The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => General Discussion => Topic started by: Grendel on March 24, 2012, 10:23:11 PM
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This is hopefully going to be a resource for the membership when they are looking for someone to work magic on their shootin' irons. So add your favorite maestro of the 'smithing trade to this thread, including the weapons he or she predominantly works on, so others may benefit from your experience. You can also include refinishers for those wishing to spruce up their gats.
I'll start:
- Bruce Gray, www.grayguns.com , Sig Sauer pistols, 1911s, HKs, and BHP
- Gerry at www.totalautomation.us , assorted pistols
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Widge:
The two (or three) that come to mind are members here;
Stuart for the CZs
And Rod Slinger for the Witnesses
Oh yeah, and both Stuart and Brian Ahearn have shown some GREAT finish work
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Two where I've had work done that turned out very well:
CZ Custom Shop http://czcustom.com/ , DW, CZ
David Milam, http://www.cajungunworks.com , CZ Pistols and several other brands
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Sam @, http://thetacticaltoolbox.com/ (http://thetacticaltoolbox.com/), or http://stsarms.com/Home.html (http://stsarms.com/Home.html), - AR15, 1911, Cerakote, etc.
Springer Precision, http://www.springerprecision.com/ (http://www.springerprecision.com/), - XD, Ion Bond, etc
And of course, http://czcustom.com/ (http://czcustom.com/), - CZ
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In Orange County, for 1911's and S& W products:
Evan's Gunsmithing
for XD's and I am recently told he does CZ's :
Dave's Metal Works in Covina CA
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ADCO is the #1 shop in the USA for pretty much anything black rifle related. Pinning, recontouring, threading, fluting, etc. www.adcofirearms.com/
M60 Joe is also the #1 shop in the USA for almost everything Title II related. Blow up your $20,000 receiver? He can fix it. Break your $10,000 Lightening Link, and he's the man. Baffle strikes? He'll fix that too. www.m60joe.com
Marvin Pitts of Nefarious Arms formerly worked for Knights Armament Corp (KAC) and does barrel work including the infamous KAC PDW barrel dimpling. He dimples the barrels in the exact pattern that KAC does.
His contact info is: nefariousarms@live.com
Examples of Marvin's barrel work:
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s70/geistacwm/F3U2k.jpg)
(http://images56.fotki.com/v542/photos/2/25033/1861530/DSC_0042-vi.jpg)
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Not sure if many here are into older guns or benchrest stuff, but I'll throw out one.
Brian Wick of Wick Custom Firearms Inc.
Albion, IL (that's SE IL)
Brian will work on most anything but he loves custom benchrest (stocks and complete rifles) as well as silhouette pistols. He also does quite a bit of lever action and single action revolver work.
blackiesmith (at) hotmail.com
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For anything CZ related I would recommend CZ Custom shop. I've tried and seen work on CZ pistols from other shops and although their work was great it is still a step below CZCustom.
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For AKs, Daewoos, and FALs this guy:
http://azex.co/Home_Page.html
Does an awesome job building from parts kits, refinishing or getting them running right.
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For 1911s, rifles and just figuring stuff out.
Gary Kimball in Colorado Springs
CZs, 1911s , general pistolsmithing
Eric Zinn at CZ Custom
I've done enough to know what I can and cannot do, and when I need help.
also on my list
Jim Milks , Innovative Custom Pistols- used to be George Smith's lead guy when EGW was doing guns.
John Brandstatter in Pueblo West Colorado.
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Widge:
The two (or three) that come to mind are members here;
Stuart for the CZs
And Rod Slinger for the Witnesses
Oh yeah, and both Stuart and Brian Ahearn have shown some GREAT finish work
Any feedback on Rod Slinger? Contact info ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I'm still pretty partial to my rim fires. When ever I have time to get some range time in I will take 5 or more firearms depending on the amount of time I have and 3 or more will be rim fires. My favorites to take to the range are my Ruger 10/22's. My CZ is a very close second. We all know there are literally hundreds of after market parts for the 10/22's to accurize and improve the function and reliability of them and these can run into 3 to 5 times and maybe more of the cost of the 10/22.
