Black powder specific gunsmith in Northern NJ area

[user 56015]

Does anyone know a black powder specific gunsmith in the northern NJ area?

Thanks,
Woody

 

[ZUG]

Good luck with that. I lived in NJ until 1998 and at that time there were three that I knew of - now I don't think they are still around. If I was you I would call/go see Dixons in PA for help.

 

[user 56015]

Good luck with that. I lived in NJ until 1998 and at that time there were three that I knew of - now I don't think they are still around. If I was you I would call/go see Dixons in PA for help.

I appreciate the feedback. They are over 2 hrs from me, but I'll keep them as a back up in case OI can't find anyone local. Thanks

 

[user 48679]

Whatcha need done, bro ? ?

 

[user 56015]

Whatcha need done, bro ? ?

Well I'm still fighting the uphill battle trying to find parts for my gun, but also looking to "re-blue" my barrel before reassembling this whole project. Unfortunately the breech plug is immoveable and I don't want to refinish this barrel before getting this loosened, cleaned, and inspected. I'd rather not take a torch to it myself as not wanting to potentially warp the barrel, so I want to take it to a professional to have it done. I went to the biggest gunsmith down by me but they're not comfortable working on it and suggested I find a black powder specific gunsmith specifically knowledgeable in these guns. So here I am.....

 

[Stantheman86]

Is Harry's near Bordentown or Sportsman's Center still around?

I haven't been there for years but they both used to do "Fudd" gunsmithing stuff and Harry's worked on my T/C Big Boar

 

[ord sgt]

Is Harry's near Bordentown or Sportsman's Center still around?

I haven't been there for years but they both used to do "Fudd" gunsmithing stuff and Harry's worked on my T/C Big Boar

Harry's went out of business. Sportsman center moved from the old location, but they still do limited work. Sportsman moved into the building that was once Papps Bowling on Route 130 in Bordentown. SC is not black powder specific. Minimal bp materials in stock. Mostly unmentionable sales and such.

 

[Stantheman86]

Harry's went out of business. Sportsman center moved from the old location, but they still do limited work. Sportsman moved into the building that was once Papps Bowling on Route 130 in Bordentown. SC is not black powder specific. Minimal bp materials in stock. Mostly unmentionable sales and such.

That's sad, Harry's was an old timey sporting goods / gun shop and I remember buying blackpowder supplies there as a kid in the 90's

 

[Lippy984]

Morning, I’m from Sussex County. I’ve done some searching myself, and up here it’s even a challenge to find a gunsmith in general. I’m right here in the tri-state area, and smith’s in NY won’t even look at my stuff due to the legal complications. Most projects I’ve been learning to do on my own, but I haven’t had the need for any serious repairs.

Sorry I’m no help here, but if you do find someone black powder specific, please let me know!

 

[stikshooter]

Well I'm still fighting the uphill battle trying to find parts for my gun, but also looking to "re-blue" my barrel before reassembling this whole project. Unfortunately the breech plug is immoveable and I don't want to refinish this barrel before getting this loosened, cleaned, and inspected. I'd rather not take a torch to it myself as not wanting to potentially warp the barrel, so I want to take it to a professional to have it done. I went to the biggest gunsmith down by me but they're not comfortable working on it and suggested I find a black powder specific gunsmith specifically knowledgeable in these guns. So here I am.....

Forget NJ go big ! Internet is your friend ,just google up what your looking for /ship it off and be happy after researching the many /many smiths available who do what you need and come with ratings too ! /Ed

 

[Okie Hog]

The term "black powder gunsmith" is largely an oxymoron. It's very difficult to find any qualified gunsmith.

i'm aware of several botched jobs on muzzleloaders, center fire rifles and shotguns by so called gunsmiths.

 

[user 51067]

Is Harry's near Bordentown or Sportsman's Center still around?

I haven't been there for years but they both used to do "Fudd" gunsmithing stuff and Harry's worked on my T/C Big Boar

Harry's has been defunct for several years now-political "correctness" finally overcame them.

