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Marianne Carniak operates the Accurizer Gunshop in Troy, Mi. She is one of a few female gunsmiths in the USA and she was taught the trade by her father. Russ Carniak. After Russ died I was looking for a new person to work on my handguns, I mentioned this at a range, was told to try Marianne, and I have never looked back. I prefer functional weapons to handguns that are too pretty to use. In other words, I want an accurate weapon that hits where I aim and doesn't malfunction. Marianne has build a number of weapons for me and they almost all fit this criteria.

1927 Sistema Colt with a Farrar grips, extended grip safety, Series 80 barrel, match bushing, Novak sights, McCormick hammer, trigger, and sear. This is all I need. Regards, Richard

I know that I said I like function over beauty but Marianne also did these pistols. Yes, they are too pretty, in my mind's eye, to carry. Regards, Richard

S&W M457 with Novak night sights, checkerd wook Hogue grips, 30 LPI checkering, and hard chrome by Ford's Guns.


Kahr K49 with Kahr Trijicons, 30 LPI checkering, wood checkered Hogue grips, and hard chrome by Ford's Guns.


Bulgarian Mak with Novak night sights, Hakan grips, and hard chrome by Virgil Tripp.

NICE-lookin' guns, Richard!!! Two questions, if I may...have you noticed any difference between the finishes from Ford's and Tripp??? Do you have Ms. Carniak's contact info handy???...Thanks....mikey357

Mikey357, thanks for the compliments. First, let me say that as much as I like and respect Virgil Tripp's work, I find Ford's Guns to be his equal with hard chrome. The best I can do for you in regard to reaching Marianne is give you her shop number that is 248-528-1552. Regards, Richard

I've worked with Marianne on a few small projects. I haven't handled any of her work but by reputation, pictures, and a very nice conversation with her, she's gotta be top notch.

Between the chrome, the sights, the dehorning, and the grips, that's the coolest Mak I've ever seen.

Ned, thanks for the compliment on my Mak. One of these days I will drive to Three rivers and visit. Regards, Richard

Ned, Hakan is talking about you.

Regards,

Richard

This is my Balester-Molina(BM) that was taken from a POS to become one of my favorite pistols. The gunsmithing was done by Marianne. It has a Series 70 barrel, match barrel bushing, Novak sights, and Hakan grips. I have a total of $500 in my BM and I love to hold it and shoot it. Regards, Richard

Richard, so it was a POS before but now you call it "BM"...... well, any improvement is some improvement I guess

The Hakans on the Mak are thuya burl, right? They are sweet.

Here is one of her more elaborate custom jobs...

http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthr ... t=marianne

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Sean Smith
"Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that?" -Jack Burton, Big Trouble in Little China

I have three completed projects through Marianne's shop. The fourth is hopefully nearing completion? Do all customers get so impatient?

The first is a Colt Delta Elite SS, a collaborative effort with Ned Christiansen. This is my favorite pistol.


The second is a STI 10mm hi-cap frame, commander slide, with a Schuemann ported barrel.


The third, to show versatility, is a Glock 23 with Caspian slide and Schuemann ported barrel.


The fourth.....will be....a Caspian wide body 10mm with 5 and 6" slides.
Not even any teaser shots yet....

I have to say Marianne's work is top notch, and she has been wonderful to work with on projects.

Regards

Ken

Thanks Richard, Ned, Ken, Sean (pics of Frank's gun). You guys are awesome! Yep...I finally registered on LTW! Life moves on and if I don't run fast enough this train will leave without me!! I think the purpose of this site is incredible and wish my Dad was around to see the results of such big hearted guys... just like he was! (Oh! and Ken...I'm so glad that I was able to teach you patience!) Talk to you soon!! M Hey! Is there a spell check on this thing??!!

