Eastern WA Gunsmith

[fair-chase]

Looking for a gunsmith on the east side. I wouldn't mind driving to either Yakima or Walla Walla if I had to but would prefer someone in the Tri-Cities. The rifle is nothing exotic but it is a family heirloom so I would like someone qualified to do the work. Thanks.

[coop2424]

What are you looking for them to do?  From my experience some are better on certain type of work compared to others..

[fair-chase]

Not looking for anything real complicated. I usually do my own work but I want this one to be done to a little higher standard than I can personally do. This is my grandfathers winchester model 1400. After his passing it circulated around to some unscrupulous individuals who did not care for it. Both the bluing and the wood need to be refinished and I am 90% sure that it is missing some parts out of the action. I don't have a detailed parts list to go off of right now. I know that I could probably go out and buy a new one for less than the repair will cost me but this one has sentimental value to me and I would like it to be put back to pristine condition the way my grandfather kept it.

[coteyd]

I am also looking for a gunsmith in the Tricity area. I want some trigger work and a muzzlebreak though. So if there is any suggestions for good places let me know. I can go to Yakima also. Thanks for the help.

[724wd]

more options in spokane... but avoid brocks gunsmithing on division (unless they've already sold and there's new blood in there!) 

[coop2424]

I am also looking for a gunsmith in the Tricity area. I want some trigger work and a muzzlebreak though. So if there is any suggestions for good places let me know. I can go to Yakima also. Thanks for the help.

http://www.defensiveedge.net/

Great reviews on their brakes and I am looking to take one of my rifles there to have some work done on it.  Not near tricity but you can ship it to them great people to work with.

[coop2424]

Not looking for anything real complicated. I usually do my own work but I want this one to be done to a little higher standard than I can personally do. This is my grandfathers winchester model 1400. After his passing it circulated around to some unscrupulous individuals who did not care for it. Both the bluing and the wood need to be refinished and I am 90% sure that it is missing some parts out of the action. I don't have a detailed parts list to go off of right now. I know that I could probably go out and buy a new one for less than the repair will cost me but this one has sentimental value to me and I would like it to be put back to pristine condition the way my grandfather kept it.

Some good info on this one..

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,15473.0.html

[JackOfAllTrades]

Mel Doyle's Gunshop
401 Ellis Ln.
Plummer, ID 83851
(208) 686-1006

[quadrafire]

Was in Brocks the other day for some minor work. The smiths are not very chatty, but if you have thick skin it shouldn't matter. I think they do good work.
The sales guy will talk your leg off. Nice guy.

Hey, do you want a NICE brain or heart surgeon, or one that can get the job done right the first time?? Doesn't mean you gotta have 'em over for dinner.

[400out]

I am also looking for a gunsmith in the Tricity area. I want some trigger work and a muzzlebreak though. So if there is any suggestions for good places let me know. I can go to Yakima also. Thanks for the help.

coyoted I know that hole in the wall can do that for you 

[whacker1]

Defensive Edge does not do any custom gunsmithing any longer.  They only fit their breaks, and build custom rifles.  I asked the question to Shawn Carlock last spring.

[satchel3006]

Theres a gunsmith at hole in the wall never used him though

[Raul Duke]

Any other options. I also need my barrel blued.

[GregMcFadden]

I'd love to find a good one in tri-cities.  The last time I used a gunsmith it was brock's in spokane and that place should be avoided like the plague.  to change a forearm on an AR they cut through the nut (not a problem) through the upper receiver (problem) and into the barrel nut (major WTF were they thinking  ), put the thing back together and said nothing about cutting through the receiver or the barrel nut.  They also scratched the heck out of the upper. I only found  the cuts in the nut when I took it back apart quite some time later to do more work on it. 

[724wd]

Was in Brocks the other day for some minor work. The smiths are not very chatty, but if you have thick skin it shouldn't matter. I think they do good work.
The sales guy will talk your leg off. Nice guy.

Hey, do you want a NICE brain or heart surgeon, or one that can get the job done right the first time?? Doesn't mean you gotta have 'em over for dinner.

"nice" has nothing to do with it.  the ham-fisted gorilla there removed a barrel from a pristine 1912 Steyr Mauser 98 i took in prior to having the tools to do so myself, and in the process, twisted the action so that the bolt would not enter past the ejector.     i took it back in, stating the problem, and his 'fix' was to put the steel handle of a cresent wrench through the magazine opening and out the top of the receiver and reef on it.       yes, the bolt now fits, but you can still see some twist in the action and the dimples in the steel made by the cresent wrench handle sure don't help in the looks and feeding department!    

'have a nice day' he says.  yea, thank buddy.   

[high country]

You can ship it to Mel Doyle, he will do as nice a job as can be done and ship it back to you before your smith even pulls it off the shelf......and Mel will do it for a super fair price. I bet he has any 1400 parts you need in his shop.

[jackelope]

I bought a Defensive Edge brake last year from them and had a smith here install it. It didn't seem like it was too much trouble for him to get it done.