Need gunsmith within driving Asheville, NC

[Bob Decker]

I am looking for a competent double gunsmith within 2 hour driving distance of Asheville, NC for general clean-up of both metal and wood parts of mostly Lefever shotguns. I am not looking for total restoration, but somebody who can clean up old and neglected guns that are otherwise intact for a price that does not break the bank or require waiting for years.

[John Davis]

How about Bill Schwarz in Ellijay, Ga.?

[Dean Romig]

Isn’t Dewey Vicnair around there someplace?





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[Jim DiSpagno]

Dean, Dewey is in Lititz Pa. Lancaster area

[Bob Decker]

Bill Schwartz is about a 7 hr round trip and Dewey Vicknair about 16 hr round trip. Both gentlemen have reputations (and wait lists) far above what I want for cleaning a bunch of well used (but not terribly abused) low grade guns to make viable shooters of them. I am looking for something within 2 hrs drive.

[Mills Morrison]

You are really better off finding a good gunsmith somewhere in the country and shipping the guns to them. I have been in your position before and this is where I have ended up

[Jim DiSpagno]

Steve Parries in Mt Airy 1336-401-1932. Leave a message and Steve will get back to you.

[Mike McKinney]

Dr. Bob, Steve in Mt. Airy is a good choice, a little farther than you describe, I’ve got to go up there soon to pick up some holly Steve has saved for me, if I can help with the trip or you want to ride with me, we could make it work.
There is a fellow named Raymond Bunn, in Sylva, who I understand is working for a gun store over there that has a good reputation, but I have not used him, it’s been a long time since I talked to him, I do know he likes perfection and vintage guns.
Feel free to call if you’d like.

[Brian Dudley]

Bob,

What about Bill Graham? I am pretty sure you have met him. Ken knows who he is. He may be good to talk to. He may not be within 2 hours, but he is within 3-4.

[Bob Decker]

Thanks guys. This seems to be an area where the laws of supply and demand fail. The small number of really good gunsmiths results in wait lists that are interminable for those of us who have limited time left.

[Robin Lewis]

Have you looked at the FAQ page found via parker guns.org, the first faq takes you to a list of known Parker gunsmiths recommended buy people here?

To those of you that read this thread and know a gunsmith that you would recommend to us, I ask you to go to that FAQ link and add those names to the thread if it's not already there so that others can easily find recommendations.

[William Davis]

Gunters probably the closest to Asheville. Top notch double gunsmith. Rocky Mt Va Profmer Gun Works .

Make a day of it. Leave early drop them off at Gunters then shoot a round of Clays at Summit Springs Ferrum Va. few miles away , great course

Google him

William

[Bill Graham]

Bob,
What about Bill Graham? I am pretty sure you have met him. Ken knows who he is. He may be good to talk to. He may not be within 2 hours, but he is within 3-4.
Thanks, Brian.

Hi Bob,
We've met a few times. Currently I have a DS barrel from Ken that's getting some dents raised and new bluing.
I'd be happy to try and help if I can, and if you wish. I don't take on work I know I can't do well, and I do like doing the work as you described it in your original post.
We'll be getting up to Asheville in the next month or so to visit in-laws and others before summer ends.
Take care.

[Lou Lanwermeyer]

You might want to visit with Mike Merker in Hendersonville, just s of Asheville.
He has a retail gun shop there but does full-on gunsmithing including stock repair or replacement, metal fabrication, etc.
Worth a trip to meet him since you’re in the area.

[Frank Srebro]

Just a watchout Bob. As per Federal law anyone doing gunsmithing work and holding a gun overnight while working on it, needs to have a Dealer FFL, and presumably most will also have biz insurance. A C&R FFL doesn’t qualify and certainly an unlicensed person doesn’t. Next time we see each other remind me to relate what happened when I was younger and with a gent who was doing gunsmithing “on the side”.

[Brian Dudley]

One could also say the same thing about vendors who sell guns at shows/events.

[Lou Lanwermeyer]

A clarification seems to be in order.
Mike Merker is fully licensed, and his business consists of dealing and trading older guns as well as full service repair and gunsmithing. He’s well established, and gunsmithing is not something he “does on the side”. It’s a full time profession in a full time business with other fulltime employees.

[Frank Srebro]

One could also say the same thing about vendors who sell guns at shows/events.


So true, thanks Brian for posting; you might also suspense and repost your concern about "vendors" before the SxS events like the Southern, etc.

I'd say, as long as vendors are in compliance with the Federal Title 27 CFR Part 478 and any additional state regs - their sales at shows/events are just fine.

Back to my input to Dr Bob - I suggest that you ask any gunsmith you're considering if s/he has a Dealer FFL and liability insurance covering their work. That should get you to a capable professional and insure both of you are legal.