Any Gunsmiths on this site

[Mike Hunter]

Just curious if there are any “professional” ..or Semi- Professional Smiths on this site, and their specialties

Mike

[Buck Elliott]

Just curious if there are any “professional” ..or Semi- Professional Smiths on this site, and their specialties

Mike

Don't know just where I fit in your scale, but I do gunsmithing sort of on the side, along with my leather goods (holsters, belts, chaps, saddlebags, scabbards, &c...) and still do firearms desgining when the mood strikes me strong enough.

My "specialty" is leverguns; particularly Winchester '73, '86 and '92 versions, as well as many of the replicas, and single-action revolvers... Who'da' thunk...?!? Marlins are a pain in the butt to work with, IMHO, ( ) and the 'off' brands are a waste of time & resources, for the most part. I do some stock work, and lots of custom revolver grips & knife handles.

I DON'T do 'trick' work, like short-stroke kits or other 'gamer' modifications. Seems like perversion of design, to my simple little mind.

[Mike Hunter]

Thanks Buck

Not sure what I’m looking for either, just thinking with all the members here, there might be some serious talent lurking

[COSteve]

Nate Kiowa Jones (Steve's Gunz) is a first rate gunsmith too.

[348WCF]

Mike,
I specialize in wood finishing (or re-finishing) and Beretta semi- auto shotguns. Work for Cole Gunsmithing in Harpswell aine and also have my own FFL.
Best regards,
Jim

[1886]

There are some smiths who can be found on the right side of the home page. Best Wishes, 1886.

[86er]

I have never used the term "gunsmith" for myself. I have very little idea of how to work on pistols except a Glock and I have very little knowledge or experience with rifles. I can change parts on a pump shotgun and maybe a semi auto but I have no hands on training with either. What I have on my business card is "Shotgun Maker - doublegun alterations, fittings, repair and bespoke projects". My formal training as an apprentice for several years was with Tate Gunmakers (ex Purdey). I spent time under Charles Lee (engraver), Stephen Hutton (ex-E.J. Churchill and others) and Kirk Merrington (self proclaimed "lowly Birmingham barrel maker"). Give me a side by side shotgun and I can do just about anything to it blindfolded. I have made a few from just about scratch. Most of my hand on work was as an actioner/fitter and ejector specialist. I had to get through stockmaking including finishing and checkering but that is not my strong talent. Blackening, engraving, case color hardening are all part of the job but not something I spend a lot of time with. Double rifle - fixes the same as the shotgun for the most part and I can do it well. The majority of my work is chamber, forcing cone and barrel work especially dents, rejointing, hammers, springs, cocking dogs, trigger adjustment including single triggers, ejector timing and recoil pads. I do a handful of complete restorations each year and produce 5 or 6 guns that bear my name. Had the privilege of bending Pres. G. Bush's Rigby that was made for him "wrong handed" while at Tate. Currently, I bend more guns than any other work. "Gunmaker" in the ole' English sense yes. Gunsmith as is commonly thought of in the US, no. I have had or currently have quite a few guns from forum members including double shotguns, drillings and rifles. Last year I finished a two year project of making a single shot rifle off a Dakota 10 action for my friend Richard as a birthday present. Frustrated with the double rifle market right now I am building a 450NE for my own use and two other double rifles for clients. That will be all I can take on for the next 6 months since I have 6 other restoration and repair jobs pending.

[Hobie]

Mike and others,

I think this could be an important reference so I am going to try and keep this topic "pure" and will remove distracting comments. If anyone has such they can feel free to start another topic.

[JerryB]

I agree with you Hobie, this could be a very valuable listing if kept clean.

[Gun Smith]

My experience was as a professional 50 years ago. I worked for 9 years as a full time gunsmith in a large gunshop in San Diego. I left the trade in 1963. My speciality was hand guns and general repair. I did very little custom work at that time. And as I have said in numerous postings, I reblued a lot of the Hollywood guns used in the early TV westerns.

[mescalero1]

I don't know if this qualifies but, I have a 1 to 1 duplicator, which lends itself to stockmaking quite well.

[20cows]

I play one in my back yard, but only on my own projects.

[Mike Hunter]

Looks like we have all kinds of talent coming out of the wood work: Gun Designer and leather smith, a professional wood refinisher, “Gunmaker” specializing in double rifles/shotguns, gunsmith with years of practical work, and a gentleman with a stock duplicator.

I think it would be great if some of these gentlemen expounded on their capabilities; occasionally one hits a brick wall and needs to reach out for additional advice/help.
Buck… Gun designer, so I can assume you’ve also designed fixtures for specific purposes.

I do a pretty darn good rust bluing here in the shop, I’ll gladly put it up against anyone else’s… but correct rust bluing on a Damascus barrel is something I haven’t perfected, someone like 86er, who has probably done hundreds of Damascus barrels would be a great asset; also properly restocking a sidelock double…which I despise.

mescalero1; A 1/1 stock duplicator, is this for commercial or personal purposes?

Think most have a good feeling for what I do; Winchester & Colt SAA restorations; 90+ % of the work done here “In House”; New barrels, Roll Marking, Rust, Charcoal, Nitre & Caustic bluing, as well as Color Case Hardening. Fairly well equipped shop: three Bridgeport Mills (2 manual, 1 tracer) , 3 lathes, largest a 14-40, and a couple of surface grinders.

[mescalero1]

Mike,
I have a lathe, mill, surface grinder, metal bandsaw, welders, etc.
The duplicator has not done any commercial work, Yet.
We should talk about my1873 Winchester rimfire in PM sometime.
Also have a rust blueing cabinet I built.

[348WCF]

Mike,
I have two CNC vertical mills, two bridgeports, a manual lathe, and a CNC lathe. I work as a machinist and do work for Cole on the side. We are hoping to expand our machining into gun work in the near future.
Best regards,
Jim

[Charles]

I make no claims to be a gunsmith, but I have been building rifles and working on my own stuff for well over 50 years. I have a lathe, drill press, grinder, and lots and lots of handtools.