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Best Gunsmith

A

andrews1958

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 16, 2010
367
37
Maine/Africa
#1
I am getting to build my first tactical rifle and trying to decide on the smith to build it. There are so many smiths with great reviews that I am at the point of flipping a coin on who to use. I want a fully tricked out custom. Custom action,barrel and stock. Thinking of a 308, 243 270WSM ?? The only thing I do know is that I want it to have a stout 20" barrel and to shoot incredably accurate at 100, 300 and 600 yards. This is a chance for you to design and build a nice rifle using someone eles's money.

Any sugestions/ recomendation on your first choice of a smith would be a great help so I can get my project going. It looks like GAP is my best choice at this time Thanks
 
#2
Re: Best Gunsmith

Have you talked to any smiths yet?

Look at some of the smiths that roam around here on The Hide. Chances are you can talk to them and the people who have used them in the past.
With such a blank slate on your build, when you talk to different smiths, they are going to give you different idea's. What will work, what will be a major pain in the dick.

Absolutely nothing wrong with GAP, or any other of the big name builders but alot of the smaller builders on here make some nice looking sticks; probably with alot less wait time and a more open line for communication.

Good luck with your build, do you have ANY details worked out yet?
 
#5
Re: Best Gunsmith

243, 260, 6.5 Creedmore, 308 would all be great.

Do you reload?

As for smiths, take your pick, but I'd really suggest a lightly used custom for your first one. You'll get it now vs 9 months from now, you can save a fair amount of coin and you can figure out stuff you like and don't like. Once you have some time with a custom or two then you can really know what you want in yours. Lots of guys have jumped into customs only to get them after a year wait and not be happy with the stock, barrel length, etc etc
 
#6
Re: Best Gunsmith

even if you dont know what you want, you gotta narrow it down some. even the bestest of the best rifles will do you no good if you dont like it or it wont fit you. go out to a range and every gun shop and show you can find and hold some of the stocks out there and get some idea of that. look at a few "custom" actions. only you can build your rifle or decide what you want in it. your gonna get so many different opinions that you wont be any farther ahead. someone could tell me to get a badger action. id believe that it was good, but id still want to handle one before i decided to drop that coin.

first whats your gun budget not including your optics? then you go from there. unlimited budget? pic one of the guys on this site and you will be happy.

GAPrecision
tac-ops
wnroscoe
mark at short action customs

those 4 come to my mind from seeing their work here. some have stuff built already that will make you jizz your tacticool pants. but you have to at least have a caliber picked out. do you reload? will you? what are you using it for? all that stuff will help a smith and yourself get where you want to go.

its a fun ride, but you have to steer a little
 
#8
Re: Best Gunsmith

Lots of good gunsmiths on this site. I would like to heartily recommend Jim Ruiz owner of Predator Custom Shop in Knoxville Tn. Makes a nice stick for a very good price. Usually can talk to him personally if you have a question. Below is his website address and click on to gun packages. I don't believe you can beat his price for the quality you get.
http://www.predatorcustomshop.com/
 
#10
Re: Best Gunsmith

Thanks for the names of some recomended smiths. I will follow up on the ones mentioned. There are just so so many of them that I want to talk to the ones that get good reviews from member on this site.
 
#11
Re: Best Gunsmith

ive never heard anyone say a bad word about aj brown. if you notice every once and a while one of his rifles hit the classifieds and it seams just having his name attached to the rifle makes it more valuable.
 
#13
Re: Best Gunsmith

I'll start off by saying something that as already been said an that I you can't go wrong with any of the smiths on here. I went with mike at underground skunkworks. He has great communication and was a huge help to my wife who pretty much dealt with getting everything and a lot of decisions when it came to the build. The only thing I would recommend is call them see who you like an see what there lead times are, and if there currently taking new orders. Best of luck with your decision I was in the same boat about a year ago and wanted to go with one of the smaller smiths on here at the time and I can say having my rifle now there are no regerts.
 
#14
Re: Best Gunsmith

As recomended I have contacted and discussed a number of gunsmiths mentioned on this web site. There are some great ones available.

It is basicly a coin flip between Underground Skunkworks and Jon Beanland

Both guys seem top notch, imformative, easy to talk to and have some great reviews written about themselves on a number of sites

If anyone has had a rifle built by either one, could you tell me a little about your likes and possible dislikes on your rifle. Thanks
 
#15
Re: Best Gunsmith

I don't think you will be getting any dislikes about Skunk or Beanland. I don't own either but I have seen some awesome stuff come from both and never seen a complaint. Mike with Skunkworks would probably be my choice because I've seen a ton of his work and he is very active here on the hide and I think that is something that can be of much help and shows he's always around to help you out if you need anything.
 
#16
Re: Best Gunsmith

If you want a .308 just buy a Sako TRG 20",they shot under .5 MOA all day with factory ammo.

