Establishing Relationship w/ Gunsmith

[koolbeans]

Hello, this is my first post. I've been lurking for about a month now, reading and learning quietly. I glean whatever I can from two co-workers who are very knowledgeable in firearms.

I'm not a hardcore shooter; Recreational would be a better word. With that said, please forgive my greenness.

I've had my Kimber Custom II since last summer and I plan on doing alot of practice this year (about 100-200 rounds/weekend). I'd like to get some work done on the pistol, mainly cosmetic, nothing internal.

Here is the work I'd like done:

Extended Magazine Well w/ Mainspring Housing
Frontstrap Checkering
Three Dot Sight installment

And possible parkerization (the finish on the Kimber is easily scratched) done at the end of the season.

I found a gunsmith in town who was recommended by a salesman at Sportsman's Warehouse. Said he was the best pistol guy in town.

Now my question is: What should I ask the gunsmith? I'm young, 23 years-old, and I know the looks I get from salesmen and other shooters as well. I don't want to be disrepectful in the least, but I also want to establish trust in the man's work and hopefully develop a business relationship with this man. This is my first pistol so it's my baby, you know?

I plan on asking to see examples of his work for reference and peace of mind. I'd also like to pay less than I would if I had to ship my gun to Kimber's Custom Shop, but is that something that should be brought up? If the work is good, I can just about guarantee that I will reference him to the two men I work with, who own several 1911's (neither of them heard of the guy, but they couldn't recommend any gunsmiths at all).

Thanks for any/all help.

[Cap]

Welcome, Kool

here's some thoughts, for what ever they're worth;

you're not buying a wigit.
You're buying a "service".
Not all service providers are created equal.
Not all painters, mechanics, plumbers, HVAC, general contractors, etc are equally good.
Some are average, some are exceptional and some shouldn't be in biz at all.

I'm sure the same holds true for 'smiths.

SOOO..don't base your desicion on "price" alone.
'cause..a .10 cent steak ain't worth a dime if it's too tough to eat

It's fair to ask questions about price, and also for referrences of past customers, but if he's an experienced 'smith worth his salt, (and a little cantankerous) you might just get thrown out on your ear if you try and hard ball him on price.
Just because "so-n-so" does it for X amount, doesn't mean he will or should.

Start off on the right foot and be straight up with him on what you're able/willing to spend and let him offer suggestions/options of what he can do for that amount.

Then you take from there

G'luck


..L.T.A.

[Greg Derr]

Good questions:

Being in the trade, I'm glad to show my gun to customers as well as some waiting for delivery. My shop is lined with images of work. As a business I realize that you money is just as green as the next customer, you get respect. A good smith will work with and guide you in the right direction YOU want to go.

By all means ask for references.

Greg

[koolbeans]

Thanks for the answers, Cap and Greg.

Money isn't a big issue since I'm looking at ~$500-700 worth of work over the course of a year. But I definitely don't want to spend a substantial amount when I could go directly to the manufacturer for less. Plus, it's also about the relationship since I do plan on getting a 9mm High Power and get work done on that as well.

[berkbw]

Thanks for the answers, Cap and Greg.

Money isn't a big issue since I'm looking at ~$500-700 worth of work over the course of a year. But I definitely don't want to spend a substantial amount when I could go directly to the manufacturer for less. Plus, it's also about the relationship since I do plan on getting a 9mm High Power and get work done on that as well.


DANG! so you wat to "top drawer", eh? For that amount of $$ you might want to explore some of the "better" guns/gunmakers. You can buy a great gun for $1300+.

b-

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
Before spending a lot of money on your Kimber I agree with the idea of buying another gun already made to suit you. Les Baer comes to mind.
There's several great pistolsmiths that can do the work on your Kimber should you still wish to go that way.

[koolbeans]

LOL. Thanks, but when I bought my Kimber, it was restricted by budget/reliability and I also knew I was going to get work done on it. There was no way I could drop that kind of cash at once on a gun! I didn't even spend that much on my television, lol.

But I don't mind building upon it, at least for now. I'm know I'll get that "itch" for a new .45 eventually.

Anyway, I went to the guy and checked him out. He was a nice enough guy and I was honest with him about my experience and he softened up a little.

He was definitely against installing white dot sights on the premise that you don't need your sights as much as you rely on your "presentation", which will become second nature. However, he was talking about home defense and I was talking about improving marksmanship, which he ignored. I know stance is important in accurate shooting, but I still need to aim when I'm at the range!

However, the opinion I take to heart is my co-worker, who expressed hesitation at my choice of white dots over the plain jane sights. He never really explained why, saying it's my gun and I can do with it as I pleased.

But I'm not choosing white dots for aesthetics. It's easier for me to focus on three dots than aligning three horizontal lines. Is there a valid argument against this (or better option)?

I plan on checking out one more place tomorrow afternoon and if that's not ideal, I'll just go with the Kimber Custom Shop.

