News
Counterfeit or Knock offs
It has been brought to my attention recently that there are persons out there selling used custom stocks, claiming that they were made by myself, when in fact they were not. I have searched several sites and found advertisements regarding guns for sale, claiming that the custom stock on the gun was made by myself, when in fact, I had never made a stock for that model gun. I have also been contacted by someone that had an unfinished stock and they asked if I would complete the stock since it was my work. I had to inform them that the stock was not my work and that of someone that made a bad attempt of copying one of my stocks. Please Contact me if there are any questions regarding if a stock was made by myself and is an original Paul Bishop Stock or if it is a suspected copy. Almost every stock that I have created has been photographed before delivery to the customer and I can verify if it is authentic.
Quigley Challenge at the North East Field Target Regional competition sponsored by the Crosman Corporation. - On 7/10/10 the Crosman Corp. hosted the North East Field Target Regionals at their facility in East Bloomfield, NY. The Quigley Challenge was shot the day before (7/9/10) and approximately 40 shooters signed up for the event, including myself. The event was named from the movie "Quigley Down Under" that starred Tom Selleck. The shoot was set up to replicate the shots, that the character "Mathew Quigley" took in the movie, to prove to his perspective employer ("Marston", played by Alan Rickman) his skill as a marksman. All aspects of this event were set up as close as possible including the scaled down bucket target (that measured 1.75 inches) that was set at 55 yards. Also the flight time of the bullet in the movie was calculated and the same approximate flight time for the pellet was figured and the power limit set at 6.5 foot pounds was set to get the pellet to have the same flight time. The bucket could only be shot with a gun that had iron sights or peep sights as that is how it was done in the movie. Most 10 meter air rifles shoot at this power level or less, so they are perfect for the competition, but since a lot of shooters do not have a 10 meter gun, so Crosman provided a Challenger set up with special "peep sights" as a loaner gun, so that everyone that signed up could participate. Unfortunately, several hours before the Quigley shoot was to take place, we had a string of Thunderstorms come through and was predicted to continue for most of the night.
The shoot was held at the sight in range where we shot from the cover of a portable canopy. Most of the registered shooters competed and after everyone had taken their 5 shots (with a time limit of 5 minutes) there was only 4 shooters that had hit it once, myself being one of the four. That forced a shoot off for the 4 that hit the target. In the shoot off, it was decided that for it to be fair for everyone, the same rifle must be used by all the finalists. The loaner gun that Crosman supplied was then checked for sufficient air pressure and we proceeded to shoot. I was first to take one shot and I made it the best that I could and hit the target. The second and third shooters (both excellent shooters) missed their shot, so I thought that it was pretty much over, but the last shooter also hit the target and we went into the final shoot off. I shot first and missed, but the other shooter took a shot also missed. We had to shoot again and I hit the target. Now the pressure was all on the final shooter and that shot. If he hit it, then the shoot off would continue and if he missed, I would become the Quigley champion. His shot missed and I was the winner.
The Crosman Challenger is a very accurate rifle with a very good trigger and I have wanted to get one since they had become available. Ed Schultz (one of the Crosman executives) asked me if I would like to have the rifle that I won the event with and I said "yes" and he said that he would trade me that challenger for my Marauder with the one of a kind scope and Custom stock. I wanted the Challenger, but could not part with my Marauder, so instead I told Ed that I would make him a custom stock for a gun of his choice instead in exchange for the Challenger and he accepted and we shook hands and I now had the gun that I won the event with. Ed Schultz, the other Crosman executives and a lot of the competitors were impressed with the stock that I had made for myself for my Marauder. It can be seen in the section of this site labeled "Recent Works". Since I can always make a stock for myself, I offered the stock that I had just made to Ed, and if he liked it and it fit him, he could take that one in exchange for the Challenger. I compared his hand to mine and it was the same size so I knew it would fit. He was more than happy with the $800 stock in trade for the Challenger with the Anschutz Aperture sights, so I now not only had another rifle, but "THE" rifle that won the very first Crosman Quigley Challenge. I can not thank enough all the people at Crosman for the support in holding this event. The awards, great food and drinks, Factory Tour and all the prizes and merchandise that was given away, but most important, the fantastic attitude and all the time that Crosman and its employees have contributed in holding this event.