My very highly recommended Gun Smith to make your 10/22 a very accurate, fun to shoot and greatly improve the function and reliability is "Connecticut Precision Chambering" (CPC). The gentleman that owns it is Randy and he's been a Gun Smith for many years and specializes in 10/22's but will by request work on other firearms. He will use your OE parts and accurize them to an excellent standard. For less than the cost of a 10/22 he will set back and crown (and other improvements) the barrel, do a very professional trigger job to get the pull around 2lbs and a nice crisp break, auto bolt release and add oversize receiver pins. With the bolt he will surface ground and square the face, jewel the bolt side and insert a SS pin over the front of the bolt to give the firing pin a consistent strike. Randy also does other work like barrel threading. You can even order from him or send your own barrel blank for him to work on. I've had him do 2 of mine and they are the most accurate firearms at 25 and 50 yards I own. Check out his website for other work he does. He also has an FFL so you can send the firearm
- the stock directly to him. It's best to contact him via his work email. You would not be disappointed.
Randy at CPC
www.ct-precision.com
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I would recommend Sam at OMEGA grips for sure. Anyone looking to get their gun cerakoted I would also recommend GUNNWERKS in Michigan. Sergio was a pleasure to work with and he has rather fast turnaround also
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For Sphinx work, the only shop I have found is Automatic Accuracy, and they did a great job on my SDP subcompact.
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For bluing and about anything else you need in general gunsmithing: George Roghaar in Boca Raton, FL I always do my own prep work and polishing and George tanks the parts. Very reasonable pricing that way. Never had a bad job. http://gunblue.homestead.com/Index.html My last job was this milled AK I recently finished but he has done a lot of pistols for me also:
(https://i.imgur.com/HqlW7vt.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/NTyE08S.jpg?1)
George also did the slide and small parts when I restored this Frankonia CZ-75
(https://i.imgur.com/noSDHJc.jpg?1)
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And for Sigs, Robert Burke, THE Sig Armorer www.thesigarmorer.com He is THE man for all things Sig!
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You could ship to them, but it's probably more helpful if you live in sw PA.
https://www.facebook.com/LegionArmsCo/
They do NFA/Class III work, cerakoting, and typical gunsmithing, and at very reasonable prices (especially around here!).
They cerakoted my old Star Firestar M45
(https://i.ibb.co/P4kY8sG/100-4927-crop.jpg)
And last week, I had them remove and replace my old quad rails, because the Phantom comp was pinned/welded, and I couldn't remove that myself. Not ONLY did they replace them, they SAVED the Phantom comp, which saved me dozens of more bucks on a NEW comp!
Before:
(https://i.ibb.co/mRC7Kc8/100-5455-crop.jpg)
After:
(https://i.ibb.co/b11tGkz/100-5510-crop.jpg) 8)
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I’ve had great success with CGW for CZs and will be sending another CZ to them soon.
For S&W, I’ve had great success with Pinnacle High Performance http://pinnaclehighperformance.com/
Mark Hartshorne did a superb job acquiring, machining and fitting an add’l cylinder in 9mm for my 627.
I echo the previous post advocating the SIG Armorer- top notch
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ADCO is the #1 shop in the USA for pretty much anything black rifle related. Pinning, recontouring, threading, fluting, etc. www.adcofirearms.com/
M60 Joe is also the #1 shop in the USA for almost everything Title II related. Blow up your $20,000 receiver? He can fix it. Break your $10,000 Lightening Link, and he's the man. Baffle strikes? He'll fix that too. www.m60joe.com
Marvin Pitts of Nefarious Arms formerly worked for Knights Armament Corp (KAC) and does barrel work including the infamous KAC PDW barrel dimpling. He dimples the barrels in the exact pattern that KAC does.
His contact info is: nefariousarms@live.com
Examples of Marvin's barrel work:
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s70/geistacwm/F3U2k.jpg)
(http://images56.fotki.com/v542/photos/2/25033/1861530/DSC_0042-vi.jpg)
I'll second Marvin Pitts and NefariousArms. Marvin is scary meticulous, a craftsman of the highest order.
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What are other gun smithing/ parts people ?
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M-Carbo
Ben Stoeger Pro Shop
Apex Tactical
All sources are great...
But I stick to CGW for now. Best customer service, great gunsmith work and reliable parts.
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Thanks for the reply.
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M-Carbo
Ben Stoeger Pro Shop
Apex Tactical
All sources are great...
