Who's the best gunsmith you've used, and where are they located?

Larry in Justin...

Kills me he is friends with Chickenman

Larrys always treated me right


P1since Day One myself ...THE TICKET...

Scott Weichel in Wylie. Only one I have used and he is great.

Walter


But it also depends on what type of gun we are talking about....

Shotguns probably Larry in Justin

Rifle, no contest. Gene Williams.

Larry is in Ponder but if you guys want to say Justin, its okay with me.

Gene Williams in Princeton has always done us right.

Is this patio extension complete

AK/AR, cerakote, lathe work - JBI in Sanger

Bolt, shotgun, wheel guns, and some other stuff - Larry Pockrus in Ponder

Jimmy Mitchell here in Breckenridge. By far the best I've ever used, great pistol and rifle builder too.

Derick at horizon in college station


Awesome product and great communication

Jon Beanland, Beanland Custom Rifles, Gould OK

West Texas Ordnance, Ackerly TX

I wouldn't hesitate to use either of these guys for any kind of precision rifle.

Mark Pharr in Cedar Park/Leander and Garland Gilbreath in Stephenville.

If a gunsmith builds a good rifle for you, then most of the time they become "the best" gunsmith you know. I know many good gunsmiths, but only a few will I have work on my rifles.

Krieger Barrels and Scalpel Arms. Only times I've ever had firearm work done in which there was easy communication, friendly attitude, and the quote time matched the delivery time. Krieger told me 3 months and they delivered in 3 months. Scalpel Arms told me 2 weeks and they delivered in 2 weeks.

Almost any other time I've had work done it has been a bit of a hassle with communication and quote times. Including with one of the previously mentioned gunsmiths listed here I've had a 3-4 week quote turn into 7 months with zero proactive communication and a 2-3 week quote turn into 6 months with zero proactive communication. I don't believe in breathing down guys necks so I typically don't reach out unless its getting out of hand. Fool me once, twice, but never again.

Chad,

you see a wide array of rifles and custom builds.

Which ones are consistently good in your experience?

I have no idea who's the best. I've had one custom rifle built and it's extremely accurate. Built by Eddie Fosnaugh from Luna Pier, Michigan
http://www.fosnaughcustoms.com/home.html

Elk, that's a good lookin' rifle. I am lefty as well, need to get a custom LH rifle built!

This

Some are gunsmiths and some are plumbers

Thank you sir, Eddie builds a nice rifle. 6.5 Creedmoor, Rem 700 SA, Hart #2 Stainless 24" BBL 1-8 twist. McMillian Remington Classic ADL 13.5" lop standard fill 50/50 black/orange stock!!

Larry

Tip Burns in Hancock (canyon lake) is who I use


I used Howard dietz in new braunsfels but he was old 15 years ago and I'm not sure he is alive anymore

Edit- Howard dietz did pass away. He was a good gunsmith

what type work ?? then find smith

Scott Maye's at the Berretta Gallery in Dallas is very good.

Custom Rifle? the one who will be patient and helpful with you. Most of the BIG, "famous" one's re: GAP, KMW, McWhorter, wont give you (common man) the time of day. I've used two of these, both rifles are lights out bad azz but dealing with the builders was not enjoyable.

if you want a custom rifle built and don't want to pay Texas sales tax, contact Will Fairbanks in Pensacola Florida, uses the BEST components and doesn't try to make $2000+ profit on each gun like most builders do these days. If you are interested, PM me for Will's info, you wont find a better guy to deal with!!!

Agree with Walter, Scott is and will be my go to gunsmith. Good gunsmith and good man.
Only work I have had done by him is a custom that I am very happy with. Have sent several people to him and they have all been happy with the work and Scott.

As far as a general gunsmith to do some minor work I have gone local with no issues.
Now as far as custom stuff I have lost count on how many custom/semi custom builds I have trusted to Derrick at Horizon. Not all were mine of course and that makes it doubly important to deal with someone you trust. Never been disappointed and just as important always easy to reach out to and discuss ideas.
I am thankful to the group here at Texas Hunting Forum who actually recommended him to me back when I was looking for advice.
I always joke with him that I am glad I got to get my guns built before he becomes rich and famous and has a 2 year wait time....

Robert or Dave at alamo precision. Built me 4 rifles and all 4 shoot 1/4 MOA or less if I do my part. I don't know how you could ask for more. I've had a couple of the guys mentioned on here do work for me and they were all very nice guys who do solid work but none of their rifles matched up accuracy or price wise.