finding / choosing a gunsmith

B

BobGnKY

New member
Okay, I tried a search and didn't find what I was looking for.

This may seem like a simple question, but to me, it's not so simple.

I have been living in the Louisville, KY area for about 10 yrs, and have NO Idea who I should use for a gunsmith. I have some good quality firearms that have been passed down through the family, some of which really should have a checkup before I shoot them again. I don't want to use just any tom, dick, or harry who has a shingle up in front of his home on Dixie Highway or wherever, but I want someone who is reputable AND qualified, AND someone I would feel comfortable leaving a firearm with that needed work.

to me, choosing a gunsmith is like my wife choosing a hairdresser, it's a very personal decision. so, with that in mind ...

How do I go about choosing a gunsmith without going through the trial-and-error process which could either potentially ruin my "hand-me-downs" or end up with them missing or stolen? What should I look for? Is WildAlsaka my only choice? ;)
 
ask for references

If you ask a reputable smith for references, he should have a number of customers whose phone number he will share with you so you can ask them about his service. I ask each of my customers if they mind me doing so and list it on their info card.

Nothing like talking to this customers to find out how well a job he does. Make sure to ask him for the good with the bad because most anyone can give a long list of satisfied customers, it the ones that aren't happy that you need to talk to the most. Ask the reference what he was dissatisfied with and see if this is something that you can live with or work out with the smith.

With the shipping that we have these days, there is no reason to use a local guy if you can't get along with him or don't trust him. Visit some forums and check out their advertisers and check them out as well. Best of luck with your search.
 
Ask at any local gun shop who they would use or recommend.
In Louisville you have Firearms Service Center( Gray Roman),Dannys Gun Repair (Danny is dead but I understand that his partner still runs shop at Bluegrass Indoor Range)
Dean Fransico at Sport Shooters
And CW Shooters (that's me)
All these are gunsmiths that have been in buisness for years and I know/worked most of them for years and and never have heard any of the above beening dishonest.
Some peaple will say that this is no good or whatever.
Me I am a little slow but then I guess I am one of those Tom , Dick or Harry with the shingle but not on Dixie Hwy. in Fern Creek.
 
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I've had work done by Fred Speers, ( here in Lou.) that I was happy with. Its been YEARS ago (about 15 years), and don't know if he even works on guns anymore.( He was OLD then!)
I've lost his number, BUT I wish I had it NOW. I need some parts for an old I.N.A. pistol.
Anyone got any help, I'd be thankful.
 
"...like my wife choosing a hairdresser..." More like choosing a vehicle mechanic, but it's the same idea. Asking for references is a good idea. If he won't or can't give them move along. Mind you, if you're a shooting club member, asking there is probably the best source of a reliable reference. As with providing job references, nobody will give you the name of somebody who isn't going to give you a glowing report.
 
Thanks all for the info ...
Guncrank, I appreciate all the local references. I'll definitely check them out. To be fair, you don't sound like the "tom, dick, or harry" I was referring to. I'll check your info out, also.

My dad used the same gunsmith for all the years I can remember. He was "it" in our small town. He was a (semi)retired US Marshall who had a gun/sports shop in town.
 
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