Posted on 05/06/2015 4:09:49 PM PDT by rey
How do you know if a gun smith is really a gun smith? IS there some sort of licensing or certification? Should they have an FFL? IS there some way to verify, an certifying body you can contact who will verify they are trustworthy and capable? A gun store gunsmith seems more reliable than simply leaving a weapon with someone who works out of a private home or facility.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
Simple. Do some research with the help of a gun expert, then ask the smith some technical questions that only a gun smith would know offhand.
I did this with a master sword smith, and three minutes into an hour long dissertation about alloys, when he lost me, I was convinced beyond any doubt that he was a master at his trade.
You are too kind to point out my idiocy. Thank you.
It would seem to me before you would leave a weapon with someone you would want some sort of licensing, bonding, certification. Yes, you are correct that a license or degree does not make you competent or trust worthy; driving down the road confirms this, but such sanctioning is a start at least.
It just seems to me the potential for screwing something up and the potential for disaster is high. If he does something to a weapon that causes injury, disappears with a weapon, loses a weapon, or simply dies before the work is done, how do you get your weapon back or what recourse do you have? If he is just what ever he claims to be the shame is on me for failing to abide by caveat emptor. I’m simply trying to be aware. Others ask me about him and I was hoping one could say he’d be licensed, have an FFL, schooling, something. I am pretty sure this guy isn’t what he claims. Heck, why can’t I claim to be a gunsmith and collect a few weapons and experiment on them?
Ask your local police department where they send their weapons out for work.
“How do you know if a gun smith is real ...?”
Your first tip off should be his last name, Smith.
It is widely know frauds use this last name to blend in...
Check references! Ask about other people who have had them do some work. An honest person would give you some names and thanks look forward to hearing back from you!
Anyone working on guns that are left overnight needs to be FFL’d. Repairs/mods that stay with the smith need to be logged in the “bound book” Repairs that can be done while you wait are not required to be logged in. Ask for references ad where the smith apprenticed or was schooled at, what makers armorer schools he is certified by.
One of the volumes of Brownells Gunsmithing Kinks books has a cartoon, “Two days ago, I couldn’t even spell gunschmidt, now I are one!”
I was taught by a great old-fashioned gunsmith with no formal training. I have friends who graduated from gunsmithing school. They have learned from me and I have learned from them. We all know smith’s who will never catch on but talk a good line.
Ask around to get a feel for him. If he steals your gun, the locals and feds take a dim view of that and will be right there knocking on his door.
Depending on what sort of work you want to have done, there are a number of different options.
I’m not sure about rifles or shotguns, but for handguns, you might want to check with the American Pistolsmiths Guild. Ron Power and Jim Clark are charter members.
You might also check with local police departments, and check with local competitive shooters.
Thought it’s been many years since I’ve dealt with any gunsmiths, I’ve been very lucky to have had work done on some handguns by Ron Power (I had a Grandmaster 629, and have a 625-5), Leonard Baity for work done on a 1911, and Cylinder and Slide. I don’t know if Ron is still doing revolvers, but his S&W and Ruger revolvers are absolutely amazing. Leonard Baity built a 1911 “Pin Gun” for me, maybe 20 years ago, incredibly accurate, and his work was superb. Cylinder & Slide is also quite well known, doing very high quality work, but they were especially well known for Colt Pythons and Browning/FN High Power. Of course, for 1911s, there were Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, and Jim Clark.
You could also contact American Handgunner magazine, if they’re still in business. I seem to recall that they used to do regular features on gunsmiths. Or maybe Brownells or PowerCustom, as both sell gunsmithing tools.
Regarding certifications, I knew 2 local guys, both were terrific gunsmiths, both were tool & die makers by trade, but had no “official” training or certifications, though both knew and hung out with Ron Power, and I’m sure they picked up some great hints from him.
Good luck,
Mark
Do your own work on your own weapons. Deal with it. Who do you trust? I trust myself. Mechanical skills are an aquirred habit
Word of mouth and talk with folks at gun shops. Just being certified doesn’t always mean quality - anecdotal info is useful.
I can strip a 1911 to pins and reassemble it with no problems. However I promised one of my fiends who’s a gunsmith that I’d never take the sideplate off a S&W revolver, ever again.
Simple maintenance, including things like “drop in” parts aren’t a problem. But actual tuning, like timing a revolver, headspacing a rifle, honing the contact points on a trigger/sear, I leave to professionals. I know my limitations (including reassembling a S&W revolver.(
Mark
Lots of folks who arent gunsmiths should be able to do that.
Some local guy called Dunlap is pretty good.
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