NJ Fiearms Guild - Gunsmithing services

[hiker88 22]

I'm looking to have some work done on my 1911 Colt Series 80 and would like to know if anybody in the forum has experience with the gunsmith(or gunsmithing services) of NJFG in Rahway.

 

I'm looking to have the following installed : beavertail safety (frame fitting needed), hammer, trigger, ambi thumb safety.

 

Thanks!

[Cemeterys Gun Blob 165]

I'm looking to have some work done on my 1911 Colt Series 80 and would like to know if anybody in the forum has experience with the gunsmith(or gunsmithing services) of NJFG in Rahway.

 

I'm looking to have the following installed : beavertail safety (frame fitting needed), hammer, trigger, ambi thumb safety.

 

Thanks!

 

I've used him. Basic stuff though. Anything serious and I would find a specialist.

 

I say give him a call, he's there Tue>Sat, and ask him if he can do it, or does he ship it out.

[hiker88 22]

I've used him. Basic stuff though. Anything serious and I would find a specialist.

 

I say give him a call, he's there Tue>Sat, and ask him if he can do it, or does he ship it out.

 

I dropped by their shop this morning and spoke to the 'smith. He said that he can do it. I just want to do a little bit more research just to make sure.

[Melgamatic 66]

I have two (almost) first hand experiences. My buddy had his 1911 worked on, and the gunsmith did a good job. He actually did slightly more work than agreed, but did it for less than the price agreed. So, good experience.

 

I bought (nearly $2K) Kimber Custom Match 1911 from NJFAG, and then later bought the Kimber 22LR slide from them, and found out at the range that they didn't work together. The GS took them in, did some work (I can see some evidence of some machining on the 22LR slide), and then charged me a lot of money. Took it to the range, and not only didn't the 22LR slide work, but the 22 magazine would no longer lock into the pistol (it would just fall out). So, poor workmanship and clearly no testing. (It's a separate problem that NJFAG charged me a lot to fix something that was not right with some very expensive hardware I bought from them, but that's a problem with NJFAGs and not the gunsmith).

 

I didn't personally talk to the gunsmith when I dropped the pistol off or when I picked it up, so certainly there may have been some communication breakdown.

 

This was pretty much my last business with NJFAG, which is too bad because they are soo close to my house, but I just can't go back there.

[Cemeterys Gun Blob 165]

I dropped by their shop this morning and spoke to the 'smith. He said that he can do it. I just want to do a little bit more research just to make sure.

 

I hear what you're sayin'.

 

I'm a psycho with my guns, and I'll be honest, I don't trust him with my 1911. But that's just me. I heard that the gun who own's and operates Long Hunt Mercantile http://www.longhunters.com/ knows 1911's really good. I spoke with him regarding other guns, so when it comes to get some work done on my 1911, I'm gonna give him a call.

[hiker88 22]

I have two (almost) first hand experiences. My buddy had his 1911 worked on, and the gunsmith did a good job. He actually did slightly more work than agreed, but did it for less than the price agreed. So, good experience.

 

I bought (nearly $2K) Kimber Custom Match 1911 from NJFAG, and then later bought the Kimber 22LR slide from them, and found out at the range that they didn't work together. The GS took them in, did some work (I can see some evidence of some machining on the 22LR slide), and then charged me a lot of money. Took it to the range, and not only didn't the 22LR slide work, but the 22 magazine would no longer lock into the pistol (it would just fall out). So, poor workmanship and clearly no testing. (It's a separate problem that NJFAG charged me a lot to fix something that was not right with some very expensive hardware I bought from them, but that's a problem with NJFAGs and not the gunsmith).

 

I didn't personally talk to the gunsmith when I dropped the pistol off or when I picked it up, so certainly there may have been some communication breakdown.

 

This was pretty much my last business with NJFAG, which is too bad because they are soo close to my house, but I just can't go back there.

 

Wow... thanks for sharing. Good thing I asked. I was considering having work done by a gunsmith out of state but I'd look to local options first before making the commitment. NJFaG is just 10 minutes away from my office and they do have a great selection of new and used firearms.

 

They did have a good price on the Kimber 22lr conversion at $ 295 for the kit in blue or stainless.

[hiker88 22]

I hear what you're sayin'.

 

I'm a psycho with my guns, and I'll be honest, I don't trust him with my 1911. But that's just me. I heard that the gun who own's and operates Long Hunt Mercantile http://www.longhunters.com/ knows 1911's really good. I spoke with him regarding other guns, so when it comes to get some work done on my 1911, I'm gonna give him a call.

 

Thanks! Please let me know what you find out.

[Guest schutzen-jager]

used him for a drill + tap on one of my projects - ok work - very overpriced !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shocker 151]

NJFAG...what an unfortunate acronym...

[EngineerJet 191]

I used him to pin my muzzle brake and the pin job was good, however... I noticed lots of scratch marks on my gas block that weren't there when I handed it over. I'm talking major scratch marks from what I can only guess was the result of putting the free float hand guard on (which was not necessary as I assembled everything already and only needed the brake pinned). Definitely not happy about that.

[gtrpkr 0]

I used him to pin my muzzle brake and the pin job was good, however... I noticed lots of scratch marks on my gas block that weren't there when I handed it over. I'm talking major scratch marks from what I can only guess was the result of putting the free float hand guard on (which was not necessary as I assembled everything already and only needed the brake pinned). Definitely not happy about that.

 

 

Sales help first rate , Matt and Joe are the best. The gunsmith leaves alittle to be desired. 'EngineerJet' is dead on with comments about sloppy workmanship. I wouldn't go to him if you have a gun you value. In future I'll just send my guns back to manufacturer, I value them too much to put them in the hands of someone who nonchalants his work.

[Col. Mortimer 11]

I had him push out a front sight in a .22 rifle and install a ramp. The ramp was held in place by a screw and a front sight had to be pressed into a dovetail. I was told the job could be done while I waited but the gunsmith was eating lunch at the time and I wound up waits nearly two hours. The front sight was loose and it shot low. The smith said it was good for a six o'clock hold which is not want I wanted. I took it apart and did the job myself and it turned out great. I never used them again.

 

PS: I just used Mastodon in Highland Lakes and they were great. Good communication, fast service and a good price.

[hiker88 22]

I had him push out a front sight in a .22 rifle and install a ramp. The ramp was held in place by a screw and a front sight had to be pressed into a dovetail. I was told the job could be done while I waited but the gunsmith was eating lunch at the time and I wound up waits nearly two hours. The front sight was loose and it shot low. The smith said it was good for a six o'clock hold which is not want I wanted. I took it apart and did the job myself and it turned out great. I never used them again.

 

PS: I just used Mastodon in Highland Lakes and they were great. Good communication, fast service and a good price.

 

Thanks for the feedback on NJ F/A Guild and info on Mastodon! We have plenty of excellent firearms vendor on this forum but it seems that we have a shortage of good gunsmiths.

[aguilar64 9]

If you want a real good smith, give George Carell a call, he build guns from scratch and they are excellent. I'm pretty sure at one time he used to work on David Lang's 1911 (NJ Premier's Bullseye shooter) his phone is (610) 588-0199 he lives about 20-25 minutes from Hackettstown.