But I stick to CGW for now. Best customer service, great gunsmith work and reliable parts.
Agree. CGW has great customer service and most their products are drop-in install that can be easily performed by owners
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HB Industries
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I know this is a few weeks old but :o
CJ Maven in Conway AR
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+1 on CGW and CJ Maven for gunsmithing. They have both worked on some of my CZ's and their skills and customer service are outstanding. Nice, knowledgeable guys who care about their customer service and stand behind their products.
I will add that the few times I have called CZ USA with questions about parts, I have also had great experiences.
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I have used CZC Cajun and CJ Maven on some of my CZ's and clones
All 3 do excellent work.
CZC does great work, gun runs great the cost a bunch but are worth it , long wait
Cajun does great work has good Customer service once you make to the top of their list and buddy does your gun shoot nice when you get it back. As a bonus you get to say you are in the Cajunized gun club
CJ Mavens has the best lead time, has superb customer service and can make a good gun great for a real fair price. He is a nice guy. you will be happy and you will be shooting your gun about 2 months sooner then with the other 2 guys. I suggest giving CJ a try. CJ Mavens does great work and you probably get your gun back in 10 days.
you will love your trigger when he sends it back
RCG
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Thanks for the info I’ll definitely look his way.
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Robert, Just dropped off PCR to CJ Maven. 2 WK TA time, He took the time to explain the best options for what I was wanting. Very nice & informative and as recoilguy stated very reasonable on prices. He has been working on CZ's for quite a number of years.
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Have also used CJ recently. Highly recommend.
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Used primary machine for slide milling. Very well done.
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I have only used CZ Custom of Mesa, Arizona. The shop personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and prompt. The head gunsmith, Eric Zinn is the absolute best in the business. My carry gun is a Pro-Tek I, a highly modified CZ 75 PCR.
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I have only used CZ Custom of Mesa, Arizona. The shop personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and prompt. The head gunsmith, Eric Zinn is the absolute best in the business. My carry gun is a Pro-Tek I, a highly modified CZ 75 PCR.
Same! I've only used CZC but have done so a dozen times with new builds and customizations and have always been happy with the results. They always are faster than their estimate as well.
I did reach out to CGW once but then found out the 6 to 8 week wait was just to "get your place" then it would be another 2 to 3 months after that so I gave up my place in line and never gave them another look.
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As far as parts suppliers that haven't already been mentioned:
Armory Craft
Springer Precision
Hyve Technologies
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I have only used CZ Custom of Mesa, Arizona. The shop personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and prompt. The head gunsmith, Eric Zinn is the absolute best in the business. My carry gun is a Pro-Tek I, a highly modified CZ 75 PCR.
Same! I've only used CZC but have done so a dozen times with new builds and customizations and have always been happy with the results. They always are faster than their estimate as well.
I did reach out to CGW once but then found out the 6 to 8 week wait was just to "get your place" then it would be another 2 to 3 months after that so I gave up my place in line and never gave them another look.
Try the Kool-Aide it's good .......you'll like it.
Cajunized....cajunized......cajunized.
Is it really a CZ worth having if it's not Cajunized?
Full disclosure: I have a cajunized CZ and its a very nice weapon, everything promised .... was delivered, good friendly people.
I have more then 1 CZ and every one of them tweaked to one degree or another.
who ever is Cajuns marketing person is brilliant. I cant believe they get folks to accept 180 day lead times. Brilliant!!!!!!!
I just will not wait for 180 days for my gun as it is held captive.
Some see the value, some just want in the club.
Me I want to shoot my guns. I would give Cajun more business if they had better leadtimes. I am in the minority
knowing they aren't the only show in town and the other options are much faster and equally good has made me a happy guy
who gets to shoot his guns.
Not a knock on any company as a matter of fact a compliment to them for the job they have done and still do.
RCG
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There's actually an existing sticky for this here: Your recommendations for gunsmiths, custom gun builders and other wizards. (https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=46308.0)
I'll merge these two threads together.
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I have only used CZ Custom of Mesa, Arizona. The shop personnel are knowledgeable, helpful, and prompt. The head gunsmith, Eric Zinn is the absolute best in the business. My carry gun is a Pro-Tek I, a highly modified CZ 75 PCR.
Same! I've only used CZC but have done so a dozen times with new builds and customizations and have always been happy with the results. They always are faster than their estimate as well.
