As of writing this article, I’m in the process of having a dedicated 1000-yard competition rifle built. Since the topic is fresh on my mind, and it’s -50° outside (no joke), I will take this opportunity to discuss how to find a skilled gunsmith.

Having a skilled gunsmith is the glue that binds everything together. You can have the best equipment money can buy, but that rifle will end up an expensive wall-hanger without a proficient smith.

Imagine being a formula one race car driver. It probably wouldn’t be wise to have Jimmy, who works at Bob’s Quick Lube down the street, be your chief mechanic.

I have witnessed the results of poor craftsmanship. Not only are the results atrocious, but it looks like it was produced in a nightmare factory.

True story:

A friend of mine had some work done on his firearm. He gets to the shooting range and pulls the trigger for the first time. He was surprised to learn he was now the proud owner of a fully automatic handgun. He promptly went home and completely destroyed the firearm. It was pure luck. It didn’t explode, leaving him with a new nickname, stubby.

He didn’t feel like going to prison because some incompetent gunsmith bit off more than he could chew.

How do you find a skilled gunsmith?

First, like surgeons, you should understand that gunsmiths specialize in specific areas. Look at it this way: If you are going to have open-heart surgery, you won’t choose an orthodontist to do the job, even though, technically, they are both doctors.

When you have decided what type of work you need to be completed, it is time to do research. You want to find a specialist in that field. It won’t be long until you notice similar names popping up. Then, you grab your phone and make a call.

If you want to find a skilled gunsmith, don’t do it by email. You can’t get a feel for someone that way. 

To quote my father, “The key to a long life is to avoid idiots.”

Here are two real-world examples:

An acquaintance of mine attempted to contact one of those well-renowned gunsmiths for a project. After three phone calls in one month and no response, he then took his project elsewhere. The smith he initially tried to hire couldn’t be bothered to call him back for a measly 2k.

Another gentleman ordered a rather expensive component for a competition rifle. He dared to ask the manufacturer, “How much time may it take to produce the part?” I kid you not! The response was, “It will be done when it’s done,” and the gunsmith hung up the phone.

That’s the type of people you want to avoid. If their egos prevent them from even less than half-decent customer service, you don’t want them working on your stuff.

Overconfident people, at some point, will get sloppy and make mistakes. 

I have been fortunate to have had the same gunsmith from the beginning. When I contacted him about the latest project, his response was, “Sweet, when do we start?” Right now. I am still waiting for the components. I almost think he’s more excited than I am.

I hope I’ve been able to pull the curtain back on the subject and to help others avoid some common mistakes when choosing the right person for the job.

I hope after reading this, you will prevent the draining of your wallet by inadvertently buying some new home decor.

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