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Alan at Ole Frontier or Rick Rankin

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  • forward bite

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    Need some barrel work done on one of my stainless rifles. Looking for opinions on either of these gunsmiths. I saw a post that said Allan was difficult to deal with. I'm sure everyone's experience is a little different and am more concerned with quality of workmanship than personality. That said, any recommendations on either of these? Thanks
     

    helo_hunter

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    Only worked with Rick. Been going to him since the late 1980's and always have been glad I did.

    Jeff
     

    Champ62

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    My Dad told me if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything.

    No comment on Alan
     

    avtech850

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    I've had top notch work done by both of them, but I've also received hack jobs from both of them. Honestly Alan is a very close friend of mine, but it all depends on when you catch him and what kind of a mood he is in. The best way to describe it would be this, Alan loves the oddball stuff. The stranger it is the more excited he will be about it and the more excited he is, the more likely you will get a great job out of him.
    In full disclosure though; Dealing with those two is what made me buy a lathe and a mill and learn too do most of my own work.
     

    Va boy

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    Man, that says a lot when you buy your own shop equipment to avoid a particular gunsmith:focus:
     

    Alcolee

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    I've spoken to Rick a few times, but never had any work done. I know he has done gunsmith work for a long time. He used to do a tone of work for my grandfather. I don't know Alan.
     

    TraderDan

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    I have only met Alan once and he was OK to me, I understand he may be on/off, BUT he is a Marine (don't like to use EX) as there is none such until death. I also understand he has pain issues which usally involves heavy meds which over time adjusts your attitude (personal experience). If his work is up to par, I would give him a pass on the bedside manners and see what he had to say. If you go in talk business on a inteligent level, I'm sure you would be good to go. If not you can just leave.

    I have met Rick a couple of times , and he is also a bit quirky if you ask me. I do not know him or his issues, but have heard he does good work at a price. I never needed anything major whenever I went to him and never have thought it to be worth his price so never had any done. Mostly because it was more than I thought the gun to be worth, not doubting his skill level.
     

    Champ62

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    I have only met Alan once and he was OK to me, I understand he may be on/off, BUT he is a Marine (don't like to use EX) as there is none such until death. I also understand he has pain issues which usally involves heavy meds which over time adjusts your attitude (personal experience). If his work is up to par, I would give him a pass on the bedside manners and see what he had to say. If you go in talk business on a inteligent level, I'm sure you would be good to go. If not you can just leave.

    First, I have the greatest respect for any Marine, I don't like ex either. I contacted Alan on a business level and talked to him intelligently. I left.
     

    TraderDan

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    Sorry for the bad experience, I have heard of others too, just trying to give insight as to maybe why. Lots of vets get dark and troubled and lash out , no excuse, just a possible explanation. I don't know why but some thing's put folks in a bad mood. I understand just being a vet don't give you a pass to be an ass , but everyone has a bad day here and there, just looks like his may be piling up on him? I guess I am into 2nd and 3rd chances, but I fully understand anyone's concern after 1 bad experience. sorry , I don't know what anyone else went through, so really don't know?? Just sayin, I don't think I have ever met a gunsmith who wasn't quirky or egotistical??
     

    NWFLYJ

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    My father was a Marine until he passed. I am a Navy vet and work with both Marines and Sailors daily conducting high risk training. I wanted a custom build M1A1 tack driver, trying to keep my money local and in the hands of a vet I solicited Alan. He did not even open the 6' high chain link gate to talk to me. Ended up sending the work to Warbird custom guns.
    http://www.warbirdscustomguns.com/M14-M1A.htm
    End result, best shooting M1A1 I have ever shot.
    Maybe he was having a bad day. Just didn't want to conduct business thru the fence.
     
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