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Does anyone know how Dave Chicoine Jr is doing?

3.3K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  Uglydog  
#1 ·
Over on the S&W forum some are saying that he is out of the gunsmithing business because of illness? I know his father suffered a bad heart attack a while back and Dave Jr. took over the shop. Some are saying he's not been working because of medical issues. I have something I need to have looked at and sent him an e-mail but have got no response. I assume this is why.
I sure hope he is okay. He is a hell of a nice guy and a really great resource for antique gunsmithing work. I refer people to him all the time.
I know he was okay this summer because he contacted me on Facebook when he was coming up to Maine for a long vacation to visit his old home town of Eastport. I was supposed to meet him out for a beer while he was here but we weren't able to connect. He is no longer on Facebook and he used to post quite often.
If anyone knows anything please let me know.
 
#4 ·
Well this is promising, someone on the S&W forum got a package from David in the mail yesterday:

Dave Chicoine Jr.
I have some projects I would like done also, but have been holding off since reports of communications problems between
him and people wanting jobs done have came up. I don't mind the long waits for the quality of work done by his shop.
 
#7 · (Edited)
This is the saddest news I've read in a long time. Thank you for informing us. My heart goes out to Dave and his family and they are in my thoughts. This bums me out big time.
I'm going to pick up a Christmas card today and send them some money since their address is in the thread. Even though their house was insured they lost everything and they are bankrupt. Every little bit helps.
Dave was always a class act and always there to help me when I had S&W questions. The gun collecting community has lost a huge asset with his shop closing down.
 
#8 ·
As noted in the thread to check the smith-wesson forum about the situation with Dave Chicoine, I would concur that it is important to check there for additional information. As I understand it, his family have had health and financial problems and he has closed his repair shop. The family was very good in getting my Colt SAA back to me quickly (I sent a letter certified mail with a check to cover shipping - and a little bit more). However, I would still like to get my revolver repaired. It is a first generation (black powder frame - 1890) not really pretty but a family piece. Mr. Chicoine's estimate indicated that the "Hammer sear notices have been filed and the trigger sear tip is broken". He was going to fit and install a new trigger and microweld the hammer notches, machine them to spec, heat treat the hammer and test fire.

I have on my contact list, Peacemaker Specialists, James & Guns, and Bozeman Trail Arms. Any other names/shops I should consider? Thanks

Bob515
College Professor
Gentleman Farmer
 
#10 ·
About two weeks ago I got a call from Dave Chicoine Jr. He stated they are closing up shop and that all firearm will be returned (hope that is the case). Dave Senior had some serious health problems and they are having severe financial problems. This is too bad. They are good guys and they did great work on some Colts very few gunsmiths would work on. I wish them the best.
 
#11 ·
Before anyone sheds too many tears for the Chicoine family, you should read all the posts in all the threads at the S&W Forum. Unless all the people are lying or have formed a conspiracy, you will come away with the following.

Even though Chicoine Junior knew it would take years to finish work he had already accepted, he continued to take in new work and required payment upfront.

As some people are now slowing having their guns returned, they are discovering that they were misled or lied to about how the work was progressing. For example, they were told months ago the gun was finished but just needed to be test fired, but now that they have had the gun returned no work has been performed.

Some people have had their gun returned in worse condition than when it was sent to be repaired, and/or expensive and difficult to find parts that were sent in with the gun to be installed have been lost/not returned by the Chicoines.

John Gross
 
#12 ·
John ...I was one of these guys and it was not pleasant......gun was crap when I got it back.....Jr told me he broke his hand at the time????. Axe incident.....if all the rest is true a simple explaination of the truth would have made more sense and recieved alot more sympathy from me now....anyway life can be hard and somepeople hope it gets better...some times it gets worse...

As for repairs ....I have used Alan Harton in Houston for Saa's....if it is a 1877 lightning he sends his to a guy in California....his turn around may be longer now.