Who would you nominate as greatest gunsmith?

[langenc]

Won't name mine, because they do not need more business or to be flooded with more calls and emails then they already have to deal with. As I bet many top smiths do not want or need to be promoted.
My 2-Cents
Donovan

I treat my doctor the same way.

 

[JLT]

I went to the OP's #1 post and didn't see it. I believe this is why we are seeing all types of gunsmiths, except?

James Anderson in South Dakota does more than installing barrels.

Jim Kobe-a member of this forum did this one

That is spectacular! Absolutely spectacular.

 

[slow bob]

gentleman..best is almost impossible to say..there are many talented accuracy smiths who are expert machinist and assemblers..less who are that plus fine metalsmiths with engraving skills and experts on different actions.also woodworking skills.for me being older I like the guys who can run a lathe and all other necessary machines and equipment without cnc equipment..yes cnc is the new thing and it is phenominal and any smith who can afford it should have it for the speed and precision..anyway my smiths have been jim borden,clay spencer,col billy stevens,mike Bryant and mark penrod.they have all produced a quality product.i have used custom actions and rems and a Winchester..as far as attention to detail on a Remington and aesthetics clay spencer is superb.when it comes to Winchesters and skills mark penrod is as good as anyone alive.as good as anyone with a Remington also.he just has a niche with Winchesters.there are some newer guys on hear I will be checking into in the next year on a build.alex wheeler interests me a lot.also jon beanland and travis stevens.good shooting and good hunting

 

[KenOath]

David Kerr best in OZ hands down...

 

[Stan Taylor]

P

Best in what type gunsmithing? I think most of the guys listed are very good accuracy smiths. Is this what you are looking for or what?

There's a big difference in a gunsmith than a riflesmith a true gunsmith does it all.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Tom Gillman, Hot Springs, AR RIP

 

[ireload2]

You might check out the custom rifle forum at ACCURATE RELOADING. They have a lot of photos of custom work by artist quality gunsmiths. Most would never do any general gunsmithing or accuracy gunsmithing.
Who is good or best depends on what service or product you need and if you can even afford it.
Duane Wiebe is a good one whose work I will never own but I still like to look at.

http://customgunandrifle.com/2-uncategorised/1-duane-wiebe

 

[LoganDon]

Dean Parker, Wellsville Utah. Custom guns, specializes in Remington 700s, active benchrest shooter. A one man shop with all the proper tools, rates are reasonable and fairly quick turn around. He has built several very, very accurate rifles for me as well as my incredibly accurate bat in 6ppc.

 

[GSPV]

Well, let me say that no matter how good their work, if a gunsmith, or any other craftsman, can’t get your job done on something like the agreed-upon schedule, they are pert near worthless.

 

[North Fork]

I think we should add ALEX WHEELER He is a very good gunsmith

 

[Grimstod]

Bill Goad from PremierAccuracy.com

 

[Jeff A]

As much as I appreciate it, in NO WAY should my name be mentioned with the "greats". I have a pretty small "expertise" in a very small world of competition. Pope, Ackley, and such were true innovators while other like Dwight Scott and Billy Stevens have built so many record breakers. Time will tell.

True, time will tell but you are marking up some good points for your record. Keep up the good work.

 

[JimPag]

Well for short range BR it's hard to beat Dwight Scott.

 

[Tommie]

My nomination:
All local gunsmiths. Those guys have to deal with everything from “Can you bore sight my scope?” to full-on custom projects. And all the while spending way too much time talking to tire kickers and other people who are mostly interested in chatting about guns. A local (and very talented) smith in my area finally gave it up.

 

[BenPerfected]

As much as I appreciate it, in NO WAY should my name be mentioned with the "greats". I have a pretty small "expertise" in a very small world of competition. Pope, Ackley, and such were true innovators while other like Dwight Scott and Billy Stevens have built so many record breakers. Time will tell.

How much of the shooting results credit would you give to the “top ten” gunsmiths as compared to the “top ten” Benchrest or F Class shooters? What % of the final results in a PGA tournament is based on the equipment? An old saying, “it is not the arrow, it’s the Indian”. Many of us average shooters spend way too much time focused on the equipment vs learning how to really shoot.
Where are the professional shooting coaches? All the golf pros have coaches. How about someone starts coaching intermediate CF shooters? Maybe $100-$150 hr for a lesson?
Sign me up, I’m tired for burning up ammo and barrels.
Ben

 

[suasponte]

Dave Bruno

 

[Raythemanroe]

Browning short list:

Concepts to spring from the mind of John Moses Browning were the .22 caliber rifle, the pump action shotgun, the Browning Automatic Rifle (also known as the BAR), the semi-automatic shotgun, and the Colt .45 pistol.

Ray

 

[Jeff A]

Browning short list:

Concepts to spring from the mind of John Moses Browning were the .22 caliber rifle, the pump action shotgun, the Browning Automatic Rifle (also known as the BAR), the semi-automatic shotgun, and the Colt .45 pistol.

Ray

I'm not sure the OP meant to include gun designers as such when referring to Gunsmiths. Certainly John M. Browning is the greatest designer of all time IMHO, and he did it without CAD/CAM! He had so many innovations he has to be the greatest. Definitely not a "One Trick Pony"!

 

[Wingnut00]

Plain and simple. MY gunsmith! Not gonna say his name cause he is busy enough. I call him a week in advance and he says come over, let's build a rifle. To be clear my rifles don't have fancy wood but he does that to. I've seen pics of some wood stocks he has done and they are incredible. Takes a bit longer than my guns but for my guns and requirements I walk in on Saturday morning, ask a bunch of questions, watch the whole process and walk out at the end of the day with a complete rifle that is gonna shoot like I expect. I had a couple problems once and he simply said "get your ass over here"! Fixed my issues within thirty minutes and away I went happier than a Muslim in a goat pen.
MY gunsmith is always willing to answer any questions and give advice that I'm needing and when I run into him at a match or walk into his shop unannounced he is always friendly and my bud even though he is busy. It's pretty cool havin a great gunsmith.

 

[harlon32]

Isn't the old gentleman Mr. Buhmiller?

frank Wilson from burnett tx