Barrel Work by Mike Orlen today

[BRDHNTR]

1. Bill Murphy, Mike can do the work you need done without question. 2. Yes, why not add Mike to this thread or elsewhere as appropriate. Be advised that as per what Mike told me today, he only works on shotgun barrels. Does not do pistol or rifle work.

[Dean Romig]

I think we should also get a clarification from Mike as to whether or not he works on composite barrels.





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[Wild Skies]

I have personally used Mike Orlen's services on five different occasions, twice for choke alterations, once for chamber lengthening and twice for stock bending. Every interaction has been satisfactory - with a very fast turnaround time. Every gun I have shipped to him has been returned by the eighth day after sending, it's a 4 day ride out there via UPS and a 3 day ride back; which of course, tells me he has done the work and shipped the gun out within 24 hours of receipt.
There are several very good gunsmiths scattered around the country that many of us entrust our precious doubles with that do quality work, but it's hard to find a gunsmith doing quality work with a quicker turnaround.

Here's a link to his services offered, price list and feedback in a thread he started on SGW:
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/view...p?f=12&t=36237

[Double Play]

Mike is my go-to guy for stock bending and I've sent him guns and had them back in as quickly as couple of days. One gun came back untouched with a note that the gun had an old repair at the wrist that in five years of hunting I had never noticed. He said the repair was solid and would likely never give me any problems but he did not feel comfortable heating and bending it. He could have just bent it and charged me but the way he handled it assured my business for as long as he wants it. He has also done barrel work for me with excellent results as well.

[StubTwist]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I think we should also get a clarification from Mike as to whether or not he works on composite barrels..

He did a set of LC Smith damascus barrels for me in the past.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

I think we should also get a clarification from Mike as to whether or not he works on composite barrels.





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Mike did some choke work for me on a set of Damascus barrels. The chokes came out perfect.

[Bill Murphy]

Buddy, you and I see it the same way. "Learn to shoot."

[BRDHNTR]

I don't see this any different than if Parker Bros were still in business and after ordering the gun with mod and full chokes, the customer decided to send it back to Parker and have them open up the chokes. Parker Bros would be only too pleased to satisfy this customer. It's now much more suitable for upland hunting. Parker Bros would be pleased I'm sure with the restocking of this VHE done by Brad Bachelder and the georgous wood from Cecil Fredis shop. The original owner had the stock cut way down for his wife. This VHE was not in all original condition when it came from the family that inherited it. If it came to me in all original condition, I most probably would have sold it long before now and/or traded it for something more suitable.

[BRDHNTR]

If I thought that we'd get all choked up over this subject, I wouldn't have written this post. Seriously though, my view is that if the gun is all original, leave it alone but if it's already been altered or changed then make it suite your purpose if that's your desire.

[William Davis]

My guess is a gun returned to Parker for choke work would be reamed honed and tested for pattern. Most New Parker’s were ordered with specific pellet count and distance requirements, I would think a gun returned the same.

Most, not all, gunsmith today open to a specified measurement, not testing the gun for pattern or point of impact. If a Parker, its done in a barrel that was bent to regulate not machine made all alike like modern barrels. Not a simple job to set up. A lathe cuts fast takes a lot of time and experience to set up the work. Further from true harder the set up.

Best way to tell how the work will be done is the cost. Low cost means quick machine work with no testing. Pay a lot you should get good work.

William