Who would you nominate as greatest gunsmith?

[ragsflh]

Parker Otto Ackley.

the best

 

[butchlambert]

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?

 

[dave@aDave]

Mark Penrod

 

[338 Mollett]

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?

I think most of the guys listed are very good accuracy smiths

Well said and many not listed!

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Robert Kleinguenther.

 

[PWS]

I'm surprised nobody has nominated James V. Howe or Fred Wells for the title. They both are certainly worth nomination (but too many excellent suggestions to vote for just one!)

 

[RustyMetal]

I have only been to one shooting related machinist, but Kenneth Porter at Porter Precision Products is really good.

 

[hogan]

Ed Shilen or Robert Hart. Not one mention in 5 pages (so far)...
PO Ackley was not a benchrest gunsmith. Wrote two great volumes; I've never read either...
Pope was known for barrels; how about Boots Obermeyer?
Shilen built benchrest actions and great barrels, also installed his barrels and trued actions for customers; bench and hunting etc.

George Gardner has built the premier precision rifle firm, at least in terms of tactical rifles, in only 20-25yrs; GA Precision.

Hart or Shilen had probably more impact on American shooting in the precision realm than anyone who ever lived.
Gale McMillan pioneered the stock technology and production that made big gains in precision/accuracy possible...

Put this matter into perspective. Most guys mentioned in previous pages have started-up in the tactical rifle boom that began in the late 90s; most came after 2005/7. Rifle building is not "gunsmithing" anymore than parts changing from computer diagnosis makes one a "mechanic". Anyone who grasps the basic concepts conducive to accuracy can build a sub .40 producing rifle. Yeah, there are some great shooters that build rifles like Jim Borden, also stocks. Borden is more the greatest shooter than the greatest gunsmith, but maybe that is a chicken/egg kind of thing? He has always used Shilen barrels, iirc...

Personally, I was acquainted with Howard Dietz of New Braunfels Tx. Many top flite benchrest competitors held him in high esteem.

 

[savagedasher]

My vote would be for PO Ackley
I don't know of any gun smith that has contributed more to the shooting sport.
Without his work we wouldn't of had theAI
Shoulder . Many of the sub calibers he developed and the same for the larger .
I have the 1 and 2 books hard copies signed by him . He my choice by far .larry

 

[PMA3]

My vote would be for PO Ackley
I don't know of any gun smith that has contributed more to the shooting sport.
Without his work we wouldn't of had theAI
Shoulder . Many of the sub calibers he developed and the same for the larger .
I have the 1 and 2 books hard copies signed by him . He my choice by far .larry

Sid Goodling

 

[savagedasher]

Sid Goodling

What did he make that change the shooting sport for ever.
Not saying he was a great gun smith .
Larry

 

[butchlambert]

How about Hervey Lovell?

 

[dkhunt14]

What did he make that change the shooting sport for ever.
Not saying he was a great gun smith .
Larry

Larry if you go back and read the posts, the OP was looking for modern day gunsmiths. Matt

 

[dkhunt14]

What did he make that change the shooting sport for ever.
Not saying he was a great gun smith .
Larry

Larry if you read post one slowly and read post 46, the OP was looking for modern day gunsmiths. Matt

 

[butchlambert]

Larry if you read post one slowly and read post 46, the OP was looking for modern day gunsmiths. Matt

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

 

[dkhunt14]

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

In post one he talks about Billy Stevens and shows a pic with Billy and Wayne, both modern current smiths. Seeing James competes I thought he was talking about current winning BR gunsmiths. Nowhere did he talk about all time or old ones. In post 46 he says he was looking for modern ones. Matt

 

[butchlambert]

In post one he talks about Billy Stevens and shows a pic with Billy and Wayne. Nowhere did he talk about all time or old ones. In post 46 he says he was looking for modern ones. Matt

So he could be a deceased modern guy? Problem is there are several guys out there that have a huge amount of talent that most on here are not aware of.

 

[cjames]

I don't think anyone has mentioned Chad Dixon or Jim See. They seem to be good, but i'm not a smith.

 

[savagedasher]

Larry if you read post one slowly and read post 46, the OP was looking for modern day gunsmiths. Matt

I went the headline
Who would you nominate as the greatest gunsmith?
No 46 is way Down the list .
My bad I guess. lol Larry
I don't any gun smiths now .
Colonel Ken Trout is the last gun smith I knew . He was a certified gun smith and had paper stateing it .

 

[Milo 2.0]

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

Your pics exemplify fully as to what do you want from a smith. 15 yrs ago I woulda saved these pics and day dreamed. Everything comes at a price.
Today guys are doing everything cnc from start to finish, and need volume to survive, and putting out 1/8- to 1/4 moa guns at 5 a day. Complimenting stock work on cnc machines and making it look damn good. Needing 900-1200.00 to do it. And never needing your action again for a rebarrel.
Smith's are business men, and need to make coin, and as much as I love that gun, would never pay for it, don't even own a wood stock gun today, (one drop or fence away from repair).
This topic way to general, so many aspects garnered here. My dream world be be chambering here close, followed by paint from another( tall task), not sending to guys that paint for 6 month wait.