Need opinions...

[Frank Wilson]

I recently received my semi-inletted stock back from a firm in Missouri for my 16 ga 0 frame. The stock is from a blank I picked out from a local sawmill here in southern OK. The colors and grain patterns in the wood itself turned out considerably more attractive than I had even hoped for. I've been chomping at the bit to get started on fitting and finishing this stock. But here's the problem, the stock I received back is a straight grip and the existing stock on my gun is a pistol grip with original cap, butt plate and yes, matching serial number trigger guard. Not sure how that happened since I emailed a pic of the gun with existing PG stock. It appears the stock itself on this 1903 gun is the only part that is not original, (no serial number and no checkering but an otherwise very sound and we'll fitting stock) thus my desire to upgrade the wood. I really like the look and feel of the straight grip but not sure I'm comfortable with modifying the original trigger guard by cutting, welding etc... I'm aware of the Parker straight grip tg available from Galazan.
Would like some opinions: 1) send the company another blank and allow them to correct the issue? Or 2) go with the amazing wood of the new straight grip and go through with either modifying or replacing altogether the original trigger guard?

[Linn Matthews]

I would get a replacement trigger guard. As long as you can replace the original parts, should you so desire, you have no issues.

[Dean Romig]

And try to find an original Parker straight grip guard... they require no extra work to make them look "right". All it should need is the serial number changed and reblueing.

[Frank Wilson]

Thanks gentlemen, that's the direction I was leaning. Now to find that "original" Parker trigger guard... I hope I can post the before and afters before dove season.

[Ronald Moore]

Brad balchdecker can extend your olf trigger guard for you. Contact Baldecker Master gunsmiths for this.

[Harry Collins]

I agree with all options presented above. I am leaning toward Ronald Moore's suggestion. Send the gun and new stock to Brad to fit. He is reasonable and quick. In making the new trigger guard from the old he will be able to fit it correctly to the inletting. I have used Brad on several projects and could not be more pleased with his work.

[Brian Dudley]

Frank,
What firm in MO did you get the semi-Inletted stock from?

There is one in MO that is notorious for this type of stuff so I would not be surprised if it is them.

If you asked for a PG stock and got a SG stock, there is no excuse for that. And they should make the situation right.

[Frank Wilson]

Brian,
The firm I used was Wenig Gunstocks. I too have read some negative reviews of the work of another Missouri based company so I steered clear. Like I said, I sent a couple of pics of the stock including the butt-plate since I wasn't sure how or even if the inletting would be done for this area since I understand that such stocks are shipped a little long with the expectation that the LOP adjustment is part of the final fitting. As shipped the LOP measures about 2 inches longer than what I specified so I'm also a little surprised that the butt is actually inletted for a skeleton plate, which I would love to have but of course is useless since the the length needs 2 inches chopped off. Is this type of service typical for this sort of thing or did this company swing and miss on this one?

[Frank Wilson]

For the record I just received the stock on Friday and have yet not contacted Wenig to make them aware of the issues. I wanted to get some advice on my options here first since I REALLY like how the wood turned out.

[Brian Dudley]

Frank,
I would have expected it was Macon. I have not had any direct experiences working with Wenig's product.

I cannot express strongly enough to people to stay away from Macon.

[Paul Ehlers]

I would start by contacting Wenig's & talking the situation over with them. They did the work & they are the ones that need to make it right!!

[Frank Wilson]

Update: I contacted Wenig and they are taking full responsibility for the error and are happy to correct it. I offered to send them another blank next week and they said they will turn it around as soon as they receive it. Other than the error, seem to be a good bunch of folks to work with so far. I'll update this thread when I receive the new stock. Thanks for all the comments!

[Dean Romig]

Will you receive full compensation for the blank they ruined for you?

[allan.mclane]

Will you receive full compensation for the blank they ruined for you?

Maybe he should keep it (at no charge) for his own purposes later, especially if it's a nicely figured piece.

[Frank Wilson]

That's exactly what I've decided Allan. Maybe I'll find a project 0 frame that needs new wood someday and can go thru with the process of converting a PG to a straight grip. Would be different had I paid a several hundred dollars for the blank but I'm fortunate enough to have a friend that runs a commercial sawmill just down the road with a lot of walnut slabs. I paid $50 bucks for it (plus $28 to ship to them) and was able find another great looking piece yesterday with great figure and even some nice straight grain through the wrist. Just hope it turns out half as nice as the figure in the first one after it's turned.

