Kings Gunworks was \\NOT// shut down by the ATF

[radioactivelego]

Don't have many details but it appears through word of mouth on other forums, and those in Glendale that visited are saying it was shut down over the weekend for "paperwork malfunctions." Also Rich's in Whittier were shut down as well for something involving paperwork.

This is some pretty big news considering Kings Gunworks is like the Ferrari of USA 1911 gunsmithing. Let's hope they don't get to Jim Hoag. :mad:

[MadMex]

It’s sad to see the origin of species for custom work run into trouble.

[dondo]

They are coming down hard on dealers. I wonder how much time we really have before they all are run out of town. We might have the right to own and purchase guns, but the State sure won't make it easy to sell them. Sad.

[MrTenX]

Let's hope they don't get to Jim Hoag. :mad:

Hoag doesn't sell firearms. Just gunsmithing. He's getting pretty long in the tooth though.

[Sydwaiz]

They probably did a surprise audit and found some discrepancys in their paperwork. Once they fix it, I'm sure they will be back open.

[jjperl]

Same thing happened to Dodge City in Santa Barbara. It was a really great gun shop :(

[mike100]

hell, it could be the state DOJ hassleing them over their lic. or renewel.

[Icarus]

Government agencies are experts at giving unique definitions to words and phrases. Remember, even Clinton said it depends on what the word is is. Pity the gun dealer who just uses common sense.

[thomye]

does anyone know if these shops were dealing OLL's? just curious to know if doj is picking on shops randomly or giving those that deal OLL's a harder time.

[radioactivelego]

does anyone know if these shops were dealing OLL's? just curious to know if doj is picking on shops randomly or giving those that deal OLL's a harder time.Since they primarily deal in 1911's, I'm sure it was some stupid handgun thing since, well we all know, handguns are the bane of existance and should be regulated more than rifles and shotguns am I right?!

[wilit]

Damnit, I was just about to send my slide off for some new sights.

[uzigalil]

Funny thing, my friend brought a 1911 type for a trigger job there 3 weeks ago. they told him to call in 2 weeks, when he did they didnt find his name on there list of work so he gave them the tag number and then they found the gun but realized that it hadnt been logged in because they couldnt find my freinds info and of course the gun is still sitting there. Lucky he called, now he will be pissed.

[rorschach]

It's a shame if they are being shut down.

Paperwork issues would have never been a problem on Al's watch.

[xenophobe]

They probably did a surprise audit and found some discrepancys in their paperwork. Once they fix it, I'm sure they will be back open.

The ATF does not shut down a gun shop after a surprise audit. They shut down a gun shop after an investigation is complete or near completion.

The audit only looks for discrepancies, errors and inconsistencies. Then they leave. The information is digested, and then the ATF itemizes them and then sends them back to the dealer for clarification or correction. This back-and-fourth may happen several times over the course of a year, and then they decide if the FFL will be denied renewal, revoked, or passed the audit and can continue business.

If a store has had their license revoked, it isn't generally a temporary thing. In most circumstances, the only way another FFL will be issued is if the business is sold to another individual or corporation.

I hate to say it, but if a dealer is shutting down or has had their license revoked, then it is really gone.

[m24armorer]

Yup......

[Cardinal Sin]

Guess I better contact them about getting my 1911 back:( Still need to have a firing pin stop fitted by someone who knows what the heck they are doing . . .damnit

[jjperl]

Dodge City was shut down because of discrepancies in their paper work over a year ago. They won't ever be getting their license back, even though they've been in the business for over 20-30 years. Now all they sell is ammo and airguns.

It's sad the, the owner of the business was gona pass it on to his son in a few years.

[FreedomIsNotFree]

Correct me if I am wrong, but couldn't they still perform gusmithing?

[Cardinal Sin]

I friggin hope so because they are the only one i trust . . .if not . . . who knows of a good, no, great 1911 smith in the same area?:( man this friggin sucks . . .wtf, im calling them on tues. morning and getting the 411 on smithing . . damnit, damnit, damnit . . . I really need to move out of this crap-hole state:mad: all of a sudden going back to active duty and getting stationed in a more rational state is looking better everytime crap like this happens. I hope this is temp. AFR has a post on this but no real info:(

[xenophobe]

Correct me if I am wrong, but couldn't they still perform gusmithing?

Only if the firearm owner stays with the firearm while the work is performed. A gunsmith needs to be licensed as well.

[rkt88edmo]

aaargh....

