Yep.. my point is..barrels makers will typically supply a smith before an "off the street customer". It is "bidness". Keep smiths in supply and they are more likely to recommend that makers barrel.
jus sayin
Whenever I use a smith I do ask who they prefer, and typically have no issue getting whatever they want. Smiths I have talked to have little preference.
However, I do like to order the components myself. That way I don't have to take up space in some smith's shop with a barrel, and a stock that takes another 4 months, or whatever. Right now I have a stock, barrel on order, and bottom metal on order. When all the parts arrive I'll send it along for work, unless it's close to hunting season.
And sometimes life, heart attacks, car crashes, fires, just plain "mis-placement" events happen. That could happen even if everything is in my workshop, but at least it's all in one place.
