Wondering what the average costs should be for a Gunsmith who can work on vintage Smith and Ruger revolvers. Costs to check End shake, BC gap, timing and other possible costs to correct said issues if present in the guns. Is their average hourly cost one should expect to pay? Located central Florida if that helps.

That can vary considerably. A quick check of your above might get done free-for one gun. You also have to realize that you're looking for a competent revolver smith. Those can be scarce, I've got some "gunsmithing" books published by major gun related publishers with whopper mistakes.

There isn't a standard, or even a ballpark, really; I've seen "shop time" as low as $50 and above $100 an hour. Lotta variables account for that.

If you can find a revolversmith that is actually trained, experienced, has the proper tools and can do the job correctly and well, you pay what they ask and wait the time it takes and you're thankful -- bonus if they're within driving distance.

Real gunsmiths are few and far between these days, and the number's getting smaller.

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Pickpocket

Here are the two go-to guys in Phoenix. First one likes to charge a flat fee and do everything it needs. Second one has a more detailed list:

The Gunsmith, Inc.: Price List

Frank Glenn-Glenn Custom Complete Gunsmithing Service Glendale AZ - Pricing, Revolver Package

What do you consider to be vintage? I’ve sent many a wheel gun back to S&W and Ruger to correct timing, cylinder gap, and other safety/functionality type issues. Even had S&W bead blast a 629 from the early ‘80’s. Gun came back looking new.

What I’ve found in looking for gunsmiths is that the manufacture will do the safety/functionality stuff. If you wanted a barrel shortened, or ported, for example, the manufacture most likely won’t do those types jobs.

Cost wise, it’s hard to find a ‘smith. When you do they will be backed up with many months of work. The cost is what it is. They are becoming a rare breed.

I sent a S&W out to a ‘smith once to fix a red dot mount that I had put on by a local ‘smith who’d since gone out of business. I sheared the mounting screw’s off (.44mag) as I let them get loose. Guy did a nice job, turn around was a few months and cost was reasonable.


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-Rusty Revolver

I would give Gustavo Morales in San Antonio, Florida 33576, He is a graduate of Guns of America and is very knowledgeable. He is a competent Gunsmith, and his prices are reasonable. His address is the gun medic 1130 Wichers San Antionio, Florida 33576.

Nick

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NRA Instructor\GCA Gunsmith

The range I belong to has a detailed cleaning and inspection package. Here is the link. The gunsmith is pretty good, but the service is for local work only. Just trying to give you an idea of what the cost is.

https://www.thebulletranch.com/armor...morer-cleaning

I think the 95.00 detailed cleaning is what you would be looking for. Any issues found would be noted and they contact me with repair costs etc.

Repair labor is 45.00 per half hour.

To me getting some feeler gauges and learning to diagnose and correct end shake (shimming) is well worth the time and effort. Installing a hand or correcting timing I leave to a smith.

Hope this helps.

Got to remember that the time he uses to set up a milling machine, lathe, etc. will also be put onto your bill also. As said, good ones with a lot of experience and time with type of guns you want worked on are hard to find and usually with back logs. They are worth the wait involved and money spent .
Jim

45mtngun is right another thing that you have to contend with is parts. Some parts for older revolvers are hard to find. A seasoned gunsmith often has some of those parts on hand or knows where to source them quickly. If not searching for and getting them adds to the cost as well.

I usually go here...

Handgun Gunsmithing (Gunsmithing) | Briley