Best place to send Colt percussion clones for work?

[KCode98]

I have a few that I would like to have worked over like the arbor, timing, and all. Who is the person you guys recommend the most?

 

[CaptainKirk]

Mike Brackett at Goon's Gun Works. Hands down, the best BP tuner in the business. I have 3 of his masterpieces, and will be sending a 4th in very short order.

 

[hrt4me]

Gary Lee Barnes (aka Hoofhearted on this forum) would, IHMO, be a much better recommendation than Goon

 

[KCode98]

Gary Lee Barnes (aka Hoofhearted on this forum) would, IHMO, be a much better recommendation than Goon

Why's that?

 

[William Lincoln]

How about contact info for them or others for my little book.
Websites,phones etc. People that can tune and slick up
the action are valuable. Some people do accurizing too.
I fiddled with that in younger days, now my eyes and hands
are not as steady or keen.

 

[hrt4me]

Why's that?

probably best you call Gary and discuss your work and get his take on his services and others...

eight-one-seven two-one-nine two-nine-sixty-six

 

[CaptainKirk]

Gary Lee Barnes (aka Hoofhearted on this forum) would, IHMO, be a much better recommendation than Goon

Not taking anything away from Gary. He has an excellent reputation as a top drawer BP gunsmith. While I have spoken with Gary on several occasions and received very good advice from him, though I've not experienced any of his work. Mike is primarily a tuner, not a gunsmith. As such, he concentrates solely on tuning and competition prep. I have no complaints about Mike or his work. Not to mention, he's a heckuva nice guy.

 

[KCode98]

probably best you call Gary and discuss your work and get his take on his services and others...

eight-one-seven two-one-nine two-nine-sixty-six

Or why don't if you say he is better than some, to explain why you said that...?

 

[CaptainKirk]

https://www.goonsgunworks.com/

 

[William Lincoln]

It is important to have a list because many times you face back logs.
The Craftsmen and Smiths who work on these period revolvers are
not common.

 

[CaptainKirk]

It is important to have a list because many times you face back logs.
The Craftsmen and Smiths who work on these period revolvers are
not common.

Yes, and as such they are frequently not as expedient as our modern society would have them be. Michelangelo took his sweet time in the Sistine Chapel for a reason. And it was worth the wait.

 

[William Lincoln]

I have had times when, for example, Clements was unable to accept work for
months--and then a long wait. But yes, craftsmen can not be rushed. However,
if you need it sooner, it is nice to have several to call.

 

[45D]

Thanks Cap!
My work focuses primarily on converting the revolvers from a flat spring action to a coil spring action. Most of my customers want shooters that will work and not break. I was taught how to tune the Colt action by Mr. Jim Martin and have over the years been able to transfer the Colt "feel" to a coil sprung action of my own design. All springs are made in house and since there is some parts modification they are not sold as a separate item. I also have a fairly large competition crowd and that's where the coil action makes a stand. My revolvers have won 7 state championships (some multiple times) and with all the platforms I work on - Colt pattern open tops, Remington and Ruger Old Armys (3 screw Rugers).
So, it took a while for me to get the action layout like I wanted, the Remington being the toughest. As far as I know I'm the only one to ever coil spring the Remington action. It is definitely the 19th century ROA !!! I found out much later that my action is a pretty close copy of the action in a Freedom Arms revolver but without the extra $2,000 entry fee!! Lol

I only do complete service work meaning I don't have a menu to pick and choose from. All services include an action stop and a bolt block (makes a tank out of them and protects the parts) and leave here with a positive trigger engagement. Screws are hardened, cleaned up and fire blued. There is much "proprietary massaging" of the action parts which extends their life and function. Arbors are tightened if loose and corrected for length. Barrel / cylinder clearances for open tops are set at .0025" - .003" for cap guns, .0015"- .002" for unmentionables. This is a lot of what I offer but there's quite a bit more.

All are lifetime guaranteed. All are custom revolvers. Here's an example.

Mike

 

[awc]

AMEN ON THAT

 

[jefair1]

Charlie Hahn also does revolver work. He is listed in the sutlers section of N-SSA.org

 

[Whughett]

But don’t count on a quick turn around or any sort of timely communication responses.
Your revolver may wind up in limbo for a number of years.

 

[Whughett]

Why's that?

Better communication skills, quicker responses.

 

[Whughett]

Yes, and as such they are frequently not as expedient as our modern society would have them be. Michelangelo took his sweet time in the Sistine Chapel for a reason. And it was worth the wait.

I have no problem with waiting, it’s a given if understood up front. It’s promises that can trip one up.

 

[fireman1]

But don’t count on a quick turn around or any sort of timely communication responses.
Your revolver may wind up in limbo for a number of years.

Are you referring to someone in particular or is that a general statement?

 

[KCode98]

There's way too much beating around the bush here. Can someone just pony up and say what you mean?