[rck329]

Hi Bill,
I was reading though some posts and I noticed in your profile you are from Pittsburgh.
You seem to know your stuff pretty well and I was wondering if you could recommend a gunsmith in the Pittsburgh area?
I haven't been able to get a solid recommendation from any of my friends here...
I just need to get some trigger work done, but I'd like to find a good shop to rely on for all my needs.

Any help would be appreciated

Ryan

 

[Bill Lester]

Ryan,

Depending on what you have that needs work, I'd recommend Tony Molinaro in Dormont. He has done a lot of custom work in the past and has a good reputation. As for an all-around good gun shop, I wholeheartedly suggest Braverman Arms in Wilkinsburg. If you stop in, tell Bud, JR, and the guys I sent ya. And stop by my place, as I'm but a few blocks from their front door. Braverman's really has an old timey, sit around the wood stove kind of feel. For a larger on-site selection you can't beat Ace's in Washington. It's a bit of a drive from the Burgh, but they have a stock like you can't believe. For an example, when I bought two Springfield Armory M-1A's back in '91 they had six to choose from!

 

[rck329]

Bill,
Thanks for the rec.
I was shooting a friend's gun last weekend which had a 2 lb trigger (and no "creep" ).  Man, was that nice!
Now I want to change some of my guns which all have stock triggers.
First up is my dad's old Rem. 700 VS (in 22-250).  It has a 15x Unertl so I was a little nervous about handing it over to just anyone to work on (I've heard  too many horror stories about guys getting their scopes broken at the gunsmith)
It's nice to have something to go on.
I live up in Monroeville (Plum actually), so I might swing by that Braverman sometime.  How's their powder selection?

thanks,

Ryan

 

[Bill Lester]

Ryan,

Truthfully if you're concerned about scope damage, why not remove it before sending the gun for work? I think any decent gunsmith will do the same if doing such work where the rifle will be upside down for a time. Sure it means re-sighting the arm but, hey, one more reason to go shooting, eh?

Another alternative is a drop-in affair like Timney, etc. If you have a modicum of skill with hand tools it isn't difficult.

Braverman's has a very good selection of powders from IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant, etc. I also believe, but am not certain, that they carry Vhita Vhorri (sp?) as well. Call them at 412-241-1344.

 

[rck329]

Hmmmmm, maybe a drop in is the way to go. That would give me the option of switching back to the stock trigger easily....

thanks for the info