need recommendation for a SAA gunsmith in Tucson

[shooter444]

Anyone know a gunsmith in Tucson with a good reputation, to change out a barrel on a 1873 Colt single action clone,.... any recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Harry lawson LLC.
3328 N Richey Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Phone: (520) 326-1117

You need to call before noon if you want to talk to the gunsmith.

 

[shooter444]

Thanks Ballistic Therapy, have you used him?

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

Many times over the years.
They have been in business and in the same building since 1965.
Harry died years ago but his son Randy still runs it.
Joe Reid is the gunsmith.
All they do is make custom rifles , gun stocks and gunsmithing.

 

[deserttrans]

Good info, thanks.

 

[madmike]

OLd Pueblo gunsmithing Mario Ramos

 

[shooter444]

Thanks, madmike,... I spoke with Mr. Ramos, very nice guy and his web site has some rather impressive machinery pics! He has moved to the top of my list.

 

[Lucafu1]

+1 for Lawsons

 

[redj]

I can also vouch for Lawson's.
They have fixed more than one gun of mine that no other gunsmith wanted too or could fix.
If they can't get the part , they will make it.
People wonder why they don't have a web site. It is because they spend their time making custom guns and fixing guns , not playing on the internet.

 

[shooter444]

I can also vouch for Lawson's.
They have fixed more than one gun of mine that no other gunsmith wanted too or could fix.
If they can't get the part , they will make it.
People wonder why they don't have a web site. It is because they spend their time making custom guns and fixing guns , not playing on the internet.

First off,... I am only looking for a barrel change on a SAA revolver. I won't need the expertise of making a broken part,...all parts are available for this piece. I don't need a custom build smith who obviously will charge accordingly and probably deservedly so.

So,... thanks for that decisive post and opinion, redj,... you have definitely made up my mind.

 

[needsmostuff]

I'd throw my vote in for Joe Perkins
Fixed 2, 1st gen Colts for me that were worn to useless looseness with out any muss or fuss.
Many bypass Joe cuz they think he is only super fancy grips and gun bling but he is a great mechanic also. Drop the gun off and it's done when he tells you it will be.
I'd give him a call, great friendly info on the phone.

http://classicsingleaction.com/

 

[shooter444]

I'd throw my vote in for Joe Perkins
Fixed 2, 1st gen Colts for me that were worn to useless looseness with out any muss or fuss.
Many bypass Joe cuz they think he is only super fancy grips and gun bling but he is a great mechanic also. Drop the gun off and it's done when he tells you it will be.
I'd give him a call, great friendly info on the phone.

http://classicsingleaction.com/

Hey needsmostuff, I appreciate the refferal,... but, I just talked with Joe and he doesn't do barrel swaps anymore.

 

[needsmostuff]

Bummer, don't get it. He just turned one to adjust the POI on a clone for a friend of mine about a month ago for 40 bucks . An he takes them apart all the time to refinish.
O well, guess he does what he does.
Well , local is cool ,,,,,, when it works.

 

[shooter444]

Hmmm, actually, I have seriously been thinking about pulling out my chisels and carve some vice blocks and just do it myself. Obviously, if the treads don't allow the front sight t index properly, or, if it does, but the forcing cone need to be shortened, I am back t square one, looking for a smith!

Has anyone changed out a barrel? :text-feedback: opinions welcome!

 

[redj]

Did you ever actually talk to Lawson's ?

 

[shooter444]

Did you ever actually talk to Lawson's ?

Yes, I did.

It took two days.

The gunsmith named JOE, who does this type of work at Lawson's, only works until noon. After talking with him, which is a polite description, I came to the conclusion, I would rather do it myself, than allow someone who gets confused about simple revolver terminology.

Let it suffice to say, I don't know if I was more confused from talking with JOE, or, he was.

He definitely is NOT a confidence builder, for gunsmithing service, imo!

 

[Ballistic Therapy]

I find that hard to believe.
I have known Joe for years.
He does amazing work.
There is not another gunsmith in Arizona I would go to before him.
As far as working until noon , I told you that in the first post.
You have obviously never seen the work that comes out of that shop. 

 

[redj]

Did you ever actually talk to Lawson's ?

Yes, I did.

It took two days.

The gunsmith named JOE, who does this type of work at Lawson's, only works until noon. After talking with him, which is a polite description, I came to the conclusion, I would rather do it myself, than allow someone who gets confused about simple revolver terminology.

Let it suffice to say, I don't know if I was more confused from talking with JOE, or, he was.

He definitely is NOT a confidence builder, for gunsmithing service, imo!

I would have to call BS on this.
I would be more inclined to believe you are the one that was confused.
They make some of the finest custom guns on the market and you say you won't go there because he didn't know what your terminology meant ?

 

[shooter444]

dupe

 

[shooter444]

Yes, I did.
It took two days.
The gunsmith named JOE, who does this type of work at Lawson's, only works until noon. After talking with him, which is a polite description, I came to the conclusion, I would rather do it myself, than allow someone who gets confused about simple revolver terminology.

Let it suffice to say, I don't know if I was more confused from talking with JOE, or, he was.

He definitely is NOT a confidence builder, for gunsmithing service, imo!

I would have to call BS on this.
I would be more inclined to believe you are the one that was confused.
They make some of the finest custom guns on the market and you say you won't go there because he didn't know what your terminology meant ?

-------------------------

One of the questions I asked JOE, was, " When you install a new barrel, how many thousandths do you set the barrel forcing cone from the cylinder chamber throats? ",... and, his reply was " THERE IS NO FORCING CONE ON THE CYLINDER ".

This is just one example of the convoluted statements I got from him,... it got so bad I had to just interrupt him with a "Thank you for your time", and hang up.

Now, I don't know how old he is, nor if he is on meds, and, I don't know how good his hearing is,... but,... I do know what I asked him, and I do know what his replies were!