tipoc
Member
I have a 1915 triple lock that needs some new springs and some attention to the timing. Can anyone recommend a good smith for this type work on an older gun.
tipoc
tipoc
Recommendations on a gunsmith
- Thread starter tipoc
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DWalt
Member
Try Alex Hamilton at [email protected] He should be able to help. But there are LOTS of guys that should be able to handle this.
One would think so, but apparently not.
Long story short...went to a known smith and Guild member for a cleaning (old gun, hardened grease in the internals, etc.). Came back to me looking much better but with a dicey lock up. Back to the smith. Back to me problem uncorrected. He does not have the proper springs he said.
Ok. Another smith familiar with older S&Ws needed.
tipoc
Long story short...went to a known smith and Guild member for a cleaning (old gun, hardened grease in the internals, etc.). Came back to me looking much better but with a dicey lock up. Back to the smith. Back to me problem uncorrected. He does not have the proper springs he said.
Ok. Another smith familiar with older S&Ws needed.
tipoc
JJEH
Member
Perhaps you want to call/email Gary Reeder.
Reeder Custom Guns
2601 E. 7th Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone 928-527-4100
E-Mail: [email protected]
Reeder Custom Guns
2601 E. 7th Ave.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone 928-527-4100
E-Mail: [email protected]
I just emailed David Clements about working on a Triple Lock, and he said he does not take S&W work any more. 
I'm surprised to see Gary Reeder suggested above, I've never seen anything of his except his pimpalicious limited editions. I'd be afraid a prewar Smith would come back with a mirror black finish and a scorpion etched on the side, but hey, what do I know.
I'm surprised to see Gary Reeder suggested above, I've never seen anything of his except his pimpalicious limited editions. I'd be afraid a prewar Smith would come back with a mirror black finish and a scorpion etched on the side, but hey, what do I know.
JJEH
Member
Well, he's a revolver guy and it doesn't hurt to ask imo.
tipoc, give Nelson Ford a call at 602-992-0050 in Phoenix, AZ. I'll wager he can make your old triple lock work like it should. He is a good guy and does a good job on old Smiths. He has redone two old 38/44's for me and I will send him any Smiths I get in the future if they need attention. Gary
A10ACN
Member
I don't know Gary Reeder or his skill set, however, just because a person does solid work on a Yugo doesn't mean they should be repairing a Rolls Royce. I have known several "Rolls Royce type" smiths who would NOT work on a "Yugo" however, I think there are far more Yugo generalists who would always be willing to take on a repair job for a Royce, whether they should or not.....
A long way of saying that you have a special gun, find a specialist pre-war S&W smith to work on it. Learn from my mistakes.
(No harm directed towards Mr Reeder or his work)
I would try Dave Chicoine at oldwestgunsmith.com
mkk41
US Veteran
And Dave Chicoine has a son who seems to turn out the same quality of work as his dad-------so I wouldn't worry too much about arms in casts. Then again, it might be Junior with an arm in a cast. Whatever---it'll heal!!
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
Dave Chicoine info?
Anyone know anything about Dave Chicoine's (or his son's) hand injury? Ever had any problems getting a gun back?
I sent a gun to Dave Chicoine on Aug 16, 2012, paid in advance for the repair work, and haven't got it back yet.
He said it would take three to five months, and it has now been eleven months.
In late November, 2012 he told me the delay was due to his case coloring contractor in CT being impacted by the hurricane.
On March 20, 2013 he said he got the case colored part back, and just needed to reassemble and test fire.
On April 25, 2013 he sent me copies of x-rays of an injured hand, saying it would be 4 to 6 weeks before he could do anything.
On May 9, 2013 he said he should get the cast off the first week of June, and that July 1 would be "a safe bet" as to when I would have the gun back.
Last weekend he said the injury recovery had been much slower than he had hoped, but did not respond to my request for a firm date when I would get the gun back.
Phone calls and left messages to his shop and office today have not been returned.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Anyone know anything about Dave Chicoine's (or his son's) hand injury? Ever had any problems getting a gun back?
I sent a gun to Dave Chicoine on Aug 16, 2012, paid in advance for the repair work, and haven't got it back yet.
He said it would take three to five months, and it has now been eleven months.
In late November, 2012 he told me the delay was due to his case coloring contractor in CT being impacted by the hurricane.
On March 20, 2013 he said he got the case colored part back, and just needed to reassemble and test fire.
On April 25, 2013 he sent me copies of x-rays of an injured hand, saying it would be 4 to 6 weeks before he could do anything.
On May 9, 2013 he said he should get the cast off the first week of June, and that July 1 would be "a safe bet" as to when I would have the gun back.
