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Member Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 524

Well guys; Alot has happened in my world lately, so I havent posted in quite awhile. I won't bore you with all the details, except my trip to connecticut to train for my new job. I pleaded with my Connecticut counterpart to take me to Galazans/conn shotgun mfg and made an appointment for a tour. We arrived at 9:30 AM and were greeted and escorted into the facility by an individual I won't name. WOW!!! all I can say is that it was literally like living a dream. The facility is amazing (purchased from the old Stanley Works in New Britain) when you walk in there are these ancient, magnificent antique gun cabinets with all the guns we talk about here and more. Almost all of them are in good to excellent shape with few exceptions. It is defintely the nicest collection of American and english shotguns I've ever darkened the doors of. They treated us like royalty, were there to answer any questions and all that with knowing we werent there to buy anything - just to look. Now I know they have been slammed a bit here from prior dealings and I don't in any way mean to marginalize that. That was what it was and is. But in terms of just the visit I had and the fantastic facility, I have to tell anyone that they need to go there someday. I guarantee you it's a slice of heaven for the inveterate scattergunner. It was the high point of my limited gunshopping life so far. Really, it should be a goal of us all to at least take a gander at the place. There is no other place like it left in these United States, that's a fact. It's worth it just to see the upper end model 21's that grace the premises. Basically with the 21's the sky is the limit on how fancy they can make them. The Royal Exhibition grade 21's are of "Holy Grail" quality and aesthetics. I will also say that many of the LC's and Foxes I saw there were very reasonably priced for their condition. Of course it's always best to see and handle guns in the flesh - there is no substitute for that. And, I'm glad I got to see some very affordable guns there. In fact if you have any questions on the 16's they have in inventory - I may be able to provide input as I looked at them all. Most all were good values I thought. Certainly not underpriced, but mostly very fair.

jig-
Thanks for sharing your experience. I am going out in August--hope that I have as productive a visit. Sounds like soooo much to see!

Member Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 446 Location: Wisconsin

Over the last 15 years since I first met Tony, I have had nothing but good experiences with CSMC. I watched the evolution of CSMC gun making and design quite closely before commiting my money. I examined every gun that they made that I could get my hands on personally. I ordered and have an RBL and am completely satisfied. Recently I asked Lou to bring a gun along to the NorthBrook shoot this year that CSMC had recently manufactured so I could get a hands on evaluation. At the shoot, Lou and I worked a deal in about 10 minutes for the gun. Bluntly put, there is no other manufacturer that could produce such a gun in the US today and few in the world.-Dick

Member Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 524

Yeah, it was almost overwhelming. Just to be in the presence of the kind of iron represented there, was surreal. To see bunches of buttstock blocks that cost more than my entire gun collection was humbling. Twer I a rich man, they would be accounting for some significant coin from me. Fist off, I'd have them build me a Model 21 to my specs with a gold inlay of my current squeeze (yellow Lab bitch named Jewel) on the underside of the receiver. The RBL's I saw there were very desireable guns as well. They had an RBL exhibition grade gun that was beautifull. I asked of any plans for a 16GA RBL and told Lou that it was the "word on the street". He said that was news to him, but they are considering a few upcoming projects he wouldnt specify. But no more RBL's in the works. I'm kinda sad I didnt get on that train. They really are nice guns, especially for the money. CSMC is everything lost in Amercian shotgun making and I hope they remain forever in business. What I would really hope is that some more facilities like theirs will pop up in a revival scenario of sorts. That would be cool. If they mind their p's and Q's they could become to the shotgunning world what Harley Davidson is to the Motorcycle world. Hopefully, the RBL was the first of many such quality, affordable American originals they put forth.

What is an RBL? Describe in detail, please. I'm a novice about guns, but is
sounds like your visit was, in the gun world, a visit to the "world's fair". I have been to some gun shows and exebitions and seen some awesome guns. They are out there!! works of art, for sure. Holland and Holland,
Purdeys, Kreighoffs, churchills, Winchester 21's. Just a dream for me, but
I'll just keep on dreaming. Just viviting a shoot, meeting all the nice, kind people, or dusting a pair of clay targets on a trap range is a priveledge. Even cleaning, wiping, and polishing a well maintained Smith, Parker, or
Fox is just something special. Thanks, all.

Member Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 446 Location: Wisconsin

This is what CSMC is capable of. Baby Frame Grand American 28 gauge, 5# 13oz.
"very affordable guns"? Depends on what you use a benchmark. Certainly the value of the $ versas the EURO makes CSMC guns very attractive plus the ability to produce something that Winchester never made.-Dick