Galazan Repro Barrels

[Chuck Heald]

I've been away from the gun boards for a while. Learning bbq, hanging out on their forums, vacation, flying a P-51, training the dog, etc..

What's the latest from Galazan on the barrels? I ordered the .410 barrels, as did a friend.

Thanks
Chuck

[Dean Romig]

Hi Chuck, welcome back.

As of this moment there are a number of Parker enthusiasts who are very interested in the barrels that Simmons is making for Parkers. The Simmons barrels are reported to have the correct rib matting and Simmons customer relations and their claims of what they can do to fulfill the wants and needs of customers seem somewhat superior to what we've been hearing about the CSMC barrels and customer relations. This is not meant to disparage Tony Galazan or his team as they have always produced about the finest shotguns this side of the Atlantic and have always stood behind their products but the issue of their Parker barrels seem to be a "bugaboo" for CSMC.

When are you hosting the PGCA BBQ?? :clap:

[Greg Baehman]

I read on the SSM BBS that CSMC has stopped taking orders for the Parker Repro small gauge barrel sets until they "catch up with order backlog".

[Jeff O'Neill]

I live near Simmons and visited a few weeks ago. They're focused on 28 ga barrels for 0 frame guns at present. As interest grows for other barrel sets they'll consider development. They said that they'd need five firm committments before starting a new project. Price mentioned was $2800.

At the risk of hijacking, I want to hear about the P-51!

[John R. Richards]

I contacted both Galazan and Simmons last week about a Reproduction 28 gauge barrel to fit a 00 frame and was told they were no longer accepting orders for new barrels. If anyone finds out differently please let me know.

Thanks

John

[Chuck Heald]

Dean,
That PGCA BBQ would be great. But my bbq's are a bit small. I recommend that PGCA send an emmissary bearing a variety of libations and of sufficient quantity.

Jeff,
The -51 flight was a true thrill. The operation has 3 TF-51 full dual control airplanes operating out of Kissimmee Gateway airport. They are extremely well maintained. You arrive at the FBO and they have a pre-flight brief of about 1/2 hr or so to get a feel for your flight experience and what you would like to do during the flight. They want you to do most of the flying. They do insist on doing the takeoff for a number of reasons. We did a two airplane formation takeoff, with my brother-in-law in one P-51 and me in the other. I was in the #2 airplane and video'd the takeoff and about 10 minutes of the join up and formation flight while the IP flew. Once we broke off formation for our separate aerobatic areas, I took the plane and did the remainder of the flying and landing. We did about 1/2 hr of aerobatics and then were met by the other plane during the return to the airport. We did a 360 overhead approach, flying over the runway, then breaking off formation to the downwind leg one at a time to allow for landing spacing. The airplane is stable and flies fairly easily. The only quirk is the low speed, high power handling, which he had me fly right into a stall (at altitude) to feel the airplane's characteristics. The airplane feels nimble in aerobatics, but control forces get pretty high with higher airspeed. If you go faster, you need left rudder, slower needs right rudder. You're constantly trimming the rudder with speed changes. That big 11 foot prop is the reason. After the flight, they have a debrief. There are 3 video cameras on the planes. They view the video with you and a do a short critique. The airplane is everything I expected and doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend it!

http://stallion51.com/

Regards
Chuck

[Bobby Cash]

Please check out this video if you're a lover of the P-51. Sound/speakers really make the experience. No purchase is necessary.
http://www.asb.tv/videos/view.php?v=1bf99434&br=500

[Dean Romig]

Chuck, my brother-in-law, Kevin (Redondo Beach), did the exact same thing three years ago with the same people, same airport, same planes. It was a birthday gift from his wife. As well as the aerobatics and manuevers you mention, Kevin's experience also included a couple of mock dogfights. He loved it!!

[John R. Richards]

Correction to my last response. I received an email tonight stating that at the first of 2011 Simmons will be producing 00 frame 28 gauge barrels and they are now taking orders at a price of $2800 . Barrel lenghts up to 32" in 28 gauge.