[Bill Murphy]

Frank, we would like to see pictures of your gun and the work that Wenig did. I'm surprised that they inletted the stock without having the gun in hand.

[allen newell]

Frank, was the walnut blank you bought from your friend's saw mill 'cured' sufficiently for stock work?

[Paul Ehlers]

Glad to hear Wenig's is standing behind their work. Good luck with the project !!

[Frank Wilson]

Good question BRDHNTR. The blank tested at 11% moisture and they called to explain that they prefer the wood to be no more than 9% and that there was a risk that the stock could crack during the milling process due to the higher moisture content. I had to email them a waiver stating I understood the risk and that they would not be liable for replacing the blank if it cracked. I agreed but they waited a couple of months before milling. There were no problems with cracking, just the wrong (straight) grip unfortunately. I am actually going to be delivering the new blank AND the receiver and current stock next Friday and they are going to mill it while I'm there. My sawmill buddy tested the new blank at 11% also so he is keeping it in his kiln as we speak and I'll pick it up on Thursday before my 5 hour road trip to central Missouri. I've read where its best if the wood has dried naturally for years for gunstock work but some of the prices I've seen online for wood with the kind of figure I can get for $50 locally is a little over the top. Besides, I just think it would be pretty cool for this Parker to have a great looking stock made from local walnut. I think I may buy a few blanks with great figure in them and put them up to use a few years from now.
Really looking forward to my visit as I hope to wind up with a better stock by actually letting them see the gun and maybe make sure the LOP is a good fit etc... I will try to post pics of the straight grip stock that Wenig did here in a bit. Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate them.

[Frank Wilson]

This is the inletted straight grip stock from Wenig. I've wiped with water to show the grain.42407
You can view a few more pics of this stock in my album.

[Frank Wilson]

Last Friday morning I arrived at Wenig's shop in tiny Lincoln, Missouri with my plank of walnut that I hoped these folks could help me turn into a nice looking stock worthy of this fine gun. I really didn't know what kind of service experience I was in for considering I was there asking them to correct a mistake. Just a caveat that in no way am I someone that could ever be mistaken for anything close to an expert in gun stock making or restoration in general; just a DIY junkie that has always had an affection for old American doubles that has been bitten by this restoration bug. And admittedly, I have no frame of reference within which to judge my experience with Wenig as I have no doubt there are many fine individuals and small companies in this industry that do great work and deliver outstanding customer service. That said, these guys could not have been more accommodating and friendly to my wife and I during our 2 1/2hour visit. Luke Chambers took us around and introduced us to most all of his small staff of about 15 employees and let us observe and ask questions as they performed their particular craft. The experience of each employee, from carving to finishing and everything in between, was obvious even to my untrained eye. The gentleman who did most of the fitting had honed his skills over 42 years and was happy to share some key tips with me. I must say the visit alone was worth the trip to beautiful central Missouri. As for my stock, they took the time to make sure I was happy with the section of my plank they would be carving that would likely produce the strongest and most aesthetic grain and figure. Long story short, these guys more than made up for their mistake in my mind and of course, didn't charge me another dime. I'll post a pic tonight of the semi-inletted stock with correct pistol grip they duplicated from the existing stock. I couldn't be more pleased with the final product I wound up with.

[Brian Dudley]

I woildnt use that straight grip stock without some sort of reinforcement in the wrist. The grain flow in that stock is horrible.

[Frank Wilson]

I completely agree Brian. In their defense, I didn't leave them much choice on that first one as I shipped them a blank that I failed to give proper consideration to the grain flow through the wrist when I cut it from the plank. I suppose their mistake turned out to be a stroke of luck and gave me a second chance as I've since gained a better appreciation for the significance of proper grain flow. Below is a pic of the pistol grip stock they carved from a much larger plank of seasoned walnut I provided using the current stock as a pattern. Fairly straight grain through the wrist with some nice figure and a little feathering that should really jump out when finished. Very consistent pattern on both sides. Note the rough excess material toward the head of the stock was at my request in hopes of being able to shape this area correctly since the existing (non-original) stock is either very worn or never had the clean sharp lines in the first place. 42521

[Brian Dudley]

That is much better layout. Will make a great stock.