new gunsmith shop looking for suggestions

What I would offer, and like to see offered, for gunny services:

Cleaning, Inspection of MilSurps
Front/Rear Sights
Scope Mounting
MilSurp Restoration
Stock Bedding
Action Polish
Tank Blueing
Stock Repairs
FFL Transfers
Reloading tools
 
The key is good service and doing the jobs properly.
A customer must have confidence in what the gunsmith is doing for him.
I once took an old rifle to a 'gunsmith' to have him make a replacement leaf spring for me. He just gave me a blank stare. He didn't have a clue what to do.
Another, actually told to me by the 'gunsmith' who did it, put a very high dollar English double shotgun into a hot blueing tank separating the barrels. He reduced the value of that shotgun from about $50,000.00 to $50.00.:eek:
 
"The key is good service and doing the jobs properly."

AND ON TIME. In other words, ready when promised. Sure, there will be times when a parts supplier is slow, or whatever, but try to give a good time estimate and stick to it. If you are backed up, it is better not to take more work than to keep making excuses for the delay on the ones you have.

Since you are school trained, you might be able to take on an apprentice to do the semi-skilled work, like putting on recoil pads or installing scopes on rifles that are already drilled and tapped.

Also learn to turn down jobs that will be nothing but problems and money-losers, like worn out old break top revolvers. Be polite but firm - you don't work on those, period.

Jim
 
AND ON TIME. In other words, ready when promised. Sure, there will be times when a parts supplier is slow, or whatever, but try to give a good time estimate and stick to it. If you are backed up, it is better not to take more work than to keep making excuses for the delay on the ones you have.
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I only have but a bit of experience in using the service of a gunsmith, but given the experience we most often read about... it would seem that being on time and/or speedy would be far, far, FAR outside the norm in this business.

Of course, being "on time" could certainly be quoting a 10-month turnaround and delivering the firearm at 9.75 months, but it just doesn't seem like this is a "quick" service industry.
 
you definitely Pick up business doing ffl's. Once you have done a good job bore sighting and mounting a couple of scopes they will come back for other things.
 
I have to agree with 4v50 Gary. From recent personal experience I know it is difficult to find someone to work on older Colt double action revolvers. My circa 1925 police positive special needs a repair and although I found someone here in Florida to do the job I was surprised by how many gunsmiths down here shied away from the job. IMO old Colt double actions would be a niche worth considering. Best of luck!
 
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