[thokey]

Tom Novak - Novak's Handgunner Outlet has had my gun (and my money) for 17 months. Now he doesn't answer his phone. Any suggestions?:confused:

[AirForceShooter]

Registered letter demanding return of the gun.
Still no response call the FBI and file a interstate theft report.
And don't ever pay upfront again.

3 months is my max.

AFS

[jlpskydive]

Umm you aren't the only one.

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/general-hs2k-sa-xd-talk/55234-handgumnner-outlet.html

He has from what I understand kinda imploded. I wanted one of his mag wells for my XD, but production on them stopped over a year ago.

[MarcusWendt]

I'm sorry to say this, but other than ANY business in Nevada, I've been screwed over more by gun industry vendors and smiths than any other group I can think of. Too much lead in their blood?

[RyanM]

That sounds far too long to me, though it does depend on what you're having done.

[plexreticle]

This is why I hate to prepay for services.

[Schofield3]

yeah i would say that you've waited long enough, and especially if the lines of communication are gone now-

[NG VI]

17 months? you have far greater patience than anyone I've ever met.

I'd do what Air Force Shooter said, and welcome to THR, hopefully you're next thread will be more positive.

[Pweller]

I'd suggest that you contact the police department located in the gunsmith's town. They'll put you through to a detective. I am sure the local PD will be interested in this because it involves guns, and because (it sounds like) there have been multiple victims.

A local detective will probably contact your gunsmith and go from there. From my experience, you will have more leverage because there are multiple victims.

I am not a LEO, but I have had some experience in this area. I am sure there are people on here with more direct knowledge than I have, but this is probably a safe place to start.

[XDKingslayer]

Sounds like a good way to lose a gun as evidence if you ask me.

[Gator]

17 months is not necessarily too long, I just got a revolver back that took over 18 months. BUT in your case, considering the lack of communication, I'd be making some noise. Hope it works out.

[RobertFBurnett]

Get the tarter sauce out...somethings fishy. :scrutiny: You are indeed patient, I get antsy when the factory has my gun for 2 weeks.

Maybe, just maybe Kings Gun Works down the street from me can take 17 months to do a frame up custom build 1911...but even that is pushing it.

Gator, what revolver work took 18 months?

RFB

[Gator]

RFB, it is a customized Ruger Blackhawk from Dave Clements. Some of the better known smiths have looooong wait times.

Thokey's situation sounds different though, unfortunately.

[dralarms]

You ain't the only one See this: http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=33458

[The Lone Haranguer]

Some of the better known smiths have looooong wait times.

But these guys will be up front with you about the wait, and when you get the gun back it will be "righteous." Doesn't sound like the case with this guy.

[Gator]

But these guys will be up front with you about the wait, and when you get the gun back it will be "righteous." Doesn't sound like the case with this guy.

Not necessarily, mine was supposed to be 5-6 months. But this is definitely a different case. Thokey should call the Latrobe PD!

[azhunter12]

I would be incredibly unhappy if it took that long. Just wondering what gun was it and what work was being done?

[Mad Magyar]

What type of work were you having done? Way too long....:(
R. Lee Ermey For 2008



Only with Joe Arpaio.....:)

[Gator]

This (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=341876) one. :)

[CWL]

I send my guns to smiths who have waiting times of 2 years and 4 years...but they state this upfront and remain in communication.

Just read the XDtalk link, I think you need to contact the local police in the other thread. Seems like they are helpful in "locating" this guy, you'll probably need to pay to have the gun shipped back, but get the gun back.

[langenc]

I have always wondered about those smiths that tell you it will be xxx months??

Why would they want that gun lying around for months-Ill be the work being doone is done in 2 months tops. Maybe the up front $$.

I think Id say Ill tell you when I need it-and send it soon or you go to the bottom of the list.

[CWL]

Why would they want that gun lying around for months-Ill be the work being doone is done in 2 months tops. Maybe the up front $$.

Nah, the really famous smiths don't want your gun, you just get slotted into their schedule. When the time gets close, they'll contact you and then you send-in the gun. You don't need to send it in early. As for deposits, this depends on the 'smith, the famous ones don't need your business, so it's up to you if you are willing to prepay or not. For my last gun, parts & labor was almost 10X the cost of the base gun, but it was worth it to me.

[mainmech48]

FWIW, most of the truly top-drawer custom 'smiths are essentially one-man operations. The work they do takes great skill, much patience and concentration. Their skills are in high demand and there's only so much that anybody can accomplish in a day.

Dick Heinie quit accepting new work quite awhile back. He said that his backlog was already enough to last him until he wanted to retire. Wait times of a year and more aren't uncommon in the trade for the work of a highly thought of artisan. As has been said though, they will nearly always be up-front about it and keep you informed.

My experience has been pretty much what CWL described. I didn't think it unreasonable to be required to make a token deposit on the work in order to nail down my place in line. I have never been asked to pay in full for work yet to be performed, though.

To be fair, there may well be things going on in Mr. Novak's life outside of his business of which none of us are aware as yet. If he were to be physically incapacitated, for instance, there could well be nobody in a position to do the communication or be authorized to handle remedial decisions for the business.

I agree that the lack of response is unacceptable and that it may well take legal intervention to force some resolution to your concerns.
Bad things happen. From Mr. Novak's previous reputation in the trade, I suspect that this may be the case on both sides of the equation.


Edited to add PS: My bad for the monumental Senior Moment! Wayne Novak is the person I was thinking of. Tom Novak - never heard of him before. Please ignore last sentence of the previous paragraph. The stuff I wrote on backlogs, etc., with top-drawer 'smiths still holds, IMO, but whether that term can be applied in any sense to TOM Novak, I haven't a clue. Sorry! I'll go take my Geritol now.