Testimonials

Perazzi Hi tec 12 guage – Owens

March 9, 2020

• 32 inch standard barrels
• configured to balance specifically on the hinge pin
• 8 lbs   13 oz total weight
• english walnut, cut in the late 70s
• checkering 24 lines per inch, modified pattern with ribbons
• beavertail style forend modified to be slimmer in shape
• buttstock reconfigured in shape to achieve balance point specifications
• waterlox finish   approx.  15 coats
• Length of pull  15 inches with .7 pad,   .5 and .9 included as secondary pads

Completion time four months,  start to finish. Two months to try out the pattern stock, and two months to finish the final stock

Thoughts on my new stock:

It rocks...I am a surgeon and by nature very OCD.  I met Mr Bauder at our state shoot and it didn't take long to strike up a conversation about shooting, stocks and what I liked/didn't like about my new shotgun.  My shotgun is a Perazzi HIgh Tech and I had it fitted and custom ordered.  My midlife crisis, way better than a corvette, was this ordering process and the gun.  When it got here it shot well, mechanically perfect but I just didn't settle with it well.  At every shoot, I would have to premount and line up the gun to be confident in my mount.  Well, Neal paid attention to our conversation and watched me shoot the next day.  He then looked at my stock and made some notes on a piece of paper.  He handed it to me and said to send that paper, along with my gun, to him if I wanted to change my stock.

A bit of time went by and I decided to give it a shot.  The worst that would happen is, he would make me a try stock that I didn't like and I'd revert to the old stock.  I got the gun back from Neal with several recoil pads and options to tweak.  The only change I made was to go one shorter pad.  Next I practiced about 200 rounds before the next tournament. Not only did I get HOA but after the main, 5 stand and supersport I had only missed 6 birds combined.  That night I called Neal and said "Make it!"

He of course was flattered but said no.  Me made me try it out more and see what else needed to change.  Doing what I was told, I practiced and shot a bit more but didn't find anything not to like.  I opened the thumb just a bit over the top of the comb but otherwise left the try stock alone.  The very next tournament was the World English and it was my first world championship either viewing or participating.  Not only did I love the course, the gun was perfect.  I finished 4th in my class and was amazed at how easy the gun was to shoot.  Remember back when I said that I had to mount and check the gun before every station?  It was at the World English that I noticed I was ignoring the gun.  A reliable mount, easy cheek pressure and a more upright stance came naturally showing off Neal's vision and careful craftsmanship.

Now that I had two tournaments in hand, Neal let me make the final stock.  As you can see the wood is amazing and the attention to layout and fit are second to none.  Thanks Neal for making my midlife crisis even better!  See you on the Parcours.

-Thomas Owen

Stan Katz

January 29, 2019

I shot HOA [high over all] at our registered shoot here in Texas last week also.  Boo ya! Thank you Neal

Blaser F3

January 25, 2019

The final destination of custom fitting my Blaser is done..your expertise on making stocks is very evident every time I pick up my Blaser..totally satisfied with your quality workmanship. The final product matched the pattern stock Gil and I sent you perfect..

The one downside is constantly having to tell folks who built this work of art stock..

Thank you again!!!

Krieghoff, K 80

January 15, 2017

Brown truck just rolled away. Tore box open like 10 year old at Christmas. Words can not express how beautiful. Wood to metal fit is unbelievable! It is a genuine pleasure to work with a Pro & an ARTIST!

- Max McKart

Krieghoff Parcours in English Walnut

October 30, 2016

Caught a couple of buddies on station 2 and shot the course with them late this afternoon. The Parcours is absolutely amazing. I haven’t shot enough skeet with it—and shouldn’t given the chokes—but think it even beats the K-20 your restocked which is the best all around gun I’ve ever shot. I don’t think there could be a better sporting gun. The gun is perfectly balanced between the hands. The grip and fore-end and perfect—no problem keeping your attention on the target instead of the gun. The gun gives you confidence. Love the Parcours—made a great gun better with your stock! - Larry Gandy

Bob Heinch

October 30, 2016

Dear Neal: "First, let me tell you how surprised I was when I walked into your shop and saw my rifle. Being a custom gunmaker myself (retired), I know that I am extra picky about all items. Your stock work is nothing less than fantastic. The lines on the stock are clear, straight, and impressive. The skeleton grip looks excellent. I had been saving that piece of Australian for 17 years, and am very glad that we put it on that rifle. Thanks again for going such a fantastic job on my .308." - Bob Heinch

English Walnut Perazzi

September 14, 2016

Neal, I just wanted to thank you, again, for doing such a fantastic job of building me another beautiful gun. It has been a real pleasure dealing with you throughout the whole process, beginning to end. The fit and finish is absolutely unbelievable. You helped me pick out a perfect blank for my sporting clays gun, as well as my bird hunting gun. You are a truly gifted, talented gunstock maker. Joe is also excited to get his new gun in the coming months as well for the Krieghoff Parcours. My Krieghoff and Perazzi are my most treasured guns, perfect for sp. clays and perfect for Argentina bird hunting. Thank you again for your professionalism and highest quality work. - Kate Trad

Hilary

April 15, 2016

Pictures couldn't do it justice. Magnificent. Arrived in perfect shape and better looking and feeling that I anticipated. Out to shoot it in the morning. I will send your nice SKB case back ASAP. Thanks for your marvelous work, true art. I will update you after shooting it. Thanks for all, Hilary

Gil Ash – OSP Shooting School

October 30, 2015

Neal built guns for vicki and me in 2014. The guns came out exactly what vicki and I asked for. Neal does excellent work and completed them on time. ~ Gil Ash - OSP Shooting School

David Willing

November 30, 2012

I approached Neal about six months ago about having him build me a long range hunting/varmint rifle in 6.5/284 caliber. After we talked about the many options for about a month or so, we decided on the following: McMillan stock, Stiller predator V action, right bolt, left port, Lilja three groove s.s. barrel, 26 inches O.A.L. green with white marbling pattern, remington varmint stock. jewell trigger 20 oz. Neal has great communication skills. He is a straight-up kind of guy who knows what he's talking about. His knowledge of rifle making and shooting sporting clays is at the Master Level. It's obvious from what he builds, be it wood or synthetic, rifle or shotgun, he is a truly gifted individual with an eye for beauty and a mindset that continually produces guns of the highest quality. His inletting, checkering, fit, and ability to configure a rifle or shotgun is outstanding. Everything that he said he would do regarding the rifle, he did and he did it on time. I got exactly what I wanted in my rifle, outstanding accuracy and good looks, what more could a person want? Neal went out of his way to assist me in working up a great load for the gun and provided me with all that I needed to be successful in the field and on the course. David Willing Temperance, Michigan 11/12