[Jeff O'Neill]

Chuck:

What a great time you had in those Mustangs. I'm not a pilot, just a long time wannabe and namesake of an uncle who was killed over Italy while flying a recon mision in a P-51. I have a brother who is a pilot and true propeller head and who regularly puts together airshows; most recent was a Corsair show in Connecticut. He likely knows about the folks you flew with, but if not it'll give him a wonderful goal.

Glad to hear that Simmons is still doing barrels... they gave me no indication of ceasing.

Best to all!

[Dave Suponski]

Jeff, My son and I were at that show. It was in our home town. Fantastic show!

[Jeff O'Neill]

Dave: Thanks, I'll pass the kind words on to Jerry. He was the guy doing most of the announcing.

I went to the first Corsairs show in 2005. Jerry arranged to get me a ride in "Panchito," the B-25 which was there again this year. The nose of a B-25 has got to be the best vantage point in the sky; it's like being in an airborne fishbowl.

[King Brown]

Chuck, as a reporter 50 years ago I had a chance to buy a Mustang with zero-time pickled engine for $8,000. I didn't have the money to fly it at 90 gallons an hour but thought I could send it home to the barn as part of a pension plan. I cooled off and bought a Cessna 180 for $9,000. You lived a dream. I keep the juices jangling now with my 180hp Bushmaster experimental with McCauley 84/43 prop on 2250 floats. Regards, King

[Chuck Heald]

After a lot of drama, I finally made a video. There's a button to select the resolution down near the lower right corner. It has 360 as the default. I made it in 720dpi so you can go higher if you have a fast connection. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC8lNLLuj2o

[Dean Romig]

Thanks Chuck, that was terrific.

[Jeff O'Neill]

Chuck: Fabulous!

[Joe Bernfeld]

Uh, about those barrels...?

[Chuck Heald]

TTT
Anyone take delivery of any gauge of csmc repro barrels from this latest offering? Comments?

[Dean Romig]

To the best of my knowledge Chuck, nobody has received a finished set yet... unless I'm just not in the loop.

[Chuck Heald]

Discouraging. But thanks Dean. I was counting on getting my 28" .410 barrels before next season. 'Seems like that's optimistic since they did say the .410 barrels would be the last run.

[Bill Murphy]

I wonder how the Simmons barrels are coming along?

[Francis Morin]

A very reliable source told me the other day that Simmons is cancelling the offering of Parker and LC Smith barrels- time will tell!!:cool:

[Ed Blake]

I spoke with Simmons today. My barrels are being struck and the rib is being engraved. They said delivery will be February. We'll see.

[Chuck Heald]

I emailed Carol a week or so ago. She said "...the barrels were made and they are ready for assembly..."

[Greg Baehman]

I emailed Carol a week or so ago. She said "...the barrels were made and they are ready for assembly..."

Several of us were given that same info about a year or so ago.:corn:

[Chuck Heald]

Has it been that long already? Well, I'm still in until they say it's either a no-go or they finish them.

[Chuck Heald]

Tony and Lou told a friend that they were shipping 16g barrels and 410 barrels were shipping soon. 410 barrels were originally planned as last of the various gauges to ship, but they moved them up.

[David Dwyer]

I am being told by Reggy that my Simmons 28ga barrels will be delivered this month. I am holding my breath.
David

[Gerry Addison]

I just spoke with Lou today. Was told by Tony G. they had some sets of 16GA barrels in house and for me to send my 20GA in, so I did. Lou just called me and said there are no 16GA barrels in house and there won't be for at least 1 year so he was returning my gun. I then ask about the 410 barrels and he said they are thinking about making them "sometime in the future". He even said they had taken some orders for them, but they hadn't even started to move on them. I wouldn't hold my breath if you placed an order for 410 barrels.

[Greg Baehman]

...maybe Tony knows something that Lou doesn't. It may be worth a call to Tony.