I did reach out to CGW once but then found out the 6 to 8 week wait was just to "get your place" then it would be another 2 to 3 months after that so I gave up my place in line and never gave them another look.
Try the Kool-Aide it's good .......you'll like it.
Cajunized....cajunized......cajunized.
Is it really a CZ worth having if it's not Cajunized?
Full disclosure: I have a cajunized CZ and its a very nice weapon, everything promised .... was delivered, good friendly people.
I have more then 1 CZ and every one of them tweaked to one degree or another.
who ever is Cajuns marketing person is brilliant. I cant believe they get folks to accept 180 day lead times. Brilliant!!!!!!!
I just will not wait for 180 days for my gun as it is held captive.
Some see the value, some just want in the club.
Me I want to shoot my guns. I would give Cajun more business if they had better leadtimes. I am in the minority
knowing they aren't the only show in town and the other options are much faster and equally good has made me a happy guy
who gets to shoot his guns.
Not a knock on any company as a matter of fact a compliment to them for the job they have done and still do.
RCG
The lead time I was quoted (8 weeks) was the actual time for them to complete the project, and they did so on-time, to perfection with exceptional support, afterwards.
And it IS a knock on a company to mock their "Marketing" or the "Kool-aid" drinking clientele , particularly when they only rely on the laurels of their work and highly satisfied customer base.
In these days and times, I think we should really be much more supportive of the dedicated small businesses that keep our country strong instead of denigrating them or their well-earned success.
Thanks! :)
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Too bad you see it that way.
I have nothing but respect for Cajuns marketing department and strategy. I think it is what all companies should strive for in their attempt to create an image. If saying Cajuns Marketing is brilliant is somehow a mock, then you and I have different definitions of what mocking is.
I did not say don't use them, I did not say they do a bad job. I just said they aren't all that and a bag of chips. They take a long time to get you the bag of chips too.
To be fair to your critique of my post you are probably correct it may be a knock to the Kool aid drinking clientele, but I haven't got a dog in the fight so I don't care. I just remain amazed at all the "my CZ is finally a good gun.....it's Cajunized post and replies I see" If I offended you I apologize. I can't retract it now.
I support Cajun, I have used Cajun, I think saying there is other options besides Cajun out there only proves my support for small business with exceptional support and products that makes America a great country. I did not and never have denigrated them or their well earned success. it is the American dream. I may have poked fun at their clientele for wanting so badly to be a member of the club that they will not even look anywhere else. Again I'm sorry for poking fun at the fiercely loyal cajun-ites. My bad I'll never enter another thread on this site about cajun unless I am saying what a great gun I have because they worked on it. Sorry man my bad!
RCG
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I order custom parts from CGW because they have what I need to make my gun run great, I order stock parts from CZCustom because they often have parts in stock and for a couple bucks cheaper than CZ-USA, and I order parts from CZ-USA when I can't find them cheaper somewhere else. I have never sent my CZ's out for work or had anyone else do anything to them other than getting some Dawson sights installed by a gunsmith at a local range I frequent. As far as the CGW vs. CZCustom argument, I can't comment on shipping my gun to them, but I can say that I have had good experiences with both of them, ordering parts from them, and in a couple of cases, returning things I didn't end up needing or using, or something that was the wrong part sent, and getting money refunded. I have never been on the phone with CGW but I hear good things about them. I have talked to CZCustom on the phone and they were easy to deal with.
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bump
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A GREAT gunsmith would be Dave Laubert of Defensive Creations (dave@defensivecreations.com) among other things he is a member of the American Pistolsmiths Guild (exclusive territory). His work is incredible. He is in the NE Ohio area and can work on about anything.
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Reall solid work these look first class
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btt
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Not sure if anyone has mentioned Southwest Precision for slide milling and custom porting. I tried searching and came up with nothing, so i am bringing them up. Turn around time was fantastic at about 2 weeks usually ( mine was faster but I am local). Offers refinishing as well after the fact via cerakote or Nitride. I was able to take the optic of my ATEI milled CZ and put it on the SWP slide and not need to re zero.
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btt
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This is a Gunsmith not an armorer. He can do anything but...... should probably only be considered for serious machine work. Defensive Creations in N.E. Ohio. Dave@defensivecreations.com He is extremely busy.