Griffith area... Eric Gutridge's shop

[fireball168]

You've done an admirable job in trashing him and his business, based on nothing more than your "good word" in three forums that you've never participated in before this alleged event.

I find it more than a little hard to believe that someone who would drop of $2830 in parts doesn't have a camera or even a cell phone with a camera available for their use.

You've called him out by name, but yet you don't even have your state of residence or any other information about you listed in your profile.


If it he did what you say he did, I do feel for you. However, I find your approach exceptionally lame and your narrative of the event lacking.


I found Mr. Gutridge's website and contact information - I've forwarded him a copy of this page, hopefully he'll respond.

[Mat]

removed

[fireball168]

Originally Posted by Mat

I'm interested if he'll reply on any of the threads, as you've probably read, I'm far from the only person with a very negative experience with him.

May I ask what sort of narrative you'd find more compelling?

I didn't post for anyone to ''feel for me", I posted to hopefully stop anyone other than Eric from ever walking through his shop door again.

Got a copy of the receipt and/or work drop off tag?

How long did he have it?

What did he charge you?

What led you to seek him for this service in the first place?


For all we know, you're a competitor.

[Mat]

removed

[Mat]

retracted

[gunbunnies]

I don't know if you have had a bad experience or not as I'm not you and I don't own your firearm, but since you unloaded both barrels on Gutridge Gunsmithing on my favorite forum I have to share my knowledge of his business and my experience dealing with him...

I have been having firearms fixed or altered by him for a couple of years now and have always been happy with my results. He has performed trigger jobs on 2 of my Ruger 1022's, a Ruger MKII and fixed a FTF problem on the MKII also. He has also barrelled a custom Mauser 98 for me that performs very well. He has mounted a number of scopes and installed some sites for me on assorted firearms. He has always been polite and courteous while I was present in his small shop.

The reasons for me using his services in the first place was based on his being local to me and him being a second generation gunsmith, continuing his fathers tradition. He has also been selected by the American Handgunner Staff in cooperation with the American Pistolsmiths Guild as one of the 100 best Gunsmith's in the country...

I state this because it is pertainent to your post towards him and his business, as I know this personally of the shop and the person you levelled off on in a public forum.

I do believe that if you were to take your firearm back to him and explain your concerns that you could have both came to a reasonable arrangement on your concepts and needs in your firearm add on or repair, rather than coming on here and bashing someones business without voicing your concern to them and trying to work out whatever fix needed to be made or atleast trying to better understanding what a machinist did to install a add on you wanted on your rifle.

I always tell the trueth as I see it and as I know it, and I'll even agree with you if I'm wrong..... but this is how I see Gutridge Gunsmithing...

That's IMHO good sir... on your post

[Mat]

retracted

[Mike Elzinga]

I'll back you up Mat....

Mr. Gutridge, as in the founder of the shop, was elected in the Guild, however the son, who is currently running it, hasnt been elected to anything. He does **** work, bones customers and is a jerk.

I know this first hand and for a fact. When I was in high school I was part of a job shadowing program and I visited his shop as a part of this program. In the afternoon I was there he showed me how to evade taxes, charge a customer for answering a question, shove off customers that want a deadline met and do things fast/cheap/easy way.

I also could make a list of guns that he has straight up ruined, as in go back to the factory, non shootable ruined. I know guys that sent in guns for trigger jobs that got them back heavier and grittier because "those light triggers arent safe".

It is a public shop, this is a public forum, and one is allowed to voice their opinion, as long as the 1st ammendment is still in effect.

He does a nice stock refinish but other than that I wouldnt take him a water pistol.

[Mat]

Originally Posted by Mike Elzinga

I'll back you up Mat....

Mr. Gutridge, as in the founder of the shop, was elected in the Guild, however the son, who is currently running it, hasnt been elected to anything. He does **** work, bones customers and is a jerk.

I know this first hand and for a fact. When I was in high school I was part of a job shadowing program and I visited his shop as a part of this program. In the afternoon I was there he showed me how to evade taxes, charge a customer for answering a question, shove off customers that want a deadline met and do things fast/cheap/easy way.

I also could make a list of guns that he has straight up ruined, as in go back to the factory, non shootable ruined. I know guys that sent in guns for trigger jobs that got them back heavier and grittier because "those light triggers arent safe".

It is a public shop, this is a public forum, and one is allowed to voice their opinion, as long as the 1st ammendment is still in effect.

He does a nice stock refinish but other than that I wouldnt take him a water pistol.

Thanks mate!!!

I should have walked right out the door the from the very first second when he pulled my rifle out of the case, he never checked the chamber!!! A big red flag went off but for some random dumbass reason I let it slide, and it was all down hill from there :/ Compared to the stories other people had to tell about him on AR15.com, I got off easy. Either I randomly decided to join an Indiana gun owner forum and point the finger at shop in a different statethan I live in or Eric is not the most honest kid on the block.

Thanks again Mr. Elzinga

[Mike Elzinga]

PM me if you need someone in the griffith area. I know a couple guys who do acceptable work and 1 guy that is awesome.