What service would you expect from a gunsmith?

[sonier]

Im going to start a apprentice possibly soon for gunsmithing, as well as going to school for 3 years in Trinidad for gunsmithing major. I will open a buisness shortly after.

Heres what im asking

What things has a gunsmith in the past done that has impressed you? perhaps a phone call about ammunition choices?

What do you expect from a gunsmith that finished a mechanical part job for you?

What do you expect from a gunsmith who finished a cosmetic part for you?


I may be asking questions rather early, BUT I want to make sure that when i do start, I will have a VERY strong foundation, and values to which I want too provide.

 

[PT1911]

I expect the job to get done... IF they say they can do it no matter the job.... at a price they can estimate prior to taking the job... whether cosmetic or function.

What has impressed me about a good gunsmith?
Unfortunately he is retired now, but a local smith has such knowledge of SO MANY guns that is just rediculous. AND it is guns from all time periods...essentially, he is not stuck in a specialty area unlike many smiths I have seen.... The things I have seen him do are nothing short of amazing... and he is not afraid to teach.

 

[Dihappy]

Nothing which he/she didnt explain would be done.

 

[2nd 41]

I expect my gun to be returned without any scratches or marks on it.

 

[sonier]

So far so good, Is there anything you would like a gunsmith to do for you? suppose you bring a gun for any new part/fix Is there any thing you would like him too do?

 

[Pileatus]

I expect to get the gun back in the same condition I gave it to the gunsmith in. If there aren't any scratches or nicks, that means no new ones when everything is finished, a clean bore if test firing was needed, etc. As far as doing the job I've asked for, I would prefer that a gunsmith take his time and do it right than try to rush things. No skeet or trap tournament has ever been so important that I've asked a gunsmith to try and do a one- or two-week job in 48 hours.

I have been in retail for my whole life, and as any other retailer will tell you, customer service is everything. Customers will tell their friends about you no matter what their experience is, so it's your job to make sure that those comments are as good as you can make them. Of course, everyone knows you can't please everyone, not in any job or field, but if you go the extra mile your customers will notice and word will spread. The same is also true in reverse, perhaps even moreso for bad service. How many times have you asked a person about their favorite restaurant/mechanic/etc and the first place they mention is where NOT to go? Even I do it...if someone around my area asks for a gunsmith, the first thing I tell them is to not go to the big-name sporting goods shop in town...why, because the person in charge of gunsmithing there is a rude man who treats his paying customers like crud. I tell people to send their stuff half way across the country to a gentleman who not only moved me to the front of the list, but also gave me a break on the price because the gun needed more work than I originally expected. He also did a hell of a job. That is customer service, and it's what brings people back for more and attracts new clients, plain and simple. Of course, I'm not saying you need to give discounts, move the waiting list around, etc to be a good gunsmith and build your reputation, but it's that kind of business practice in general--namely, putting in a little extra effort to make your people happy--that separates the good from the great.

Good luck!

Jake

 

[wrs840]

I really like my Gunsmith!

He's friendly, seems to be very knowledgeable, tells me what he intends to do and does it, without unreasonable delay, calls me if there's a hitch or question about my preferences, asked my permission to test-fire my guns before-hand (of course I want that, but professional of him to ask, I take it some say "no"...), and also asked if I wanted him to clean test-fired guns (no-thanks). He does great work, and is the kind of guy that leaves no marks (treats my guns like Faberge eggs )...

He's young (30 something?), and works out of Statesville Jewelry and Loan (in Statesville, NC). His name is Johnny Sheets.

Les

 

[wishin]

I want a knowledgeable individual who doesn't talk down to me (gives me some credit for having mechanical apptitude), is friendly and down-to-earth, and acts like he values my business - not like he's doing me a favor (at my expense).

 

[mljdeckard]

I'll tell you what I want from a gunsmith. For him to look at me and say; "I gotta be honest here. I don't have any experience with this kind of gun, I really think you would be better off with a different guy. Let me recommend a couple." RATHER THAN accepting the job, with no idea what he's doing, destroying half the gun, and giving it back to you in the same or worse condition than you gave it to him in.

 

[Onmilo]

Do it right, do it well, and always remember it is somebody elses stuff you are working with so respect it as such.

As a gunsmith, I don't feel it is my duty to notify people of upcoming sales or specials, that is the countermens job.

 

[ruger700]

Treat my gun as if it is your most treasured possession. Give me an honest cost estimate of the work requested. Inform me that other items may need to be addressed once you get into the weapon. Give me an honest due date, but be sure you give yourself enough time. In other words, if you think you can do it in two weeks, tell me three weeks, because you can get sick, have an accident or some other real world problem. If you handle each of your customers in this manner, you will greatly reduce the chance of a bad experience.

Good luck in you endeavor. You are starting with the right attitude; just don't some old curmudgeon change you. They will out there and try to get something for nothing; just consider the source and go on. For every one of those, there are many more that will appreciate your work and they will be your best advertisement.

 

[dirtyjim]

sonier
i'll send you a pm with a link to a site where you can talk to the top gunsmiths in the us. they are mainly classic blued & wood smiths who have long waiting lists & their rifles can easily top $10,000.

 

[justashooter in pa]

a gunsmith needs to be able to estimate the cost of repair within 10%, and deliver the work within the agreed time frame. he needs to complete the work as agreed, with no surprises. he needs to have a wide knowledge, and the humility to admit when his knowledge is exceeded.

a good gunsmith needs a library almost as big as his shop, and a system of information management that will expand his knowledge when the work requires.

 

[sonier]

THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE! Thank you every one. After my college i should have a good idea on most weapons. If i dont know what im doing, i will probally buy one and work on my own first.
Once again thankyou everyone

-Ryan Powers

 

[Onmilo]

You will indeed end up using your own personal firearms as test subjects before you go messing with somebody elses firearm.

Once your confidence level is up to par, you won't worry about who owns the gun, you will worry about how fast to can acquire or make the parts to repair it and how to keep the project within budget.

 

[drsfmd]

Give an estimated return date, and STICK TO IT. If something changes, call me to explain...

Too many of these guys work all by themselves and can't get anything done because they are on the phone all day... hire a secretary! She will more than pay for herself, as she'll enable you to be more productive.