I thought I would start a separate thread after seeing that there are many of us that have been lied to and ripped off by Ryan. I am MANY years into this and out a rifle and some money. I am gathering the emails, texts, and various paperwork to contact the State Attorney General and the ATF to open a formal complaint against him.
I was one of the first to jump on the “Campfire Special” with him and it has drug on for years. I have kept my mouth shut publicly mostly until now, but I am finally fed up enough to take action against him. So many broken promises and excuses. So many deadlines that Ryan himself set up and then broke. Last May he texted me that my rifle was finally done and he would ship it on his next trip into town. The guy must never go to town, because that is the last I heard from him. I am absolutely positive that my rifle is lost, stolen, or simply botched beyond repair.
No more lies, no more broken promises. I am preparing to go after Ryan with the full force of our legal system. I did not ask for this fight...I don’t want it. Here we are though...I pity the trouble he has caused himself.
I think this thread could be of some benefit to show he has done it to many others as well. Please contact me either through this thread or PM with any similar experiences with Ryan Kelsey and Diablo Customs.

A few links, that you likely may have, I'm sure there are a few in there that took it in the shorts

Take it for what it's worth from a guy with too many posts, but I can read sign.

Good luck and nail the bastard.


Diablo

Diablo



His reach around guy Adam32.

Adam32

Been remiss to post publicly in hopes that it might help my cause of getting my action, but fuggit. Enough is enough.
Purchased a Pierce action from Ryan which he had for sale here in the fire with the intent of him doing the build. However, when reports of more than the usual ‘smith issues began surfacing, I asked for my action to be sent to me. Ryan stated that he had used it on another build “ as I said he could.” He apparently was confusing me with another, as that conversation never occurred. Supposedly there was a replacement ordered and on it’s way to me. That was many moons, shaggy dog stories, and unreturned communications ago. Bitch of it is, when I spoke to Pierce yesterday, they have no record of any orders from Ryan or Diablo customs. Very nice gentleman at Pierce summed it up nicely - “I am really sorry sir; it seems as if you have been screwed.”

Good for you guys. I didn’t realize how lucky I was. Hoping for a good resolution.

I have recently been texting him about some work he didn't do right the first time and didn't do right the second time. He did offer to do it again (misaligned flutes and muzzle brake) but I have decided to cut my losses and pay to have it redone locally.

As a heads up, I sent him an extra $35 to cover insurance (and specified in writing) the first time and he failed to insure it. I specified that he insure it the second time when he sent it back to me and he failed to insure it. I have told him a couple of times that he should not ship anything to anyone unless it is insured. He says if the customer wants shipping insurance that's on them. Okay, fine. Then he should tell people that before he ships.

Sambo,

You must be livin' right to have actually had him send a rifle back to you twice. After it took him 3 months from date of completion of my rifle to actually drop it off at the post office, I wasn't about to tempt fate again and have him fix the issues with it, happy to pay someone locally to work on it.

As I mentioned in the other thread, he started my build last April, and supposedly had it ready to drop into the MacMilan stock when it got there, but that took another three months, then three more months to mail it out. What was funny is that a couple of times he actually printed shipping labels from his computer and sent me the tracking number, but no rifle was shipped.

But I made a real nuisance of myself, called, texted and emailed him weekly until I guess he got tired of me and decided it would be easier just to send me the rifle. Looking forward to getting it back and seeing how it shoots.

Good luck to everyone still waiting,

Tim

Apparently I am an idiot for knowing what a scumbucket he is. Akin to Judd and FredIII and JeffO, but WTF do I know.

It’s all fixin to come home for him Scott. My ducks are lining up nicely. Thanks for the links above. The ATF and State Attorney’s love patterns and history when building cases. Ryan’s goose is WAY past cooked.

Let me know if I can help. I can't stomach a crook.

Thanks Scott

Sorry you gents have to experience this. If I were a couple of states closer to his locale - I'd happily take a drive on your behalf.

deer hunter, count me in on being scammed. He has a rifle and my money and now will not even return emails or phone calls. He is about to get a big surprise sprung on him...

