Georgia gunsmiths?

[DobeGrant45c]

I’m trying to find a good gunsmith in the state or at the very least in the adjoining states. As many of you know, shipping rifles has turned into a gamble these days.

 

[Hillcountry63]

Randy Grey at Adairsville Armory, Adairsville Ga Bartow County

 

[rookhawk]

I’m trying to find a good gunsmith in the state or at the very least in the adjoining states. As many of you know, shipping rifles has turned into a gamble these days.

Not to sound negative, but I think your question leads to ruin for the sake of convenience. I'm pretty dialed in to who the most competent gunsmiths are in the entire nation.

The guy that does stock work is in Michigan.
The guy that does action work is in Colorado.
The guy that can black barrels and furniture to the highest quality is in England.
The guy that can brown damascus barrels is in Vermont.
The guy that can install S.W. Silvers pads flawlessly is in Illinois.
The guy that can color case harden is in New York.
The guy that can install claw mounts is in New Hampshire.
The guy that can fix and time ejectors is in Oklahoma.
The guy that can retrace engraving is in Connecticut.

Yes, most of them can do a variety of things, but not with true excellence. This is the same situation as occurs at Purdey, Boss, Holland, and Rigby. There isn't one best-grade gunsmith on planet earth, each master of his trade spent 20-30 years doing a handful of things really well. To build a best gun on average takes 20 skilled tradesman working together. The above competent gunsmiths are always shipping out stuff to outworkers that can do it better and faster than they can, even if they can do it all if a gun was literally held to their head.

If you're unwilling to ship, you're going to probably get mediocre work done at best.

 

[mdwest]

I’m trying to find a good gunsmith in the state or at the very least in the adjoining states. As many of you know, shipping rifles has turned into a gamble these days.

I think it depends on what work you need to have done...

For example, if I have a rifle or shotgun that needs a part replaced that I am uncomfortable replacing myself (just had this happen on a W&S O/U 12 gauge earlier this year).. I use McClelland in Dallas (local to me)...

But if I had a fine rifle I needed restored, refurbished, or "fixed".. there are "specialists" that are probably best to use depending on what work is needed and what sort of firearm we're talking about.. for example, a LOT of double rifle owners wont let anyone touch their doubles other than JJ or Ken Owen for any repair work.. no matter where in the US they are located.. they are getting their rifles to one of those 2 guys..

 

[Rare Breed]

Not to sound negative, but I think your question leads to ruin for the sake of convenience. I'm pretty dialed in to who the most competent gunsmiths are in the entire nation.

The guy that does stock work is in Michigan.
The guy that does action work is in Colorado.
The guy that can black barrels and furniture to the highest quality is in England.
The guy that can brown damascus barrels is in Vermont.
The guy that can install S.W. Silvers pads flawlessly is in Illinois.
The guy that can color case harden is in New York.
The guy that can install claw mounts is in New Hampshire.
The guy that can fix and time ejectors is in Oklahoma.
The guy that can retrace engraving is in Connecticut.

Yes, most of them can do a variety of things, but not with true excellence. This is the same situation as occurs at Purdey, Boss, Holland, and Rigby. There isn't one best-grade gunsmith on planet earth, each master of his trade spent 20-30 years doing a handful of things really well. To build a best gun on average takes 20 skilled tradesman working together. The above competent gunsmiths are always shipping out stuff to outworkers that can do it better and faster than they can, even if they can do it all if a gun was literally held to their head.

If you're unwilling to ship, you're going to probably get mediocre work done at best.

+1 on @rookhawk

 

[DobeGrant45c]

Appreciate the comments and am aware that if I want “the best” I’ll probably have to ship the gun.

I’m simply curious if there is a competent gunsmith in the state or surrounding states that isn’t merely an AR-15 Builder. Was curious if anyone on the forum knew of one, that’s all.

I’m needing basic (well basic for an actual gunsmith) work done on a rifle, new pad and possibly some new sights.

I’m obviously not above shipping a rifle…but naturally would love to find a good smith in the state if one exists.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My 2¢, Nat Lambeth in NC.

