Who would you nominate as greatest gunsmith?

[ebb]

I like watching the U tube videos made by a gunsmith named Mark Novak. Not sure i want him building me a short or long range BR rifle, but something broken is right up his alley.

 

[FNSafari]

I like watching the U tube videos made by a gunsmith named Mark Novak. Not sure i want him building me a short or long range BR rifle, but something broken is right up his alley.

IMO, if he can resurrect a dewated English sub gun, he can do about anything. Can't remember if it was a Lanchester or other?

 

[WSnyder]

Bob Dunlap and Bob Brackney are two that come to mind.

 

[GetReal]

Basd on price alone.... me.

For quality.... Bugholes / Southern Precision Rifle.

Equal / close second...Compass Lake.

Craddock is good also.

 

[DShortt]

From the responses I've read I presume the thread is geared toward current gunsmiths.
However if we're talking all time I'd have to nominate John Moses Browning and Harry Melville Pope.

Both were doing remarkable things with available technology and information.

If you're into studying those two will humble you.

 

[333smitty]

The term Gunsmith tends to be thrown around lightly.

Heck, I chamber my own barrels, build my own rifles and perform various operations that involve machine work as needed……
But I am by no means a Gunsmith.

A Gunsmith is someone who has the knowledge and tools to perform tasks on a wide variety of firearms, from handguns, shotguns, and rifles.

What many of us refer to as Gunsmiths are in reality Riflesmiths, or perhaps to break it down further, Barrel Smiths.

Possibly the best all around Gunsmith I know is Dale Hutchinson in Texas. He is long retired, (he is probably in his 90’s), but he could not only build winning Match Rifles, but get your PPK functioning correctly.

TJ Jackson, The former U2 pilot.

Hey Butch

Was T.J. Jackson the same Jackson involved in the Houston Wherehouse saga???

Thanks
Vic

 

[DeerHunter82]

Did anybody mention Bruce Baer yet?

 

[Bob3700]

In my view, the Stock work sets Gunsmiths apart from Gun Builders.

Stock work is an art in itself. My shooting buddy is a “Stock Maker” professionally. I wanted a specific stock for my Palma rifle and he agreed to make it. what I didn’t realize at the time was he was going to help ME make it. That whole process is so much more involved than u can imagine.
Selecting a blank that is the correct size for the finished product and hoping there are no surprises once u start cutting the wood ( like insect holes or voids in the wood).
When using a stock duplicator, u need a pattern. The prep work to create/ modify the pattern took a lot of time. Is the butt area of the pattern wide enough for the adjustable buttplate assy. u will be using?
Aligning the blank in the duplicator with the pattern is very involved. U don’t want a misalignment between the pattern n the blank. Once the router starts to remove material, u cannot put the wood back on!
Now the stock transfers from the duplicator to the vertical mill, now u have to determine the bbl. inletting, depth of action, location of the trigger n guard, how deep to place the forend rail.
Trigger shoe to guard is a critical dimension. Don’t want an issue here.
u may be doing all of this work on an expensive piece of fancy wood n u only get one shot.
So, what I realized after making my own stock is:
A. I don’t really know anything about precision wood working.
B. Stock makers don’t charge enough to really make the job worth their while.their better off working as an internet influencer.
Bob

 

[209jones]

I can't say that any particular one is the "Greatest", depends what you want done, and if they are comfortable doing it for you. The greatest, may also be the guy that says "nope, won't do that, but, I know someone I trust to do it right".

 

[LVLAaron]

Fred Sinclair.

Because since I could walk I was enamored with the rifles he built for my father.... and there's a wall of trophies and old BR magazine articles that go along with them... and I have a bunch of the widgets he built.. that I still use today. (arbor press, neck turner, etc)

 

[old_heli_logger]

"Parker Otto Ackley"

August 23, 1989 RIP

My vote is for Larry AKA "savagedasher"

 

[1K Luver]

My vote goes to -

Lou's Gunwork

11285 Ringtail Rd, Penn Valley, CA 95946

(530) 432-4443

lousgunwork.com

He specializes in handguns but he can expertly deal with long guns as well. He has brought some pretty nasty rifles back to life.

​

 

[old_heli_logger]

My vote goes to @Alex Wheeler

Home | wheeleraccuracy

www.wheeleraccuracy.com

 

[BobT]

The reason we do is we can make 300+ chambering a barrel or $8/hr and half a day making a spring for a single barrel shotgun and then have to listen to bitching when we only charge $45 after having to hold it in the safe for 3mo til the guy needs it again.

There you have it!