[Fate]

They probably did a surprise audit and found some discrepancys in their paperwork. Once they fix it, I'm sure they will be back open.
Stevenson Gun Country in Burbank got shut down over a year ago. Owner had to sell the gun part of his business, and last I checked they STILL don't have a valid FFL (so it's ammo/accessories only).

That sucks that Kings is gone.

[HowardW56]

Stevenson Gun Country in Burbank got shut down over a year ago. Owner had to sell the gun part of his business, and last I checked they STILL don't have a valid FFL (so it's ammo/accessories only).

That sucks that Kings is gone.


So that's what happened to them. The guys in there now aren't very good businessmen...

There is always Gun World down the road...

[Californio]

Coast Gun Shop, Ventura had a sign posted just a few weeks ago, "Closed for Audit"

I need to check to see if they reopened.

[HowardW56]

Coast Gun Shop, Ventura had a sign posted just a few weeks ago, "Closed for Audit"

I need to check to see if they reopened.

If they have re-opened post that too...

[Jeffrock]

Stevenson Gun Country in Burbank got shut down over a year ago. Owner had to sell the gun part of his business, and last I checked they STILL don't have a valid FFL (so it's ammo/accessories only).

That sucks that Kings is gone.
I was at Turners on Saturday and overheard a couple people saying Stevenson just got their license back. I have not confirmed it though...

Man, this sucks. :(
Kings was an awesome place. I always felt like a kid in a candy store when I went there... The guys were always very friendly, knowledgeable and did some wicked work on 1911s.

[uzigalil]

Does Any one know that Kings Had their FFL pulled for good or just for a Audit. This happened a few months ago to the gun store at Oak tree and they are back in buisness.

[meangreen]

I called a few days ago to inquire about some light gunsmithing work and the guy told me that they are taking on new work, but that they were backed up to about 2-4 weeks. He didn't mention anything else about them closing down or anything.

[pnkssbtz]

Some of my coworkers were thinking of bringing their 1911's to Kings for some work. I mentioned this thread to them and they became very sad....


If anyone is in contact with Kings, please let us know (confidential material aside) what is going on.

Matt S.

[uzigalil]

my friend who has a gun there for gunsmithing made some call's today, so far the ATF local office doesnt know anything about this......

[HowardW56]

my friend who has a gun there for gunsmithing made some call's today, so far the ATF local office doesnt know anything about this......

Well then it would have to be DOJ, or whoever started this thread is smoking some good ****...

[uzigalil]

I agree....

[Cardinal Sin]

I'm either going to stop by or call them tomorrow morning since they are doing some work on one of my guns. I want to get the word from the horse's mouth not some horse's @ss:p If this whole situation turns out to be bs then i vote that the guy(s)_ that started this rumor should get buttstroked with a M2HB . . .tripod and all;)

[HowardW56]

They are coming down hard on dealers. I wonder how much time we really have before they all are run out of town. We might have the right to own and purchase guns, but the State sure won't make it easy to sell them. Sad.

The people of the State of California elected Former Governor [Moonbeam] Brown to the office of Attorney General.

There are enough laws on the books now, with direction from the boss, these DOJ investigators will make it miserable for dealers in the state…

If the documents aren’t stapled together right, they will give them hell… I wonder if they will get any warning to correct deficient paperwork of if they will just try to close them down for any minor infraction...

Just wait it may get worse….

[DIG]

Unfortunatley, I think it will get worse. Just about everyone on this board knows at least 1 or 2, if not more, shops that have had their FFL pulled in the last year. :(

[hoffmang]

Hold on. Lets blame the right people. The Federal ATF has been abusive to FFLs all around the US and especially here. The DOJ isn't the agency causing these FFLs to lose their FFL. You think a Federal Officer would listen to a State yocal?

-Gene

[Mute]

Grapevine says that rumors of Kings' demise has been greatly exaggerated. AFAIK, they are still open.

[Kestryll]

I just called them and was told "We're open and our hours are 10-6."

[uzigalil]

yep, just a standard doj audit.....

[Kestryll]

Further follow up!
Kings Gun Works is open and has not had any contact with the BATFE beyond a standard audit three weeks ago wherein they were complimented on the accuray of their record-keeping. They have not been closed nor has any action been taken against them.

If you know of a forum where this has been posted please relay this information to prevent the spread of unfounded rumors.

ETA: It looks like the origin point of this was a post on AR15.com, it has since been edited with a retraction and closed.

[Cardinal Sin]

I called, all systems go at Kings. Looks like the story is BS. ARF and other Forums need to be updated with this since the original story was bogus.