Keep the correspondence coming, guys! Many have contacted me via PM as well. Ryan has systematically screwed a pile of us. Many Federal Laws may have been broken here. In this day and age of heightened scrutiny, the ATF and State Attorney Generals Office will take this extremely seriously.

You seem to have a lot of faith in atf and AG . Is there any cases to prove this.

I have a lot of faith in doing the right thing. Not cheating people, lying, stealing, etc...karma always comes around full circle.
If you don’t have a dog in this fight, move along. Many of us are out a bunch of time and money.

PM sent

I have witnessed his misdealing in person.
He sold me a scope that he didn’t own. I paid him and received a scope from another person. After talking with that person in Oregon that sent the scope. He stated he sold the scope to Ryan after I paid Ryan. Ryan had sold it to me as LNIB. Not even close. I would say 50% of new. Scratches and dings throuought and scratches on glass. Finally got my money back after 2 months of his lies.
I witnessed a full custom build that Ryan did for a guy. The guy ordered a 338 Ultra to be built with all new parts full custom aftermarket parts, a $4500 build. I took a look at the rifle after the guy said it shot horrible. The action was was used (big time), a Remington take off, and Ryan had never put the 2nd part of the 2 part Devcon steelbed in. So it was still moldable putty in the stock. And I New the guy that had sold the used stock and trigger on LRH forums. The rifle was Cerakoted. The Cerakote was the best think about the rifle. In my opinion about $1000 in parts and labor. I don’t think the owner of the 338 ever got a refund.

In my experience with Ryan. He is not a person I will ever trust nor his work. He buys used parts to build rifles and sells the rifles as being new custom builds after Cerakoting. He has no honor. Just my opinion. Be warned. If you do business with Ryan Kelsey (Diablo Custom) 99.8% sure you will not get what is promised.

Brian

Not on here looking for a bashing simple letting people that I am not running from my problems. I have made some poor choices in life and as stated by others it has come full circle and now it is biting me in the ass. I am not proud of the things I have done. That being said I have begun repaying people back. A couple people in this post in fact. And I will continue to do so until all issues have been resolved. Thanks

Brian, no offense but your story is not accurate. Not in the slightest. You have been misled. And yes he did get a refund.

BS

More pathetic lies from a pathetic individual. These are the same hollow words you uttered some months back...possibly a year ago. Nobody buys your BS. No one. The line is long of good people you have deceived and ripped off. The only reason you have even responded is to buy yourself more time. I know your game...others do too. We are coming Ryan....legally. There is going to be plenty of time to dwell on your wrongs from inside a Federal Cell. It’s up to you how many years. I would suggest you think long and hard about your next moves. Our documentation is long. Is yours?

I’ve made my intentions clear and I am doing the right thing by owning my mistakes and making things right which is what I’m doing. I have started paying the nessasary people back weather you guys believe it or not. I’m not running from my problems like a lot of others would do.
It’s kind of odd how big of a difference all of you talk to me in person versus on here to the public. Everybody is understanding and polite in person then on here to the public making threats and being a badass. Didn’t make sense. Deerhunter, you being one of the people I have talked to in person and agree to give a refund,which is on its way tomorrow.
Honestly I deserve all the bad mouthing you guys are giving me, no denying that. Yes I have all corespondents from the people I’ve had issues with but there is no need for it. I’m out of the gun business FOREVER. I’ve turned in my paperwork to both the state and atf. My ffl is expiring in June and will not be renewed. My machines and all equipment are sold. Ive found out the hard way that I am not a business person. But like I said, I fill that I am doing the right thing by owning my mistakes and making things right with the appropriate people.

My story is 100% true. Ryan knows it and a few others locally. I showed them Ryan’s work.
I have not jumped on the Ryan Kelsey bandwagon of his missdealings since 2 summers ago. Guys checkout the forum posts about him on Longrangehunting.com. He has miss treated and stole from people for years. For a while now he has been telling people he is owning up and fixing what he did. It appears with more people coming forward with their stories. What he is doing, is stilling praying on nonsuspecting people on the forums he has not totally burned.. With my dealing with him. They are totally. I will not ever buy, trade or anything, when it comes to Ryan Kelsey and Diablo.

