Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Galpster on January 02, 2010, 11:51:52 PM

Title: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 02, 2010, 11:51:52 PM: I found a gunsmith in Sammamish, Spot On Gunsmithing, that will do a accuracy package on my rifle but cannot get to it for 7 weeks. I am okay with that time frame but I just cannot believe we have no gunsmiths on this forum.

No one on here is a gunsmith in need of some work? I might just have to go to school. & weeks, must be a good business.

Anyone know of a good gunsmithing school in the area?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:15:18 AM: Galpster,

I am a fully trained gunsmith, graduated from the Colorado School of Trades. Worked in the business for 2 years after graduating, and almost starved to death, lol.

Have looked into SBA loan for starting my own business, and ummmmmm well, lets say 40 something white guys, going into NON PC businesses do not get looked on to well, lol.

I would love to have a shop, but the costs of start up are just to prohibitive, especially in this economy.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: runamuk on January 03, 2010, 09:27:59 AM: Quote from: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:15:18 AM
Galpster,

I am a fully trained gunsmith, graduated from the Colorado School of Trades. Worked in the business for 2 years after graduating, and almost starved to death, lol.

Have looked into SBA loan for starting my own business, and ummmmmm well, lets say 40 something white guys, going into NON PC businesses do not get looked on to well, lol.

I would love to have a shop, but the costs of start up are just to prohibitive, especially in this economy.

little trick...have your wife set up the business...there are more program offerings for women ;)

There is a gunsmith down in Rochester and he has helped us a couple times....not sure about up that way.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:31:13 AM: Quote from: runamuk on January 03, 2010, 09:27:59 AM
Quote from: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:15:18 AM
Galpster,

I am a fully trained gunsmith, graduated from the Colorado School of Trades. Worked in the business for 2 years after graduating, and almost starved to death, lol.

Have looked into SBA loan for starting my own business, and ummmmmm well, lets say 40 something white guys, going into NON PC businesses do not get looked on to well, lol.

I would love to have a shop, but the costs of start up are just to prohibitive, especially in this economy.

little trick...have your wife set up the business...there are more program offerings for women ;)

There is a gunsmith down in Rochester and he has helped us a couple times....not sure about up that way.

She has always wanted to have a flower shop,.. could call it Guns & Roses!!!! :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Shootmoore on January 03, 2010, 09:38:31 AM: Quote from: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:31:13 AM
Quote from: runamuk on January 03, 2010, 09:27:59 AM
Quote from: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 09:15:18 AM
Galpster,

I am a fully trained gunsmith, graduated from the Colorado School of Trades. Worked in the business for 2 years after graduating, and almost starved to death, lol.

Have looked into SBA loan for starting my own business, and ummmmmm well, lets say 40 something white guys, going into NON PC businesses do not get looked on to well, lol.

I would love to have a shop, but the costs of start up are just to prohibitive, especially in this economy.

little trick...have your wife set up the business...there are more program offerings for women ;)

There is a gunsmith down in Rochester and he has helped us a couple times....not sure about up that way.

She has always wanted to have a flower shop,.. could call it Guns & Roses!!!! :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:

Haha now thats a good name right there! I have a couple of buddies who are trained gunsmiths. I am an armorer for Glocks and Colt AR 15's. However there just not seem to be a big enough market to support a gunsmith around these parts. I know of 2 gunsmiths who went out of business but no one starting one.

Shootmoore
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: docsven on January 03, 2010, 09:46:40 AM: There is a rifle smith in Renton, Dan Cowan on Wells Ave. I think it may still be a few weeks out, but should be less than 7. I have used him before and would recommend him. Have you thought of just doing it yourself?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 03, 2010, 10:12:59 AM: I have and feel I could do it myself, but, I would prefer for a gunsmith to do this rifle and then maybe my next purchase I can tinker with it. I have had this rifle since I was 16 and it is still in next to perfect condition. Maybe 100 rounds thru it. My father bought it for me and I do not want to risk goofing it up.

So I am looking for a fair price but someone who will treat it like it was their own and it meant something to them.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 10:16:10 AM: Galspter, what are you looking to have done exactly?

Bedded? New Trigger? New Crown?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: shoot-em-dead on January 03, 2010, 10:19:55 AM: I thought that there was a store in Wa called guns and roses. Seems like I heard of it at least ten years ago when I lived in the Vancouver area. Might have been an Oregon store. :dunno:
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 03, 2010, 10:27:47 AM: 1. Re-crown - This is the most overlooked item in creating accuracy. The bullet and its gases must exit the barrel evenly from the bore. This is why I bore indicate every crown, whether its a target rifle or a hunting rifle.
2. Adjust Trigger - On rifles that have adjustable triggers (i.e. Remingtons) I set them at a crisp 2.5 - 3.0 lb. pull, with little or no A creep and minimal over travel. For those with non-adjustable triggers I try to achieve a reasonable crisp pull.
3. Lap Locking Lugs - This allows the bolt lugs to be in complete contact with the receiver locking lugs. Upon firing the only thing that stops the bolt from rearward movement is the bolt lugs contacting the receiver locking lugs. Upon firing if the bolt lugs are not parallel to each other, with complete even contact against the receiver locking lugs, one side will stop before the other creating a rocking effect which pushes the case off to one side, affecting accuracy
4. Full Action Bed (no synthetic stocks!) - This process creates a mold of your action in your stock. Eliminates any uneven pressure or stress points while tightening the guard screws. Eliminates any movement of the recoil lug upon firing.
5. Clean and Inspect Rifle - I will clean your rifle from top to bottom, using only top quality solvents and oils. The bore will be cleaned with all traces of powder and copper fouling removed. The lug recess area will be cleaned to remove any dirt and brass shavings. The chamber will be cleaned to remove any excess solvents. The action will be properly cleaned and oiled. Bolt grease will be used on contact points. The entire bore and chamber will be bore scoped for any unforeseen problems and corrected if possible.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 03, 2010, 10:36:27 AM: Again it is a Remington Model 700 30.06 LH Springfield.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 10:38:53 AM: Those are all the items I would recommend being done. Especially the crown, bedding and trigger.