Quigley Project.
This project was thought up by me and the purpose was to turn the Crosman Challenger that I got at the Crosman Quigley shoot listed in the above announcement into a look a like the actual Sharps rifle from the movie "Quigley down under" starring Tom Seleck. I just received the vernier sight that I ordered, so I am ready to start the Quigley build. I am taking the Crosman Challenger that I got at Crosman's Quigley challenge shoot and doing up a stock for it. The intent is to try to get this to look as much like the actual Sharps rifle from the movie right down to the vernier rear sight. Some things I will not be able to control due to the design of the gun...like the cocking "T" bolt handle sticking out the back of the receiver or the gauge that is sticking out the side of the pressure tube. Then there are things about the original Sharps that I could try to replicate but would rather not (like the double set trigger or the striker mounted to the side of the receiver that you cock to shoot. I already have the design worked up and I am going to make an attempt at it. Sent a suggestion to Crosman regarding this project and will wait to see how it comes out before details of the suggestion are revealed. Should have something to report in a couple of days.As the project is now coming to near completion, I should have some pics up soon, but the stock only has one coat of oil right now. I wasn't sure that this would be feasible so I didn't take my usual time and care in doing this. I didn't want to have 40 hours into a stock and find out that it wouldn't work, so I started this on Friday afternoon. Worked on it about 6 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday. All in all it seems that it will work and it looks okay from a distance, but due to the haste in production, there are some slight flaws that can be seen up close. The "next" Quigley stock will be done to my normal standards and the details of the "next" stock will be revealed when the pictures are posted. I am in the process of mounting the 5" vernier style sight and then I need to mount the trigger guard. Photos should take place after lunch and be posted by the end of the day with "notes" or thoughts about the project.
More Thoughts:
The two hardest things to overcome design wise was
1) the cocking handle for the Challenger coming into contact with the rear sight. The sight had to be moved backwards to give the cocking "T" clearance when loading the gun. This posed a problem of where to put your thumb as it goes around the stock. The correct way according to the movie was to have the thumb behind the sight, but because the rear sight was moved back, the thumb now goes in front of the sight.
2) the other issue was the trigger being forward in the Challenger compared to the actual Sharps rifle. In the Sharps, the triggers protrude from the stock much further behind the action, but there was no way to duplicate this with the Challenger having the trigger block under the receiver. Since the thumb now goes in front of the rear sight, it puts the hand forward to allow the trigger finger to reach the trigger. It is a bit of a stretch, but not as much as the reach of the Marauder trigger with a factory stock.
Aesthetically, the stock was inlaid with maple and stained yellow to simulate the brass metal parts. I could have used real brass, but that would have drove the price way up. I could have also stained the maple a charcoal color to simulate a blued steel instead of brass, but the yellow is a better contrast IMO to the walnut. The trigger guard was made from brass and shaped as close to original as possible considering the difference in location of the triggers. The total cost of the build was $70 for the sight, $75 for the walnut and the maple was scrap from other previous stocks and a total of about 20 hours of production time. I think that it would be very cool to do up a big bore air gun with a stock and sight set up like this so this would give you an idea as what can be done. I am sure that actual metal parts would drive the price of a stock like this up over a grand, but for that one of a kind unique piece, and for those who like "all things Quigley" it may just be worth it. LOP on this stock was set at 14" to accomodate a wide range of shooters, but for myself with this style of stock and gun, I probably could have gone an inch more. I am still toying with the idea of attaching a hammer to the side of the receiver (just for looks) and I think that will also add to the looks.
More Thoughts:
The two hardest things to overcome design wise was
1) the cocking handle for the Challenger coming into contact with the rear sight. The sight had to be moved backwards to give the cocking "T" clearance when loading the gun. This posed a problem of where to put your thumb as it goes around the stock. The correct way according to the movie was to have the thumb behind the sight, but because the rear sight was moved back, the thumb now goes in front of the sight.