I have just read through this entire thread and really enjoyed it. I work in a small gun repair shop and some of the things that people ask for simply amaze me. I had an experience as a young boy that stuck with me over the years, there was a gentleman that was considered to be the best local "gunsmith" whom I called about my malfunctioning .22. I asked if he was a gunsmith and his reply was "no, I'm a gun fixer". I have the greatest respect for the guys who do the quality work in the accuracy game and I think anymore you must specialize to make a living. I can reline your .22 or rebarrel your deer rifle and make a spring for your antique revolver. If I want a benchrest rifle I'm going to have one of the guys that builds them for a living to build it for me.
There are many great gunsmiths and innovators mentioned in this thread. I didn't count but I think the name I see most is Parker Ackley. I have one of Mr. Ackley's rifles and it's a nice piece but I'm not sure a person could make a living today doing what he did.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Sid Goodling.....RIP

Very patient Mentor who always had time for you...

Regards
Rick

 

[FNSafari]

I'm not going to play the greatest gunsmith theme, but IMO one of the best was Gary Long of Millville, PA. One man, small shop, all work was his. No trainees, journeymen. He could do it all, lock, stock and barrel. He was a fine hunter gun competitor for years, both he and wife Helen. They were helpful, friendly and full of sage advice. Helen passed 10 or so years ago and Gary has retired from commercial gunsmithing. I miss them both.

 

[JimPag]

I'm not going to play the greatest gunsmith theme, but IMO one of the best was Gary Long of Millville, PA. One man, small shop, all work was his. No trainees, journeymen. He could do it all, lock, stock and barrel. He was a fine hunter gun competitor for years, both he and wife Helen. They were helpful, friendly and full of sage advice. Helen passed 10 or so years ago and Gary has retired from commercial gunsmithing. I miss them both.

Exactly Greg because there is no such thing as the greatest gunsmith. There were and are many good gunsmiths that we've had over the years. Mike Walker, Oliver Winchester, Samuel Colt, John Moses Browning, Remington, Sid Goodling, Dwight Scott, Seely Masker, Vince Pastorelli, Bob Green, Bob Brackney, Billy Stevens. I could go on and on. Everyone is going to have their own opinion as to who they think is the greatest but again there is no such animal. Each one especially the early smiths like, Winchester, Browning, Colt, Remington, ect contributed more to the gunsmithing industry than anyone today.

 

[kountryboy2]

Can't leave out the late,Tom Seitz. I think Tom has some hall of fame points in benchrest and his rifles were pretty good in there time

Tom turned into a custom shotgun/barrelsmith for trap shooters and live pigeon shooters. In the early 80s Tom started building his own single shot trap gun. He completed 44 of them I believe. Number 45 is in the ATA hall a fame just as it was when he was working on it. There're also some of Tom's benchrest targets on display in the ATA hall of fame building.

 

[Pete Wass]

I like watching the U tube videos made by a gunsmith named Mark Novak. Not sure i want him building me a short or long range BR rifle, but something broken is right up his alley.

I watch his vids also and he is an amazing Gunsmith and deserves the title.

Pete

 

[spike-55]

Exactly Greg because there is no such thing as the greatest gunsmith. There were and are many good gunsmiths that we've had over the years. Mike Walker, Oliver Winchester, Samuel Colt, John Moses Browning, Remington, Sid Goodling, Dwight Scott, Seely Masker, Vince Pastorelli, Bob Green, Bob Brackney, Billy Stevens. I could go on and on. Everyone is going to have their own opinion as to who they think is the greatest but again there is no such animal. Each one especially the early smiths like, Winchester, Browning, Colt, Remington, ect contributed more to the gunsmithing industry than anyone today

Exactly as James D. Intended in his original post, there are lots of GREAT gunsmiths but probably no GREATEST from a contemporary point of view per Jim's point. However like many of you on this site I am very fortunate to have acquired a few examples (some multiple's) made by some of the ones already listed and some that to me, have been glaringly left off the list??
Speedy Gonzales
Alan Hall
Ralph Stolle
Ronnie Long
Don Geraci
Gary Ocock
Steve Kostanich
James Messer
Bruce Lachappell
Dwight Scott
Keith Weil AKA cigarcop
Sid Goodling
Gordy Gritters
Dan Dowling
Alex Wheeler
Jim Borden
Wayne Campbell
Billy Stevens
Mike Bryant
Dave Tooley
Clarence Hammonds
Mark Penrod
Dusty Stevens
Chad Dixon
Kelbly Team
Bruce Thom - Bat
Each of these have enriched the sport and provided a measure of accuracy enhancement that others can build on in the future. We are all lucky to have these gentlemen associated with our sport!!

PS - I might add I would be somewhat more positive in the bank account if it were not for these folks!!!! But what the heck, we got to have fun at retirement age to keep us busy and out of the recliner. Better them than the home shopping networks lol!!!!!!
stan