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

[berkbw]

3 dots are easier to align. I must have missed where you have already purchased a Kimber, sorry. What, and why, do you want/need to put 300 - 700 bucks on a new one? They get the high dollar because they are "supposed" to already be perfect.

b-

[Rich-D]

Establishing Relationship w/ Gunsmith? As long as the wife doesn't find out! :p


Rich

[koolbeans]

3 dots are easier to align. I must have missed where you have already purchased a Kimber, sorry. What, and why, do you want/need to put 300 - 700 bucks on a new one? They get the high dollar because they are "supposed" to already be perfect.

b-

The Custom II was an entry level pistol in Kimber's line. All the work I want done on it would have essentially run me ~$1000 (Kimber TLE II), which is a little expensive for a birthday gift that I was already splitting with my parents.

So I opted for something cheaper and relatively plain because 1)it was my first pistol; what if I didn't like it? 2)the price was worth the name; I researched extensively and Kimber's name kept coming up for what I wanted: good, reliable shooting out of the box. I knew I'd be adding to it the following year if I enjoyed shooting it (which I do). A Colt or Springfield, as nice as it would have been to have, were just way out of my range.

[twin oaks]

gee...with all the improvements you want to make, sounds kinda like you need a GCT in a bad way.

[irq23]

Hello, this is my first post. I've been lurking for about a month now, reading and learning quietly. I glean whatever I can from two co-workers who are very knowledgeable in firearms.

I'm not a hardcore shooter; Recreational would be a better word. With that said, please forgive my greenness.

I've had my Kimber Custom II since last summer and I plan on doing alot of practice this year (about 100-200 rounds/weekend). I'd like to get some work done on the pistol, mainly cosmetic, nothing internal.

Here is the work I'd like done:

Extended Magazine Well w/ Mainspring Housing
Frontstrap Checkering
Three Dot Sight installment

And possible parkerization (the finish on the Kimber is easily scratched) done at the end of the season.

I found a gunsmith in town who was recommended by a salesman at Sportsman's Warehouse. Said he was the best pistol guy in town.

Now my question is: What should I ask the gunsmith? I'm young, 23 years-old, and I know the looks I get from salesmen and other shooters as well. I don't want to be disrepectful in the least, but I also want to establish trust in the man's work and hopefully develop a business relationship with this man. This is my first pistol so it's my baby, you know?

I plan on asking to see examples of his work for reference and peace of mind. I'd also like to pay less than I would if I had to ship my gun to Kimber's Custom Shop, but is that something that should be brought up? If the work is good, I can just about guarantee that I will reference him to the two men I work with, who own several 1911's (neither of them heard of the guy, but they couldn't recommend any gunsmiths at all).

Thanks for any/all help.
Where are you located? This might help to refer you.

[koolbeans]

Where are you located? This might help to refer you.

Anchorage, Alaska.

[Pappy]

Establishing Relationship w/ Gunsmith? As long as the wife doesn't find out! :p


Rich


Chalk one up for Rich.........:lm:

[CryingWolf]

Anyway, I went to the guy and checked him out. He was a nice enough guy and I was honest with him about my experience and he softened up a little.

He was definitely against installing white dot sights on the premise that you don't need your sights as much as you rely on your "presentation", which will become second nature. However, he was talking about home defense and I was talking about improving marksmanship, which he ignored. I know stance is important in accurate shooting, but I still need to aim when I'm at the range!

However, the opinion I take to heart is my co-worker, who expressed hesitation at my choice of white dots over the plain jane sights. He never really explained why, saying it's my gun and I can do with it as I pleased.

But I'm not choosing white dots for aesthetics. It's easier for me to focus on three dots than aligning three horizontal lines. Is there a valid argument against this (or better option)?

I plan on checking out one more place tomorrow afternoon and if that's not ideal, I'll just go with the Kimber Custom Shop.

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.

Nothing wrong with three dot sights. You might find ranges with lower light conditions with little powder on the front sight it gets a little hard to see. AFAIK Three dot sights are still selling very well, and it is your shooting iron. In your case I might opt for 3 dot Tritium sights though.

[irq23]

Nothing wrong with three dot sights. You might find ranges with lower light conditions with little powder on the front sight it gets a little hard to see. AFAIK Three dot sights are still selling very well, and it is your shooting iron. In your case I might opt for 3 dot Tritium sights though.
I am not all that fond of 3 dots either. I feel it takes away from the front sight and "crowds" the sight picture. Take a look at the Heinie Straight 8's. You have a serrated rear with a tritium insert underneath the notch which I personally can not see while shooting (thats good). You have a white dot and tritium insert up front. In the dark you make a figure eight pattern its very easy to use.

[jwenum]

I've got a S&W M&P 9mm with the tritium sights and they are outstanding in the dark.I seem to be able to kinda block them out in the daylight.My 1911 has white 3 dots and I like them also;course they don't do much in the dark.

[nralife71]

Since you have a kimber, contact them directly. Talk to then and see if they could do what you want done.