3 and a half years coming. DUDE!!!! JUST STOP DOING THIS TO PEOPLE!!!


Oh ya

Your an ass

Brian

Karma ...is justice denied.

We had a guy south of me like this guy , took lots of money from people to build custom rifles and flat disappeared . I think the state of Missouri is looking for him too . Went by Longshot Customs or something close.

Figured I would post an update. deerhunter5555 parts and refund have been shipped and akwolverine has been refunded.
Like I said I’m not proud of my doing and I’m not running from my problems but nobody knows the full story of what has happened between me and the people I did business with. I’m doing my best to make things right. And the list is getting shorter by the day. If you fill that I owe you something contact me and let’s talk. Thanks

Sorry to butt in....but why didn't you send DH5555's parts back sooner? I maybe can understand how you didn't have the funds to refund, but you had the parts all along?

This seems to be typical in situations like this, I have had two deals where thing went south, in both instances it took several months for my parts to be returned. In one instance I never got the money I had paid back in the other I had traded a rifle for the work and was never offered the rifle back. I just accepted the monetary loss, was glad to get my parts and shotgun back and moved on. Can't get blood out of a stone.

257, dh5555 asked for some work that I had to ship to another company (nitride). I put the parts he wanted coated in the truck to take to the post office and completely forgot about them. One of those out of sight out of mind type things. Dosnt make it right but that’s what happened.
The past couple years guns was my only source of income. Being a sole provider with 2 kids and a family to take care of isn’t easy. That’s basically where things went south I jumped into starting a business with no funds, no back up and no knowledge of what it really takes to run your own business. That being said I had to give my truck back to the bank and move in to cheaper housing. At the time I didn’t have the refund. Now I have a steady job and am trying to repair the damage done. It’s been a long hard road but slowly am making things right. There’s a lot more to the story obviously but you get the jist of it

Partial truths at best, Ryan. You still have MANY of my parts by your own admission. Also, your “refund” is a mere pittance to the funds you were paid. Your “Refund” was for work that you didn’t even do. Pathetic

A refund is a refund. I didn’t complete the work paid for so I gave the money back for the work that wasn’t completed. A firing pin, factory trigger and bolt is not “many” parts. Yes they are needed to be a functioning rifle. Which As mentioned in our private conversation, I will ship as soon as possible. You can call me names if it makes you fill better but the fact of the matter is I am trying to make things right.

Things are FAR from right! You told me privately that the rest of my parts will be kept for a couple of weeks and that you aren’t even sure when. So I will have an action that doesn’t even function and several hundred dollars in parts that I’ll probably never see. Yeah...sounds about like you making it “right”.

If I wasn’t making things right you wouldn’t be getting your money back and your rifle back. I’m making an effort to make things right but I can see now that things will never be “right” with you even if you have all your stuff and money back. That’s the best I can do at this point. And yes you will get all your parts back. You seem to be being a bit dramatic and blowing things out of proportion with the things I have said in our private conversation.

So I should thank you for lying to me for years? Thank you for sending me pieces back that I paid you to assemble correctly? Thank you for making me send this hot mess off to a REAL and honest gunsmith to look over because I don’t believe a word you say or write? Nobody is buying it anymore, Ryan. You have more enemies than you know. You best have your paperwork in order...

