Gunsmithing charges?

[reddhawk]

Hi,
I live in the Boise area and I'm shopping around for gunsmith charges/rates.
I just had the action on my Chiefs Special CS40 improved. The trigger had a slight catch mid-pull. The job took five weeks and ran $79/hour plus test ammo. Came out to $85.
After that experience I'm looking elsewhere.

Anyone else have similar gunsmith stories? Just thought I'd check.

Thank you.

 

[Sevens]

Haha, if the pistol came back to you improved, better than before -and- to the standards you had hoped for... I'd say you got a steal of a deal at that money.

As for the five weeks? Obviously, the amount of time it takes for gunsmithing work is going to vary widely, but 5 weeks is typical and/or quicker than a lot of places.

 

[N4KVE]

As for the five weeks? Obviously, the amount of time it takes for gunsmithing work is going to vary widely, but 5 weeks is typical and/or quicker than a lot of places.

If it takes that long, the smith is very talented, & he has a huge backlog, as many people want him to work on their gun. Locally, the smith at the LGS is so backed up, they can't take any new work until the backlog gets done. This happens from time to time, but his work is excellent. If you want quality work done, you have to wait. If there was no wait, I'd be worried. GARY

 

[Trooperdan]

That sounds like a low charge for what he did, if he corrected the problem! Likely had to stone the DA sear and that requires some careful work. $60 an hour is a medium low rate for gunsmiths.

 

[Culina]

That sounds reasonable, I am sure it took longer than an hour, you have to figure there was 20 minutes of paperwork, $10 for test ammo sounds a little heavy unless he actually shot half a box of ammo through it. I think the only way you are going to get gunsmithing work done faster and for less is if you learn to do it yourself.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Sounds reasonable to me.
I wouldn't like the time factor, but that probably means he is good and backed up.

 

[howiema]

Red, I work for a local GS and schedule the repairs and action jobs as well as order any parts for repairs. 5 weeks sems a little long but not out of the realm for gunsmith services. They should have set your expectations when you dropped it off, sometimes we have a month backup on repairs. Also as far as the cost what do you think is reasonable, the lights have to be put on in the shop, if they do not have a range at the store they must go to range and also ammo isnt cheap anymore. I think the cost is in line even with the east coast pricing here which is usually higher. One other piece is that smith's are not plentiful as they used to be. It is a dying profession.

Pete