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For serious hunters and shooters, finding a gunsmith, a good one that is, can be like acquiring the right family doctor or tax accountant.
Finding a Gunsmith. Many hunters and shooters will go through life never needing the services of a gunsmith. Factory-produced firearms are well built and suit the needs of someone who pulls the trigger a few times a year. Plus, manufacturers’ ability to simplify the guns they build means fewer parts equals fewer problems.
Some will seek out gunsmiths for small projects like dipping a gun. Maybe varnishing a stock or applying cerakote to a barrel. Or perhaps cleaning an old .22 that’s been in your family for generations.
Others may have a relationship with their gunsmith much as they would a family doctor or accountant. He’s someone you rely on to refurbish and keep your collector guns in good shape, thus increasing the value. The gunsmith is also highly sought after by competitive shooters who use specialty weapons.
What’s the process to Finding a Gunsmith
What’s the process by which we’d go about finding a gunsmith? Well, it’s not too different from finding any other service business in this day and age. There’s always Google where you’ll search for “gunsmiths near me” and then do a thorough audit of their website and customer reviews. Perhaps you weigh his credentials between location (convenience) and what others are saying (online reviews). Pick up the phone and call a couple that make your short list. We’ll talk about what to ask down below.
While many local gun shops don’t pay to keep a gunsmith on staff, they should be a great resource for knowing where to find a few. If you’re a member of a gun club or collectors’ organization, your fellow shooters are bound to know a good gunsmith.
Finally, and perhaps we should have mentioned this first, seek a word-of-mouth recommendation. Talk to your friends and family and see if they’ve used a smith in your area that they like and trust.
What to Ask a Gunsmith
You can narrow your shortlist of gunsmiths even further by either picking up the phone, stopping by their shop, or if you’re lucky, browsing their website (oftentimes gunsmiths, while masters of their trade, don’t put a lot of thought into a website). Your list of questions may look something like this:
- What kind of smithing services do you offer?
- My gun is an X and I need Y done to it, is this in your wheelhouse?
- How long have you been a gunsmith?
- What will it cost me?
- What is the turnaround time?
- If I’m having a gun shipped, do you have an FFL where I can have it sent to your shop?
- Is it okay if I come by your shop before making a decision?
What to Look For
What to look for in a gunsmith is a direct reflection of the last question above. It’s optional of course. But you can tell a lot about a human being by the shape of the space where they spend most of their time. If the shop is dirty and grungy, the finished job may reflect the same. And vice versa.
Gunsmiths often vary in both their skill levels and areas of expertise. You’re likely going to find one who specializes in one of the following three categories: custom modification (high-level competition shooters), cosmetic enhancement (gun dipping, engraving, getting a new stock, etc.), or repair and restoration (general fixes and collector guns). Seek out the one who fits your needs most.
What to Expect
*While he may be able to give you a ballpark price on the phone, a good gunsmith needs to see the gun in person in order to give you a quote on what it’ll actually cost. Don’t expect, or accept, otherwise. If you own a collector’s rifle that needs the attention of a smith who only handles that type of firearm but lives out of state, it may be worth your while to drive or ship it there to get an analysis and cost.
A reputable gunsmith may cost more than someone down the street who has only been in business a short time. Like the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.” Many of us own firearms that are invaluable for a multitude of reasons. So, if it costs a little more, it’s probably because you’ve found a gunsmith that knows what he’s doing.
A lot of research and communication will inevitably make the whole process go a lot more smoothly. Be clear about exactly what type of firearm you have and exactly what you need done to it. While it may take some time to find the right gunsmith, we can assure you that once the connection is made, you’ll have someone at your disposal who cares about firearms as much as you do.