I’m not expecting anything from you let alone a thank you. All I’m doing is stating a fact that you are blowing what I have said out of proportion and the fact that I am making an effort to fix my mistakes. I’m also not asking you to believe me. You have every right not to. But I don’t think the threats are needed. You are angry and rightly so. I get it. But you have your money back, you have your rifle back or will have shortly.
I’m sure I have some people who don’t like e or weren’t happy with the product received. If that’s the case why hasn’t anyone contacted me in person to voice their concerns??? But now that you have publicly started a thread all these “enemies” jumping on voiceing their issues to you but I still have yet to have anyone contact me?? Like I have said before, I’m not running from my mistakes. All I can do is try to make them better

Mostly because you ignored texts, phone calls and emails for months at a time. Same M.O....tell them just enough to buy you some more time. More empty promises. Guys over on Long Range Hunting went through the same crap with you...the gigs up

I guess we shall see on the empty promises. You have the tracking info and a picture of the money order.

This is now true.

Yep, Chris Matthews of Longshot Custom Rifles. Should have stayed being a smith for someone else.

Where did the firing pin, trigger, and bolt go?

Hey hey!! Very good for you!

The parts I still have in my possession are parts that didn’t need coated and are at my shop which is a little over an hour away from me. I get there maybe 2 times a month if I’m lucky. As I told dh5555 I would ship next time I get to the shop. Probably a couple weeks we’re my exact words.

Seriously? That's not their problem that's where your shop is. We wouldn't want you to inconvenience yourself....

Incredible....

The whole point is, if I didn’t post this thread over the weekend, there would have never been your “coming to Jesus” moment. You are a pathetic scammer, a liar. It caught up to you, Ryan. So don’t try to play the whole, “I’m sorry crap.” Nobody buys it.

I’m not playing anything. You haven’t contacted me in months which is beside the point. It should have been done a long time ago. But here we are and I’m making it as “right” as I can with you and everyone else. Yes you are right. I’ve had a couple “oh [bleep]” moments. Before I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Now I’m able to do something about it. I’m not asking for your forgiveness or anyone else. I’m asking for you to let me fix my mistakes and let it be is all.

A whole hour away? I'm beginning to see why you had CS problems - you, obviously, still do not (see why).

I see the point you guys are making. You guys don’t know the whole situation. There’s more to it then that. Job,kids,family it all adds up. I will ship the remaining parts when I get the the shop. I don’t know what else to say.

Say nothing. Let your actions speak for you.

Fixt. Thankful I am not one of your customers. Have been reading these threads for quite some time however. Have met others with your mindset; quick to apologize while always qualifying the apology with a 'but'. Your process of 'making it right' lacks any sincerity as it is only under threat of penalty. The shop's an hour away is an excuse that it should take weeks, months (years), to put some fugkhing parts in a box and mail them? Your issues go way beyond a lack of business sense.

On the brighter side (for me anyway) you make normal gunsmith wait times seem like buying off the shelf. I reflect on these threads and makes me realize the value of having stand up go to guys...and sticking with those that can be trusted.

Weak sauce.

We all are busy as hell and it is very obvious that you could care less that you've screwed people....

You're just a petty thief....

He has played the (pitty me card )on another forum a while back aswell when he got called out by people being cheated by him.Those guys over at LRH.com are done with his stealing and cheating aswell. I call total BS, that he goes to his shop maybe twice a month and that it is an hr away. Guys, he has always apologized and says he will make it good. But facts are. He is still cheating and steeling from people that I’m aware for the last 5 years. It’s always the same thing with Ryan. He never has owned up to his behavier until called out on open forum. And then the lies and cheating continue.

I’m thinking he probably doesn’t even have a wife or kids. If he does. What a great example he is.




Brian

Ryan

Everyone does make mistakes and nobody is perfect. I know you are trying to make up for the situations but I agree with others. You say you want to make it right. Then take 2 hrs out of your day even if that has to be at night after the kids are put to bed and drive to the shop. Grab the parts and put them in a USPS flat rate box and print up a label and insure it. Drop it to the post office the next day.

Agreed. I think Ryan should realize that he stands to lose his job and maybe his wife and kids if criminal charges are filed and a guilty verdict rendered. I'd damn sure be going 2 hours out of my way to make it right and be glad I was only out 2 hours and not 5 to 10 years. Somebody needs to wake up and wake up fast.

Where's the tar and feathers boys, this bird is really getting what he deserves. He's plumb wore out the "I'm busy excuse", not too busy to take people's money and make worthless promises but too busy to return it.

