Who's your favorite pistolsmith? And why?

[Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580]

I'm asking for opinions here, not on who's best because I know that's totally subjective, but on who's your favorite and why he/she is your favorite. I'm looking to step down from my .45's and acquire a pair of tuned NMV's in .38/.357 so I can give my arthritis a break and I'm curious as to who everybody likes...

[Doc Silverfinger, SASS#3444]

.....well, IMHO, it all depends on your pistol "sport-of-choice"..........for me, it's Jimmy Spurs for S/A pistols. For "antique" pistols you might see if Happy Trails is still in business. Turnbull Restorations is good for restoring historic, original pistols. For "bullseye guns" all the good ones I know are gone - Santurri Tool does good jobs on IPSC and IDPA guns so take your pick.

                                                                                                    FWIW, Doc 

[El Hombre Sin Nombre]

Jim Martin and Bob James, but those are for colts. Can't help with rugers. 

[Widder, SASS #59054]

So many good options, depending upon the type of service you prefer for the smithing.

 

From my 'personal' experience, I've owned (and or handled) Ruger single actions set up/tuned by Curly Bill Kelly,  Lassiter, Three Cut, Boomstick Jay and Jimmy Spur.   All EXCELLENT work and great pards.

 

BUT, I also have some Rugers that have aftermarket 'Octagon' barrels installed, properly crowned, cylinder beveled and some other nice touches of work.   These were modified by Snake Oil George and Creek County Kid out in Oklahoma.   Love their work.

 

SO, in a nut shell, 'my favorite' has a lot to do with the level of work I want and the type of work my wanting to enhance my pistols, either in function or looks.

 

..........Widder

 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Lassiter , Coffinmaker , Goons , Myself.

Just depending on what is needed .

Rooster 

[Warden Callaway]

Myself.   I don't have to ship it off and wait.  

[Sedalia Dave]

The one right up the road. If I cannot do the work myself, a phone call and short drive is usually all it takes.

[evil dogooder]

Don't forget cowboy Carty.  He is doing great work on rugers

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

Bought 2 sets of NMVs from Long Hunter years back and they are wonderful. Never had a bit of trouble with the. I also use Ken Griner (Griner Gunsmithing) and he does a great job too. He is close enough that I don't have to mail to him...deliver in person, then get to talk hunting too!

[Southpaw Gringo, SASS # 74217]

I can only comment on this one person because Its the only one I have experience with and thats Jimmy Spurs. I did some research because I was interested on buying two matching race ready NMVs. With everything all said and done I'm the proud owner of two 357 Vaqueros that I swear they feel like there running on ball bearings. They are that slick! His half cock full race jobs are awesome. Some people recognize his work just by looking at them. After 3 years of abusing them, I can say there running perfect just like the day I got them. Knock on wood...

[Blackey Cole]

It was west Fargo prior to his retirement and subsequent passing i used Lassiter last and have no issues with his work which was specialized work, for regular repairs action work I guess I would use Johnny meadows.

[Bullett Sass 19707]

I must add Bob James, did two sets of rugers for me and a very good job.   They were back the next week.  Bullett 19707

[Max Payne]

Short strokes - Lassiter. Shot his guns for 4 years with no issues. Very slick.

 

Full stroke - Jimmy Spurs. 3 sets of pistols. No issues ever. As slick as they can be & they never, ever, never, ever break.

[Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580]

Thanks for your info, folks!

[Arcadia Outlaw, SASS 71385]

Three Cut , just did a set of New Model Vaquero's for me, I've had or handled all the top name cowboy smiths revolvers and these are my favorite.

 

AO

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

Jared at LongHunter Supply is really good. Does a lot of Rugers.   Will also true color case harden revolvers.

Good luck, GJ

 

[Marshal Chance Morgun]

The wife had Jimmy Spurs do a pair of NMV's. I had a pair of Vaquero's done my Cowboy Carty. The wife's guns are a bit fancier, and she wanted the transfer bar left in. I had the T-bar removed and a half-cock hammer. Both are very smooth. Jimmy was great to work with and turn-around time was less than 10 days. ( did it in a not-so-busy time of the year ) Carty shoots at our club. I knew he did rifles, but didn't know he did Rugers until we got talking about it one day. Not as fancy, but saved me some money, and they work great. Love the half-cock.

[Boggus Deal #64218]

My favorite is me. 

[Deuce Stevens SASS#55996]

I'm not a fan of short stroked pistols for me personally. Cowboy Carty did a great job on mine and I have zero complaints on their performance. 

