Gunsmithing Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

C

Crapshot

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2010
132
2
Texas
#1
$200.00 with a "usual 1-2 week turnaround". And I supply the brake.

For a varmint contour 700 in. 308

I have never had any guns worked on before, actually he is the first gunsmith I've met that I know of so I've been a little curious if this is reasonable for the wrrk. If so im going to look into becoming a gunsmith. If not anyone have any recommendations on a gunsmith?
Thanks
 
#5
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hink</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Slightly high in my opinion. Where are you in Texas? I can give recommendation for an excellent 'smith in the DFW area. </div></div>

Austin, but its looking like ill send it off either way so I would love some recommendations. I would also like to have the barrel cut down crowned and then brake fitted, if that makes any difference.

Thanks again
 
#9
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1shot2kill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">have this guy do it
http://www.longriflesinc.com </div></div>

I shot em an email thanks for the link.
And great pic of ole jeremy clarkson in your sig. Bbc's top gear is awesome. Usa's version suuucks
 
#10
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1shot2kill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">have this guy do it
http://www.longriflesinc.com </div></div>

I shot em an email thanks for the link.
And great pic of ole jeremy clarkson in your sig. Bbc's top gear is awesome. Usa's version suuucks </div></div>

agreed the us version is a disgrace.
my rifle should be back from chad by friday i will post up some pics he does top notch work however his wait time is a bit longer than usual right now due to overwhelming demand from his group buys he has had but that also comes from doing top notch work
 
#11
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

What brake is it?
Will it need to be timed to the barrel?
Will it need to be or expected to be blended with the barrel to match contour?
Will it require a refinish to the barrel or barreled action?

A lot of info you didn't include. There are some jobs that I would expect a $200.00 price. Some simple ones like a Badger FTE should be almost half of that.

I would suggest you make sure you and your smith have good communication between what you expect and what he has to deliver.

Good luck with it either way.
TC
 
#12
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

You might have the same problem I have around here:

Only one, maybe 2 Smith's in the area and they always jack up the prices because they know people have to pay.

Your next best choice might be sending it off or traveling half a day.

I have started doing my own stuff now that I have a little time under my belt. Granted, I dont thread or do many machine work jobs, but the small things most people take to "GunSmiths" I do myself...
 
#13
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

Ya I agree that it is high, I would personally mail out your parts unless you have someone who is less than 2 hours from you. You can drive a ways if you like but you end up spending more on gas than shipping. But then again it is nice to have face to face contact with who is doing the work and holding on to your baby. Lots of great guys out there that do top notch work either way.
 
#14
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

That is REAL HIGH! I get $150.00 ($100.00 for the brake and $50.00 to put it on) to install a Vais brake and that includes the price of the brake and tax. To thread a barrel and put a brake on, index it and or blend it I only charge $50.00.

Maybe I need to go up......
 
#15
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I understand them wanting to charge $200.

If he is a good smith then he probably has full builds going. Now he has to take on your rifle and is only going to get a smaller portion than what he would make if he continued on the full builds.

If he isn't blending the brake and timing it, then $200 might be a little high.
 
#18
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I am torn on which brake to get but all of my choices will need to be timed, the ops inc. might need to be tapered in the back .03" but to save $100 I could live with it not matching perfectly for a while at least. And this local guy charges $110 to thread alone + extra for thread protector which I thought was affordable and if I find a brake I like that doesn't require timing I might go that route. But a $120 brake + $200 install is a bit out of my price range. I realize I get what I pay for as well and that will be taken into account.
 
#19
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">$200.00 with a "usual 1-2 week turnaround". And I supply the brake.

For a varmint contour 700 in. 308

I have never had any guns worked on before, actually he is the first gunsmith I've met that I know of so I've been a little curious if this is reasonable for the wrrk. If so im going to look into becoming a gunsmith. If not anyone have any recommendations on a gunsmith?
Thanks </div></div>

save yourself the money by following a simple rule. "don't put brakes on small calibers (.223, .308, etc.).

Is 308 hurting your shoulder? Is the recoil to much for your body? No?

Save your money for the Magnum and Ultra Magnum brakes.
 
#20
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ranger1183</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">$200.00 with a "usual 1-2 week turnaround". And I supply the brake.