Exactly...like 2 years ago...

Yes sir. I’ve had exactly 4 builds done during this drama by other highly respected MEN. All were done exactly as promised, with ZERO drama. Several different gunsmiths. The longest took almost exactly a year. Which is precisely what that smith promised when he took the job. No excuses! No dodging calls, emails, or text. The MEN delivered on their promises.

I've been down this excuse road with another smith, out of state. Any recommendations gunsmiths in Texas who are both doing excellent work and honest. My builds will be within driving distance from now on! Thanks to any legitimate and personal experiences you could share. Thanks

747, where in Texas are you located? I may be able to recommend a couple depending on your location.

Wow, I would drive 2 hours right now, in my underware, just to try to get these guys off my back and to Tyr to get past all this.

This guy is who I would recommend:

http://www.bryantcustom.com/

Tx80 I'm about halfway between Houston and San Antonio,but would drive several hours one way to the right Smith. Wheeler is a long way but would still consider if no one real good is closer. Have a friend in Wheeler area could combine trip with a quail hunt. Thanks for responding. 747

Devnull Ive heard only positive remarks about Mr. Bryant. Thanks

+1. Mike has done a few for me and I don’t think there’s anyone better.

John

Sending you a pm

His is a cousin of a good buddy of mine. The guy is as honest as the day is long. He's into benchrest and knows how to build an accurate setup.

Good gunsmiths are hard to find, then you need to keep it a secret so they don't get too popular. I generally avoid the rockstar gunsmiths that are blowing and going on the forums. I've had a couple bad experiences from a couple really popular smiths that are followed by the tacticool fanboys. One built me a complete turd and argued that it shot great when it in fact didn't. Finally the barrel maker rebuilt it for free once they got to see what a steaming pile of crap it was.

The other installed a side bolt release in the wrong spot on my action. Then his excuse was he subbed it out, so not really his fault...

I've known Mike Bryant for close to 25 years. No more honest or better gunsmith. Mike was on this years World Championship Team representing the USA. He can shoot!
Closer to you is Pete Pieper www.precisionbarrelwork.com. I've known Pete for 25yrs. Top notch smith and very honest.Pete is also a top bow hunter.

is that the guy that picked a peck of pickled peppers?

Yep. But how many?

I bet he looks at these threads often

Trust me...Ryan has taken notice.

We all do jobs, kids, grandkids, family & things like yard work. Has yet to deter me from keeping my word, even to my own hurt, & maintaining my integrity.

Pete is a good man.

Pete Pieper was top on the list I sent to 747

So did he come through, deerhunter? Bolt and everything?

Not fully....there will be an update on Friday....stay tuned.

Sweet Jesus, that reads like a chick being raised by a woman that has NO concept of what being a man is.

What a BS clusterfook from the word go, hope you get your gear back Buddy, and Thanks for the heads up!

It’s Saturday. Wondering if you got 100% of your money and components back?

Brian

Sunday.......

Update on the debacle...
In the interest of full transparency, Ryan Kelsey has bought the build back from me in full. All I am out is a couple years of my time and a bunch of aggravation.

Got to ask. Did he pay you out in cash for all the parts you sent him? If so. Wounder why he could not sent the parts back?

Brian

Yes. He bought every screw, spring, bolt, barrel, etc.

I didn’t send the other parts back because me and dh talked and this is the route we decided to take. No point in sending stuff to him when he is just going to turn around and send them back.

Did the check clear the bank?

USPS MO as I requested

Well, I am impressed Ryan. Keep up the good work.

It’s never to late to do the right thing.

Well. Guess he got away with another one.

My guess would be he never did the work. And had sold your stuff. That’s why he could not send it back. But at least you got some $ back.

Brian

Ryan, pm sent please read it.

It's also sad that he apparently knew how to build one helluva rifle...I have one of his in 28 Nosler that shoots bugholes.

