Good custom gun smith in Northern IN?

[ambushunter]

I know there is a sticky under general firearms that list gunsmiths, but I am looking for one that can build long range rifles. And looking for one that someone has personal experince with. I don't want to wait a year for my gun to be assembled.

 

[IndyGunworks]

there are several... ray saltzman comes to mind, as well as a few others whose name is slipping my mind....

i DOUBT you will find anyone w/ less than a half a year of wait time..... building a rifle is NOT a quick turn around thing... i would say 6 months would be on the quick side, w/ 1 year being average if you take it to a KNOWN REPUTABLE smith.

 

[IndyMonkey]

When I was doing my research for rifles it quickly lead me to out of state rifle smiths.

This is where I ended up getting two rifles from. Custom Hunting Rifles - Sisk Custom Rifles

Charlie Sisk and a gun in AZ named DA Vanhorn built my Encore barrels are the two that I have used and recommend.

Its sad to say but quality rifle builders are not from Indiana.(or at least they were not 10 years ago when I was trying to get some built)

THe Market here does not support a professional full time quality rifle smith.

 

[fireball168]

I know there is a sticky under general firearms that list gunsmiths, but I am looking for one that can build long range rifles.

Check


And looking for one that someone has personal experince with. Check


I don't want to wait a year for my gun to be assembled. Provided you've got parts, the labor shouldn't take that long

Mark Penrod
Penrod Precision
312 College Ave
N Manchester, IN 46962
Phone: 260-982-8385
E-mail: markpenrod@kconline.com

If Mark wasn't available, or doesn't meet your timeline - I'd go out of state.

Greg's workload has been about 6 months, or less if you've got the parts.

Greg Tannel
GRE'-TAN RIFLES LLC

24005 Hwy. 13
Rifle, CO, 81650
970-878-5420​

 

[slow1911s]

I know for a fact that Kustom Ballistics builds some great long-range guns. Give Neil a call, he's just south of Ft. Wayne.

If you want to go with a big name, you can never go wrong with George at GA Precision. Home - GA Precision

 

[sloughfoot]

What is long range to you?

Do you own an action? Bolt gun or a semi-auto? Do you already own the barrel? Long lead times on some custom barrels right now..

Scoped or iron sight? Tactical or target rifle?

What you need for 1000 yards is not the same as what you need for 600 yards.

 

[42769vette]

i would look at allen brown. he is not in northern indiana and i doubt he can get you a rifle in 6months. to be honest if a gunsmith can build you the rifle in 6months it would make me leary. if a rifle builder is not busy there may be a reason

 

[ambushunter]

How far 1000+ reason I don't want to wait a year is I have all the part so I just need barrel fitted and chambered and the usual trueing of the action lap lugs

 

[sloughfoot]

I can get the barrel fitted and the action trued and lugs lapped for you. That is easy. You will fit it into a stock? I can get that done for you too. What caliber for 1000+?

It isn't complicated, no matter how much the national names want you to think it is.

 

[ambushunter]

sloughfoot, It will be a .338 cal. I know its not hard, the big names know that also. Just some I have used in the past are a one man show, and there backed up with lots of work. What rifles have you built? Have any references?

 

[GregD]

I too would suggest Mark Penrod. He has done work for me several times and I have always been happy with his work.

 

[sloughfoot]

sloughfoot, It will be a .338 cal. I know its not hard, the big names know that also. Just some I have used in the past are a one man show, and there backed up with lots of work. What rifles have you built? Have any references?

I don't do the work myself, the competitive shooters around here have Mike Gingher, Bill Simon, and Jerry Johnson to lean on for this type of work. Any one of them can do a fine job of truing your action and chambering the barrel. Tom Meredith in Ft Wayne can build you a stock or just bed your action into it. Big Daddy (on this forum) can do this too.

You can sit there in Jerry's or Bill's workshop and drink coffee and chat while he does the work if you want. We are all friends and you are welcome to join us if you want. All these guys have been building rifles and competing with them for lots of years. No reason to send your rifle off for work to some unknown gunsmith, IMO. If it was up to me, I would have you lap your own lugs though.......

The references are the trophies on the wall and the good times with friends.

 

[TonyT]

When I was doing my research for rifles it quickly lead me to out of state rifle smiths.

This is where I ended up getting two rifles from. Custom Hunting Rifles - Sisk Custom Rifles

Charlie Sisk and a gun in AZ named DA Vanhorn built my Encore barrels are the two that I have used and recommend.

Its sad to say but quality rifle builders are not from Indiana.(or at least they were not 10 years ago when I was trying to get some built)

THe Market here does not support a professional full time quality rifle smith.

I just got off the phone with Mark and he is busy but still taking on work. He is one of the best.

 

[Indy574]

I have personal experience with Alan Brown...aka...ajbrownarms.com He built a Rem 700 in .308 for me. McMillan A5 stock bedded, Mike Rock Barrel, Badger bottom metal, it just flat shoots. Couldn't find a nicer guy to work with. I realize he is in the southern portion of the state, but it was worth it.

 

[sloughfoot]

Robert Working in South Bend. He won't answer the phone for a while though. He is busy competing at the Nationals.

No theory with this guy. He knows what works.

 

[FWP9MM]

If you decide to go out of state, check out American Precision Arms
My brother has a gun built by them and he is very pleased.

 

[G_Stines]

I have to throw another word in for Mr. Mark Penrod. He is an amazingly genuine guy, and is excellent on his timeline estimations. He is even usually done before he thinks he will be, especially if its something fun for him like a custom build. He does amazing work and I know several people who will go nowhere else. Also, I have NEVER heard of a buyer who went to Penrod Precision who didn't get EXACTLY what they wanted. Sometimes his prices are a little higher than other smiths, but his work is worth every penny in my mind.

 

[bluepkp]

there are several... ray saltzman comes to mind, as well as a few others whose name is slipping my mind....

i DOUBT you will find anyone w/ less than a half a year of wait time..... building a rifle is NOT a quick turn around thing... i would say 6 months would be on the quick side, w/ 1 year being average if you take it to a KNOWN REPUTABLE smith.

+1 for Ray. He just built my .300WinMag and its an absolute beauty, not to mention a tack driver, and he is building my .223 Rem 700.

 

[bluepkp]

Ray Saltzman Custom .300WinMag