For a varmint contour 700 in. 308

I have never had any guns worked on before, actually he is the first gunsmith I've met that I know of so I've been a little curious if this is reasonable for the wrrk. If so im going to look into becoming a gunsmith. If not anyone have any recommendations on a gunsmith?
Thanks </div></div>

save yourself the money by following a simple rule. "don't put brakes on small calibers (.223, .308, etc.).

Is 308 hurting your shoulder? Is the recoil to much for your body? No?

Save your money for the Magnum and Ultra Magnum brakes. </div></div>



223's might need a muzzle brake for some people out there, or maybe they just prefer zero recoil over little, I don't know im not one of those people. My ar had a brake and I took it off cause it was annoyingly percussive standing near it going off. Its about having a good time shooting, and for me I have a little bit better time shooting when my 308 is a bit more tame.. I could add weight and get the same effect without the added noise but I don't want to tear this hs stock up trying to cram lead shot in every crevice. To clarify this is only from a bench, prone this rifle seemingly has very little recoil.

Thanks again for the help everyone
 
#21
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

seems a little high. I just took a 300 rem ultra mag in for a friend to a local shop here in the Denver area. Bone stock Remmington bolt gun and he is removing the front site and threading it and installing the brake for $230.00. cant remember the brand of brake, one that Brownells sells. I have seen his work and very nice professional job. I had a 300 WSM Browning A bolt done last year by another shop with the same set up and it was $210.00. hope that helps
 
#24
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

On muzzle brake installs I get $250 to include my Brake. It has 3 ports per side and they vent upwards and to the rear. This includes the following;

1. Barrel double indicated to .0002" or better
2. Barrel cut to desired length if required
3. Crown re-cut
4. Barrel threading for brake
5. Timing the brake
6. Boring/Reaming the required caliber bore in the Brake
7. Blending the brake
8. Crowning the Brake
9. Bevel cut on OD front edge of Brake

Omit Step #2 if barrel length is left as received

If shorter than 22" is desired the barrel is removed for these operations.

Threads 5/8x24, 9/16x24 and 1/2x28 are cut to a class 3 fit
All other threads are cut minimum to fit Brake

IMHO, $200 is a fair deal is your GS is taking the time to do it right.
 
#25
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Terry Cross</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What brake is it?
Will it need to be timed to the barrel?
Will it need to be or expected to be blended with the barrel to match contour?
Will it require a refinish to the barrel or barreled action?

A lot of info you didn't include. There are some jobs that I would expect a $200.00 price. Some simple ones like a Badger FTE should be almost half of that.

I would suggest you make sure you and your smith have good communication between what you expect and what he has to deliver.

Good luck with it either way.
TC </div></div>

yep. there are some questions that need to be answered before we can accurately say if the price quote is too high. some brake require timing which take longer than a quick thread job. some require timing and then turning the od to match the barrel taper for that one-piece look. those require a second adjustment on the lathe and much more time.
 
#26
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

you also need to consider what are you getting for that 200 some gunsmiths thread your barrel and slap the brake on and it looks like crap others make it look like it is part of the barrel and you cant find the line where they join together best route is answer all the questions above and go with a top notch smith like the 1 i listed above
 
#28
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JCH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I understand them wanting to charge $200.

If he is a good smith then he probably has full builds going. Now he has to take on your rifle and is only going to get a smaller portion than what he would make if he continued on the full builds.

If he isn't blending the brake and timing it, then $200 might be a little high. </div></div>

Very true, he was at the range braking in a customers rifle he built.

And for the details i left out,

I actually do not know what brake ill end up with, but type, finish, contour, and timing are, i guess, included in the $200.00 if it needs to be done. And if not its still $200.


Whichever brake i get will have to be timed and likely contoured.

I might order one from the gent on here that custom makes them per custom dimensions which would just leave timing it.
 
#30
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LWILLIAMS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad is a good guy to deal with. Now if only he would get my gun done, heck I dropped it off on Thursday. The wait time is killin me. </div></div>

Your wait time isnt bad at all... your sarcasm is shining through!
 
#32
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I can get my barrels threaded for $50.00 (5/8x24 Gemtech thread specs), and a muzzle brake from RWS for a total of less than $100.00. My smith will time RWS's brake with a lathe for $20.00.

