Gunsmith wait times

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savageyote94

New member
I'm just curious as to how long the normal gunsmith takes to flute and install m16 extractor on a Remington 700 long action bolt? The first rifle I had done took around a month but that was with sako extractor. I used a different Smith this time for the m16 extractor and hes had the bolt for over 3 months now. Seems like a long time to me l?
 
I only did business with a gunsmith once. Had a Marlin 1895 cerakoted, trigger smoothed and loading gate lightened up. He told me right off that he was busy and said it might be 8 months. He is less the 3 miles from my house, price was much better than I was expecting and I didn't need it for a bit so I left the gun with him. I think I had it back in 5 months though. Did a great job also!!
 
I can't imagine it takes very long to do once set up. I imagine it's more of a thing about just getting around to it than anything. Maybe he waits till he has a few to do and does them all at once? Or he's busy with big ticket stuff he needs to get completed and billed out?

I will say I don't have near the patience to wait like that. Nor have I had that kind of custom work done so no experience there. I have a local guy who's a hobbyist, retired machinist. Usually turn around time is measured in days, sometimes next day. But I'm talking threading barrels, chambering and setting up ar barrels, etc.
 
The only thing " normal " you will find about gunsmiths is that they are not much of a businessman . Job wait times are often influenced by factors such as amount of jobs in the que , parts availability , tooling on order , fishing/hunting outlook for the day or week , ect... No matter how good a gun plumber someone is ... chances are they will pull stunts that would close any other business in months if not weeks or days . It will take what it takes to get the job done and if that is too long then get the gun back and start over with someone else .
Or you can do what I did and invest in machine tools to do most gunwork yourself .
 
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Send it to Long Rifles Inc. I’d imagine you’ll have it back in days, not weeks.

If he’s had your action for 3 months it’s been sitting on the shelf, not being worked on.
 
I would get my stuff back ASAP. Call Chad at Longrifles Inc. You won't be dissapointed. [beeep], you share your misadventures with him, I wouldnt be surprised if he pushes you to the top of the que.....just the kind of guy he is.
 
The guy I usually use has a wait time of over a year for full builds. But simple bolt work like that, he turns it around in a few days.

I don't think you could go wrong with LRI for something like this either.

- DAA
 
Karl Kampfeld w/Kampfeld Custom Inc. has done a bunch of bolt fluting and action blueprinting for me. I've yet to have anything take longer than two weeks and that's from the time I ship till I get it back. The work he has done for me has all been top notch. Karl is a heck of a nice guy too.
http://www.kampfeldcustom.com/

I've never used them, but I have heard nothing but good about LRI as well.
 
I think LRI did mine in 2014; great work, fair price, and quick turnaround. Kampfeld custom is outstanding, too. I've since started doing my own Sako extractors and prefer them to the mini-M16.

One other that I will recommend is Ryan Flynn at Aquilla Custom Gun Works in East Bend, NC. He shouldn't be too far if you're in East TN. He does prefer the Sako to the mini-M16, too, though.
 
Chad just posted a video of a full action blueprint on his new 5th-Axis machine. They're done in less than 10 minutes and tolerances are superb. LRI is hugely automated and that makes them very fast and reliable. Chad and the LRI crew will be my only source for full builds...

Deal with LRI in confidence.
 
I was thrilled when I found a local smith that looked really promising and had fast turnaround. Then I come here and there is talk of LRI. Don't load him too heavy or I will have to ship my stuff to your neck of the woods.
 
Originally Posted By: McflyI was thrilled when I found a local smith that looked really promising and had fast turnaround. Then I come here and there is talk of LRI. Don't load him too heavy or I will have to ship my stuff to your neck of the woods.

Chad and crew can handle it. They're like a NASCAR pit team. If you have a chance, give him a call and see about bringing your stuff by to him. Watching them works is simply amazing.
 
I take it down to my shop and BINGO it's done in an hour or so. There are advantages to having machinery and tooling.
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One thing to keep in mind is your parts selection and availability of those selected. If you gather up all of the parts you want included, the time may not be very long. If you choose certain McMillan or Manners stocks, the wait from the factory for specific special order stocks can be over a year wait. If you can find everything on the shelf for instance at bughole's or Bruno's you may not wait very long. Depends on who you select for the machine work, and how much work they have backlogged. Time of year can have effects on wait time as well. I have had work done at LRI and would have no problem sending them more business. There are certainly lots of good options out there, shop around some and you can find someone that will fit your needs and expectations.
 
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