How to find a good Gunsmith?

B

baddarryl

New member
Hi all. How does the layperson id a good smith? Are there some questions to ask? Does age usually play a role (especially with revolvers)? What say you? Thanks.
 
Finding a good local smith can be a process.. Look for someone that has been around a while, has pictures of his work, ect...

There are a few steps to this, join a range or frequent a gun shop, they will have ideas about who is good...

Now I have mroe than one smith because I have learned that most smiths aren't great at everything, I have 1 smith thhat is a genious when it comes to 1911's and he is also really good with revolvers {his hand checkering is scond to none I have ever seen}, I have another smith that is really good with everything else and a good all around smith for stuff like repairs and basic machine work...

What do you need done? I would start at your local gun shop..
 
Regarding revolvers and age, parts for some older revolvers may be hard to get or if you get a part, it may not fit (because it's used and was fitted for another gun). This may result in the part being hand fabricated by the smith. The trouble with that is that making the part may cost you more than the price of the gun itself.

As for finding a good smith, ask them how much experience they have with that gun. Ask for examples of their work. Ask them for references.

Cylinder and Slide is good http://www.cylinder-slide.com/ as is Bob Dunlap's operation, http://www.piscogunsmithing.com/.

As for myself, I fix my own. :D
 
If you have a gun that isn't common such as a double barrel rifle do a very thorough carefull search for a 'smith !! Especially those triggers require a specialist !
 
Local Gun Shops/Dealers.

One very good source, is local Gun-Shops. Give yourself about a 30 or 50 mile radius. These dealers can also help you define the specialty guys. It's common to hear comments like; He is really good, on 1911's. ..... ;)


Good Luck and;
Be Safe !!!
 
If I were you, I'd ask the hunters in your area, and anyone who handles a lot of guns, traders, and shops, etc. The one you hear their name popping up most, with a good report, is generally who to seek out. To me, I would say overall experience is the main plus, but then again, I have seen some mighty good young gunsmiths, too. Also, ask around who's refinishing guns, especially hot bluing. If the gun looks like a factory job when they're finished, then they have experience. If they look like a sucked on lolly-pop, from aggressive polishing, or pits are present in all the bluing, then pass them on by.
 
I agree. Even if a shop doesn't advertise repair work, they often take in trade guns that need fixed so they usually have a gunsmith they know and trust.

Jim
 
Word of mouth is usually a good way. Find a shooter you respect and trust and ask him or ask on various websites who know a good 'smith in xxx area or near xxx city. That's how I did it.
 
If you have ordinary work (parts replacement) you need done, any experienced ordinary smith can probably do it.

If you have specialty work to be done (accuracy rifle, stock work, revolver work, auto pistol work) go to Gun List and see who is advertised as a good smith.

Yes, word of mouth is usually the best. Referrals are OK, but a smith won't give you the name of someone who does poor work. Photos are OK, but a smith won't show you the ones he botched, and you have no way of knowing if the pictures are actually his work. Ask to see work the smith is currently doing, something similar to what you are looking to have done. If he can't show you current work, look somewhere else. I always have a rifle around that I am working on (right now I have 12!), as well as a pistol or two and revolvers to show to a prospective customer.
 
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