Austin Behlert

The best advertizing you can do is quality work, where word of mouth never ends. Remember, you can advertize that you are the best but it doesnt mean a thing unless your customers agree with you. I never took much paid adds because I always had customers at my door.

BigBlue

Austin,
It's been quite a while since I was in your shop, then located in N.J., but I can vouch for it's steady flow of customers. I had you do some work on my series 70 Combat Commander. Like I said it's been some time ago, but if memory serves me, you had a breakin at that shop and it wasn't too long after that you had moved to PA. I also remember talking to your son about IPSC competitions at that time, although my memory is not good enough to recall his name.
Don

Austin Behlert

That steady line of customers sometimes included Charlie Callus the comedian who would perform in front of my counter to the enjoyment of my customers.

My sons name is Frank and he went pretty well in IPSC shooting and also started Doug Koenig on his way to fame. We sponsered him and built his guns for about 3 years. I guess we built him pretty reliable pistols.

Austin Behlert

I forgot the breakin. 29 custom guns were stolen and almost put us out of business. We had to not only furnish new guns but also do all the custm work over and our insurance covered only a half.

BigBlue

Austin,
I"m glad that breakin didn't keep you from your good work. I don't remember Frank shooting at any of the IPSC matches I entered, but I think he was the one that originally told me about the matches held at a range near Middletown N.J. I really enjoyed shooting in some of them, and was very impressed by several of the competitors. It is a pleasure to find you here, and I enjoy reading all of your rememberances.
Thanks,
Don

Austin Behlert

Don, son Frank shot in almost all of the matches at that range in Middletown, In fact we sponcered a Behlert Match there once. To enter it you had to be shooting a Behlert pistol. We had about 80 entries and the awards were great as I got on the phone with all the suppliers and we had about 7 to 9000.00 in prises if I remember right.

BigBlue

Austin,
Having lived in Northern Jersey when your shop moved to PA. the old shop was the only one I've been to. Is the Pipersville shop is it still in business? If so, does it have a web site? I may have need of a good 1911 shop and I'm living in PA. now. I just picked up a Para-Ord. P14.45 LTD. and haven't run it through it's paces yet, but I'm sure there is always room for improvement.
Don