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"Do I love you because you're beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love yoooou???"---sung almost every morning by my Dad, Russ, as he so lovingly looked at himself in the bathroom mirror! =)

Welcome to the site Marianne, your work speaks for itself. We have a pretty good time around here. Again, make yourself at home.

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Heirloom Precision, LLC.
480-804-1911

"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
- General George Patton Jr

Marianne, welcome to LTW. I hope to come for a visit in the near future. Regards, Richard

As a lurker I had to finally register to tell a story about Russ. About 12-13 years ago I was a young shooter. I grew up shooting but had recently been old enough to start owning handguns. I bought a Colt bright stainless series 80. After a year or so I wanted a trigger job, beavertail, flared magwell, etc. I had talked to Russ at gunshows and I finally got the money to get some work done. I could tell Russ liked me as he sponsored me to get a Ohio Gun Collector Association membership. I would go to dinner with Russ and his friends after the show. I was maybe 21-22, easily could have been someones kid or grandkid at the table. I learned a lot from them. Anyway, I went to Russ' house to pick up my Colt. When I got there, I saw my gun and there was work done that I hadn't paid for! I told Russ, I didn't have enough money to pay for the extra work, even though it was great that he did it. He told me not to worry, that he just needed the practice! I haven't had much done other than some sights by Marianne but it was the tightest looking sight job I had ever seen. Well the Colt is not so brightly polished anymore, and seeing how much I shot that gun, bright stainless was not the best choice for me but it will always have a place in my heart. Carniaks are great people as well as great smiths.

Hi Marianne! I met your dad a number of times when I was a young man wandering the Detroit gunshows. He was a heck of a nice guy, and he did several absolutely excellent guns for a good buddy of mine. I think he used to sometimes have work done just so he could go BS with your dad, truth be told. Glad to see that you are doing the same kind of excellent work!

...I'm curious about something...does Marianne do any REVOLVER work...you know, on the ORIGINAL "Repeating Handguns"!!!....mikey357

Thanks Dr Dremel and Sparky for your stories and kind words. I always love to hear about my Dad as it is now been 7 years that I am on my own and slowly but surely people make their way back to me with new stories I haven't heard before. The part about him throwing in extra work for free because he "needed the practice" is awesome and such a Russism!!
Sorry Mikey, the only revolver work I've really done is sights and finish. Too much 1911 work to take time to learn more. I'd like to learn the AR as well....someday! Take care, Marianne

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"Do I love you because you're beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love yoooou???"---sung almost every morning by my Dad, Russ, as he so lovingly looked at himself in the bathroom mirror! =)

Your welcome. Your work is as good as his. I have a slide with a bomar that has the best fit I have ever seen, with a scallop for the windage screw if the sight is all the way down. It is the same pistol I metioned earlier. I have others but it was my first handgun so it has a sentimental meaning.

Here's my latest quick turnaround 10mm project from Marianne Carniak. I picked this one up yesterday, took it to the range today and did a quick photo shoot. Destined to be 'one of a kind' this project had more roadblocks than most spring freeway roadwork. Marianne was very patient, and persistent, the work turned out outstanding. This project included Schuemann Ultimatch barrels, both 5 and 6" slides, checkering on the frontstrap, mainspring housing, back of the slides, and trigger guard. Hardchromed, and topped with Novak 3 dot sights. Shoots like a dream.

Dear Hypersonic,

I am still drooling looking at the Caspian. Very nice melt job. It looks like its moving when it's standing still.

Nice work young lady.

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Cordially,

D.J.Tarasevich

Thanks! I'm quite happy with Marianne's work!

My new carry piece. Colt 1991 worked over by Marianne Carniak of Troy, Mi.

Medium Videcki trigger
3.25lb trigger
Bobbed hammer and gripsafety
NM stainless match bushing
Refit stock Colt safety
Crowned factory barrel
18.5 Wolff springs
Hogue Kingwood grips

This is a before and after pictures of a Colt Officers Model that Marianne Carniak built for me. She did a great job!