Cylinder & Slide is ceasing operations!

[JJEH]

Just read this a little while ago. If you have anything which they have already started working on, they will finish it. If you have a ticket# but they haven't started the work you are SOL. Down payments will be refunded and inventory will be sold off. Please inquire at: [email protected]

Home - Cylinder & Slide - Handguns parts and accessories

 

[Onomea]

Sad to hear it. I never used them, but have been aware of them forever and have thought about it a couple of times.

 

[John Patrick]

*******. I have a work ticket for two revolvers…

Now to find an alternative.

The work I was waiting for was to fit a SS cylinder to two 386s to replace the factory titanium cylinders to bring the weight up.

Any suggestions?

 

[Grayfox]

I never could afford their custom guns. But I have drooled over many of them.
I have a few of their custom parts in a couple of my guns. Excellent stuff.
They were THE shop for customizing the Hi-Power.

Sadly, another one of the greats is gone.

 

[sigp220.45]

Pretty good sale going on there. I just ordered some 1911 mags.

 

[rockquarry]

They always had an interesting booth at the SHOT Shows.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...They were THE shop for customizing the Hi-Power..

I have an Argy HP that I think they worked on. The trigger is perfect- something that is rarely said of HPs.

 

[chief38]

Wow! I can't believe they are bailing out. They did a Belgian Hi-Power that I owned many years ago (bought it already done) and it was the sweetest shooting Hi Power I've ever shot! I can't help wondering what happened. I can't believe it was a lack of work.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Wow! I can't believe they are bailing out. They did a Belgian Hi-Power that I owned many years ago (bought it already done) and it was the sweetest shooting Hi Power I've ever shot! I can't help wondering what happened. I can't believe it was a lack of work.

After 44+ years, I suspect it was just "work", rather than the lack of it!

 

[wcat94]

Congratulation's to Bill on retirement! I bought a pre 21 this year from him. Good to do business with a gentleman like him.

 

[LPD256]

I have a Kahr CW9 that Cylinder and Slide did a reliability and carry package on. It is accurate, 100% reliable, and sharp edges are removed. I had them work on a Python in 1975. Very nice people and masters of their business. Sorry to see them go.

 

[robvious]

My late father used to shoot IPSC with Bill back in the 1970's & 80's.. I used to shag their brass for fun... he has earned retirement... a wonderful man and true craftsman... I have 2 pistols of my father's that he has done work on... they are cherished because they belonged to my father.. but are better for having been touched by the master.. I hope he has a long and happy retirement.

 

[Aircrewman]

Another sad, sad day in the life of the true gentleman gunsmith and his industry. I remember his ads in the regular gun rags years and years ago.... Guns and Ammo, Shooting Times, Guns and many, many others. These days are ending and so is an era to never be seen again. We are all the more impoverished for it.....

 

[Muddyboot]

Very sad to hear, they were my go-to for revolver work. This chopped .41 AS had the mechanics gone over and blued a few years back. I'll miss them as I'm sure I would have used them in the future.

 

[fordson]

They "tuned" up a BHP for me. Quality, professional work. Sorry to hear of them shutting down operations. I get the impression that we (our gun community) are losing more talent then we are able to backfill. Slow attrition …….

 

[chief38]

I'm just curious if the business was on the "for sale block". Hey, we are all outsiders and have no idea what the inside poop is, but as a retired business owner I have to wonder.

I sold my business (14 years ago) in four days - yup 4 days. I got my exact asking price and was paid 100% at the closing (no payout terns) so I have always wondered if I sold it way too cheap. Guess it doesn't matter now! I have enjoyed the last 14 years immensely!

 

[NFrameFred]

News like this is always sad to hear. Real craftsmen with integrity that stand by their work and build such reputations seem to be more and more a throwback to past times. Today's world doesn't seem to produce the same kind of individualism - in fact, it appears (to me) it actually stifles and suppresses it.


We find the news sad, not because of anything other than we are deprived of skills, talents and availability of men such as this that unfortunately seem to be in less and less supply these days. They say "all good things must end" . . . . indeed. We are most sorry for ourselves.


Cylinder & Slide goes out on a high note with a good name intact.

 

[M29since14]

News like this is always sad to hear. Real craftsmen with integrity that stand by their work and build such reputations seem to be more and more a throwback to past times. Today's world doesn't seem to produce the same kind of individualism - in fact, it appears (to me) it actually stifles and suppresses it…

My own "feelings" tend to support this line of thinking, but I hope it is not so. In any case, all good things do seem to come to an end and I wish Mr. Laughridge an enjoyable retirement.

 

[pharmer]

Real craftsmen with integrity that stand by their work and build such reputations seem to be more and more a throwback to past times. Today's world doesn't seem to produce the same kind of individualism - in fact, it appears (to me) it actually stifles and suppresses it. We find the news sad, not because of anything other than we are deprived of skills, talents and availability of men such as this that unfortunately seem to be in less and less supply these days. They say "all good things must end" . . . . indeed.

Think about it, someone wants work done on a $700 pistol. You "item charge" an invoice and it's $473.90, shipping included. Today's folks balk at an upcharge for "nut milk" at the Starbucks. Coupled with "disposable durable goods" and the "incentive curve" is trending downward. Joe

 

[sinister]

I recently picked up my 625 from Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio. He commented that most of today's customers buy plastic pistols.

True pistol- and revolversmiths are aging out and retiring -- he specifically named Bill Laughridge as one of his peers and colleagues who still does wheelguns.