R&D Gunshop turn-around

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Hello the fire!

Pards, back in October of last year, I decided to have my treasured Navies converted.  I knew of the good work that Mr. Kenny Howell of R&D Gunshop had done for Mr. Tom Selleck.  He began advertising gated conversion kits for the Navy.  I decided that his company would do the work.  I had the frames drilled and tapped, and decided to have the barrels lined for .357.  I receivied the work, but it took a while to get my parts back.  Back in February, I received the barrels, frames, and a conversion cylinder.  Now, I like to think I'm a smart man.  I followed the directions, but the frame I cut didn't work.  Fearing the worst, I sent both frames back to R&D.  I wrote that if they couldn't fix the frame I cut, to destroy it.  I am no gunsmith.  I sent the cash to have the other frame cut properly.  I have contacted R&D several times via phone and email over the past several months.  When I spoke with Jennifer, she advised me my frames would be done "the end of this week, or the beginning of next."  It is now the end of AUGUST.  I have maybe two more shoots this year, and the season's over.  I have yet to shoot my Naives in a match this year. 

I don't think I'm being unreasonable.  If there's going to be a backlog, whether it's six weeks or six months, just tell me so.  Mention it on the website, and I'm okay.  In the most recent Guns of the Old West magazine, they featured a converted Navy by R&D.  In the article, the listed the turn around time as about a week.

Does anybody know the people at R&D?  Has anyone had problems with their order?  Is mine the only bad experience so far?

Pards I'm not saying this to insult anyone, especially Mr. Howell.  I've seen his work in "Crossfire Trail," which is why I picked his company.  Now I know I'm not Tom Selleck.  I'm a poor pard who has few guns.  And I miss mine.

Any advice or help you can give would be greatly appreciated.  I just don't know where else to turn.
Respectfully,
Fritz
 

           

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Howdy! I'm sorry to hear that but I've had a similar problem in the past. I had a 60' army richards conversion done by kenny years ago when it was easy to get him on the phone. A few years later I wanted to have the gun re-finished & have suttle changes done to make it a US Richards conversions All of which required to have some extra stamping done, reblue job & re-case color job. I waited more than 2 years to get it back! I just guess he is just to busy with doing the drop-in cylinders for Taylors to have much time to do anything else. WBR