Looking for gunsmith recommendations

[idahodave]

Not sure if he is back to taking new builds but Shaen Magan @ Shaen Rifles is sort of near you I think?? He posts here on occasion as Shooter71 - super nice guy to work with and really builds a great rifle. He has built 2 for me and both are perfect

He knows of what he speaks.

Dave

 

[Badseed]

I understand that most “good” gunsmiths are busy but I second the comment about people skills and general customer service. Due to my work schedule, I have had to leave messages or email my questions to all the smiths listed above and more. Only about half of them returned phone calls or responded to email inquiries. I am writing off some of the “good” smiths simply because it seems like they are too busy to respond to customers. However, one caveat is that I have learned most smiths do not want to build rifles using customer supplied parts. I have been slowly gathering parts as I find them on sale to help save some dollars but that may end up being a bad choice because a lot of smith refuse to do the build since I didn’t buy the parts from them.


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[Xbow hunter]

I understand that most “good” gunsmiths are busy but I second the comment about people skills and general customer service. Due to my work schedule, I have had to leave messages or email my questions to all the smiths listed above and more. Only about half of them returned phone calls or responded to email inquiries. I am writing off some of the “good” smiths simply because it seems like they are too busy to respond to customers. However, one caveat is that I have learned most smiths do not want to build rifles using customer supplied parts. I have been slowly gathering parts as I find them on sale to help save some dollars but that may end up being a bad choice because a lot of smith refuse to do the build since I didn’t buy the parts from them.


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Check out Short Action Customs. Communication through email with them is great and they answer the phone when called

 

[Mag_7s]

There is a good interview with Short action customs with Eric Cortina on his Belive the Target channel in YouTube.

 

[Oregonmuley]

I understand that most “good” gunsmiths are busy but I second the comment about people skills and general customer service. Due to my work schedule, I have had to leave messages or email my questions to all the smiths listed above and more. Only about half of them returned phone calls or responded to email inquiries. I am writing off some of the “good” smiths simply because it seems like they are too busy to respond to customers. However, one caveat is that I have learned most smiths do not want to build rifles using customer supplied parts. I have been slowly gathering parts as I find them on sale to help save some dollars but that may end up being a bad choice because a lot of smith refuse to do the build since I didn’t buy the parts from them.


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I've had maybe 10 custom rifles built over the years and all but one I supplied all the parts and none of the smiths I've dealt with had any issues with that. The ones I've used have been Kampfeld Customs who supplied everything, Jon Beanland, Fosnaugh Customs, Hillbilly Customs, Accurate Ordnance which as now closed shop and Shaen Rifles.

I'm currently collecting parts and will send them to Shaen once he is back to taking on new business. Even after doing all the builds I've done I'm still pretty much a dork in regards to rifles but Shaen was just great to work with, him and Karl Feldkamp. Sending your own parts these days shouldn't be an issue IMHO.

 

[ManBun]

Man, they make a fine looking rifle but their people skills are terrible. The first rifle I put together I had a smith just cut and chamber and I did the rest. I was having feed issues so i went to YouTube on learning how to tune a magazine. I found a video of them and how well their rifles cycle. They were using Lone Peak Fuzion with Wyatt box, and operated Flawlessly, beautiful cycle! That was the same set up as I has so I gave them a call in hopes they would give a rookie a pointer or two. They told me essentially to pound sand. Maybe I crossed a line in asking for a tip, but that interaction has left a bad taste in my mouth. Being personable goes a long way in my opinion, and almost as important as the quality of their work.

Sorry to hear that with the communication you had with them, I agree with you people skills goes a long way for getting my business.
Ive never personally had that issue with BMP as I purchased all my components myself for my 7 saum and had them chamber and put my rifle together for me. They did a great job and had it complete in the timeframe he said it would be done.

 

[01Foreman400]

Gunsmithing seems to be a dying breed. I can’t find anyone local anymore that does great work. I’ve got custom builds from LRI, Kampfeld, Accurate Ordinance, Gradous and Southern Precision. LRI and Kampfeld have done work for me on more than 15 other semi custom rifles. Both LRI and Kampfeld have great customer service and I recommend both.

 

[Dave C.]

Another vote for Travis at TS Customs. He is currently finishing up a build for me and has always answered phone when I call, texts and emails promptly. If CS is one of your primary concerns, I don't think you'd be unhappy with Travis. He's a great guy.

 

[Lawnboi]

Has anyone used Mike from Hells Canyon Armory?


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Yes I have. I’ll never send him anything ever again.

Iv had good work done from a number of others mentioned on here. LRI gets a lot of my business because it gives me an excuse to drive to SD and shoot prairie dogs

 

[rayporter]

i would at least talk to the smith i chose about the parts i want to use and what he likes.
he may have good reasons he does' t like certain parts. it is good for both of you to understand how the build will come out.

 

[300 win mag]

integrity and honesty are critical.i am a senior citizen now so have been through quite a few over the years.there were a few i used many years ago that were excellent with and close to perfection when they were still blueprinting 700s and had about 5 or 6 custom barrel makers.also they were all hall of fame benchrest shooters,jim borden,clay spencer,colonel billy stevens and thomas speedy gonzales.dave tooley i believe is working.my future work because of integrity and honesty with 700 clone actions will be jon beanland,tim moon roberts and possibly r bros,also left out one who i used for my last 3 builds,maybe some as good but none better the late Robert Gradous.when i built dangerous game rifles with pre 64 and classic winchesters mark penrod did the work.less than d`arcy and gene pricewise,as far as all machining and perfecting a action to never fail in any enviorment sideways upside down in alaska when wet you can bet your existence on his excellence.would love to own a d`arcy or gene built masterpiece.