Would YOU do it?

[Ksmirk]

Well I was contacted by CZ about interest in the springs I've been making for the little 712 shotguns about where they could get them, I told them that I made them to my specs and then I was ask if they could purchase from me. Ok here's my thinking on this and tell me what you fella's, in my mind they would like to get this spring since it seems to work and have a mess made without the R&D work on their end. I could be totally wrong BUT

What's your thoughts fella's I'm just talking out loud and looking for some opinions. Later,

Kirk

 

[jeffsoward]

I think you're right about CZ wanting to reap the potential for a major return on little investment, but I also think that you could possibly work out something with them that could prove fruitful for both of you.

When I think about it, I'd think that the offer to purchase is something to get hands-on and start making their own. So, I would try to work out some sort of deal before they have the ability to recreate them.
I'd start negotiating with them, try to leverage the exposure to competition shotgunning in the area, drop names and see what they offer.

my .02

 

[Scott Hearn]

It all depends on what you did and how you did it. Did you fab the spring(s) yourself or find one from an industrial supplier? It would be super easy to just re-package a purchased part or parts.

If you made it yourself, then it gets more complicated. Like how many are they wanting? 20 a month? 500 all at once. Every year? It all boils down to whether you have the ability to supply them the quantities they need and if you can make enough money doing it for it to be worth your time and effort. As far as saving them on R/D I don't see a problem as long as you benefit too. Just look at it realistically, like how many guns are they going to sell with this mod.

 

[mike cyrwus]

They probably just want to do a little testing with springs and figured your springs is a good starting point. Dont think you can really put a patent on having a particular spring rate.. I dont see a big company not doing some of their own work and testing with a new part; especially when looking at a lighter recoil spring.

 

[foghorn918]

Kirk you're now famous, you should be elevated to Semi-Pro status.......oh yea, maybe royalties for every spring from your spec they use in their guns.

 

[Ksmirk]

I have a company build them to my specs, if they wanted 1000 I could have them in probably 2 weeks. If they would like to put together a 712 for 3-gun that would be awesome but this very well known person that visits the forum offered some thought to them last year and we've seen nothing yet from that.

Mike there is nothing anyone can really do with a spring to say "IT'S MINE" or that's what my spring guy told me SO if they wanted they could get one of the springs and just copy it.

Steve no way am I famous! and a LONG way from Semi-Pro status. Guess I need to find time during the day and see if I can get him on the phone and find out what's going on. Later,

Kirk

 

[okie-carbine]

haha, such a modest fella. yeah dude, you have hit the big times now. like a rockstar!

thats pretty cool though. i bet they will order from you; if they wanted to do it on their own, they would have already. but like you said, they could just want what works and then steal it out from under you.

 

[McGuire]

Id just ask them to let you play with what they develop and maybe market it a little bit, I mean you arent trying to make a million off this but it definitely allows you a chance to do something cool. Just see if you can play a good hand and maybe get some cool toys and a good hookup with them

 

[drmitchgibson]

Are you just talking about a recoil spring?

 

[dennishoddy]

Id just ask them to let you play with what they develop and maybe market it a little bit, I mean you arent trying to make a million off this but it definitely allows you a chance to do something cool. Just see if you can play a good hand and maybe get some cool toys and a good hookup with them

This is what I think. Like others have said, Not sure if your gonna make a million off of the testing, but perhaps they would do like McGuire said and possibly give you a gun as a "certified field tester". I know a couple of folks that get free guns to shoot, but the company expects results, not just a pic or two, and a little blog.
Your in an interesting position.
Personally, I'd try to establish a relationship with the company and see how it runs. Ya never know.

 

[Ksmirk]

I offered to help them IF they wanted to actually build a decent shotgun, I told them that another person had offered to help them out last year and I'm not about to do anything without talking with him first. I'd like to help put together a viable alternative for us people with limited incomes. I've been down the sponsor road before in archery don't know if I'd like to do that again this is just a hobby afterall. I'm not in any way thinking I'm gonna make a butt ton of money but ya know the sets I have sold sure do help with the shooting budget

Mitch, yea this is all about the recoil springs. I wish work would slow just a bit where I could have sometime to actually call! e-mailing back and forth sucks. Later,

Kirk

 

[dennishoddy]

I keep forgetting that CZ is built overseas.
Your probably talking to their U.S. reps.
The factory may have not have heard a word about your work.
Company's overseas are not bound by US patents unless they market them in the U.S.
Just another thought to muddle your brain.

 

[Ksmirk]

I found out from the get go Dennis there is nothing you can do to patent a spring. I'm going to try my best to get him on the phone tomorrow if I can sneak away from the children for a bit LOL Later,

Kirk

 

[foghorn918]

CZ "Kirk Smith" 3 Gun Edition.......new roll mark?

 

[tzimm007]

Don't forget about the insurance and liability side of it. I would think that if they were going to put a different spring in a production gun there would have to be a lot of testing on their end to make sure that it was safe so they wouldn't have to give their company to someone for spilling hot coffee on their self. Just a thought . Sounds like a great opportunity for you. Might call a patent lawyer you know they got a whole bunch that work for them couldn't hurt to have one working for you! There is always one dude I ask for wisdom when I don't have a clue! Hope it turns out!

 

[Ksmirk]

Steve, I ain't elephant dung in the shooting world dude! I'm just a guy that can't leave well enough alone and too cheap to jump on what everyone else is doing. A name shooting a CZ in 3-gun would help them out for sure though.

tzimm007 nothing you can do about a spring already talked to a few folks about it before I even made the first one's PLUS by the time I got all the money put out for the patent and searches and other goodies than I'd make. Later,

Kirk

 

[tzimm007]

Right on

 

[Iggie]

If this plays out Ill help you field test I'd like to hear how the conversation goes. Kepp us updated