are most gunsmiths pain in the butt

[NateHaler]

You'll have a good experience with Mikey Coleman. He understands "value engineering". Listen to his recommendations, he'll be trying to save you money on the rifle that *you* want.

Is Mikey any relation to Mickey Coleman (the custom rifle gunsmith)?

 

[dksac2]

As a Retired Gunsmith, I have a pretty good prespective.

First of all, a gunsmith works for you. A good smith may make suggestions based on his experience, but should not argue if you want something different. That said, if what you want is something that may hurt accuracy, he may not guarentee the accuracy.

Most good to excellent gunsmiths are backed up with work. If they are not backed up, chances are they are not a very good smith.

Gunsmiths should be paid far more than what they charge, the prices you pay are very reasonable for the work done, the amount of equipment they have to have, consumables and they have to be a jack of all trades.

There are good smiths, great smiths and Master Gunsmiths. The master gunsmiths are far and few, there are far more very good gunsmiths. When you find a great or master smith, treat him like gold, it will come back to you.

If you work with your smith on your project, you will find most willing to help you in any way they can.

It is many times worth sending your firearm to a distant smith than settle for a not very good local smith.

Do plan on a smith having your gun for a while. He should be able to give you an approximate time it will be done, but some guns that should be quick to fix, sometimes take a lot longer, so at times, it may take longer to finish your firearm.

Don't call every week to see when your firearm is done, when it gets towards the time he said it would be done, then call.

Make sure everything is covered from the start, try not to change your mind half way through the peoject.

Have the money ready when it's done and expect to or offer to pay for any parts needed up front, the smith should not have to put his own money out for the period of time it takes to get your project done.

Here is one smith who I know to be fantastic, will talk with you, knows ballistics, great guy to work with.
S&S Sporting/Savagegunsmithing in Driggs, ID, the gunsmith Scott Null is a Master Gunsmith and is the best Gunsmith I have ever seen by far, works on any kind of firearm. He can be reached at 208-313-1570, www.savagegunsmithing.com You guys with Savage rifles should give Scott a call, he does the best work on them of any smith, period. The CEO of Savage includes Scott in round tables with him, his engineers, designers and floor managers and builds guns for the CEO.
Maybe others can list gunsmiths that they have found to be exceptional. I have seen many who have had a very bad time finding an excellent smith, one that can be trusted and is easy to work with and one who loves firearms.

Don't settle for a smith that won't work with you, it's your firearm. If he's an excellent smith, you do want to listen to suggestions, but beware of a smith who is just trying to make more money off of you. Some of the better things such as bases, rings, barrels may cost more, but are worth the money, but if you have found an honest smith, he will help you work within your budgit.

There are some fantastic smiths out there, you just need to find the one who knows exactly what he is doing, is honest, charges reasonable prices and will treat you right. Be very careful, there are hacks out there also, ask how long he has been smithing, training etc. The guy who just finished his AGI course will mess up your project.

My Best, John K

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have been using Randy Gregory of Meford, WI for somthing like 13 years now, wouldn't even think of using anyone else.