[CALI-gula]

And I call for a lynching on whomever started the rumor. One has to wonder if it originated with a disgruntled or impatient customer out of retaliation or revenge. :mad:

.

[Kestryll]

And I call for a lynching on whomever started the rumor. One has to wonder if it originated with a disgruntled or impatient customer out of retaliation or revenge. :mad:

.

I found what looks like the original posting over on AR15.com in the California Hometown section. It has been retracted by the original poster with this commentary:
my information on Kings gun works was INCORRECT, they are still OPEN.
MY APOLOGIES TO THEM AND THEIR FANS.
i talked to the bozo tonight, who heard from another bozo, about kings and richs, they had confused both shops situation and told me, gun show rumor apparently (worse than an old ladies knitting club).
AND IM THE IDIOT THAT BELIEVED IT AND POSTED IT AS TRUTH --SORRY GUYS
again my apologies to everyone HERE and to Kings gun works and their fans, and my sympathies to Richs Arms and their fans.

I have looked at several of the major gun forums and have only found references at AR15 so it looks like this rumor has been squashed.

[Cardinal Sin]

Yeah, they said that you called them. I laughed because I asked him how many people called him to ask what was going on and he said that he has lost count but they are good to go and that the inspection went very well and they were complimented on how well they kept the records, etc. etc. He has been informed of the AR15.com post and he may post the status, (open as usual), of Kings.

Sooooooo . . . .Kings Is Open:D , there was never any risk of being shutdown.


Now lets find the SOB that started this nonsense and beat the tar out of him or them :eek: :p

[bg]

I've had my SAA, my 45GM and the Python all worked
on by Billy at Kings. They always get my stuff done
within a month or two. I never hurry em. They've
always gave me a receipt with the ser num pf each
weapon listed, what kind it is, etc.

Never had a glitch one from Kings.

[King's Gun Works]

While it's true that the BATF just completed one of their yearly audits of King's, it's ABSOLUTELY FALSE that our business has been closed down. There were no "paperwork malfunctions" nor any problems beyond those normally encountered during an in-depth audit. Our retail store is open, our custom shop is continuing to take in and complete custom/repair work, and our mail order parts business is thriving. For those of you who have firearms in-house for work, or who were planning to bring their gun in, PLEASE don't worry - we're still here! For anyone planning to come by to visit, we'd be very happy to see you. We're here Tues thru Sat, 10am to 6pm (closed Sun/ Mon).
Thanks to everyone for their business throughout the years and to making King's what it is today.

[Jeffrock]

Wow, this is excellent news! Thanks for taking the time to post.

[hoffmang]

Another thank you for posting. We'd love it if you'd hang out and participate here as well.

-Gene

[Cardinal Sin]

Another thank you for posting. We'd love it if you'd hang out and participate here as well.

-Gene

I second that. Stick around and join in. We can always use a contact from Kings to help with questions, problems and general info that comes up

[eckerph]

+1 for kings gunworks, I have ordered several parts from them for my 1911 and everything i recieved was good quality and at a good price and delivery was very fast. Viva La Kings!

[Diablo]

King's has always had great gunsmithing..:D

[Fjold]

And I call for a lynching on whomever started the rumor. One has to wonder if it originated with a disgruntled or impatient customer out of retaliation or revenge. :mad:

.

Why? They just got a bunch of free advertising.

[whatdyisit]

Is King's carrying OLL's?

[rorschach]

Is King's carrying OLL's?

I dont think so, they're known for 1911 work, but the guns they carry are more of the sporting variety. No black rifles last time I was there.

I may just have to take them a 1911 to play with soon.

[Cardinal Sin]

call them and ask but i think the answer is "no". I have been there a few times and they have almost nothing for OLL's or other AR's. I picked up a chamber brush for an AR and got a lenghty monologueabout how Ars had to be registered before the ban, etc etc. I dont think they are up to speed on the whole OLL issue or they chose to stay away for it. But hey, it's King's . . they are known for 1911's not AR's.

[Californio]

Coast Gun Shop, Ventura had a sign posted just a few weeks ago, "Closed for Audit"

I need to check to see if they reopened.

Went by today, same sign on the door, "Closed for Audit". Peeked in the window, everything is still in place and items on the self, except for all the firearms.

[HowardW56]

I dont think so, they're known for 1911 work, but the guns they carry are more of the sporting variety. No black rifles last time I was there.

I may just have to take them a 1911 to play with soon.


Last time I was in there they did have a very nice Ithaca 37 featherweight, 28” modified…. The price was fair and they are great guns, but I already have one….