Last weekend he said the injury recovery had been much slower than he had hoped, but did not respond to my request for a firm date when I would get the gun back.
Phone calls and left messages to his shop and office today have not been returned.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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My suggestion is to wait patiently.
Shawn is right, it took 18 months to do the restoration on my 2nd Model HE, but was well worth it.
Thanks for the suggestions, Shawn and Muddyboot.
Just to be clear, this wasn't a full restoration, but a repair of the trigger mechanism. Dave's estimate said "Findings: Sure enough the cylinder stop on this revolver is broken in half. On top of that, the single action is inoperative- usually the sear tip on the hammer and rear sear are broken out. However, on yours the hammer notch is in fair condition and the rear is missing altogether! The hammer stirrup pin is also missing, but overall this will come back as a nice shooter."
Based on his March 20 comment that he just needed to reassemble and test fire, seems like at most an hour or two of work to complete it could have been done before April 14.
Based on comments on this forum and elsewhere, I'm sure that I will be satisfied with the quality of the work. I will take your advice and continue to wait patiently . . . .
Just to be clear, this wasn't a full restoration, but a repair of the trigger mechanism. Dave's estimate said "Findings: Sure enough the cylinder stop on this revolver is broken in half. On top of that, the single action is inoperative- usually the sear tip on the hammer and rear sear are broken out. However, on yours the hammer notch is in fair condition and the rear is missing altogether! The hammer stirrup pin is also missing, but overall this will come back as a nice shooter."
Based on his March 20 comment that he just needed to reassemble and test fire, seems like at most an hour or two of work to complete it could have been done before April 14.
Based on comments on this forum and elsewhere, I'm sure that I will be satisfied with the quality of the work. I will take your advice and continue to wait patiently . . . .
Being patient is a virtue for both yourself and the custom gunsmith when you send quality guns to be worked on by any of the better known masters of the trade. I have over the last 44 years had any number of guns worked on, modified or customized and have found it is better for both myself and the gunsmith to not be in a hurry. One of my closest friends who is both a master tool and die maker as well as a very accomplished 'smith will not even take work that does not interest him or from guys who "pester" him to hurry and get their work done. I agree with my friend Shawn and Muddyboot in their posts above.
SgtLumpy
Member
I second the recommendation suggestion for Nelson Ford in Phoenix. He takes care of my revolvers. And humors me with his stories whenever I visit his shop.
Sgt Lumpy
Sgt Lumpy
Nelson Ford has done everything from simple adjustment and spring replacement to full restorations for me. He's gone through most of my vintage S&W's and Colt 1911's and is very good at putting life back into an old revolver or pistol. Highly recommended.
Here's an update:
Shortly after my last post, I got an email from the Chicoines telling me the repair would be done by the end of August. Based on that latest stall stactic and some other information, I decided to cut my losses and get that gun back. I replied that I wanted my Grandad's gun back NOW, along with any parts I had paid for, and that the choice was theirs to ship it in pieces or as a completed repair.
Good news is the gun arrived home today with the repair completed, and seems to be of the quality I had hoped for. I'll leave it to you to decide for yourself if more patience would have worked better in this particular fact situation . . . . .
tlay
US Veteran
Gary Reeder mostly works on Ruger guns. His son works on 1911s.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
Good for you man,At a certain point enough is enough and almost a year is more than enough.
BCDWYO
Member
Hey RK...I've had several Smith Revolvers in to Nelson with great results also.
I recently got my granddad's Ruger Security Six and the trigger is horrendous and I was thinking about taking it to Nelson... To your knowledge does Nelson not work on Rugers?
SgtLumpy
Member
I've known Nelson to work on Ruger revolvers, even though he's most experienced with Smith wheels and 1911s. He won't work on compact autos nor plastic guns. The guy's a hoot to deal with. Does fabulous work.
Sgt Lumpy
Sgt Lumpy
Last time I was in his shop, he had a guy come in and asked him about working on Rugers. I don't remember exactly what he said, but as I recall, it was a "colorful" "No".
I do know that if you call him, he'll tell you whether he will or not - one way or another.
BCDWYO
Member
Last time I was in his shop, he had a guy come in and asked him about working on Rugers. I don't remember exactly what he said, but as I recall, it was a "colorful" "No".
I do know that if you call him, he'll tell you whether he will or not - one way or another.
Yeah...colorful pretty well describes it! I'll give him a holler before I drive down there to get scolded!
Pastprime
Member
Glad I read this thread and the information about David Chicoine's hand injury. He's had a revolver of mine for repair since July 2012. It would have been nice if he or someone working with him had informed me of the situation. Now that I know what is causing the delay, I will swallow another dose of patience...
Hank
Hank
