Barrel shortening service, gunsmith, MN

[walking arsenal]

I'm looking for a gunsmith in Minnesota who is professional, does not cut corners, and is good and knowledgeable with AR-15s.

I have a 20" HBAR barrel still on the upper that I would like to have cut down to 18" and crowned for a reasonable price.

The closer to the Bemidji area they are the better.

 

[MrDig]

Sorry I'm down in the Anoka area, But I know one here. I also know Joes Sporting Goods over in St. Paul has a good Smith. Good Luck finding one closer to you, I mean that literally not sarcastically.

 

[walking arsenal]

Don't I know it! Gunsmiths seem sparse up North here.

What do you know about Joes sporting goods? That could maybe work.

 

[jfh]

A gunsmith I would unhesitatingly recommend is Eric Meitzner over near Solon Springs, WI. He started as a tool-and-die maker in his 20s, etc., and went to (the CO gunsmith school) some 25 years ago. I heard about him from Superior Shooters.

He built a position rifle for me from a Rem 540, and maintained and repaired camp marksmanship rifles for me in the 90s. That rifle shot a '50' the first target I shot after sighting in. He's done other general (hand)gun work for me, too, and is just a fine guy.

I don't think he has any sort of web presence, directly. The phone number is 715-378-2211.

I realize that's not real close to Bemidji--but at least it's a reputable referral.

Jim H.

 

[mnrivrat]

You might want to check with Laabe (sp) Gunsmithing in Spicer.

 

[MrCleanOK]

Are you dead set on a local smith? There are a few mail order shops that have built their well deserved reputations on doing quality work on AR-15s.

 

[walking arsenal]

Are you dead set on a local smith?

Not really. I just figured that it would save me shipping and would be easier to sort out a problem if something went wrong.

If the price is right I would be willing to look further. I just don't want to spend the price of a new barrel having 2 inches knocked off the one I have.

 

[MrDig]

Last time I checked Joes was reasonable to cut and crown a stripped barrel, that means disassembling the upper yourself if you are comfortable with it. I don't know how they are about doing the assembly stuff I'm pretty sure it will cost more.
You could also talk to Scott Nystrom in Anoka good guy and if he can't do it he will stear you in the right direction.

 

[gym]

Too bad you don't have access to a machine shop. It's not that hard to do it yourself.

 

[walking arsenal]

I know. But I don't. So I'll have to pay someone else to do it right.

 

[hso]

You shouldn't have any trouble sending the upper to a reputable smith anywhere in the country if you can't find local. Matter of fact, you could send the upper to one of the in-state referrals as well and at least have to personal reference.

 

[Liberty1776]

like mnriverrat said - Laab's in Spicer. He'll do it right, charge fairly. Ahlman's in Watertown will do it too - right and fair, but that's the other end of the state from you...

 

[SunnySlopes]

I just figured that it would save me shipping

Shipping will just be a nominal fee since you can use the post office. It's not like it has to be shipped overnight. That can get costly.

 

[westhope]

Ahlman's is in Morristown, MN.

 

[walking arsenal]

What do you like about them?