Wilson trip

[Roper]

just returned from Berryville. Don't care much for the roads, but the Wilson tour was well worth the trip. Good people making great guns

[John]

What? That's it? Hey Roper, I hope you understand that you are letting 10,000 people down. We are all waiting to read about your visit to WC. Don't just keep it all for yourself!!!

[Roper]

John and others
I am working on a "range report" on the trip. Unfortunately, I was exhausted last night and am "working " today. Plus, trying to assimilate everything is tough on an old man. I will say that my biggest regret was not being able to stop by Nighthawk, but maybe in August. Anyway, report to follow within 48hrs.

[Dustoff '68]

I hoped you stopped at the "other" Berryville gunsmiths....you know....the defectors.

[ceos55]

I don't know about anyone else, but I am still waiting for the "Range Report"

[John]

That makes two of us (to say the least).

[tsa45]

Make that three and counting. . . Pleeeeease, could we have a range report???

[Roper]

Sorry guys,
just got out of the hospital. Will have it for you by friday

Roper

[John]

Roper, we all wish you quick recovery. Get well soon.

[Roper]

My apologies for the delay, but I couldn't get anyone to smuggle a computer in to me.
I am not going to mention individuals (other than my rep. Matt) by name since each and very one of the people were helpful, friendly and anxious to share their expertise and philosophy on guns.
The trip started with little of interest until I made a side trip on scenic Ark. 23.
Stay off the PIG Trail. Almost 4 hours to go 37 miles. Mountains, compound curves and stuck behind a one ton truck pulling a 40ft travel trailer.
Finally made it to Berryville. Claiming that WC is in Berryville is slightly off. It is about 20 min. out of town, but worth the hunt. Unimposing building. with a modest sign out front. Immediately in the front entrance is a small display area (two glass cabinets) for walk in sales. Then the receptionist and the cubicles for the reps.
After visiting with Matt and some of the other CSR's, the tour began.
First was the small safe where finished guns are placed awaiting shipment.
Mat was kind enough to let me browse (taken out of rug by Matt and carefully handled by me. I felt like putting gloves on). We looked at at least one of each type that they build and each and every one of them verified the care and pride that goes into Wilson products. Fit, Finish and Feel . Superb on all of them, from the most inexpensive CQB (still not cheap) to the signature model. Speaking of which. if you have never seen a color case hardened frame on a 1911, (I hadn't), it is a sight to behold. The blue on the slide reminded me of the old Browning blue, and the combination is striking. I am trying to justify one for personal use, but just can't figure out how to take it off taxes yet.
Then to the warehouse. Not much to say there. Shelf upon shelf of 1911 parts.
The best thing about the warehouse was confirming that the parts they use are the same ones we can order. No "this is what we use and this is what we sell) We start with the same parts that they do. But the magic is in the fitting, isn't it?
On to the work room. A double row of cubicle type work areas perhaps 10 to a
side. At the first one we came to a rear sight was being fitted to a slide. Short light stroke with a file-test-short light stroke-test. Then I noticed and commented on a bottle of Loc-tite on the bench. I was gently told that while his installations didn't need loc-tite, it made a heck of a lubricant and if there was any left in the dovetail, well, it wouldn't hurt anything. A few feet further down, a slide was being lapped to a frame. The smith had to guide me into finding the tight spot. I was told that the coating was "about half a thousandths" thick there. By the way, the proper abrasive for hand lapping a frame to slide in those circumstances is oil. When asked how long he would spend on the job, the answer was "until it is right. People spend a lot of money on these and they deserve for them to work out of the box."
Folks I could go on for much longer than I was actually there about the CNC room, the prep and finish areas the shotgun and rifle areas and other physical aspects of the facility. Those, however, are minor compared to the people. Absolute and total dedication to the work that they do and pride in the product they produce are the important factors. When I asked one of the smiths about returns, he said he took it very personally that someone had not done the job right the first time.
Folks, this is a poor report of a wonderful experience, but as I have been invited back in Sept. to do a little shooting, I will try to do a better job next time.

Roper

P.S. Thank you for your concern , John

[harleydog]

Roper,
Hope all is well after the stint in the hospital. You write up on the wilson trip has given me insight on what my 2 went through prior to arriving at my dealer. As a second note Matt was my salesman for both pistoles. He is just great to work with. He called with progress, and when they were ready to ship. Just a all around great guy. Thanks for the report.

[John]

Thanks for the report my friend. Next time ask the nice folks at WC to take some pictures. There is no need to show faces, we understand the issues, but a picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.