If you lap the lugs, you are going to have to have the barrel set back a turn. It will change the headspace. And if you are going to do that, you might as well have the action face squared up, and trued as well, since the barrel will be off the gun.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 03, 2010, 10:40:34 AM: Sounds good. So who is going to do this for me and how much?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 10:54:18 AM: There is a guy in Winlock that is good, but he works part time I beleive. Has his shop at his house. He did some work on my brother's rifle that I could not do. He does good work. Will try and find his #.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 03, 2010, 10:59:14 AM: Thanks Huntbear. I really would like it done over this spring for it will be ready for fall bear then the rest of the seasons.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Huntbear on January 03, 2010, 11:06:35 AM: Here ya go Galpster.

Be a bit of a drive for you, he is south of Chehalis about 10 miles. off I-5

Ryan Gunsmithing
Address: 1488 Ferrier Rd, Winlock, WA 98596
Phone: (360) 785-0880
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: buckman on January 06, 2010, 08:31:54 PM: Up in the lake Stevens area is Jim Cloward. Jim is said to be one of the top gun smiths in the nation for bolt actions. A barrel hone, bedding, trigger job and a crown job will run you about 210.00 and his turn around is less than 2 weeks thanks to the economy. You can reach Jim at 425-334-3006.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: jackelope on January 06, 2010, 09:18:22 PM: galpster-
the work list you pasted...is that what the guy in sammamish wants to do? and if so how much does he want to do it?
also do you have his contact info?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 06, 2010, 09:55:09 PM: Quote
If you lap the lugs, you are going to have to have the barrel set back a turn. It will change the headspace. And if you are going to do that, you might as well have the action face squared up, and trued as well, since the barrel will be off the gun.
:yeah:

If you're willing to ship your rifle...

Ken Carlson (kpcrlson AT bridgeband.com) He's in Idaho but comes with a good reputation.

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

John Taylor Machine in Puyallup will be working my Enfield 1917 from scratch.
http://www.johntaylormachine.com/49.0.html

Hey Jackalope.. John does barrel fluting. You might give him a call about your TC 300 barrel.

-Steve
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 07, 2010, 08:07:42 AM: The shop in Sammamish is called Spot on Smithing. I have sent e-mails and had one reply. I have asked for a price and haven't heard back. I will call them maybe closer to this spring. Their number is 425-533-8555.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 07, 2010, 03:36:22 PM: Email John Taylor. He will respond same or next day. I've not worked with him yet, but he comes recommended to me. I've chatted/emailed with him and he seems to know exactly what I want in an accurized custom rifle.

-Steve
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: jackelope on January 07, 2010, 04:05:42 PM: Quote from: Galpster on January 07, 2010, 08:07:42 AM
The shop in Sammamish is called Spot on Smithing. I have sent e-mails and had one reply. I have asked for a price and haven't heard back. I will call them maybe closer to this spring. Their number is 425-533-8555.

I sent him an email today and we've been trading emails back and forth all afternoon. did you use the contacts link from his website?
www.spotonsmithing.com
he's gonna work up some stuff and get back to me tomorrow. apparently he's also on facebook. :dunno: i haven't looked.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: high country on January 07, 2010, 04:28:01 PM: I will stand up for mel doyle and jim cloward......both do bang on the money work. might as well throw carlock and bemel in there too, although I doubt either will touch a job under a grand.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Special T on January 07, 2010, 05:08:52 PM: Galpster I'm curious how much this costs.. I have a rem 700 LH lam stock... It shoots pretty good, but I'd love to make it shoot better...
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: thinkingman on January 07, 2010, 09:04:58 PM: Anybody know where Angie Butrick is these days?
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: Galpster on January 08, 2010, 01:18:46 AM: Quote from: jackelope on January 07, 2010, 04:05:42 PM
Quote from: Galpster on January 07, 2010, 08:07:42 AM
The shop in Sammamish is called Spot on Smithing. I have sent e-mails and had one reply. I have asked for a price and haven't heard back. I will call them maybe closer to this spring. Their number is 425-533-8555.

I sent him an email today and we've been trading emails back and forth all afternoon. did you use the contacts link from his website?
www.spotonsmithing.com
he's gonna work up some stuff and get back to me tomorrow. apparently he's also on facebook. :dunno: i haven't looked.

I originally did but then I just replied to the message I received from his blackberry. that may be the problem. Anyway I did receive a response today on cost and I am very happy with what he said. I am now just wanting to be sure of his work. Thanks for all the help everyone on here has provided me. I will let everyone know how this turns out.
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: jackelope on January 08, 2010, 07:41:12 AM: i'm gonna talk to the guy today so i will get some prices and more info on the work that i am interested in getting done. i spoke to a guy at one of the gun shops in bellevue and he said the guy seems to know what he's talking about. we'll see if he wants to mess with an encore....
Title: Re: Gunsmith - where are you / gunsmith school- where are you
Post by: WonkyWapiti on February 23, 2010, 08:38:28 PM: Quote from: thinkingman on January 07, 2010, 09:04:58 PM
Anybody know where Angie Butrick is these days?

http://www.thesightman.com/ (http://www.thesightman.com/)

I haven't used Angie but a friend swears by him. He takes all his Kimbers to him or did anyways. My buddy said he is pretty meticulous and even builds custom .45's.