Hi all,

I am new to this thread but allow me to say that Judson is the gunsmith my Dad and I have hired to build two rifles for us. Like most projects we have hit some snags along the way and we start and stop but try to keep making forward progress. Judson may be distressed to again discover that some ideas are changing again but that is part of the adventure of this project.

At any rate, my impressions of this project so far are first rate all the way. We came to this project with a thumbnail of real knowledge concerning guns after a lifetime of hunting in Maine. The first cold December afternoon I drove to Jud's place I arrived to find a barn full of people milling about eating cookies that Barb keeps well stocked and handy and lying to each other and trading the needle. What a time!!

I felt instantly welcomed into this group of people who were all willing to share what they knew beginning with Jud and Barb. On the next trip I brought my Dad along and although he is prety shy and retiring at first he definitely enjoyed himself and eventually began to ask questions.

You know, Jud never treated us as less for not knowing as much but instead welcomes us every time we show up and is constantly willing to help educate us. I am at a loss for why he seems to give me such a hard time...

One thing I learned early is that Jud focuses on stock design fitting the shooter with all of the attendant variables. I never understood this point until I watched him shoulder the 366 DGW he built and noticed he didn't have to manipulate his stance; instead the gun rose to meet his eye. Well, that pretty much did it and we decided to hire him to build two guns for us - a father /son deal as my dad had helped me out a few years ago getting over a tough time and when he sold his hunting rifle without qualm I knew I had to make it right one day. So now, as much as we are part of that wonderful little fraternity of hunters in St. Albans, Maine, USA, Judson will always be part of our family by building these beautiful guns for us. When we finish them I know that every time I pick it up a long time from now I'll remember the building of them and the hunting memories that will go into them.

It makes one realize that building a rifle is more than building a rifle and a gunsmith like Jud is more than a gunsmith. He's an artist and a friend.