Rimfire and centerfire gunsmiths not the same !!!

[TRSR8]

In the past I seen a smith describe himself as Master Rifle Smith. Is there a governing organization that confers such a degree as this ?Thanks.

Self described labels are worthless, word of mouth and reputation drive the equation.

 

[CCM]

Nope! I am not for more regulation but sometimes I think it wouldnt be a bad idea. When I was a mechanic I had to take a test with the state with basic mechanical questions. Not every state requires that. Ase testing was voluntary but most shops required it. You got a little more money if you were ase master certified.

There's the American Gunmaker's Guild, but I don't know of anything for general gunsmithing. My general opinion is that qualification certificates are just glorified receipts. I saw a lot of mechanics with the same certs I had, that couldn't TS their way out of a paper bag.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

There's the American Gunmaker's Guild, but I don't know of anything for general gunsmithing. My general opinion is that qualification certificates are just glorified receipts. I saw a lot of mechanics with the same certs I had, that couldn't TS their way out of a paper bag.

True but I worked with guys that couldnt pass ase tests and they had no bussiness working on cars. It does weed out a few.

 

[TRSR8]

There's the American Gunmaker's Guild, but I don't know of anything for general gunsmithing. My general opinion is that qualification certificates are just glorified receipts. I saw a lot of mechanics with the same certs I had, that couldn't TS their way out of a paper bag.

ACGG is primarily aimed at the “ custom/ high grade” market FWIW. Some amazing craftsmen however.
I was fortunate to own an ACGG gun of the year some time ago.

 

[High Noon]

I remember a number of years ago Dwight Scoot and I were having a long discussion in the middle of Africa sitting around on the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser and I made a comment about him being a gunsmith. He abruptly corrected me and said “ I’m not a gunsmith, I simply true up actions and install barrels. A true gunsmith which I really admire is someone who can do the complete project including the precise machine work, the blueing and build a complete stock” Even though Dwight is world known for his legendary precision action and accuracy barrel work and the creator of todays leading benchrest stock he doesn’t consider himself a total gunsmith!

A few years ago I had Steve Durren now president of The Custom Gunmakers Guild do all the work on this Winchester Low Wall in 22 rimfire. It features the original action and barrel that he case colored and rust blued once all the metal prepping was completed. I then sent Steve my last two piece English Walnut blank and he made, checkered and finished the gorgeous stock. Steve is an example of what Dwight considers the total gunsmith! I plan on writing an article detailing the entire project showcasing Steve’s work.

Todd

 

[TRSR8]

I remember a number of years ago Dwight Scoot and I were having a long discussion in the middle of Africa sitting around on the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser and I made a comment about him being a gunsmith. He abruptly corrected me and said “ I’m not a gunsmith, I simply true up actions and install barrels. A true gunsmith which I really admire is someone who can do the complete project including the precise machine work, the blueing and build a complete stock” Even though Dwight is world known for his legendary precision action and accuracy barrel work and the creator of todays leading benchrest stock he doesn’t consider himself a total gunsmith!

A few years ago I had Steve Durren now president of The Custom Gunmakers Guild do all the work on this Winchester Low Wall in 22 rimfire. It features the original action and barrel that he case colored and rust blued once all the metal prepping was completed. I then sent Steve my last two piece English Walnut blank and he made, checkered and finished the gorgeous stock. Steve is an example of what Dwight considers the total gunsmith! I plan on writing an article detailing the entire project showcasing Steve’s work.

Todd


View attachment 1643594

Todd, that is a lovely LW, gotta love the single shots.
This is the only image I saved from my rifle…Steve Heilman metal, Terry Wallace engraved, miniature Gibbs Farquarson takedown action.
It was in a beautiful Huey case with a scope, horn accesories, etc.

 

[TRSR8]

Here’s another. Interesting story. This guy is not a gunsmith but a retired tool and die guy, he helped me with a SS rifle part and refused any pymt.
A long term ASSRA guy. He made every single thing from scratch except the bbl blank and scope, stock, sights, action, everything. As i recall, 32-40.
Got zero idea how many guys like this are out there but he is as good as anybody I ever saw.
Sorry for the “ sorta” thread drift.

 

[Cadoo]

I can say I am very happy with Alex’s RF work. I know for sure there are several other guys with good shooting Alex RF’s. I was at this match where I shot this target and a few guys walked over to look at my rifle and seen Wheeler Accuracy on the barrel. There was like a long drawn out Ahhhhh. They were ah Alex built that rifle. Yep! I ended up Second that day. It has shot very well for me even though I haven’t had great ammo and I’m a rookie at RFBR.
View attachment 1641701

Nice Shooting !!! At 70 I just found the entrance to the Rabbit Hole. Can't wait for the weather .
I bought a Hall .

 

[High Noon]

Tim,
What a stunning single shot rifle and chambered in one of my favorite seventeens! What a cover gun that would that have been for our Small Caliber News magazine. Love to see more photos.
Todd

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

Todd, that is a lovely LW, gotta love the single shots.
This is the only image I saved from my rifle…Steve Heilman metal, Terry Wallace engraved, miniature Gibbs Farquarson takedown action.
It was in a beautiful Huey case with a scope, horn accesories, etc.

Sigh.

I remember reading about that rifle.
Don't remember what year it was, but I sure do remember that rifle.

Sigh.

 

[TRSR8]

Tim,
What a stunning single shot rifle and chambered in one of my favorite seventeens! What a cover gun that would that have been for our Small Caliber News magazine. Love to see more photos.
Todd

All got lost except for that one, was Gun Digest cover back then.

 

[Frankr]

I used to work my day off which was Monday’s back then. For a AGMG master stock smith. Bill Simmons. He was not a gunsmith but a Master stock maker. His work was absolutely incredible. He had done several guns for the Gun makers Guild that were photographed and in hard back color page books. He built single shot black powder Rifles that they shot in silhouette competitions. Like 7-8K Rifles. We restored classic American double barrel shotguns. I learned a lot. He was a craftsman in that he could do stuff with hand tools that most would need a machine for. Effortlessly. I did not have the ability. I mostly did mechanical tear down, cleaning. Draw filing, sanding. You know the grunt stuff. lol. I haven’t seen Bill in years. I don’t even know if he’s alive. I feel bad about that. But I had done several Parker’s and L.C. Smiths for myself. They were absolutely beautiful. Sold them for big money. lol.