[Gerry Addison]

Could be, but I talked to Tony at the Louisville gun show and he said to send the gun with to his attention which I did. He walked it back to the shop according to Lou and Lou says there are no barrels and won't be for at least a year. He boxed my gun up today to ship it back to me. Cost me $55 and a wasted morning so I don't have much faith in what Tony says. Lou also said they haven't done anything about the 410 barrels and that is way in the distant future. According to him that is such a small matter they aren't even thinking about it.

[Bill Davis]

I ordered 3 sets of 410 barrels when they were 1st offered----years ago. Eventually I realized that these barrels were probably never going to be made in my lifetime, so I moved the 3k deposit to my A-10---which I did finally receive a few months ago. Now that's a gun that was worth the money if you bought it on the initial offering.

[Gerry Addison]

I have seen them and held them but never shot one. They look like nice guns but I have gotten to the point where I don't want to do business with them

[Francis Morin]

I have seen them and held them but never shot one. They look like nice guns but I have gotten to the point where I don't want to do business with them-- Too bad- that sort of miss-communication can cost a business owner/gun dealer big time. The double gun group is tight, and the word gets out as to who the good dealers are and those who may not be so good, and once your reputation is sullied- Nicht zer Gut!!!!

[Gerry Addison]

Exactly, like taking orders for barrels you haven't even thought about making yet. Why do that and make people mad? I don't get it.

[Greg Baehman]

Exactly, like taking orders for barrels you haven't even thought about making yet. Why do that and make people mad? I don't get it.
Not only that, but misleading buyers of those barrels by CSMC employees stating such things as "shipment starts in Sept." (years ago!), "they are in the shop", "they are made up and only awaiting ejector blades to be completed", "a number of these barrel sets have already been shipped", etc. etc. etc.

[Marvin Kells]

I have gotten to the point where I don't want to do business with them

I'll 2nd this statement. I had two terrible experiences buying guns that were not "as advertised". The first I wrote off as a fluke. The second taught me otherwise!

[Bill Anderson]

If Galazan was the only gun manufacturer/dealer left on the earth, I would take up golf.

Bill

[Francis Morin]

[quote=Bill Anderson;46478]If Galazan was the only gun manufacturer/dealer -- I made the mistake of letting golf get into my world- a game you can never win, just like gambling in an Indian Casino- the house always has the odds in its favor- ditto the 18 holes with the flags- but- riding in a cart, popping open cold brewski's- a poker game at the 19th hole-sort of compensate for the beating we take when we "hit the links"- and Gold spelled backwards is Flog--:corn::corn:

[Joe Bernfeld]

Today Carol at CSMC told me that all the 28 ga Repro barrels that were finished had been sent to the buyers. Does someone here know of ANYONE who has received a set? Maybe she meant 0 made, and all were sent out :rotf:!

[Greg Baehman]

Today Carol at CSMC told me that all the 28 ga Repro barrels that were finished had been sent to the buyers. Does someone here know of ANYONE who has received a set? Maybe she meant 0 made, and all were sent out :rotf:!

About a month or so ago, she told me that she personally wrapped up and shipped out a few sets of the Repro barrels herself. I asked for names and phone numbers of a couple of them so I could check to see if these customers were satisfied with their purchase, she refused.

[Francis Morin]

About a month or so ago, she told me that she personally wrapped up and shipped out a few sets of the Repro barrels herself. I asked for names and phone numbers of a couple of them so I could check to see if these customers were satisfied with their purchase, she refused.- He's shooting himself in the foot with an employee who lies to customers, and then tries a "Tricky-Dick Nixon Stonewalling number" another eason, IMO- why women don't belong in the man's world of guns and gunning- With a tight market, the recent loss of Parker Icon Mr. Jack Puglisi, it would behoove the remaining high-end dealers to be "upfront" with their customer base.:cool::whistle::nono::nono::nono:

[Dean Romig]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that Tony Galazan and CSMC has always been a friend to the PGCA and unless they have taken your money and not provided you with a product promised in the contract within the timeframe proscribed, there is no beef.
If, on the other hand, you have paid earnest money and they have defaulted on the contract, then you have every right to demand your money back with the appropriate interest.
It does no good to slam someone on merely 'he said - she said' conjecture.
It is really demeaning to see all of this mudslinging on this forum and other forums. I do believe, however, if promises were made and not fulfilled, a public explanation would be in order.

