[oneminute]

What is the difference between having work done at these two shops?
I want to have one of them do a tactical package on a Hi-Power but am having a hard time deciding.
Is Wickmann a one man shop? I know there are a few people working at Novak.

 

[Rosco Benson]

In terms of style, pistols from either shop will be very similar. Wickmann was the P-35 specialist at Novak's for many years before he hung out his own shingle. I believe a fellow named Kevin Stump does the P-35 work at Novak's currently. Both shops are reputable and turn out a fine product. You can't go wrong either way.

Rosco

 

[ayf1911]

oneminute,
Ditto on what Rosco said. I've had the bulk of my work done at Novak's, but have also had some Wickmann guns come through my hands. Hard to pick a real favorite, but I can tell you that Kevin Stump does great work, and its also backed by Novak's lifetime warranty. Even if another guy in the shop helps in the project, it is either Joe or Dustin Bonar, who are very well qualified!
Allan

 

[gryphon]

A friend of mine had Wickmann work on both his 1911 and his P-35. Quality work on both, so much so that I am taking my 1911 and P-35 to him in the near future.

My decision is based on the fact that I can drive my stuff to Wickmann's shop. I live lessthan an hour from him.

 

[BK-BHP/1911]

So who taught Wickmann to do BHP's all those years ago? Wayne Novak? It begs the question as to whether or no the current BHP guys at Novaks were taught by Wickmann. They may all be from the same lineage to borrow a term from Martial Arts.

 

[JohnnyO]

I had mine built by Wickmann and he does excellent work. I would highly recommend him. With all due respect to Novak's, I have heard nothing but good things about them, but I have no personal experience to speak of.

 

[RMLamey]

Garthwaite or John Jardine.

 

[BK-BHP/1911]

All this talk has made me curious about Novak's. I am awaiting (still...almost 10 months now since I ordered it) my BHP from Wickmann.

Note: I ordered Black T (long wait) and apparently Mr. Wickmann had some family emergencies to attend to so he is playing catchup right now.

I can hardly wait to test it when it comes!!!
My original plan was to see how good it is and if everything on it runs well I would order 3 more from him. (I stocking up to literally have enough replacement guns for the rest of my life

)
Now I may get one from Novak's just to compare

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, BK! I am about to slip into deep depression waiting for my CZ slide that Mr. Wickmann's had for many months now. I fully understand that he's had one heck of alot of problems, but if nothing's shaken come the end of next week, I'm asking for my slide back even though it'll be unblued! That's all that's holding mine up.

I will wait a few months and check with him about having a Browning HP slide done and only after he's said that he's kind of caught up.

Still, I suspect that he and Novaks remain fine places for quality HP work or repair.

Best.

 

[Warm Bore]

60seconds,

I'd also like to cast my vote for Wickmann. Top notch work. Top notch guy. To say he's had a family emergency is an understatement. When it rains it pours. He'll be backed up for a good while on the really big project guns. I'll be hitting him for some good night sights and an Ed Brown grip safety in the future but I'm going to wait a bit until he gets caught up. Won't send my pistols to anyone else.

Regards,

Warm bore

------------------
"Molon Labe, and you can have the bullets first!!!"

 

[BK-BHP/1911]

Of course the other guns I'll order from him will be replacements for the future so I can definitely wait on those.

 

[Richard]

I had the same slide work done on my CZ75 that Stephen A. Camp is having done on his. We both wanted Novak sights installed. The slide has to be milled and the sights custom fitted. It is a lot more work than just installing Novaks. Mine have Trijicon inserts (have to be sent to Michigan for this). In my case the job was done and my slide returned to me within four weeks by Novak. Stephen A. Camp sent his to Wickham months ago and according to his post the are still in limbo. I wonder if Wickham is occupied with more lucrative work than the mundane task of installing Mr. Camp's sights. Regards, Richard

[This message has been edited by Richard (edited 09-07-2001).]