2) the other issue was the trigger being forward in the Challenger compared to the actual Sharps rifle. In the Sharps, the triggers protrude from the stock much further behind the action, but there was no way to duplicate this with the Challenger having the trigger block under the receiver. Since the thumb now goes in front of the rear sight, it puts the hand forward to allow the trigger finger to reach the trigger. It is a bit of a stretch, but not as much as the reach of the Marauder trigger with a factory stock.
Aesthetically, the stock was inlaid with maple and stained yellow to simulate the brass metal parts. I could have used real brass, but that would have drove the price way up. I could have also stained the maple a charcoal color to simulate a blued steel instead of brass, but the yellow is a better contrast IMO to the walnut. The trigger guard was made from brass and shaped as close to original as possible considering the difference in location of the triggers. The total cost of the build was $70 for the sight, $75 for the walnut and the maple was scrap from other previous stocks and a total of about 20 hours of production time. I think that it would be very cool to do up a big bore air gun with a stock and sight set up like this so this would give you an idea as what can be done. I am sure that actual metal parts would drive the price of a stock like this up over a grand, but for that one of a kind unique piece, and for those who like "all things Quigley" it may just be worth it. LOP on this stock was set at 14" to accomodate a wide range of shooters, but for myself with this style of stock and gun, I probably could have gone an inch more. I am still toying with the idea of attaching a hammer to the side of the receiver (just for looks) and I think that will also add to the looks.
Some thoughts on Cost and Value - Please Read
I have heard people talk about how much custom work costs. Some complain that it is too high while others think that it is fair or a bargain and I guess that it is all what our perception is of what the value of an item is. We have all heard sayings like "an item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it" or "you get what you pay for". I think that a good quality custom stock is an asset or investment for those that appreciate airguns. It not only makes the gun more comfortable to shoot, which can increase the accuracy of the gun and shooter, but increases the aesthetic appeal of the gun. Some people understand this and for them the work and what it does for a gun is a bargain at the prices that are charged. Most things that we purchase depreciate over time, but the circumstance that I am talking about, the opposite has happened. I am writing this because I have become aware of a stock that was made for a friend of mine (see picture on the left) that he sold to a collector. This collector had been asking my friend to sell this stock to him for years. The gun is a tuned TX200HC. The stock is made from Curly African Bubinga with Maple spacers and Hawaiian KOA wood. An Anshutz butt
plate completes the stock. Taking into consideration of the value of the used gun that is in the stock and the butt
plate....the stock was purchased by the collector at 3 times what the stock originally cost to produce. It seems to me
to be a pretty good return on my friends investment.
Perhaps we should keep that in mind the next time a custom stock is considered "expensive".
plate completes the stock. Taking into consideration of the value of the used gun that is in the stock and the butt
plate....the stock was purchased by the collector at 3 times what the stock originally cost to produce. It seems to me
to be a pretty good return on my friends investment.
Perhaps we should keep that in mind the next time a custom stock is considered "expensive".
Some unfortunate news.
As some of you may already know, this past winter was a real tough one for most people. Our area had several major snowstorms along with bitter cold and very little melting. At my home we had 22" in one storm and 16" in another that came less than a week later. Add to that several 4-6" snowstorms and some ice and rain and we had multiple feet of snow on and around our house. One afternoon when coming home from work, we walked into a house that had structurally separated ceilings and insulation coming in from the attic. Upon calling the insurance company, fire department and local building inspector, we (my father, my brother and myself) got up on the roof to shovel the snow and ice off. Well the damage had already been done and the insurance company came to look at the house. To make a long story short, they tried to get out of paying the claim. After months of fighting their decision not to pay, and having to hire a public adjuster, it seems like they are going to cover the damage and have the house repaired. We will not be allowed to stay in the home during the reconstruction phase. Because of the damage, demolition, re-construction, dealing with contractors and insurance people, moving of personal items and not being allowed to live in our home.....I have no choice but to suspend all stock work until the house is repaired and the work is completed and we move back in. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and I hope to see our lives back to normal in about 4 - 6 months. Thank you for your understanding.
