy of odd6, and a beauty he is.
No targets to post yet. So far, I've been breaking in the piece and searching for the load that dazzles.
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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DanS
Crown Killer
Reged: Sep 14 2003
Posts: 2465
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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That is nice. It looks like it is still alive.
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Mike Harter
Avenging Angel
Reged: Nov 05 2000
Posts: 2656
Loc: Fresno, CA, USA
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Well, that's the key isn't it? My bride, while very tolerant of my hobbies, would really prefer I shoot things with a camera; in her heart, the wild creatures are far more appealing alive rather than dead. As such, she tends to avoid mounted Moose heads and such which are kept in a separate room of the house.
Her fascination with "Swifty" is a testament to Dave's work. She keeps wanting to pet him, and I've actually heard her speaking to the mount a time or two. To get it out of the way temporarily, I put it on the bed in the spare bedroom. Evey time she goes in the room casually for something, I hear a little exclamation of surprise. The damn thing does look "alive". It's a lovely mount.
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"If you need a pistol, you need a REAL pistol. The finest available 9mm serves best as a badge of office." ..... Col. J. Cooper
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Hilltop
Bishop
Reged: Feb 06 2004
Posts: 779
Loc: Zaitseving coyotes
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Thanks much Dan, every once in a while the stars align.
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Hilltop
Bishop
Reged: Feb 06 2004
Posts: 779
Loc: Zaitseving coyotes
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If we keep Mrs H. happpy we'll all be happy.
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Mark P
Administrator
Reged: Jun 21 2005
Posts: 1091
Loc: Arizona
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That is a really nice mount. I'm more of skull and bone mount guy, but looking at that makes the envy well inside me. Very good job.
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
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Tackdriver
Big Hairy Gun Nut
Reged: Jan 31 2001
Posts: 2394
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Finally....so now go out and brew up some loads and run some groups and shoot some pdogs or something....we wanna know if it shoots like it looks like it will....
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I never saw a wild thing feel sorry for itself.--DH Lawerence
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