 

[DobeGrant45c]

Thanks for the lead! @Hogpatrol

 

[Rare Breed]

As I said GA Firing Line does my work in GA and I highly recommend them. Look up their website. They are 4 weeks behind however

 

[DobeGrant45c]

As I said GA Firing Line does my work in GA and I highly recommend them. Look up their website. They are 4 weeks behind however

Great. I’ll give them a ring. Thanks!

 

[WAB]

Appreciate the comments and am aware that if I want “the best” I’ll probably have to ship the gun.

I’m simply curious if there is a competent gunsmith in the state or surrounding states that isn’t merely an AR-15 Builder. Was curious if anyone on the forum knew of one, that’s all.

I’m needing basic (well basic for an actual gunsmith) work done on a rifle, new pad and possibly some new sights.

I’m obviously not above shipping a rifle…but naturally would love to find a good smith in the state if one exists.

There is a fellow in Alabama who does first rate pad installation and stock repair if you can’t find someone else closer to you.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Whidden Gunworks

Whidden Gunworks - Technology Applied To The Art of Shooting

We manufacture some of the most innovative and creative precision products, for the world of competitive and recreational shooting.

www.whiddengunworks.com

Nashville, Georgia.

If you want a Rigby rifle restored, look elsewhere.
If you want case coloring, custom rust bluing, and the finest checking, I'd look elsewhere.
If you want a custom DGR built from scratch, contact Bradshaw Gun and Rifle, https://bradshawgunandrifle.com/

Whidden Gunworks are NOT dangerous game rifle builders, that I know of.
If however one desires an modern accurate custom DGR built to the client's written specifications, they are worth talking to.

A note about Whidden and M70's. John Whidden's wife told me that he borrowed her push feed M70 .243 varmint rifle and converted it to what he shot to win his first national long range championship. Okay, not a controlled round feed action but it was a humble M70.

If you need custom metalwork, barrel work, and so on, I'd consider them.
They are builders of World Record holding target rifles, and custom reloading dies and tools.
Whidden isn't a low cost gunsmith but their work is precision.

From the Whidden website's page on gunsmithing;

"Besides building full Custom Rifles for Hunting, Competition or Tactical uses, Whidden Gunworks also offers full-service rifle gunsmithing.

It’s good to know that the quality and precision, which goes into building competition winning and record setting rifles, is also available if you just need some specific gunsmithing work performed on your bolt action rifle.

Contact our Custom Rifle Dept. for any further information.
(229) 686-1911 Ext. 4
CustomRifles@whiddengunworks.com "

 

[Fatback]

I use Whidden Gunworks for all of my gunsmithing needs. You won’t find a nicer bunch of fellas. They are currently finishing up a conversion from a 375 H&H to a 404Jeffery of a CZ 550. Haven’t got it yet to run it through its paces but I feel confident that it will work as needed based on all the other work they have done for me. I was in their shop on Friday last week and said they are about a month or so from having the 404J ready to go. I’ll report back once I get the rifle in hand.

 

[DobeGrant45c]

I use Whidden Gunworks for all of my gunsmithing needs. You won’t find a nicer bunch of fellas. They are currently finishing up a conversion from a 375 H&H to a 404Jeffery of a CZ 550. Haven’t got it yet to run it through its paces but I feel confident that it will work as needed based on all the other work they have done for me. I was in their shop on Friday last week and said they are about a month or so from having the 404J ready to go. I’ll report back once I get the rifle in hand.

I’d be fascinated to see how that turns out! John and his crew did work on a Remington 700 for me years ago.

 

[Fatback]

@DobeGrant45c

Picked up my new rifle from John’s shop yesterday. Got the scope mounted and got it dialed in with 4 shots this morning. Was shooting ammo loaded by Safari Arms in New York. 400 grain Northforks. I’ve also got some 400 grain AFrames loaded up and ready to go as well. Rifle cycled these rounds smoothly and without any hiccups. Recoil was stout but certainly manageable. This certainly isn’t a plinking rifle but I’ll be able to practice like I need to before heading to Zimbabwe the first week of September.

These were my last 2 shots from 50 yards, off of a BogPod