{"id":2131,"date":"2022-02-08T02:01:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T02:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=2131&#038;fishpig=1644285281&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:36:54","slug":"finding-a-gunsmith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding a Gunsmith"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/#Finding_a_Gunsmith\" >Finding a Gunsmith<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/#Whats_the_process_to_Finding_a_Gunsmith\" >What\u2019s the process to Finding a Gunsmith<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/#What_to_Ask_a_Gunsmith\" >What to Ask a Gunsmith<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/#What_to_Look_For\" >What to Look For<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-gunsmith\/#What_to_Expect\" >What to Expect<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_a_Gunsmith\"><\/span>Finding a Gunsmith<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>For serious <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunters<\/a> and shooters, finding a gunsmith, a good one that is, can be like acquiring the right family doctor or tax accountant.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finding a Gunsmith. Many hunters and shooters will go through life never needing the services of a gunsmith. Factory-produced <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/at-home-gun-cleaning-tips\/\">firearms<\/a> are well built and suit the needs of someone who pulls the trigger a few times a year. Plus, manufacturers\u2019 ability to simplify the guns they build means fewer parts equals fewer problems.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some will seek out gunsmiths for small projects like dipping a gun. Maybe varnishing a stock or applying cerakote to a barrel. Or perhaps cleaning an old .22 that\u2019s been in your family for generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Others may have a relationship with their gunsmith much as they would a family doctor or accountant. He\u2019s someone you rely on to refurbish and keep your collector guns in good shape, thus increasing the value. The gunsmith is also highly sought after by <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/getting-into-prs-shooting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">competitive shooters<\/a> who use specialty weapons.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_process_to_Finding_a_Gunsmith\"><\/span><b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s the process to <\/span>Finding a Gunsmith<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s the process by which we\u2019d go about finding a gunsmith? Well, it\u2019s not too different from finding any other service business in this day and age. There\u2019s always Google where you\u2019ll search for \u201cgunsmiths near me\u201d and then do a thorough audit of their website and customer reviews. Perhaps you weigh his credentials between location (convenience) and what others are saying (online reviews). Pick up the phone and call a couple that make your short list. We\u2019ll talk about what to ask down below.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While many local gun shops don\u2019t pay to keep a gunsmith on staff, they should be a great resource for knowing where to find a few. If you\u2019re a member of a gun club or collectors&#8217; organization, your fellow shooters are bound to know a good gunsmith.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally, and perhaps we should have mentioned this first, seek a word-of-mouth recommendation. Talk to your friends and family and see if they\u2019ve used a smith in your area that they like and trust.<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_2140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2140\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2140\" title=\"Finding a Gunsmith\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Finding a Gunsmith\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-449x300.jpg 449w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/02\/gunsmith.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finding a Gunsmith<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Ask_a_Gunsmith\"><\/span><b>What to Ask a Gunsmith<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can narrow your shortlist of gunsmiths even further by either picking up the phone, stopping by their shop, or if you\u2019re lucky, browsing their website (oftentimes gunsmiths, while masters of their trade, don\u2019t put a lot of thought into a website). Your list of questions may look something like this:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"text-align: justify\"><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What kind of smithing services do you offer?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My gun is an X and I need Y done to it, is this in your wheelhouse?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How long have you been a gunsmith?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What will it cost me?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What is the turnaround time?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If I\u2019m having a gun shipped, do you have an FFL where I can have it sent to your shop?<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is it okay if I come by your shop before making a decision?<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Look_For\"><\/span><b>What to Look For<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What to look for in a gunsmith is a direct reflection of the last question above. It\u2019s optional of course. But you can tell a lot about a human being by the shape of the space where they spend most of their time. If the shop is dirty and grungy, the finished job may reflect the same. And vice versa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gunsmiths often vary in both their skill levels and areas of expertise. You\u2019re likely going to find one who specializes in one of the following three categories: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/building-a-custom-rifle\/\">custom<\/a> modification (high-level competition shooters), cosmetic enhancement (gun dipping, engraving, getting a new stock, etc.), or repair and restoration (general fixes and collector guns). Seek out the one who fits your needs most.<\/span><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Expect\"><\/span><b>What to Expect<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">*While he may be able to give you a ballpark price on the phone, a good gunsmith needs to see the gun in person in order to give you a quote on what it\u2019ll actually cost. Don\u2019t expect, or accept, otherwise. If you own a collector\u2019s <a title=\"Types of Rifle Scope Mounts\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/types-of-rifle-scope-mounts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle that needs the attention of a smith who only handles that type<\/a> of firearm but lives out of state, it may be worth your while to drive or ship it there to get an analysis and cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A reputable gunsmith may cost more than someone down the street who has only been in business a short time. Like the old saying goes, \u201cyou get what you pay for.\u201d Many of us own firearms that are invaluable for a multitude of reasons. So, if it costs a little more, it\u2019s probably because you\u2019ve found a gunsmith that knows what he\u2019s doing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A lot of research and communication will inevitably make the whole process go a lot more smoothly. Be clear about exactly what type of firearm you have and exactly what you need done to it. While it may take some time to find the right gunsmith, we can assure you that once the connection is made, you\u2019ll have someone at your disposal who cares about firearms as much as you do.<\/span><\/p><figure id=\"attachment_3259\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3259\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/new-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3259\" title=\"The TRACT Optics Experience: Packaging\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4.png\" alt=\"The TRACT Optics Experience: Packaging\" width=\"720\" height=\"177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4.png 1858w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-300x74.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-1024x252.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-768x189.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-1536x378.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-600x148.png 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/10\/Banner-Ideas-4-150x37.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3259\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/welcome-to-tract-optics\/\">TRACT Optics<\/a> Experience: Packaging<\/figcaption><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding a Gunsmith | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12134,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2255],"tags":[2578,2579,2580,2581,2582,2583,2584,2585,2625,2633,2664],"class_list":["post-2131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-extra-topics","tag-custom-rifle-scope-turrets","tag-custom-rifle-scopes","tag-custom-rifle-turrets","tag-custom-scope-covers","tag-custom-scope-turrets","tag-custom-turret","tag-custom-turret-systems","tag-custom-turrets","tag-extra-topics","tag-finding-a-gunsmith","tag-gunsmith"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2131"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11414,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2131\/revisions\/11414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}