Howa Specialist Gunsmith

PowellSixO

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
658
Location
Arizona
I'm looking for a Howa Gunsmith that knows his stuff. I have a very special rifle that I want to get fixed up for my kids. This was my first ever centerfire rifle, and the rifle I killed several of my first big game animals with. My kids are almost old enough to hunt, and I want to pass it on to them. The old 243 has roughly 4000 rounds through it, and it needs some tlc. I'm looking for a gunsmith that knows these rifles in and out. I need a new barrel, a good stock, and some other nicks and knacks. If someone could recommend someone to me, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks.

I live in Az, but willing to ship for the right smith.
 
I know several people that sent their howa rifles to southern precision rifles and were very pleased might give them a call Russ is a great guy and will help you out if he can
 
That's quit a 'swing' from a gunsmith to a prefit and a B&C stock. But, whatever "fills your sails", I guess.
It is "quite" the swing. But after talking to several gunsmiths, I'm just flustered. You'd think a guy could call a shop and say "Hey I've got a Howa 1500. I would like this, this, and that". And then you'd expect to pay for said services, wait for the gun to be completed, and move on with your life. Not with a Howa, and not with the smiths I've talked to. They basically want me to round up all the parts, and basically do the work myself! Not really, but that's how it seems. So if I'm going to have to round up a barrel and a stock myself, I figured I'll just do it myself. I'm fine with that. I've bedded plenty of rifles, and put plenty of savage barrels on. I'll just do this myself I guess. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
 
It is "quite" the swing. But after talking to several gunsmiths, I'm just flustered. You'd think a guy could call a shop and say "Hey I've got a Howa 1500. I would like this, this, and that". And then you'd expect to pay for said services, wait for the gun to be completed, and move on with your life. Not with a Howa, and not with the smiths I've talked to. They basically want me to round up all the parts, and basically do the work myself! Not really, but that's how it seems. So if I'm going to have to round up a barrel and a stock myself, I figured I'll just do it myself. I'm fine with that. I've bedded plenty of rifles, and put plenty of savage barrels on. I'll just do this myself I guess. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
View attachment 251951
this is my vanguard(same as a howa 1500) with a new barrel, stock etc. Some gunsmiths are dealers some aren't. It's metric threads so I'm thinking that would be the only challenge to any gunsmith on working on it for you
 
It is "quite" the swing. But after talking to several gunsmiths, I'm just flustered. You'd think a guy could call a shop and say "Hey I've got a Howa 1500. I would like this, this, and that". And then you'd expect to pay for said services, wait for the gun to be completed, and move on with your life. Not with a Howa, and not with the smiths I've talked to. They basically want me to round up all the parts, and basically do the work myself! Not really, but that's how it seems. So if I'm going to have to round up a barrel and a stock myself, I figured I'll just do it myself. I'm fine with that. I've bedded plenty of rifles, and put plenty of savage barrels on. I'll just do this myself I guess. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
Your opening post says, "Looking for a gunsmith". Seems you weren't 'looking' or you have already looked as much as you are willing to. Metric threads aren't a problem for a real gunsmith, only for the newbe/wannabes. As for supplying the parts, well,,,, 'parts',,,, barrels, stocks and the like are today sold in quantity. There is no price break for the one at a time purchases on 95% of those things. And, as every custom has varying and different 'wants' it is all but impossible to buy 'quantity'. Buying 'quantity' ends up where the shop only will provide a particular style, a style you may not be interested in. Here I am thinking of companies like Gunwerks, where not every option you desire is to be had, and that's not to pick on companies like Gunwerks, I just used them as an example. And, they have their place in the custom rifle market. No price break means there is little or no profit for the gunsmith to supply the 'parts'. Would you, if you are business for profit, tie-up your dollars for a no profit deal? These days, many seem to want to treat every gunsmith as strictly a 'laborer' , to 'put their rifle together' for them. Assuming all there really is to it, is to cut/crown/thread/and chamber their barrel for them. As for the pre-fit and barrel nut, if you can change spark plugs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But that doesn't make you a mechanic, either. I see a huge difference between 'home builds' and builds done by true gunsmiths. To each his own! There is heirloom quality work, and then there is off the shelf/average work. I have had clients 'dump' parts on me to build their 'custom'. Many times 'parts' that would require lots of extra labor to make them work as they were not compatible to begin with.
 
That's not it at all. I'm really am looking for a quality Howa smith. I'm just not finding one. If I could find a guy I could send it to today, I would. I don't feel like I'm asking for much. I've had multiple customs built, and they were super easy. All I want is a good barrel chambered in 243 win, action trued, barrel installed, and a McMillan or similar quality stock bedded to the action. But I don't feel I need to find the barrel, find the stock, and ship it all to the smith. I should tell them what I want, ship them the barreled action, and wait like a good boy. If someone can point me to a smith that can handle that, I'm all ears.

Edit: and I'm not looking for a deal. I know what I'm asking is going to cost me a few grand. I also know it's going to take time. I just want to talk to someone that knows their sh!t, and gives me confidence they're going to put some effort into this. This is a very special rifle to me, that I want to pass on to my kids.
 
Your opening post says, "Looking for a gunsmith". Seems you weren't 'looking' or you have already looked as much as you are willing to. Metric threads aren't a problem for a real gunsmith, only for the newbe/wannabes. As for supplying the parts, well,,,, 'parts',,,, barrels, stocks and the like are today sold in quantity. There is no price break for the one at a time purchases on 95% of those things. And, as every custom has varying and different 'wants' it is all but impossible to buy 'quantity'. Buying 'quantity' ends up where the shop only will provide a particular style, a style you may not be interested in. Here I am thinking of companies like Gunwerks, where not every option you desire is to be had, and that's not to pick on companies like Gunwerks, I just used them as an example. And, they have their place in the custom rifle market. No price break means there is little or no profit for the gunsmith to supply the 'parts'. Would you, if you are business for profit, tie-up your dollars for a no profit deal? These days, many seem to want to treat every gunsmith as strictly a 'laborer' , to 'put their rifle together' for them. Assuming all there really is to it, is to cut/crown/thread/and chamber their barrel for them. As for the pre-fit and barrel nut, if you can change spark plugs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But that doesn't make you a mechanic, either. I see a huge difference between 'home builds' and builds done by true gunsmiths. To each his own! There is heirloom quality work, and then there is off the shelf/average work. I have had clients 'dump' parts on me to build their 'custom'. Many times 'parts' that would require lots of extra labor to make them work as they were not compatible to begin with.
You want to build a Howa? My exact wants are this:
-quality steel 24" 1:7.5 twist barrel chambered in 243 Winchester (standard chambering, not threaded for brake, not fluted, just a sporter contour, don't care what manufacturer the barrel is as long as the smith agrees it's a quality barrel)
-action trued
-barreled action cerakoated
-McMillan or Manners basic/classic hunting stock, bedded to action
-rifle professionally assembled
 
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