Gunsmiths

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raljr1

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We are in the process of moving back (exile) to Florida after being in our hometown of Pittsburgh for the last 8 years. We lived in Jacksonville from 2002 to 2013, went back to the "burgh to take care of the Mrs' folks, and now that they are gone we are back to be closer to our kids and grandkids.

I went online to look for a local gunsmith, and it seems that most "gunsmiths" these day are assemblers of ARs, offering all manner of gadgets for these popular rifles. With over a dozen places advertised as gunsmiths, it looks like there may be only one that fits the "works on anything" category.

I know that the trades are losing experienced craftsmen every day. I worry that some day, no one will know how to work on the fine older firearms.

I can do lots of stuff with my hands and tools, but don't have all of the tools necessary to do all of this work, especially when it comes to removing small pins .

Not a rant, just an observation and wondering if others have the same dilemma.
 
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I think we’re all in the same boat, whether we like it or not. Here in the US we are being moved closer every day to a throw-away, import-everything society. Young people are persuaded that they are worthless if they don’t attend a university and find a job sitting infront of a computer where they physically produce nothing - and that manufacturing jobs and the trades are in some ways undesirable and undignified. To me, the logical extension of that is that overtime there will be fewer and fewer competent tradesmen of all types until we reach some sort of crisis and we either change this course somewhat or we are totally absorbed by it and think it “normal.”

Where I live it is difficult to hire an ordinary handyman - not because there are none, but rather because there are so few that they are overwhelmed.

Then there is the matter that spare parts almost seem to be a thing of the past. Articles become “obsolete” at an alarming rate, spares are not routinely produced and stocked, and manufacturers seem to use everything they make to build new product. All in all, for those of us with the inclination to “fix it,” the future does not look too favorable.
 
Your reply was very well stated and the truth of the matter is tradesmen are becoming a thing of the past. Those of the trade industry are so few and demanding top dollar for their repairs if you can find a reliable person to do the job. A competent or reliable gunsmith is hard to find and few are capable of making parts and the so called drop in parts still have to be fitted to the firearm.

Nick
 
I agree, it is getting harder to find a real old school gunsmith.
I have been lucky that there is an older gentleman near me who is, but he is my age and will be retiring soon. He has milling machine and a lathe and can make small parts if they can’t be found.
Been looking for someone to replace him, but no luck. Most “gunsmiths” I can find are assemblers. I can do my own assembling.
The search continues.
 
I agree there's a huge difference in someone who works on guns and a what I'd consider a gunsmith. I've worked on guns for years, a little refinishing, replacing parts, etc. But I'm in no way a gunsmith. The few guys calling themselves "gunsmiths" in my area build AR's and boresight scopes. Most can't even drill and tap a receiver.
 
In Louisiana we are lucky to have Clark Custom Guns , started in 1950 by Jim Clark Sr , he , his son's and other family members have carried on the tradition of a full flegded gunsmithing shop .
I will make a day trip from Baton Rouge to the shop any day , nice drive and lots of good dining places along the way .
Could always call them if nothing can be found closer .
They do get a 5 star rating and are well qualified to provide just about anything you could wish .
All the work they have done for me was perfection ... a trigger job on a Ruger 10/22 puts a smile on my face every time I shoot it !
Clark Custom Guns | Established 1950 | Princeton Louisiana
check them out !
Gary
 
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SS336 said:
I agree, it is getting harder to find a real old school gunsmith.
I have been lucky that there is an older gentleman near me who is, but he is my age and will be retiring soon. He has milling machine and a lathe and can make small parts if they can’t be found.
Been looking for someone to replace him, but no luck. Most “gunsmiths” I can find are assemblers. I can do my own assembling.
The search continues.
Click to expand...

Same here, in Reno Nevada.
One of my x-ironworker buddies, took up the trade with all the tools needed in his shop to even make rifles and knives as well as parts.

We are both getting near 80 and I don't know how long he will keep repairing weapons.
I was a Gunner's Mate in the Navy but both of us have no family members that want to pick up the trade or knowledge of working on weapons.

Maybe we are all doomed to the "Plastic" weapon , in the future ?
 
Not a lot of them around my area. Really the only one I have used is Wizards in Ocala and he does good work. Don't know of any others there. In the Gainesville area there is Picket's in Newberry other than that I know of none. I know Ocala Amory was advertising for one on Guns International a few months ago hoping someone wanting to relocate to Florida would respond.
 
My primary gunsmith for handguns retired a few years ago.

The gunsmith I use for double guns can work on handguns as well, but that’s not his primary focus. Luckily, he’s younger than I am, so should be available to do work for me for as long as I need.
 
But wait, there's hope. Anyone bemoaning current crop of parts-swappers need only become familiar with Mark Novak. This guy will tackle ANYTHING and is a gifted teacher who will have you understanding the why and the how with each project. And he gets to work on some very exotic and unobtainium stuff.

How about a Pederson device to start with: [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD34Rp8OLLk"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD34Rp8OLLk[/ame]

Enjoy!
 
Nevada Ed said:
Same here, in Reno Nevada.
One of my x-ironworker buddies, took up the trade with all the tools needed in his shop to even make rifles and knives as well as parts.

We are both getting near 80 and I don't know how long he will keep repairing weapons.
I was a Gunner's Mate in the Navy but both of us have no family members that want to pick up the trade or knowledge of working on weapons.

Maybe we are all doomed to the "Plastic" weapon , in the future ?
Click to expand...

I sure hope not ... it will be a sad day when the last "Gunsmith" takes down his shingle .

Thank you for your Service , there are still Americans that appreciate it .
Gary
 
Checkmate Custom Gun Refinishing
370 CHAMPION DRIVE
Brooksville, FL
(352) 799-5774

Ford's Custom Guns
6843 N Citrus Ave, Bldg 6,
Crystal River, FL 34428
352-564-0001

Florida Premier Gunsmith inside
Jacksonville Clay Target Sports
12125 New Berlin Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32226
(904) 410-2206
 
VictorLouis said:
Florida Premier Gunsmith inside
Jacksonville Clay Target Sports
12125 New Berlin Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32226
(904) 410-2206
Click to expand...

I stopped in with this guy about ten years ago, for
a stuck round in a Diamondback DB-9 (great concept,
godawful execution). Seemed to know his stuff, from
limited interaction. Had a website with examples of
high dollar, older pricey-gun work, but can't recall
his name.
 
I have a guy in the Pistol Smiths Guild just 15 minutes from my work! When I found him I felt like I was John Taffin or Duke Venturino. And I'm getting to know Dave Laubert even better as time goes on. It's fun, bit old school, and makes me happy to know someone with such talent.

EDIT: just some fun extra info...for me at least.

John Taffin used to deliver the Akron Beacon Journal just 20 minutes north of my home town. My family got that paper in Canton. My sister later worked there in ad sales.

Duke Venturino grew up in Mingo County WV. Hatfield McCoy is a great dirt bike riding area I go to once a year for the last 15 years.

America is a small "big" country. A country many envy in spite of our differences. Be proud America.

O'...and that pic? Set of M10's getting the full treatment at "my gunsmith". :)

The other...just my aging butt in Mingo County. (I'm tired, and I swear I have more hair than that in person.)
 

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