Folks,

There is a thread on another web site about questions one should ask your gunsmith and what should be spelled out in a contract prior to starting a custom gun project or renovation.

I couldn’t remember any such list and a quick search here failed to come up with anything. With all the issues with “missing†smiths and other issues, I thought that a list similar to Terry’s hunting contract list might be a good idea.

I’m sure that many of you will be able to contribute to such a list. I’ll try to keep adding to it as we come up with stuff. Hopefully it will become quite comprehensive.

Let me know if you have any ideas or if you think that I might be “pissin’ up a treeâ€, here.

-Steve

P.S. I’m off on a business trip for the next week. Not sure if I’ll have net access, but if I do I’ll try to keep it updated. I’ll need something to do during sleepless jet-lagged nights.


Questions for the smith:

1. Has he done similar projects?
2. Can he provide examples of similar work?
3. Will he out source any portions of the project?
4. Can he provide a list of references?
5. How and when was he trained?
6. What are his strengths/weaknesses


Contract specifics:

1. Description of the project
2. What is the total cost estimate of the project?
3. What components will be used in the project?
a. Who will provide such components?
4. What is the over all schedule for the project?
5. What are the major milestones in the project and what are their dates?
6. If any of the project are to be outsourced:
a. Who will be the sub-contractors
b. Who is responsible for payments to sub-contractors
7. What aspects of the project are known to require your approval prior to project continuations

My personal opinion is that asking a professional gunmaker all of these questions is getting kind of nosy. Do you ask your GM dealer where GM bought all of the parts for your car? Do you ask your dentist what Lab he uses to make your molar crown?

I think its okay to specify what components you want, the time frame for the project, the cost, and maybe whether there are any subcontractors.

for example, you could specify that you want a pre-64 model 70 action with a krieger barrel that is 24 inches in length and chambered to the 30-06 caliber, stocked in xxx french walnut blank that you previously marked as the one you wanted, with leupold mounts and a zeiss conquest scope, and that all of that will cost you $3000.00. Much beyond that is getting pretty nosy.

I wouldn't hire a smith that I hadn't researched already.....and his choice to outsource is his and he';s responsible for the results.....
I'd want to know when the project will be complete....and I'd check in occasionally!!!
I'd want to know the price and if the options are not specified....such as Talley swivels...barrel band...3- position safety....all options need to be itemized but the rellly big thing is the wood quality.....you furnish the blank or you get to approve one he furnishes.....the worst thing IMO is to pay for AAA walnut and get pine!!!

AFter buying the ACGG publication on custom rifles, can't remember the title but it is a guide to having acustom gun built, I think this is just trying to duplicate something already done. and done well I think.

This guide has detailed worksheets to keep track of components and work. you can use them with your smith as a contract. gives you the things to consider on having it done by different people versus one builder for the whole thing, providing your own action or getting one from them etc. etc. all the good stuff.

And one thing I recommend to add to any list you're using. CONTINGENCY. 20% may seem like a big cushion, but you don't want to get so far into something and then find out that you want a change or the gunsmith has run into a problem, and it wouldn't be right for him to eat the cost because of something out of his control. maybe not 20%, but something needs to be in there.

Red

The name of the guild publication is "Realizing Your Dream: A Client's Guide to Building a Custom Gun." It is " A 60-page booklet about the process of commissioning a custom firearms, including forms, diagrams and a list of resources." You can see all of the Guild publications at http://www.acgg.org/pub.html. There is contact info and information about the Guild at www.ACGG.org hope this helps. Michael

I agree with some of the questions getting too nosy.
I do not believe that a real formal gunsmithing education is needed to be an outstanding smith.
A gunsmith that I used to have working at the shop picked up what he could in Mexico and then learned in the US, sort of picked it up as he went along.
If you have the brain for visualizing a puzzle in your head, and are mechanically inclined, you can become a pretty good smith.

If you asked me to sign a contract that outlined specific dates as to when certain things would be done, I would refuse the job.
It will get done when it gets done. If you are the type that has to have things done in a super timely manner and by a specific date, then getting a custom gun built will leave you with alot of grey hairs.

Ask if he has any examples of prior work.
With experience on other people's guns in the past, there will probably be less of a chance that he screws your gun up.

These are just my feelings.
The big thing to remember is that you can ask for updates every week or two, but don't come in all the time asking to see your gun, it gets on the gunsmith's case.

Just some of my feelings and experiences.

-Spencer