boredelmo
member
Went to a shop with a buddy to look for a new recoil spring.
Of course one cannot help but look at the guns for sale. It was VERY busy with about 20 people on the floor. I expected the worse in terms of service and attention because of this, and the fact that Im a young'n. We waded through the crowd and saw a full recoil guide rod spring set that would fit my friends officer sized Springfield.
Saw a familiar model handgun (officer sized 1911) made by an obscure company (Israeli arms). Guy behind the counter saw my curiosity and pulled it out for me without me even asking. Admitted he didn't know much about the particular model but assured me that Israeli Arms was the same as IMI (now IWI). Gave me some history about the company. Told him this would be nice to go along with my Uzi. We got to talking bout his SMG Uzi, etc. Real nice fellow to chit chat with, even though there were still a million people around. Not bad right? But my poor brokea$$ knew i couldn't spend any money.
So my buddy paid for the full length guide rod ($40 after tax) and as we were about to walk out, I realized the package said minor fitting required. We aren't 100% on 1911's and this was his first one at that. So i had the bright idea to visit the gunsmith upstairs. We didn't mind paying a bit to make sure we weren't doing anything wrong.
Went upstairs and walked into a room full of guns and blasting opera music. The gunsmith walked over to help us. We explained the situation, asking him to watch over as we put it in. I then said "Actually, it'd prob be best for you to throw it in an for us to observe." He started to work right in front with no questions asked. While working, he mentioned that we'd better pay attention, because field stripping from now on would require an allen wrench. He also nudged at the notion that gains were minimal and most people end up discarding the set up afterwards for ease of field stripping.
This made my friend nervous, as he wasn't a gun whiz and this was his second firearm ever. So we took his advice. After he had done all the work to throw it in, we asked if he had just a spring and if we could return what we'd just bought. He sent us downstairs with another guy to help us return it and find another spring for us. Three people helped us to this, one to search for a new spring, one to search for the manager to get an ok on the return, and another to work the credit card machine to refund the money. Everything went smoothly.
We went back up because we had left the pistol in the gunsmiths care. This time, without us asking, he threw in the guide rod for us and showed us tips on field stripping. We then proceeded to drill him with questions regarding this 1911. We weren't too sure of it's function because my friend just got it. I guess we were looking for cognitive dissonance (reassurance of purchase). Keep in mind, this firearm was bought private purchase elsewhere, he had no reason to glorify. We also asked about brands for magazines, etc. He took apart both chip mccormicks we had to make sure they were in good condition. He then took it to the back and blasted through a few rounds. He gave us a smile and a thumbs up. Told us he has a Springfield Champion as well and it's been holding up great.
I then pulled out two $20's and asked us what the damage was. He wrote a receipt for $8.95 for the spring. That's it! Only $8.95 for the hour and the help of a gunsmith and 3 people.
Going back downstairs, I had to go stare at the Israeli Arms 1911 again. This time another counterman was there and he pulled it out for me without me asking again. I thanked him and went to the other side of the room to compare it to a Kahr PM9, because this was my dream gun (lol). They only had a pm40 to my disappointment. Counter guy went to see if they had any pm9's to compare. brought one out, uncased it and handed it to me. Now, this whole time I'm just window shopping because I'm broke as a joke. The counter guy didn't mind when I told him this. He let me compare just for my own reference.
I sigh once more and head for the door, wishing i could bring home the 1911. The IA 1911's were only imported for a few years. I wanted a baby eagle to match my Uzi (both being Israeli-made), a carry gun, and another 1911 because I had to sell my RIA due to financial difficulties. This was a perfect gun and a once in a lifetime (not realllly, but a good opportunity) chance. My friend (who is like a brother to me) tells me he's got some cash to burn. He says that he could pick up the 1911 and keep it until I could get some cash an eventually buy it from him. I still wasn't sure because the gun wasn't well known. At my request the counter guy gladly walked me back upstairs to the smith. The smith field stripped it, check everything, and test fired it. Gave me another thumbs up, a smile and a handshake. THIS SERVICE IS AMAZING.
GREAT! As my friend went to go purchase the gun, I went to the knife center looking for a SOG twitch. They didn't have any. Stuck up a convo with the guy behind the counter about knives. We spent 15 minutes talking about knives, self-defense (turns out we both like Jeet kun do). He was nice to me even though he knew he couldn't sell me a knife today. Even showing me his personal knives and teaching me about them.
How much was the 1911? It has a square trigger guard with serrations, front slide serrations, Novak sites, extended slide release, extended mag release, tac trigger/hammer, extended beaver tail, and a nice blue finish. So how much? $285!!!! thats right, $285!!!!!
McBride's in Austin, you guys are something else! I am in no way affiliated with the store, heck I don't even know any of their names. I highly suggest them if you're in the area or going to visit Texas anytime soon.