That prices seems VERY high to me, but the Gunsmith I use is young and new, and I am sure his prices will go up as he gets more word-of-mouth buisness. He sure is getting word-of-mouth buisness from me here in Ohio.
 
#33
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I usually pay $100 to $120 depending on how my gunsmith feels that day.

He does excellent work and it is a one day affair so I call a day or two ahead of time and drop it off at 9am and its done by the time lunch is over.
 
#34
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

Price with most gunsmiths for threading and CHAMBERING w/ cutting muzzle and crowning the barrel is around $200! (until they make a name for themselves and jack up the prices for the same quality of work) Installing a brake (even a timed brake) should be no more than $100 IMO and that would be WITH touching up the crown as the muzzle would already be dialed in and it takes all of two minutes.
 
#35
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

Read my post on Crown ? in this section. Took mine to a gunsmith yesterday to do the same thing. I'm supplying the brake (from RWS on here) and he's charging 75 bucks to do everything that your gunsmith is charging 200 to do.
 
#36
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I will definitely do some shopping. I actually have been emailing back and forth for athe few months with a smith ~1.5 hrs away that will shorten crown and thread my barrel for my brake for $20.00... unfortunately (for me) he can only do work on barrels other than his regular ar15 business Only one weekend a month and as of yet our scheduals have worked out for either s convenience tho he offered to meet me halfway once. Plus I think I want to have everything trued up while its at a smith anyways and this local guy admitted he was more geared towards ar's and I would be better off with another more qualified bolt action precision smith do that so I thing that's what ill do. If I can affords it
 
#37
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

that aint bad the guys around ny charge 100 dollars for threading and then 80 bucks for labor . i aint joking eathier. i called to have one put on my tikka . and i have to supply the brake to boot. us people in ny are gettin the shaft by the time iam done it will cost over 300 bucks. for that cost iam thinking about just buying another gun with a break on it alredy id be willing to spend the extra money then. i can get a used 300 mag or 308 with a break for 600 .
 
#38
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

I've been considering the same thing and honestly I've started looking into a lathe suitable for gun work. There are a very few capable machines south of my max price range and tooling apparently is significant to put it lightly. But I have 3 700's, one 788, and one model 7 I would like to rebarrel then thread, true etc... Plus friends then there's the 22's and Ar.. it would cost me far less to do it myself granted I could find a capable machine in my price range and hopefully within a reasonable driving distance. In the meantime ill keep emailing smiths and maybe with some luck one will find time in their schedule to email me back
 
#39
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been considering the same thing and honestly I've started looking into a lathe suitable for gun work. There are a very few capable machines south of my max price range and tooling apparently is significant to put it lightly. But I have 3 700's, one 788, and one model 7 I would like to rebarrel then thread, true etc... Plus friends then there's the 22's and Ar.. it would cost me far less to do it myself granted I could find a capable machine in my price range and hopefully within a reasonable driving distance. In the meantime ill keep emailing smiths and maybe with some luck one will find time in their schedule to email me back </div></div>

I don't know if you got my email I was trying to see if you wanted a certificate for a free threading from a reputable gunsmith on here that's a site sponsor for cheaper than what you're looking at with this local smith.

Just let me know if you're interested.
 
#40
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1shot2kill</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1shot2kill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">have this guy do it
http://www.longriflesinc.com </div></div>

I shot em an email thanks for the link.
And great pic of ole jeremy clarkson in your sig. Bbc's top gear is awesome. Usa's version suuucks </div></div>

agreed the us version is a disgrace.
my rifle should be back from chad by friday i will post up some pics he does top notch work however his wait time is a bit longer than usual right now due to overwhelming demand from his group buys he has had but that also comes from doing top notch work </div></div>

Hahaha just caught it for a second and knew immediately that was the Ariel Atom review. If you can watch that whole review without laughing your balls off then you have no soul.
 
#41
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

If a guy asks me how much it cost for me to fix his combine and he has a vague idea of what it needs I will shoot him so high there is no way I'll loose money, could be he shot you the covering his ass price!
 
#42
Re: Local smith wants $200 to thread/install brake?

If he is a good gun plumber you would be better to pay a little more and get a good job rather than pay too little and get a crappy job that would effect your rifles performance......
 
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