Broughton Barrels closed !!!

[284winner]

Bought 4 of Tim's barrels when I originally heard he was selling. Then it didn't happen till I just was texted that he closed. Think I heard this over a year ago. Again, not sure if he's selling or simply closing the doors for good. Originally I heard he sold it. I need to call him and get "The rest of the story" from the horses mouth I guess.

 

[jonbearman]

Its a shame he didn't train a person interested in this business and turn the business to him and he gets a cut of what you do as retirement. I know the perfect guy but it is too late.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Many cut rifling barrel makers got their start with Boots Obermyer. Just to name a couple of his employees who learned at Boots Obermyer, we have John Rock of Rock Creek, James Lederer of Lederer Barrel.

I believe Anthony at ABC also worked or learned under Boots. I think Tim North also had several good people that he taught over the years, that went on making barrels either for them self or for other makers.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

their 5C rimfire barrels were also some of the best, The man could lap a barrel!

Yessir. He told me that he inspected every barrel that left the shop and I think he lapped all the rimfire barrels...IIRC.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I agree 100%. Tim was a gentleman and fellow shooter and great businessman. I'll miss his service and quality barrels. Hoping someone will have more information on his closing up shop. Maybe retirement ??? Hoping not any health related issues. 2020 has been a rough enough year for most people

Unfortunately, I'm afraid that 2020 may be the demise of many small businesses before its all said and done.

 

[Downhill]

Have always loved a Broughton barrel. Someone told me years ago the company was bought from a family in Big Springs Tx, and moved up north. Don't recall anyone stating the barrel quality diminished. Hopefully a new owner can pick up where Tim left off. Enjoyed visiting with him over the phone when ordering a barrel, don't remember talking about the product just different things. Super nice guy.

 

[waverly]

Always loved dealing with Tim. He was extremely helpful. I've shot quite a few of the 5C barrels over the years. I'm going to miss dealing with Tim, and shooting his barrels. I'm glad I've got a couple for future projects in the closet.

Thanks you Tim

Waverly

 

[KMart]

Have always loved a Broughton barrel. Someone told me years ago the company was bought from a family in Big Springs Tx, and moved up north. Don't recall anyone stating the barrel quality diminished. Hopefully a new owner can pick up where Tim left off. Enjoyed visiting with him over the phone when ordering a barrel, don't remember talking about the product just different things. Super nice guy.

It looks like the original company was owned by Bruce Broughton in Big Spring, Tx

 

[rhovee]

I talked to Tim for quite a while on Friday. A machinest purchased the business recently and is in the process of moving it down to Kentucky. Tim will head down and show him all the necessary steps in his barrel making process. They expected to have things back up and running early fall.

 

[284winner]

I talked to Tim for quite a while on Friday. A machinest purchased the business recently and is in the process of moving it down to Kentucky. Tim will head down and show him all the necessary steps in his barrel making process. They expected to have things back up and running early fall.

Sure hope his quality is as good as Tim's. I'm a Bartlein barrel guy as well so it doesn't hurt so bad as Bartleins are phenomenal barrels also. Just will miss Tim's mild manner and genuine personality

 

[rhovee]

Tim was very insistent that the quality of his barrels needs to remain the same. He is going to oversee some of it. It helps that the person that bought it also has a large machine shop and is familiar with tooling.

 

[Outrider27]

My only true custom rifle was built around a Bat Machine action and a Broughton barrel blank. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Let's not forget Craig Kostyshyn. He made some of the best barrels on the planet and I've never heard of one that didn't shoot. He had a knack for hand lapping barrels that was unequaled. A handful of well know gunsmiths that I have talked to about Craig all said the same thing.

I still shoot one of his 30br barrels- still holds a record i believe. What ever happened to him?

 

[Iowa Fox]

Brux?

These folks are the easiest to do business with.

 

[JimPag]

Using an old quote Dusty: "Rumor has it" - he went through a divorce, got over-extended financially, couldn't meet demand, and finally threw in the towel and sold out. Whether that's true or not, I really don't know. He was a fairly young man, so I don't think it was a health issue. Maybe someone with more info can chime in?

Chris Mitchell

Chris he did get into some financial trouble. He did take money from people and told them that when he gets them done he would ship them out and never did. What really effected him was he was riding his motorcycle with his GF and her brother and she went off the road right in front of Craig and was killed. That really screwed him up in the head. He closed shop and moved back to Canada.

 

[moondog]

Many cut rifling barrel makers got their start with Boots Obermyer. Just to name a couple of his employees who learned at Boots Obermyer, we have John Rock of Rock Creek, James Lederer of Lederer Barrel.

Mark Chanlynn was one of the first "trainees "
To learn the trade from Boots. Never advertised, was always busy. Now age is catching up.

 

[cjames]

I have said this before and I think it matters who is putting the barrel on more than who made the barrel. As long as it is a reputable manufacture. You can take the best barrel in the world and if its not installed correctly its trash.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have said this before and I think it matters who is putting the barrel on more than who made the barrel. As long as it is a reputable manufacture. You can take the best barrel in the world and if its not installed correctly its trash.

You cant make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. No matter how good you are a chitty barrel will never shoot

 

[Brians356]

You cant make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. No matter how good you are a chitty barrel will never shoot

good engine + bad carburetor = bad engine + good carburetor
-

 

[K22]

I didn't cry but was extremely disappointed when Leupold dropped their 1" diameter, excellent VX II scopes, specifically the 4 x 12 and 6 x 18 with adjustable objectives, clear glass, simple duplex reticles and reasonably priced.

I could walk into any gun shop and pick up a simple, effective, reasonably priced scope and be shooting that afternoon. Also I could inspect it at the shop before purchasing it. Now everything is so complicated - first vs. second focal plane, 1", 30 mm, 34mm tubes, complex reticles that look like a home project gone sideways, etc.

Oh well, I'm nearing the end of my shooting life so I can take some solace that for most of my shooting career was uncomplicated. One could focus on shooting and hunting not the complicated equipment decisions.