A trip to Kelbly's - What's old is new again.

[jimmymac]

I have an old left port Panda from 1997 with no ejector that I bought a number of years ago. This action started the BR journey for me and has always been great. However, with it being a left port only with no ejector, I tinkered with the idea of having a right port added along with a new bolt with a TG ejector. I spoke to Jim Kelbly about this at a match a couple years back and he told me it wouldn't be a problem. Today I finally took the plunge and carried the action along with a new stock and other bits to Kelbly so they can build me a new rifle with the worked over action. As usual, Jim treated me like I was the only customer he had. Pretty amazing considering how busy that place is, but this customer service treatment is pretty well known.

The best part of the trip was I got to see them cut the port into my action. It just so happened that one of the CNC's was all set up for cutting ports so the nice guy at the machine told me my action was next in line and I could hang around to watch the process. He set it up in the machine, punched in the instructions and in no time flat, the deed was done. This is not something I get to see in my everyday life so it was pretty awesome.

Just wanted to share my experience. Can anyone recommend a good painter?

 

[JayHHI6818]

That’s awesome!!!!

 

[Ajwilly96]

I should be picking up my panda from them any day now. Can’t wait to check out their shop!

 

[itchyTF]

Can anyone recommend a good painter?

Stock painter? @Bc'z

 

[jimmymac]

I should be picking up my panda from them any day now. Can’t wait to check out their shop!

I saw some new ones in a bin.

 

[Fuj]

That's not a bad drive for you at all. And Yeah......Bc'z for the paint !!

 

[jimmymac]

That's not a bad drive for you at all. And Yeah......Bc'z for the paint !!

He’s already on retainer. We have something cool cooking.

 

[WyleWD]

Glad you got to see that Jimmy. Service and dealing with Kelbley's is always great. GREAT people there. JME. WD

 

[jimmymac]

Glad you got to see that Jimmy. Service and dealing with Kelbley's is always great. GREAT people there. JME. WD

It was really great. I’ve shot with Jim numerous times at Chippewa, but that’s my first time at his shop.

 

[AlNyhus]

It was really great. I’ve shot with Jim numerous times at Chippewa, but that’s my first time at his shop.

Good stuff, buddy. .-Al

 

[David Conder]

Like Jimmymac said I ordered a new bolt from kelbys like he said they treated me like I was the only customer the tg ejectors you have bolt stop to use ejectors if your action is glued in you will have to remove to make that work or if you canget to the bolt stop from the bottom your good

 

[jimmymac]

Like Jimmymac said I ordered a new bolt from kelbys like he said they treated me like I was the only customer the tg ejectors you have bolt stop to use ejectors if your action is glued in you will have to remove to make that work or if you canget to the bolt stop from the bottom your good

The action is stand alone right now. It will end up in a new stock after the action work is completed and @Bc'z works his magic.

 

[gat]

Josh Lemmon. Ask Kelbly he's painted quite a few for them and is a staff shooter.

 

[jimmymac]

Josh Lemmon. Ask Kelbly he's painted quite a few for them and is a staff shooter.

I've seen some of those paint jobs. Really nice but out of my price range. I'm comfortable that I'll get just as good of a job if not better right here using the #1 painter on this forum.

 

[cmysix]

I should be picking up my panda from them any day now. Can’t wait to check out their shop!

your gonna have to wait. this guy jumped in front of you.

 

[David Conder]

I am on a special list lol

 

[Ajwilly96]

your gonna have to wait. this guy jumped in front of you.

I will say 10 months has flown by!

 

[jimmymac]

Kelbly's did a great job all the way around. Couldn't be happier.

Check out the finish our resident paint dude @Bc'z did! The guy can sand and paint with the best of them. It's slicker than owl shit on a door knob.

 

[Murray Brook]

Nice looking rifle, Jim

 

[Bc'z]

Kelbly's did a great job all the way around. Couldn't be happier.

Check out the finish our resident paint dude @Bc'z did! The guy can sand and paint with the best of them. It's slicker than owl shit on a door knob.

All that and an awesome $10 lunch!!
Your right the nitride on the bolt looks great.
Let .e know how the range trip goes