Of course one cannot help but look at the guns for sale. It was VERY busy with about 20 people on the floor. I expected the worse in terms of service and attention because of this, and the fact that Im a young'n. We waded through the crowd and saw a full recoil guide rod spring set that would fit my friends officer sized Springfield.
Saw a familiar model handgun (officer sized 1911) made by an obscure company (Israeli arms). Guy behind the counter saw my curiosity and pulled it out for me without me even asking. Admitted he didn't know much about the particular model but assured me that Israeli Arms was the same as IMI (now IWI). Gave me some history about the company. Told him this would be nice to go along with my Uzi. We got to talking bout his SMG Uzi, etc. Real nice fellow to chit chat with, even though there were still a million people around. Not bad right? But my poor brokea$$ knew i couldn't spend any money.
So my buddy paid for the full length guide rod ($40 after tax) and as we were about to walk out, I realized the package said minor fitting required. We aren't 100% on 1911's and this was his first one at that. So i had the bright idea to visit the gunsmith upstairs. We didn't mind paying a bit to make sure we weren't doing anything wrong.
Went upstairs and walked into a room full of guns and blasting opera music. The gunsmith walked over to help us. We explained the situation, asking him to watch over as we put it in. I then said "Actually, it'd prob be best for you to throw it in an for us to observe." He started to work right in front with no questions asked. While working, he mentioned that we'd better pay attention, because field stripping from now on would require an allen wrench. He also nudged at the notion that gains were minimal and most people end up discarding the set up afterwards for ease of field stripping.
This made my friend nervous, as he wasn't a gun whiz and this was his second firearm ever. So we took his advice. After he had done all the work to throw it in, we asked if he had just a spring and if we could return what we'd just bought. He sent us downstairs with another guy to help us return it and find another spring for us. Three people helped us to this, one to search for a new spring, one to search for the manager to get an ok on the return, and another to work the credit card machine to refund the money. Everything went smoothly.
We went back up because we had left the pistol in the gunsmiths care. This time, without us asking, he threw in the guide rod for us and showed us tips on field stripping. We then proceeded to drill him with questions regarding this 1911. We weren't too sure of it's function because my friend just got it. I guess we were looking for cognitive dissonance (reassurance of purchase). Keep in mind, this firearm was bought private purchase elsewhere, he had no reason to glorify. We also asked about brands for magazines, etc. He took apart both chip mccormicks we had to make sure they were in good condition. He then took it to the back and blasted through a few rounds. He gave us a smile and a thumbs up. Told us he has a Springfield Champion as well and it's been holding up great.
I then pulled out two $20's and asked us what the damage was. He wrote a receipt for $8.95 for the spring. That's it! Only $8.95 for the hour and the help of a gunsmith and 3 people.
Going back downstairs, I had to go stare at the Israeli Arms 1911 again. This time another counterman was there and he pulled it out for me without me asking again. I thanked him and went to the other side of the room to compare it to a Kahr PM9, because this was my dream gun (lol). They only had a pm40 to my disappointment. Counter guy went to see if they had any pm9's to compare. brought one out, uncased it and handed it to me. Now, this whole time I'm just window shopping because I'm broke as a joke. The counter guy didn't mind when I told him this. He let me compare just for my own reference.
I sigh once more and head for the door, wishing i could bring home the 1911. The IA 1911's were only imported for a few years. I wanted a baby eagle to match my Uzi (both being Israeli-made), a carry gun, and another 1911 because I had to sell my RIA due to financial difficulties. This was a perfect gun and a once in a lifetime (not realllly, but a good opportunity) chance. My friend (who is like a brother to me) tells me he's got some cash to burn. He says that he could pick up the 1911 and keep it until I could get some cash an eventually buy it from him. I still wasn't sure because the gun wasn't well known. At my request the counter guy gladly walked me back upstairs to the smith. The smith field stripped it, check everything, and test fired it. Gave me another thumbs up, a smile and a handshake. THIS SERVICE IS AMAZING.
GREAT! As my friend went to go purchase the gun, I went to the knife center looking for a SOG twitch. They didn't have any. Stuck up a convo with the guy behind the counter about knives. We spent 15 minutes talking about knives, self-defense (turns out we both like Jeet kun do). He was nice to me even though he knew he couldn't sell me a knife today. Even showing me his personal knives and teaching me about them.
How much was the 1911? It has a square trigger guard with serrations, front slide serrations, Novak sites, extended slide release, extended mag release, tac trigger/hammer, extended beaver tail, and a nice blue finish. So how much? $285!!!! thats right, $285!!!!!
McBride's in Austin, you guys are something else! I am in no way affiliated with the store, heck I don't even know any of their names. I highly suggest them if you're in the area or going to visit Texas anytime soon.
