How to Choose a Gunsmith

[M-61]

There was some other context around it that made sense in the video

I think shortgrass said it quite well.
And I lack any desire to argue with you as generally I agree and enjoy reading your posts.
What really happened was my reading a post about shooting objects out of an obstructed barrel made me wonder why I was on the site at all. I guess it soured me .
There’s plenty of folks that can teach me a ton on this site, but I find one has to wade through a ton to find them.

 

[LVLAaron]

Gunsmiths are a lot like doctors. Just remember the old joke: “Do you know what they call the physician that graduates at the bottom of his class?” “Doctor…”. Danny

They call that a VA Doctor

 

[shortgrass]

Keep in mind that many craftsmen who hang out a shingle saying “Gunsmith” are really barrel installers.

Judging from the various threads on that subject, there is a huge demand for nothing but that.

On the interdnet, there's huge demand for nothing but that. Out here in the world, there's a huge demand for "keeping that favorite bird gun running" before quail season arrives, or making a good repair of a cracked stock that won't fail again after being repaired, or doing a trigger job on a revolver without the use of a spring kit, or drilling and tapping that's on the centerline, or curing those "it won't feed reliably" ills on a CRF action. Choke tubes, choke alterations,,,,, simple things like installing sling swivel studs that end up where they should be, not 'cock-eyed', or cutting and installing a recoil pad so it doesn't look 'hacked' and it came that way from the factory. Double gun repairs, that many aren't up too (don't ask me how many have come to me in a box/bag that some other 'gunsmith' took apart and can't seem to be able to put back together). Top of the line re-blue, every pit removed, no lettering/numbers 'smeared', all edges unmolested,,,, that the average guy doesn't know what he is looking at, he just sees that nice, new color. It can become almost endless..... As well as those custom barrel installs, muzzles threaded for cans/brakes, and bedding jobs, and those occasional 'builds', keeping the varmint hunters happy.....

 

[LVLAaron]

We should look at gunsmiths like doctors. There are many types of doctors, general practitioners, specialists, surgeons, dentists, educators, and even practitioner assistants, who generally KNOW more than the doctor they work for. Some doctors work on spines, some ear nose and throat, etc.

Some people install glock night sights, some build custom rails. There's all kinds. Speedy and Alex are probably the big names we know; are they doing revolvers, lever guns, and WWII rifles? No. They're still smiths. Are there guys that only do revolvers and lever guns? Yes, they're still gunsmiths.

To answer the original question- Ask around. Everyone is a specialist. If they say they can do anything, they're probably a bubba. The first rifle I shot competitively was touched by 4 different "smiths" - and I wouldn't change a single part of it.

Define what your desired outcome is, and then shop people who can do the work. Just, you know, don't be the guy who wants to shoot F class and insists on building a PRS rifle. There are too many of you and you're wasting your money.

 

[Webster]

Is there proper edicate when trying to find a gunsmith? Or are you supposed to just bring your firearm in, drop it off and hope for the best? I realize that there are very well known and reputable gunsmiths throughout the states, I get that. I also believe in one being highly recommended or referred by a friend or someone you trust. But when you're looking for someone local on your own how do you go about it? I'm referring to basic gunsmithing, not necessarily builds.

My thought process is to ask for a time to do a face-to-face or a meet & greet. That way both parties can get a feel for one another. Is this wrong?

If you go to a rifle range ask the guys that shoot competition if there is a local gunsmith that does top notch work. To many hobby gunsmiths with a cheap lathe in their garage or basement.

 

[precision1]

It's not difficult to find out who is best in your area for what you need done....

Unfortunately even dealing with the so called best I end up relieving bottom metal for trigger shoe rubbing,action screws to long hitting recoil lugs.etc on and on.

Not many people have attention to detail

Once I have a lathe no one will touch anything I own.i already do everything else

 

[jwv2001]

It's not difficult to find out who is best in your area for what you need done....

Oh, I know who are the best in my area. Trouble is, they are all dead.

 

[shortgrass]

Oh, I know who are the best in my area. Trouble is, they are all dead.

There's the 'rub'. Next month I'll be 69, the following year my license will come up for renewal a month after I turn 70. It's become hard to put up with the 'crap' now. The job shop is much easier, I deal with other business owners, generally. Got plenty of my own I'd like to finish before 'times up'. Not sure I'll renew, or not....

 

[ELR LVR]

Any machinist can make a screw or a bolt, or cut threads on something. But, he may not understand how and why an A5 works, and why is short cycles, or know how far the firing pin needs to protrude, or how to time a S&W after installing an over sized hand, or what 'proper' bedding of an action is. Some things overlap from machinist to gunsmith,,,,, many do not. There is more (much more) to gunsmithing than installing custom barrels and threading for a suppressor,,,, and I only mentioned a few things......... (maybe I should have said 'any machinist',,,, some only know how to push the green button)

Agree here,
Understanding not just the HOW's but the WHY's of how everything functions together is key.
This helps avoid just sticking in High dollar parts thinking a person is improving something when...
maybe not

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Don't make gunsmithing into something its not. Its a trade, just like any other trade. Choose a gunsmith the same way you choose a mechanic or an electrician.

 

[butchlambert]

I have used a lot of great smiths over 40+ years.
There are a very few talented ones that ain't worth a shit as a person .
Being top notch doesn't make you honest!