I got my rifle back from him, less the factory barrel it left here with. I talked to him after I received my rifle and inquired about it. He responded that it was on his table and he would send it straight away. I offered to split the shipping cost with him but he said he would take care of it. That was on the 23rd.

So, you have not rcv’d it yet?

The barrel is not here. I hope it's on the way.

It appears this thread just got new life.

Anyone want to venture a guess on the over/under time it takes to get the barrel back?

That's a sucker bet...

Still no barrel. On 23 April, he said the barrel is on his bench. I offered to split shipping with him but he said he would take care of it.

It's a factory take off barrel?

yes, it's the factory barrel he removed.

Wow what a bunch of crap to be put through . Better luck with builds .

He was off to a bad start anyway. Of all the things to name your new business that cat chooses Diablo Rifles....go figure.

Got a note from Ryan last night in response to my 3rd request. He said he would send it this weekend. I asked to send me tracking information. Tick, tock...And now we wait.

Diablo Custom Rifle's FFL A&D Bound Book must be a BATFE Inspector's wet dream. Can't fathom that they (BATFE) don't monitor these fora, and this guy hasn't had his door knocked on...

And he’s trying to sell some rifles over at long range hunting.com

I thought that was him but wasn’t sure...

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/getting-out-of-guns-sale.202386/#post-1438081

I see Adam32 is still giving reach arounds there.

I received my factory take off barrel from Ryan. I suspect he's likely had enough from campfire members.

Being a new member to the forum I would share the feelings of most of the previous posts here to NOT DO BUSINESS WITH RYAN KELSEY. I have my own story but feel lucky compared to some. Not sure if this is the place to share it or a PM when I look at forum rules.

No reason not to share it here.

Share away...

Just state the facts - that is what the rules are trying to guide the forum with.

Long story.....Summer of 2017 I knew I had several points to apply for a deer tag in Wyoming. I really wanted to hold onto them but due to the winter kill the previous winter I probably should apply for a hunt. I had told a cousin that I was interested in having a rifle built for my hunt as I had given my 270 wsm to my stepson a couple years earlier. I wanted another but couldn't find one. I wanted a Ruger M77. He told me to have "our cousin Ryan Kelsey" build me one as he had done the same and liked it. I really didn't know about Ryan. Not sure if I even ever met him. (1st cousin twice removed..blah blah). My father was Ryan's great grandfathers brother, and that part of the family held a lot of value in their word and integrity.

Interested in the suggestion, I contacted Ryan. Over a few phone calls and texts we discussed hunting, rifles, Wyoming game areas etc. He was very cordial. I told him I wasn't interested in a "long range gun", just a 270 wsm in a Ruger action. He would send me his trophy pictures and suggested I apply in an area he hunted every year. I would ask him questions about that and also about his different rifle combination recommendations. During that time I also had talked to some biologist from the Wyoming game and fish about the areas Ryan suggested. I chose not to apply where Ryan suggested as I found out it only took 1 point to draw his area and didn't want to waste all my points when I could apply for Region G. After some conversations over a couple of weeks Ryan became very antagonistic with his responses. I felt pressured that he wanted to use a Remington Action. I didn't know half of his terminology of add ons he suggested, cerakote for example. I just wanted a Ruger 270 wsm, M77, simple. He seemed offended I questioned his suggestions of a hunting area by talking to the game biologist, and also defensive about my questions about rifles. He boasted "I know what I'm doing, I've built over 10,000 custom rifles" (almost 4 custom builds a day for 10 years, I don't think so). I didn't like his tone and decided to not contact him about it anymore. He sounded immature and spoiled.

A couple of weeks later I received a call from Ryan. He was nice once again and said he had an offer for me. He told me he wanted to buy a boat in my home town and offered to build a rifle for me if I transported the boat to him. Clearing things up, he told me it would cost him time and money from his shop to take off work a couple of days to get the boat himself. Wanting to be fair, I didn't want him to get the short end of the deal so I asked him what the difference would be. He said not to worry about it and may have most of the parts in stock anyway. I saw it as an opportunity to meet him in person being family. Agreeing, I told him to not worry about the make of the action, color, stock, etc. etc.. I just wanted a 270 wsm and do the rest to his convenience. Like I said I didn't want to be picky when all I was doing was shipping a boat. He told be he could probably have it done in a couple of weeks after I delivered the boat.