 

[Totes Magoats]

Own Rugers from Jimmy Spurs, Boomstick Jay and Long Hunters.  All do great work.

 

My current match guns are Jimmy Spurs and my wife uses Boomstick Jays.  They have done everything we have asked/wanted (birds head grip conversion, bead blasting, short strokes, etc)

 

Long Hunters can also send them out for color case hardening if you want more than just an action job.  I believe they use Tyler Gun Works for the CCH'ing.

 

Totes

[Marshall John Joseph]

I have always had work done by Cody Conager and have been 100% satisfied.  He used to do all of Taylor's custom work.  Top notch and quick turn around time.

 

MJJ

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

5 hours ago, Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 said:

Jared at LongHunter Supply is really good. Does a lot of Rugers.   Will also true color case harden revolvers.

Good luck, GJ

 

Jared has worked on all my Rugers.  He does good work with quick turnaround.  I just hand him guns at Founders Ranch so there are only shipping charges one way.

[W. D. Pickett]

I like them all.  Jimmy Spurs did my .38 Rugers when I first started.  Help me a lot told me a lot of good information, and delivered.  Slick McClade is closest to me and guided me when I first started, took time to talk to me, and does great work.  This question is sort of like asking what is your favorite toilet paper and why.....

[Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580]

1 hour ago, W. D. Pickett said:

I like them all.  Jimmy Spurs did my .38 Rugers when I first started.  Help me a lot told me a lot of good information, and delivered.  Slick McClade is closest to me and guided me when I first started, took time to talk to me, and does great work.  This question is sort of like asking what is your favorite toilet paper and why.....

Exactly! That's why I asked the way I did!

 

[Scarlett]

12 hours ago, Arcadia Outlaw SASS#71385 said:

Three Cut , just did a set of New Model Vaquero's for me, I've had or handled all the top name cowboy smiths revolvers and these are my favorite.

 

AO

Three Cut in NC did two sets of Single Sixes for me (short stroke) and... they are NOT for sale at any price! He's not cheap, but neither is his work!  If you call him tell him Scarlett referred you - I don't get anything in return except a thank you. 

Three Cut's number +1 (980) 581-6992

[Outrider, SASS #72622]

Bunch of great guys mentioned so far but I'd like to throw in Kenny "Stumpman" Stump from Arkansas. I shoot a set of his short stroke RNVs and have no complaints.  He also works on open tops. Heck, he just won GF national champion so he pretty well knows what it takes.

[Dead_Head]

Jimmy Spurs of Cowboy Gunworks for my three Ruger NMV revolvers with half-cock hammers.  He has been doing all my guns since about 2006.

[Dungannon Gunner]

20 hours ago, Marshall John Joseph said:

I have always had work done by Cody Conager and have been 100% satisfied.  He used to do all of Taylor's custom work.  Top notch and quick turn around time.

 

MJJ

+1

[ShadowCatcher]

On 5/28/2017 at 8:03 PM, Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580 said:

I'm asking for opinions here, not on who's best because I know that's totally subjective, but on who's your favorite and why he/she is your favorite. I'm looking to step down from my .45's and acquire a pair of tuned NMV's in .38/.357 so I can give my arthritis a break and I'm curious as to who everybody likes...

 

My Rugers were all tuned by the late Bob Munden, he worked on those as well as Colts.

His student Jeff Ault is reputed to do just as well.

I thought the action work was phenominal!

 

 

Now that I've switched over to Colts, their being worked on by Eddie Janis at Peacemaker Specialists. 

His wait times are a bit long - first one took 6 months to be ready to ship to him, but he turned it around in weeks.

The second one took longer because I was having custom grips made.

The third one will go for a full BBQ treatment later this year.

 

His action work on the Colt SAA is absolutely amazing!

 

Shadow Catcher

 

 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I got a buddy who started me off in CAS. He's not a bona-fide gunsmith but he knows his stuff. No one can tune up and slick up a Colt like this guy. He only does it for a couple friends and I'm lucky enough to be one of them. Lots of "kitchen table" gunsmiths out there, heck I've even been known to do a little myself on my SAA's!

[Tame Bill #30699 Life]

Bob Munden now Jeff Ault race tune all my single action revolvers.  No better Open Top pistol-smith exists than Jeff.  I recommend Jeff at Munden Enterprises without reservation.

[Charlie MacNeil, SASS #48580]

Thanks, folks!