Many of you know I started full-time gunsmithing 3 months ago. So far every day has been busy and rewarding, but most of all fun! I've never had so much fun working before...makes me sort feel guilty to get paid to do this work.

Here're a few pictures of one of my latest commissions. Not to everybody's taste, but I and the customer were happy with the way it turned out.

TT:

Rather a "high-tech" look....maybe your customer was an engineer like me?
It obviously is a very fine piece of work and I'm sure you and your customer are very proud....I would be.

Nice job.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Nice looking work. How much weight did you shave off that M70 action?

Not really what I gravitate too, but wow! The workmanship looks 1st rate all the way. My compliments to the smith.




Terry

That is exceptional work! I am not a fan of muzzlebrakes, but I bet the customer is happy.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the bill for something like this?

Numbers man, give us numbers! How much does it weigh and how is it chambered?

I have built some Alpine rifles and do like them because of the memories they bring back, and I like yours!

Tm T,
Great work!

I'm truly impressed with the design of all your lightening cuts - it holds together throughout the piece. Doing something new in terms of design is so damned hard to pull off. It's easy to end up looking stupid, and yours is totally coherent. Congrats!

I'm glad you guys like it. As for how much weight was saved, I didn't weigh it before or after so I can only guess at maybe a pound all together. Rifle started out as a standard M70 stainless in 300 Weatherby in a Brown Precision stock. Customer brought some ideas and he and I talked a lot about concept, but mostly he just wanted it lighter. The bolt fluting and muzzle brake were the most fun to do. Along with all the metal work I re-bedded and refinished the stock. My own taste is much more traditional blue steel and wood, but I enjoyed the project.

Nice craftsmanship!!!

I am a walnut and blue guy (admit a certain fondness for matte stainless and walnut too!)

BUT

That is one darn nice looking rig. I greatly enjoy no nonsense practical rifles with classic trim lines, whatever the composition.

Fine work!

That's a lot to deburr. Looks meretricious... in the good sense! Good job!

......''SWEET''.......
regards

John

Your work looks to be excellent. I know you have a lot of hours in this project. There was also a lot of chances to screw up. Adjust your final cost to compensate for one of these times. It will happen sooner or later.

Two points that you might want to keep in mind.
One, I would never cut the lower slot out of the trigger guard as you have done. There is just to many chances of an accidental discharge.
Two, Be careful with the fluting of the bolt all the way around. Flutes will pull cartridges out from under feed rails when bolt is rotated.
In turn cartridges will pop out or jam the rifle when the bolt is drawn back.

James

Tm T,
...And another thing: Nice Pictures!

What do you use for lighting?

yeti, I was waiting for someone to mention the pictures. Just so happens I have a new customer who is a photographer for our Albuquerque Journal. He was in the shop picking up his re-barreled rifle and I asked him about cameras. He ended up hauling in his Nikon and all his accesories and spent a half-hour shooting these pictures for me. He used a remote wireless flash unit. He said it was a lot more fun than taking pictures of car wrecks and dead bodies.

John, That looks like very nice work to me. Perhaps this is not what everyone likes...but I like it... a lot. It appears that you will be quite successful in your new full time trade. Good luck going forward.

Woody

John, I think the best thing you can do is move to Australia there's a nice house with a large workshop just down the road from me which is for sale I sure you will like it, would love to have you here I'll take you deer hunting and you can do my firearms, good idea what do you reckon mate...

Tracks, that is just the best offer I've ever had. I've traveled all over the Asia and the Pacific but never made it to "Down Under" but intuitively I know I'd love it there. Now, if I can convice the wife...

No worries mate if you ever come down this way drop me a message/pm and I will show you around our deer country...Les

ps ya misses is welcome too....

John:

That is a great looking rifle. Anyone would be proud to carry it. I'll bet it shoots like a house on fire too.

Keep up the good work, you will be covered up with work.

Longshot