Guns in Missoula

[mtlion]

I'm in the market for a couple guns to round out my collection, and also am looking for some gunsmithing work on a couple I own already (nothing fancy just some trigger work for now).

Anyone have any advice on a good (cheap and reliable) gun dealer/smith in the Missoula/Bitterroot area?

 

[sethkuhl]

Doug Wells in Huson is awesome. Last I heard he was slowing down on his intake, but he has done my work for a while and I couldn't be happier. His company name is/was Lock Stock and Barrel

 

[tarheel]

Not in Montana but in Oregon you can find Mark Skaggs if you don't mind paying shipping. For just trigger work it wouldn't be economically feasible, but should you have needs for more involved work he's hard to beat. Just Google Skaggs Gunsmithing, he has a pretty good web site.
Another good smith is Mike McCabe in Denver. Again, just Google McCabe gunsmithing and that should bring up his site.

 

[belly-deep]

I've had my guns into Brainard's a few times. He seems like a pretty decent smith.

 

[----]

I haven't dealt with Bass' shop yet, but I dealt with him through Brady's and he always took care of me with no complaints.

I'd stay away from accu-arms.

I've got to think there's somebody in the root that'd be cheaper than the Missoula guys.

 

[mtmuley]

Dan Coffin in Victor. Can't comment on if he's cheap, I just pay the bill, but cheap isn't something I wantt when it comes to my rifles. mtmuley

 

[jerrym]

I would second Brainard's in Missoula.

 

[Anyfish]

I had Geoffrey Wise in Corvallis do some glass bedding and trigger work for me. It came out fine and was very reasonably priced.

 

[belly-deep]

I'd stay away from accu-arms.

Do tell...I took a rifle in there this fall for some work Brainard's didn't have the tools for.

I haven't played the gun since, so I don't know how their work turned out.

 

[mtlion]

Thanks for the advice guys both here and pm's. One of the guns I'm looking for (savage 220 slug gun) is purty cheap online...anyone ever bought a gun online? How's that work? Do you have to pay any money to the dealer receiving it?

 

[woodsman]

On-line Purchase

I have purchased guns thru both Gunbroker.com and Gunsinternational.com with great success. Just make certain seller has good feedback. Yes the receiving dealers charge a fee which varies but in my experience has been between $20-$35. You are responsible to make the arrangements for receiving. Most of the sites maintain list of receiving dealers in your area but, contact them before bidding to verify that they are willing to complete the transaction and what their fee will be.

 

[----]

Do tell...I took a rifle in there this fall for some work Brainard's didn't have the tools for.

I haven't played the gun since, so I don't know how their work turned out.

I have no reason to doubt his work isn't high quality, it's his pricing, customer service and organization that makes me stay away.

 

[belly-deep]

Thanks for the advice guys both here and pm's. One of the guns I'm looking for (savage 220 slug gun) is purty cheap online...anyone ever bought a gun online? How's that work? Do you have to pay any money to the dealer receiving it?

Try Davidson's Gallery of Guns. That's the easiest way to go, just pay by CC and pick the gun up at HSM

 

[sbhooper]

If you get cheap gunsmithing, you will probably get a cheap product. Gunsmithing and cheap should not be used it the same sentence. They have to make money, too, unless you are lucky enough to have a friend that does it for fun (like I do!).

 

[Missoulaz28]

I have no reason to doubt his work isn't high quality, it's his pricing, customer service and organization that makes me stay away.

I agree with Randy, I had them do a trigger job on my Ruger, it turned out great but he charged me $125. I later found out that most 'smiths charge in the $60-$75 range, supposed to be one of the easiest trigger jobs to do.

I have also had work take 3-4 times longer than quoted, without even a hint of an apology.

 

[Rat Fink]

I agree with Randy, I had them do a trigger job on my Ruger, it turned out great but he charged me $125. I later found out that most 'smiths charge in the $60-$75 range, supposed to be one of the easiest trigger jobs to do.

I have also had work take 3-4 times longer than quoted, without even a hint of an apology.

Trigger jobs here in Helena from top of the line gunsmiths are running in the 40 to 50 range.

 

[mtlion]

Trigger jobs here in Helena from top of the line gunsmiths are running in the 40 to 50 range.

That price would be perfect, I have 3 rugers I'm looking to get work done on...Anyone know of a smith in Missoula with those rates? Does a good and "ahem" cheap gunsmith exist?

 

[belly-deep]

That price would be perfect, I have 3 rugers I'm looking to get work done on...Anyone know of a smith in Missoula with those rates? Does a good and "ahem" cheap gunsmith exist?

You might go this route and do it yourself:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/31...ger-m77-mark-ii-without-safety-blue-2-to-7-lb


I put one in a 77 MKII this last fall and was very pleased. I also put a lighter spring in (about $7 or so).

I've had mixed luck with gunsmith trigger jobs on Rugers, even with the same gunsmith. The problem is, they don't adjust via screw, and so smiths have to file metal off...and if they take too much, the whole trigger is garbage. Sometimes the triggers come out pretty decent, sometimes they have a LOT of travel, etc. The aftermarket triggers fix those problems.

 

[mtlion]

Ya I've been eyeing the timney triggers...Anyone ever installed one of those?

 

[Rat Fink]

That price would be perfect, I have 3 rugers I'm looking to get work done on...Anyone know of a smith in Missoula with those rates? Does a good and "ahem" cheap gunsmith exist?

MTLion -

My guy is a ruger aficionado. He loves working on ruger actions and triggers. Makes them real nice and crisp with a nice 3 to 3.5 lb pull and little to no overtravel. He is a top of the line gunsmith with a LOT of experience. PM me if you want his info. I will be traveling thru Missoula once in January and once in February on my way to steelhead fish. I could ferry guns for you if you wanted to use him. I use him for all of my FFL and gunsmithing needs.