 

[user 51067]

Good luck with that. I lived in NJ until 1998 and at that time there were three that I knew of - now I don't think they are still around. If I was you I would call/go see Dixons in PA for help.

Dixon Muzzleloaders does VERY limited gun-smithing. His go-to gunsmith passed away and even they are hard-pressed to find someone who can replace him.

 

[SPQR70AD]

Dixon Muzzleloaders does VERY limited gun-smithing. His go-to gunsmith passed away and even they are hard-pressed to find someone who can replace him.

reason for the lack of good people in the trades is because everybody has to send their kids to college never wanting them to get their hands dirty or break a sweat. hence 30 million mexicans in the country with millions more on the way

 

[user 56015]

Morning, I’m from Sussex County. I’ve done some searching myself, and up here it’s even a challenge to find a gunsmith in general. I’m right here in the tri-state area, and smith’s in NY won’t even look at my stuff due to the legal complications. Most projects I’ve been learning to do on my own, but I haven’t had the need for any serious repairs.

Sorry I’m no help here, but if you do find someone black powder specific, please let me know!

Yes, this has been an extremely frustrating ordeal and I feel your pain. Whatever I find out I'll pass your way.

 

[ZUG]

Is Harry's near Bordentown or Sportsman's Center still around?

I haven't been there for years but they both used to do "Fudd" gunsmithing stuff and Harry's worked on my T/C Big Boar

John Trout was the gunsmith at Harry's when Harry's use to be in its original location but when Harry's moved John retired. Last time I was in NJ visiting family I went to the Sportsman Center and they were not there - must have moved somewhere else. Those two central Jersey sporting goods stores were where you got everything you needed also Efinger Sporting Goods in Bound Brook.

 

[Stantheman86]

The old school muzzleloader gunsmith is a dying breed, no one "new" is really getting into working on muzzleloaders, even the guys at Northwest Trade Co in Muncy, PA that make the push-thru sizers for Dixie and other places, and have , or had "full service muzzleloading gunsmith services " are hurting because the owner is having health issues and the gunsmith doesn't always work full time, and they are in their 70s if not older. I stopped in once and the gunsmith was running the shop and he said they don't have help for the machine shop a lot of the time

It's like anything else......Reenacting, Legion/ VFW funeral details , CAS matches, shooting muzzleloaders.....younger people don't want to get into it and theres less new people interested in stepping up.

The surge in interest in America for muzzleloading fueled by Jeremiah Johnson, the Civil War centennial, Spaghetti Westerns etc. is waning rapidly and new people getting into guns are interested in ARs and plastic pistols

I just fired an AR and a couple .357 revolvers at a climate controller indoor range yesterday, and I'm thinking , yeah good luck convincing anyone in this gun shop or indoor gun range that it's way more fun to shoot a Rifle-Musket outside.

We are into the guns that young people want to "try" then go back to their tactical stuff. You either love it or you don't and less people love muzzleloading these days

 

[Lippy984]

Yes, this has been an extremely frustrating ordeal and I feel your pain. Whatever I find out I'll pass your way.

Thanks. Thankfully I’m a Harley mechanic. So I enjoy working on things and learning. But I couldn’t imagine less mechanically inclined people getting into this hobby, with no one to turn to. That would be very frustrating and eventually not worth the trouble, depending on the situation of course.

 

[user 56015]

Thanks. Thankfully I’m a Harley mechanic. So I enjoy working on things and learning. But I couldn’t imagine less mechanically inclined people getting into this hobby, with no one to turn to. That would be very frustrating and eventually not worth the trouble, depending on the situation of course.

Agreed. Unfortunately these days less and less people want to work with their hands..... a dying breed. It's not getting handed down, and because of that we're in trouble... The days of "fixing" things are gone and we're feeling and seeing the consequences of that mentality...

 

[hawkenhunter50]

What kind of muzzleloader are you working on or needing worked on?