Something Wicked Comes This Way

Q&A WITH Wicked Out

WORDS/PHOTOS: STAFF

STRAP: How did Wicked get its start and why the name “Wicked Out Gunsmith”?

Just thinking about the business, and how I wanted all my future customers to say we did a wicked job on their guns, at first. Then I started to get into the, ‘John Wick’, movies and it evolved into, ‘Wicked Out’.

STRAP: What do you offer at Wicked?

Anything from cerakote, stippling, CNC milling for slides, plating and more.

STRAP: You’ve got some pretty slick firearms here, what are some of your favorite builds?

To be honest, there is so much work I’ve done out there it’s hard to pin down. Some of my favorites, I couldn’t take pictures of, since the owner’s said they preferred privacy, so no pictures. I feel like almost everything I’ve done is a custom piece of artwork. Just a, ‘one of one’ piece of art, there’s no two that are the same, and that’s what makes them my favorite.

STRAP: Seems like custom firearms are your main deal, what sets you apart from other companies out there doing the same thing?

I believe it’s the fast turnaround times on my work, and my customer’s satisfaction with that work.

STRAP: Being a firearms business here in California, what are some of the obstacles you’ve     encountered doing business in this industry?

Luckily, I haven’t got into any problems, I just make sure and do everything the right way. I’ve had more clients who want to do stuff that’s not California compliant and I have to turn them STRAP: Where’s your favorite place to go shooting and what kind of training do you do?

Burro Canyon is my all-time favorite place I go. I’ll do normal target shooting, stand points to double alpha double taps and some, ‘three gun’ competition shooting.

STRAP: Who are some of the notables you’ve done work for?

I’ve done work for a couple of celebrities, and I’m still working on more. Regulo Caro has been a very good and close friend since we worked on his firearms over the years.

STRAP: We see you do custom stippling, is it by hand or laser? And what’s the most difficult part of stippling?

Yes, it’s all by hand, not laser. I believe the most difficult thing about stippling is the time consuming nature of it, but I still get it done for same day service.

STRAP: So what’s your gun collection look like? ‘Baller status’, or, ‘not enough time to work on your own stuff’, status?

Right now, the second one, honestly. When I have time, I’ll do some more work on my stuff, and I’ve got some pretty cool guns, and more coming in. At the moment though, I’ve stopped working on my stuff for now, since I’ve been so busy with the business.

STRAP: Is California your only market or do you also cater to the rest of the US?

No. I’ve gotten work from out of state, as well. Nevada , Texas and even New York.

STRAP: Do you participate in 2nd Amendment activities?

I do a lot of shooting and started going to the shows. Went to my first Shot Show this year.

STRAP: What is your take on the current state of the firearms industry?

Honestly, California has some of the worst gun laws for law abiding citizens, but we have some of the most guns and most custom guns out there, and that needs to be put on the map.

STRAP: Where can readers find you online?

As of now social media will be best @_wickedoutgunsmith_

STRAP: Any advice you’d like to share for someone interested getting custom work done on their firearm?

Make sure you’re clear on what you want done to your firearm. It’s like getting a tattoo, because once we start, there is no going back to how it looked before.

STRAP: Any shout outs to anyone?

I’d like to say a special, ‘thank you’, to all the clients that trusted me to work on their guns. You guys are the real reason why I’m here.

STRAP: Appreciate the time and look forward to shooting these bad boys on the range!

Let’s do this!