I'll step off my little soap box now...

[Dean Romig]

I asked for names and phone numbers of a couple of them so I could check to see if these customers were satisfied with their purchase, she refused.


I would certainly hope my privacy were protected thus.

[Joe Bernfeld]

Kensal Rise over on the Doublegunshop forum actually said he got a set of the CSMC 28 ga barrels (18 months after ordering them). He says there were "minor issues" so he returned them, for repair I presume. Evidently at least one set was made.

[Francis Morin]

I would certainly hope my privacy were protected thus.-- Case in point- albiet a segue away from CT and into KS- about three years ago a good friend in Iowa contacted me about getting a replacement set of barrels for a nice 12 Ideal Grade ejector Smith his late Father passed on to him- fly in the ointment- his Dad was rabbit hunting, snow in the barrels and they burst about 22" from the muzzles forward- Simmons quoted him a price on sleeving new barrels (call it a Mono-block) at about $2000- he asked me my opinion- allowing for the sentimental value of inherited Smiths and Parkers (I think about my friend Jack Cronkite and his Dad's treasured VH 12 that suffered the same tragedy) I said- sure- but get some references, and Simmons gave him 4 customers to contact for whom they had done this specialized barrel work--

NOW- I don't know if Simmons first contacted those customers and asked their permission, I suspect they did- That is fine with me- ditto the phone call I received from a prospective buyer of a 12 Trojan I once owned- I traded it to a area dealer- to whom I am fairly well known, and as I have the habit of stashing expired hunting licenses in the butt cavity of my "working guns"-- for ID purposes- he called me at home, we chatted for about 1/2 hour- and he later on put the gun on law-away-

In closing- I am going to believe a brother PGCA member and take him at his word over some employee of a gun dealer or auction service -hand running!!:bigbye::bigbye:

[Dean Romig]

[QUOTE=Francis Morin;47137]Simmons gave him 4 customers to contact for whom they had done this specialized barrel work--

QUOTE]

I would hope that Simmons had obtained those four customer's permission to do so :whistle:

[Gerry Addison]

I agree totally with what has been stated above. I can only tell you what happened to me and what I was told by their representative(Lou). Was told by Mr. Galazan to send my gun in that he had 16GA barrels and he would fit a pair for me. Sent it two days later addressed to his attention as he suggested, waited two weeks and called, was connected to Lou who told me he had gotten the gun from Mr. Galazan and that there were no 16Ga barrels and would not be any for at least a year. I then ask about the 410 barrels for my 28Ga because I had heard about them and taking deposits, and he said, we aren't even thinking about those right now, that is way down the priority list and it will be a long time before any are produced, they aren't even in the works. I did not ask him about 28GA barrels and perhaps those are being made at this time. This is not second hand information, this is exactly the way things happened. Cost me $60 shipping and a lot of time packaging it up properly. Not a good way to run a business to my way of thinking. I don't believe anyone should take deposits on something that isn't even in the process of being made. Just my opinion for what it is worth.

[Francis Morin]

[quote=Dean Romig;47140][quote=Francis Morin;47137]Simmons gave him 4 customers to contact for whom they had done this specialized barrel work--

QUOTE]-- Simmons is a long standing reputable firm- Ernie Simmons took a 20 ga. M21 and two M37 .410 barrels and made the first non-factory M21 in that pipsqueak gauge- WHY? Only Ernie knows, but John Olin liked it (again, WHY)? and order Dave Carlson to tool up for a .410 M21- I have never dealt with Galazan, Lou or Tony- but I tend to believe my brother PGCA members-and doubt if I ever will--but I am sure they will continue to prosper w/o my small $--

[Dave Fuller]

Even if they someday produce them, don't assume they will fit your gun...

[Chuck Heald]

So....after a few months now of having received my .410 barrels and having them fitted, I still haven't seen any posts about others (other than Pat) receiving them.

Anyone?