For
those long time Major Pandemic readers you know my editorials take a
meandering path dependent solely on where my feet happen to be planted
at the moment my happy go lucky attitude leads me.... today for example I
found himself interviewing the one and only famous custom bike builder
Jesse James at his home and shop in Texas about his newly launched JJFU
firearms company.
ABOUT JESSE JAMESOne
of the things I learned quickly about Jesse was that he is nothing like
what I expected. I expected intense craziness the way the media has
portrayed him, however Jesse is a quiet private guy with no attitude or
visions of star personality grandeur. He jokingly refers to himself as
just a “Glorified Welder”. At no point did he ask if we were done yet,
look at his watch, start motioning to his PR assistant to remove the
asshole in front of him, or start texting or talking on his phone... he
gave me his undivided attention. I limited my time to an hour because we
all have things to do, however he noted I could stay longer and asked
that I follow up via email and keep in touch to keep the conversation
going. We have had a few emails kicking accessory ideas back and forth.
In the end, I walked away shocked at how nice and polite this infamous
celebrity was.
Arriving
at the main workshop, I found Jesse James talking to a vendor about new
CNC machines to support the JJFU firearms line. You have to understand
that his workshop is not just a welder and a couple bending machines.
It
is a huge shop with a vast depth of capabilities with layers of shop
equipment collected over the years ranging from old cast iron vintage
twelve foot presses to modern steel brakes, mills, lathes, and welding
equipment. When asked about the facilities, he said jokingly "Yeah, I
think I have enough capabilities to build a space shuttle, but I really
need more CNC capabilities".


JJFU FIREARMSLooking
over his JJFU prototypes one thing was very clear. Even if Jesse were
to use $400 worth of clearance AR15 parts, Jesse would still build a
rifle with more precision than I see many manufacturers slapping
together rifles these days. Jesse was using that same eye for detail on
his JJFU firearms that he uses on his choppers. Perfectly aligned
handguards and gas blocks, pins which were set with care without
receiver scratches. These are all the little things that make all his
JJFU AR15 and 1911 models better than the sum of the custom parts. Add
in the custom touches and you have a very fine firearm with cool
twists.

Jesse
noted “I am not a gun guy, I am a motorcycle guy that loves guns, so I
look at things completely differently than others in the industry. To me
a firearm is just another type of powder powered motor that can be
tuned and customized.” As a son of a professional artist, I am aware
that artist create differently and consider each creation a reflection
of themselves with a lot of pride in their work instead of thinking I
only have fifty five more rifles to build today.

CUSTOM PRODUCTION STYLE VS SURPRISE ME ONE-OFF CUSTOMJesse
James and West Coast Choppers (WCC) certainly have a creative legacy
however Jesse noted that “it was the rare chopper customer that just
opened up the checkbook and said surprise me. When that happened, the
final chopper was a cool one-off custom.” Most of the time buyers just
wanted the same basic WCC style they had seen on TV built a hundred
times. Of course there is the price tag that comes with a surprise me
one-off custom versus the significantly lower price of a more production
focused custom line. Jesse is already building custom firearms for
close friends, however custom production was the focus of the JJFU
firearms line - to provide custom styled firearms priced just a bit more
than what you would pay for a loaded AR15 or 1911.
FOCUS OF THE JJFU LINE
Jesse must have sensed some skepticism in my voice as I asked why guns, ARs, and 1911 formats for a new venture. Jesse’s response shocked me a bit - “Yeah, people ask the question why the world needs another AR15 and 1911 manufacturer especially one that runs around $3000 when there are options for both under $1000. We are targeted to the person that wants something custom and different that is not like a thousand other people.” Jesse went on to explain that he has owned some of the value priced AR15s and that they worked fine but were the car equivalent of the Taurus… everyone has one. He wants to focus on buyer who are looking for a full blown custom AR15s or 1911s with the extra custom tweaks just like people buy exotic & rodded cars and custom built motorcycles.
Jesse must have sensed some skepticism in my voice as I asked why guns, ARs, and 1911 formats for a new venture. Jesse’s response shocked me a bit - “Yeah, people ask the question why the world needs another AR15 and 1911 manufacturer especially one that runs around $3000 when there are options for both under $1000. We are targeted to the person that wants something custom and different that is not like a thousand other people.” Jesse went on to explain that he has owned some of the value priced AR15s and that they worked fine but were the car equivalent of the Taurus… everyone has one. He wants to focus on buyer who are looking for a full blown custom AR15s or 1911s with the extra custom tweaks just like people buy exotic & rodded cars and custom built motorcycles.

Obviously Jesse
has used the proven Houlding AR and STI 1911 designs and then has
modified the designs from there, however the base functionality will be
rock solid proven quality from the start. Jesse has also designed his
own forend design and brake, but is featuring some of the best
components in the industry like CMC triggers and Rubber City BCGs to
assure his firearms are not just cool, but also deliver performance even
in the worst military/LEO hard use environments.

Jesse
is already talking about what is next and had a very cool JJFU scroll
work custom FN pistol and is considering working on a custom AK as well.
FINAL THOUGHTSI
have without a doubt created my own versions of some crazy AR15
creations which takes time, effort, sometimes some fitting. Jesse is
offering buyers custom cool without the blood, sweat, and tears
associated with creating your own custom one-off masterpiece. Jesse
noted - “I want customers to be able to pull the gun from the box and go
compete, defend, or have fun without worrying about whether it will all
work. Every detail will be sorted out before they ship.”
I
am both anxious to test each of these models after SHOT show and see
what Jesse delivers from a custom touch perspective in the final
products. My hope is that the final Nomad and Cisco will deliver what I
experienced with Jesse during our time together… the product of a guy
who loves guns and an attention to detail the just wants to add a little bit of custom cool to the firearm industry.
JJFU NOMAD AR-15 PROPOSED SPECS16”
Barrel w/ midlength gas system, 1/8 twist 5.56x45, JJFU Upper &
Lower Receivers, Magpul MOE+ Grip, CMC Trigger, Magpul ACS Stock,
BCM-Medium Latch Charging Handle, Rubber City Armory-Full Melonite BCG,
JJFU Handguard & Brake, HPF Barrel Nut, 34 5/8” Collapsed; 38”
Extended, Weight 7.9 lbs MSRP (2014 pricing) $3299.00
JJFU CISCO 1911 PROPOSED SPECS
.45 ACP, stainless steel construction, steel mainspring housing, fixed sights, ambi safeties, full one piece guide rod, hand fit slide, fully supported ramped bushing barrel, government forged frame, Weight 2.44 lbs. Finishes are black nitride ($3199) and stainless steel ($3099).
.45 ACP, stainless steel construction, steel mainspring housing, fixed sights, ambi safeties, full one piece guide rod, hand fit slide, fully supported ramped bushing barrel, government forged frame, Weight 2.44 lbs. Finishes are black nitride ($3199) and stainless steel ($3099).
SOURCEJesse James Firearms Unlimited JJFU - http://www.jjfu.com
3 comments:
Jesse is my neighbor a good one to have at that..love his work ..all that he creates is golden..just read on infowars about how Osamabama is taking our rights to gus away through back door ..here is article link
http://www.infowars.com/obama-proposes-executive-orders-for-backdoor-gun-confiscation/
What a great article. This is another great example of what's out there on the market in the speciality build market.
Had the surprise pleasure of speaking with Mr. James on the phone and was a little torn about what to say "your an outstanding artist and Craftsman"or can I get some prices. Seemed a kind soul. And In the trade, maybe the best.
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