Soon after I picked up the jet boat and along with my older brother delivered it to Ryan, meeting him in Green River, Wyoming. He showed me one of his rifles. I thought it odd that this "custom rifle" was just loose on the front seat, all beat up, like he was road hunting for Jack Rabbits. After I unhooked the trailer, he told me he didn't have a ball or receiver hitch (stinger) and if he could use mine. He said he would send it back to me when he got home.

A "couple of weeks came and went". Hunting season was approaching. When I would reach out to Ryan his text would always read.."what's up? I'm at work". He told me he had taken a job in a mine a couple hours away from his "shop" and he would try to get to the gun on the weekends. Wyoming hunting season came and went. (I did draw Region G and packed my .338 all week with no success). The rifle also didn't show up before my Idaho hunt. I didn't bug him during the holidays but soon after the first of the year started trying to get ahold of him.

I was told he had all the parts but just needed to finish the rifle. I asked him about my hitch but was told he hadn't had a chance to get to town to mail it. Similar conversations occurred all summer. I told him I'd like to use the rifle he was going to build for the 2018 season. During this summer I was led to this forum by searching to find his website and found out all about the different interactions members had with Ryan, I really wish I would have seen it all before my dealings with my "cousin".

I would mention to Ryan that I'd really like to have a 270 wsm again to hunt deer with. His response..."go buy one, I told you I've been working 16 hour days and haven't been able to get to the post office." On a couple occasions I would tell him I needed a stinger for my trailer. Again, "go buy one,..they are $30 dollars at Wal Mart!". I was getting infuriated but wanted to stay positive and polite given the fact he was family. In late summer I told him that I knew he was busy and to lets just call the deal off. He could compensate me for gas and time off work and mail me the stinger. Again he told me how much a stinger cost at walmart. (quite different attitude than when he needed one). I told him to just send me $250 and we'd call it good. (the drive was 500 miles round trip for me). Now he told me he'd send the money when he got to the post office.

Again weeks went by. Excuses like he didn't get enough in his paycheck (but he was working 16 hour days, 7 days a week). How "some people don't have a lot of money!!" but he was sending me pictures of his hunt. I told him he had enough money to hunt and buy a boat. Heck, I was even going to pay him to build a gun the year before. Now he was texting me how I was bugging him and getting on his nerves, etc. etc.. I can afford a stinger, it was the principal of the matter. I had gone through all this with a relative instead of finding a used M77 somewhere online. I asked him one more time after 3 weeks of waiting after "he got paid" and he told me to pound sand and not bother him anymore. I know it is a civil matter but let the Laramie police and sheriff know anyway. I have also reported to the Attorney General's Office.

Thank you for listening to my story. I am saddened by this young mans lack of character and arrogant attitude. It really does no good to post here to keep others from dealing with Ryan in the future, as I doubt those individuals will see this site anyway. I feel lucky to only lose out on a few dollars and my time. My main reason for reaching out on this forum is to support others that have gone through this same ordeal. I have read post from others sticking up for Ryan and how he is trying to make things right. Bull.....

When I told Ryan I found out all about his dealings; he texted (in capital letters) how he has "made everything right with others". I guess relatives don't count.

Your cousin is a flake.

Unreal....

Sad...

I'm surprised someone ain't kneecapped the corksucker by now...

Here's your sign, Devil Custom Rifle.

I have known much worse then that , much much worse. Some are in prison , one died in prison and others are walking amongst us

Damn. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad I got my rifle back although the bolt wouldn't close on a live round.

Given his track record, that may have saved your life.

indeed. I am more wise about things now.

“I’ve built over 10,000 custom rifles”


Haha what a laugh....

That calculates to a rifle a day (every day) for 27 years. The guy's on crack.