Good Gunsmiths

Daniel Shays · April 2, 2008, 08:51 AM

Hello All,

I am new to the forum and what great info there is here! Like I have seen said: "It is better than most gun mags", and you talk about my favorite stuff, black powder.
I have been looking for some trustworthy gunsmiths to work on some cap and ball revolvers, standard 1858's and 1863 pockets, 1873 Colt replicas in C&B (Yes, I know they are not true replicas).
I had one gunsmith for other things but he has no concept that a Italian C&B can be a decent gun and is not well informed on BP gunsmithing.

I had checked out:
-Lee's Gunsmithing at http://www.cowboyshooters.com/
-Tom Sargis at http://www.ycsi.net/users/gunsmith/
-I tried Big Iron Barrels but he disappeared by the time I wanted the work done. He is no longer at his old phone # either. Is he still in business? Is he honest?
-I called Gary Reeder at http://www.reedercustomguns.com/ to see about turning an Old Army into a lightweight Backpacker model http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revo...backpacker.htm and will be doing that since I don't see any need for a BP handgun that weighs almost as much as a rifle.

Both Lee's and Bozeman Arms seem to be well reputed but wanted to ask about anyone else or have these fellows confirmed as good.
I am trying to get my guns timed and some action work done. I have also heard about custom cylinder pins for the 1873's and 1858's that involve "grooving" the pins like on the 1860 Colts so they hold grease and do not lock up so readily.

I started the new thread because I do not see too much on smiths, most threads are on the guns. Thanks in advance for the help and good shooting!

arcticap · April 2, 2008, 12:55 PM

Big Iron was a fraud and running a scam, and was operated by a convicted con-man. He has been shut down after ripping off many honest people.
Stick with proven and reputable gunsmiths with verifiable reputations.

Daniel Shays · April 2, 2008, 07:33 PM

If it seems too good to be true...
Thanks. You confirm what I had heard from a couple of sources but others said he was good. I think I will forget about him. Thanks again for the tip.

The others seem reputable and I have seen their names on several apparently unrelated sites. I have also seen their names and sites up consistently over at least a couple of years or so. Both seem professional and capable in emailing them, but so did Jule at Big Iron. (I do not mean to compare them to him in a negative way. I am just being cautious.)

April 2, 2008, 08:51 AM	#1
Daniel Shays Junior Member Join Date: April 1, 2008 Posts: 11	Good Gunsmiths Hello All, I am new to the forum and what great info there is here! Like I have seen said: "It is better than most gun mags", and you talk about my favorite stuff, black powder. I have been looking for some trustworthy gunsmiths to work on some cap and ball revolvers, standard 1858's and 1863 pockets, 1873 Colt replicas in C&B (Yes, I know they are not true replicas). I had one gunsmith for other things but he has no concept that a Italian C&B can be a decent gun and is not well informed on BP gunsmithing. I had checked out: -Lee's Gunsmithing at http://www.cowboyshooters.com/ -Tom Sargis at http://www.ycsi.net/users/gunsmith/ -I tried Big Iron Barrels but he disappeared by the time I wanted the work done. He is no longer at his old phone # either. Is he still in business? Is he honest? -I called Gary Reeder at http://www.reedercustomguns.com/ to see about turning an Old Army into a lightweight Backpacker model http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revo...backpacker.htm and will be doing that since I don't see any need for a BP handgun that weighs almost as much as a rifle. Both Lee's and Bozeman Arms seem to be well reputed but wanted to ask about anyone else or have these fellows confirmed as good. I am trying to get my guns timed and some action work done. I have also heard about custom cylinder pins for the 1873's and 1858's that involve "grooving" the pins like on the 1860 Colts so they hold grease and do not lock up so readily. I started the new thread because I do not see too much on smiths, most threads are on the guns. Thanks in advance for the help and good shooting!

April 2, 2008, 12:55 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Big Iron was a fraud and running a scam, and was operated by a convicted con-man. He has been shut down after ripping off many honest people. Stick with proven and reputable gunsmiths with verifiable reputations.

April 2, 2008, 07:33 PM	#3
Daniel Shays Junior Member Join Date: April 1, 2008 Posts: 11	If it seems too good to be true... Thanks. You confirm what I had heard from a couple of sources but others said he was good. I think I will forget about him. Thanks again for the tip. The others seem reputable and I have seen their names on several apparently unrelated sites. I have also seen their names and sites up consistently over at least a couple of years or so. Both seem professional and capable in emailing them, but so did Jule at Big Iron. (I do not mean to compare them to him in a negative way. I am just being cautious.)