Iron Brigade Armory?

[bosshoff]

Has anyone sent a Remington PSS to Iron Brigade Armory for their "tune-up?" I have a Remington 700 which I am thinking of sending in for their basic tune-up, as well as installation of their trigger guard, and mounting of a Nightforce 5.5-22X56 scope. Anyone do this?

 

[0007]

Norm and his crew did a tune-up on my older Remmy 700 BDL/VS .308 for me about three years ago. I dropped in on him out of the blue one day with my rifle and he proceeded to do a quick check on it right then.
I have since discovered that he reeeeaaalllyyy doesn't like people to just come by his place without calling first. Either way he was extremely polite and helpful. I ended up having him do one of his his NOT-everything-including-the-kitchen-sink tune-ups on it. He also restocked it with a B&H(?) stock which he included in the job for a very reasonable sum.
I highly recommend that you try to go see him face-to-face if you can. Talk with him about what you are looking to do with your rifle. As he knew that I was not a "serious life-or-death" shooter, he suggested not performing some of the more expensive work on my rifle. I was very impressed with the rifle when I picked it up. I seem to recall he gave me the numbers for the bolt receiver lock-up and barrel run-out before and after. Sorry to rattle on. If you can afford the time and $$$ to have him do the work I think you will be most pleased with the results.
The only downside you may run into is that his shop will probably be very busy with current work. You may have a few months' wait for your job to come up. This is why it is good to try for a face-to-face.

 

[Mute]

IBA is among the best and most respected in the riflesmithing business. However, for the money and wait time, I'd give Gardner Precision or HD Rifle a call. I believe these two guys can give you the same quality level you're looking for.

 

[ALS]

Well since I do own two Chandlers #290 and #355 I have been very pleased with Iron Brigade Armory. I talked to Norm and his son yesterday just to check in and say hi. He is finishing up a M1A I wanted him to assemble for me. One thing I will tell you is listen to 0007's advice when it comes to IBA.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'll endorse IBA

Iron Brigade Armorers are former Marine Armorers and are held to higher standards than USMC. I'd buy from them - if I could afford it.

BTW, Rocky Chandler spent part of his youth on Alcatraz and was in the Marines as a sniper in WW II. His father was a prison guard there and Rocky wasn't incarcerated.

 

[bosshoff]

Who else?

Okay, thanks for the info. "Mute" your post was very helpful. I am looking to have some work done, and I am not set on anyone in particular. I just want the work done flawlessly. I am in the process of sending out some letters to various smiths detailing what I have in mind. Does anyone else have a suggestion of someone to call?

 

[ALS]

Okay, thanks for the info. "Mute" your post was very helpful. I am looking to have some work done, I just want the work done flawlessly.

Then IBA would fit your standards.

 

[Mute]

You should go on over to The Sniper's Hide Forum. You'll be able to get additional info from a number of guys who've had experience with all the parties you're interested in as well as other's not mentioned here.

 

[0007]

Just as an aside - I seem to remember when Norm, Jr. first looked at my rifle he was impressed because the bolt/rcvr run-out was <0.003" or some such small number. He said the older Rems seemed to be tighter/more square.
His dad also is a writer and has published a pretty good stack of fiction. I think he recently had some of them reprinted. Most are "early frontier fiction" in series, kind of like a slightly less polished Louis LaMour, but he sets them in the areas that he is familiar with and the ones I have are pretty good reads. Hardback only, limited printings.
Yeah, if I had the $$$$ I would definately own at least one of IBAs' versions of the M-40. But for a whole lot less $$, I'd send any Rem that I ever bought up for their accurizing treatment. Not saying other builders aren't as good, I just liked the way these guys worked.