Marylanders, I'm looking for a decent local smith for S&W revolvers

[chaim]

For a while my S&W 65LS was my only revolver (at the same time my Charles Daly was my only auto). It has been several years since then, and it was for just under a year, but that year I shot a heck of a lot of ammo. This has also been one of my favorite guns since then so it got a lot of use. It certainly has somewhere over 10K rounds through it.

So, it is spitting lead. At minimum it needs to be retimed. Also, even though I love this gun as it is, and it was my first .357mag, so I didn't want to have it modified, I'm having trouble finding another 3" K-frame to get the work done I want on an "ultimate carry revolver". So, at minimum it will need retimed and/or some kind of tune up. At maximum I may also have a trigger job, bob the hammer, have it modifed to DAO, have the cylinders possibly cut for moon clips, and have the grips changed to Secret Service grips (that part I can do myself).

There are a lot of good smiths out there, especially for S&W revolvers (I was thinking Cylinder and Slide originally). However, I don't want the long wait without my gun with some of the really big guys and I don't want the hassle of shipping my gun out of state. So, I was wondering if anyone knew of any good local MD smiths (NOVA or southern PA, esp. around York, Lancaster, Gettysburg, or Phily would work as well).

 

[Cliff]

Give John Rhines a call. He's in Germantown maryland off River road. Great FFL,he holding a gun for me now while I'm waiting on the BS 7 day waiting period. He's also a gunsmith with what looks like plenty of experience.

He's at 301.869.8377
[email protected]

 

[madmattmd]

I had Lou Klein in Bowie work on my M29-2 recently. I bought it used at a show (impulse buy) and discovered at the range that it had been somewhat abused. Dry firing and messed up lockup. As the Brits way, it now "works a treat!" I wish I could get some more range time in with it.

BTW, he loves S&Ws.

He's done some work on my IDPA Dan Wesson revolver too. I've also had him work on a 1911 and my Father-in-Law's vintage Setevens double barrel shotgun.

I'm very pleased with the results and highly recommend him.

Here's his website with contact info for Lou's Sporting Goods:

http://www.coolshooting.net/

Matt

If you're looking for someone in the North Central Maryland Area, you can try Duffy's (now Ken's) Gun Room on Falls Road in Sparks. John in the shop did a fine job cleaning and fixing my cherished Colt Targetsman (My Father's pistol and the first gun I fired) that another "gunsmith" totally screwed up years ago trying to clean.

 

[Cliff]

Yeah, I forgot about Lou. Good guy, know's his guns, has a great gunsmithing setup,and he's a FFL also. Lou's a no bs kind of guy,and doesn't suffer fools gladly. Kinda hard to walk out of his shop without buying something.

 

[Brian Williams]

Why not S&W...

 

[BluesBear]

S&W should fix it free under warranty. They'll even pay for shipping from and back to your door.

 

[madmattmd]

Yes, Lou is a no BS kind of guy. He's been doing this for a while and will tell you exactly like it is, whether you want to hear it or not.

On sending the revolver to S&W, that's what we ending up doing with my Model 29. Lou is straight up about what he can/will do and can't/won't. It only took a couple of weeks total. It took me longer to get back down to Bowie (over an hour away) than it took to have the gun repaired.

My Model 29 is a 1980 manufacture date and was not fixed free by S&W under warranty. I didn't expect them to fix it for nothing since the problems were clearly caused by use/abuse by PO(s). Still, I'm happy with the results as a I now have what I had orininally paid for from the gunshop I had bought it from (at a show). I remain a bit peeved that the shop sold the gun as it was for the price they did. I have done business with them before and expected a little better (burn me once, shame on you, burn me twice, shame on me). Oh well, let the buyer beware. At least I don't have to concern myself with doing business with them again (no longer in business) and I've learned more about what to look for when inspecting a firearm for purchase.

Once again, my first suggestion would be Lou. It won't cost you anything to hear what he has to say and you can always take it to someone else for a second opinion.


Matt

 

[Lonestar]

These Guys are in Southern PA near the DE border. Big Selection and Authorized S&W dealer. Sorry you missed it they had a big S&W sale in May . The only complaint is on the weekends, they get real busy since they are the only indoor range in a 30 mile radius.

http://www.targetmaster.com/

 

[chaim]

Why not S&W...

I've thought about them too, but I'd prefer someone local so I wouldn't have to deal with and wait for the shipping. However, depending up the prices I may go with S&W instead.