If thats not good enough, buy a used TRG 22 and send it to APA, Jered Joplin's crew, and have them barrel it in 6.5CM. Both guns they did for me shoot under .23MOA with factory Hornady 140 AMAX.
Why would anybody want to reload when off the shelf stuff is this good !

sit at a bench and reload or go shooting...tough choice.
 
#17
Re: Best Gunsmith

I used RW Snyder for my rifle. Robert was very responsive and helpful during the entire build. I made some changes along the way and he had no problem making them. Wait time was about 4.5 months with most of it waiting on Krieger for the barrel to arrive. His prices were also very reasonable.
 
#18
Re: Best Gunsmith

I placed an order with Mike at Skunkworks about two and a half or three weeks ago for one of his Infidel rifles chambered in 300 WM. Mike is a great guy to deal with and he has been turning out some awesome performing/ looking rifles. I cannot wait to get mine. Best of luck on your custom stick.
 
#19
Re: Best Gunsmith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">243, 260, 6.5 Creedmore, 308 would all be great.

Do you reload?

As for smiths, take your pick, but I'd really suggest a lightly used custom for your first one. You'll get it now vs 9 months from now, you can save a fair amount of coin and you can figure out stuff you like and don't like. Once you have some time with a custom or two then you can really know what you want in yours. Lots of guys have jumped into customs only to get them after a year wait and not be happy with the stock, barrel length, etc etc</div></div>

IMO, this is some of the best advice you have received, nothing wrong with a good, used rifle. The lower price and immediate delivery is just a bonus.
 
#21
Re: Best Gunsmith

Robert Gradous
Karl Kampfeld

Great personable service, fantastic detail & accuracy. Google search these guys and all you will find is great feedback.

Most unpleasant gunsmith IMO is GAP precision. Buy a GAP & have to send it Back.
 
#22
Re: Best Gunsmith

Is there really a "Best"?

Like aleady mentioned above. Read read and read some more. Narrow your choices and make some calls. You'll get the feel of the builder just as they will get a feel for you just from a simple phone call. You can email anyone you want but emails only give you part of the story, talking in person or at least over the phone is best in my opinion.

I went throught the "selection" process a little while back. Before leaving for Afghanistan again I spoke with Mike @ Tac-Ops. After a lengthly conversation my mind was made up, an order is going to be placed. I've also been communicating (but not called yet) Mike @ Skunk Works and an order is going in with him too very soon. The details are being ironed out as I type this. I have nothing but time on my hands so if a build takes 8 weeks or 12 months it's not a big deal.

Just do your homework. Don't just hop on the who ever is popular at the time bandwagon. There are plenty of great smiths around the country, probably even close to you if you look.

If time is important then you may end up excluding some builders as some are swamped. Look at a factory gun to hold you over until a builder can be settled on. Chances are you'll do just as good with a quality factory rig as a full custom without the wait.
 
#23
Re: Best Gunsmith

Choosing the right 'smith is a surprisingly personal decision- to be a great shooter (and a happy shooter) you need be confident in your choice, your equipment, and the shop that puts it together for you. If you don't trust your 'smith you wont trust your rifle, and you won't get better as a shooter. Call the recommended shops and chat with the boss. See who is willing to spend time advising you.


J. Nixon
Machinist
American Precision Arms
Jefferson, GA
706-534-1577
www.americanprecisionarms.com
 
#24
Re: Best Gunsmith

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Night poacher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Robert Gradous
Karl Kampfeld

Great personable service, fantastic detail & accuracy. Google search these guys and all you will find is great feedback.

Most unpleasant gunsmith IMO is GAP precision. Buy a GAP & have to send it Back.

</div></div>

Gap enthusiasts aren't going to be happy about this one.
wink.gif


I have no experience with their hardware but I will say...

+1 for Robert Gradous. Great guy and amongst the best smiths out there. Robert will humbly tell you that he builds "meat and potato" guns. Well then his guns are filet mignon to say the least. I have spoken to Robert a few times since the end of Sept when the rifle was built. Time is money and I understand this. Some builders may be hesitant to to a lot of talking or utilizing of their time after the sale. Robert assured me that he would be there if needed after the rifle was built. And so far he is batting a 1000. Simply... I call to talk and get advice. I get answers and Robert is willing to help. And I always end the conversation. To me that is a good sign. I have delt with others whom were paid for their services who act like they don't know you after they are paid for a job. We all know these types. Robert is a solid guy.

Overall, Robert is a very very knowledgable craftsman, smith, handloader, and machinest. I highly recommend him to anyone. Especially to those who have a high standard for accuracy and craftsmanship.
 
#25
Re: Best Gunsmith

To answer your question about like and dislikes about my rifle from Mike. The only dislike I have about it is I dont get to shoot it enough and now I have to find a range to go to after moving. I absolutely love everything about the rifle there is nothing I would change on it. Mike will be willing to work with you on anything and any changes you may have.
 
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