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Why I do it? Doing custom work on the Saiga 12


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Others can look at an artist's work and see nothing but perfection while the artist is cursed with the inability to see past minor imperfections that are almost too minor to see with the naked eye. Sometimes the artist can point out the imperfections and others still can't see them. That is what separates the artist from the lover of art. The point is, though he does what he does for others, he's not actually doing it for them. The artist chases that moment in time where he will achieve his own definition of perfection and revel in it. The things he does for others are simply meant to fill the empty spaces of time until that moment. God is the master craftsman from the infinite to the minute. From the universe to the information delivery systems in a DNA strand. I can't help but wonder about the wonder of his work if he were a gunsmith. To look at every surface, angle, and radius with a microscope to see absolute perfection no matter where I looked. I would get lost in it forever. For now, I just do the best I can with these crude Russian shotguns and chase that moment... I'm just chasing a moment that I may never reach, but the thrill is in the chase ;)

 

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The curse of a borderline perfectionist is their greatest blessing...  Even if it doesn’t feel like it at times.  It does make it hard though.  Determining when is good enough and when is just splitting hairs.  Impossible for a true to the core perfectionist...  A true perfectionist can never be satisfied or take pride in something they have done, it is never good enough.  Luckily you and I border on being a true perfectionist because the curse of a true perfectionist is only a curse to them and rarely a blessing to others.

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Being able to look around at the work of others and their limitations is often out best asset. It helps alter my perspective in that moment and helps me see why others see perfection or something noteworthy when I don't and I am simply doing what I do. I am sure it works the same way for you.

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I'm fortunate enough to not lay on my death bed wishing I would have. It makes all of the things about the business that I hate worth it (paperwork, sales tax reports, the occasional customer who refuses to read and follow instructions and it leads to some sort of shipping debacle, etc.). I'm definitely not doing it for the money, lol.

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"I'm fortunate enough to not lay on my death bed wishing I would have. It makes all of the things about the business that I hate worth it (paperwork, sales tax reports, the occasional customer who refuses to read and follow instructions and it leads to some sort of shipping debacle, etc.). I'm definitely not doing it for the money, lol. "

Well...that's at least mostly true! There are  likely (especially in the Trump economy) many other things we could be doing to make a buck, and at the end of the day, along with taking care of our customers, we do need to eat,  and to feed our families.

But, and this is a big "But" (pun intended), there is nothing more satisfying than delivering the absolute ultimate in whatever it is one does, and knowing that at the end of that build, you have absolutely "delivered the goods" for your client.

As the economy continues to expand, there will no doubt be a great number of self styled "gurus" "instant experts", and snake oil salesmen showing up on the forum.

The typical pattern is to: A). Write extensive posts building oneself up an absolute and unassailable "Expert", devoting particular attention  to one's unique "Genius" and "Extraordinary Abilities". B). Disparage, and tear down established forum vendors and regular forum contributors in a way that completely demeans and discredits them and their contributions to the community. C). While actively discrediting others, copy whatever it is they (the originators) are doing and (with emphasis) pass if off as their own. D). To promote/hawk/sell whatever it is they are attempting to sell/pass off at the expense of others.

At this point the forum, its membership, and its management have separated the wheat from the chaff. The members, vendors, and forum staff who remain are those who are A). All of those who are truly dedicated to the platform, and B). Those vendors who deliver good value for money.

The forum, and the platform around which it is organized have undergone a true "trial by fire", withstanding, a long period of political adversity, various con men, hucksters, and snake oil specialist (you all know who), assaults on the 2nd Amendment, political turmoil, and outright bans.

Through all of this, we have remained a tight knit community united in patriotism,  a respect for the 2nd Amendment, and  true passion for AK platform firearms.

My take is that  things  continue to get better from here. Anecdotally, we are are seeing a tremendous uptick in interest in interest in AK platform shotguns nationwide, and customers (throughout the US)  are enthusiastically voting for the platform with their guns and with their wallets.

My customers today are bright, educated, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, motivated, dedicated to 2nd Amendment rights, and affluent enough to commission exactly the work they want without compromises. This is a very, very good thing.

I continue to do what I do because I LOVE what I do. I love the platform, and ultimately I need to pay my bills.

Artist stuff.... Yep. For 30 years before I started building guns for a living (and ever since), I have worked as a designer, Silver and Goldsmith and have at it. My Jewelry work has been sold in the Smithsonian, Museum of Man, Museum of the American West, Autry Museum, Verkamps at the Grand Canyon, The Heard Museum,  and numerous art galleries throughout the US, and in Europe and Japan.

Yep. I'm a real, honest to God artist who chooses to build guns. No brag. No bullshit. No self aggrandizement.

Why do I do it? Because I absolutely love it, because I'm extremely good at it, and because my customers are willing to pay me what my time is worth for what I do.

Honestly, I am absolutely blessed to do exactly what I love to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I don't see the economy bringing those types around anytime soon. There are too many other things to do that are so much easier to get into and make more money with, which is what attracts most people when it comes to business endeavors. It was a moment in time that I doubt will be recreated, not like it was. For the sake of the membership here having complete weapons to fire, not having to get the Police to scour pawn shops for their weapon, and being able to peacefully gather here around a common interest, I hope that isn't in our reality. 

I could make more money doing other things that I am qualified to do, but I've been down that road and I find little satisfaction in it. I get job offers every now and then that are financially attractive and often rival what I could generate alone in this business, but I don't value money as much as I do happiness and having an outlet for pushing beyond the common with complete freedom. That alone is of immeasurable value to me. I like to work alone and I want to do what I want the way I want with no other hands touching it. It took me a long time to realize it, but I am happiest that way and do my best work that way with no reason to compromise. The shop provides that. In the ways that matter the most to me, I am the wealthiest man I know.

 

 

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I had been away from the forum for sometime so I’m not aware of the apparent purging.  I appreciate what you’ve all shared. I’ve been serving my clients for over 37 years and feel blessed to say how much I enjoy what I do after so many years.  There are certainly times when the utility value of the money earned is secondary to truly serving while hopefully exceeding my clients expectations.  If anyone reads my post on my bolt head damage they will quickly , as I have, understand your hearts.  Your desire to all help me is unprecedented not to mention my testing your patience...

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I generally go to arfcom just to see what is new on the market for ARs and to see what is cooking politically in the  Florida Hometown forum. I don't post much there anymore. Seems there are a lot of people who just want to be negative no matter what the subject matter is or people get mad because you aren't saying what they want to hear. It gets tiring. 

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