Our Services and Pricing Gunsmith Repairs & Special Orders Only * No Sellable Inventory In Stock
Every project is unique and can take more or less time than any ‘canned’ pricelist can describe. But you also need some sort of guide to be able to understand what to expect when it comes to having your project completed as you like. I also believe in saving my customers money whenever possible…
Example: working on two firearms (like bluing) doesn’t cost twice the amount for a single firearm. If I can blue two items at the same time it saves time, solutions and setup - so the costs are reflective of that.
To that end I can accept a number of forms of payment…
Cash
Credit Cards (all major cards)
Personal Checks (payable to Mick Crowder) - *preferred
I do not accept payment from
PayPal, CashApp or Venmo
The Basics…
Refinishing (essentially all wooden parts).
Basic Stock Refinishing involves inspection, disassembly and cleaning. The stock is cleaned with a mild cleaner like Murphy’s Oil Soap and warm water. The surface is lightly sanded with 400 grit paper to minimize or eliminate scratches. Arrow Wood Finish is wet sanded over the remaining finish for two coats with sufficient drying time between coats. It is then buffed to obtain the appropriate desired sheen. A Beeswax and Mineral Oil blend is applied as a final top coat (to all surfaces, wood and steel).
Basic Stock Refinishing/Stock Cleanup: $90 (1.5 hrs)
Advanced Stock Refinishing involves all the Basic process plus stripping old finish, applying all new finish and obtaining the appropriate desired sheen. I use a citrus based stripper to remove old finishes whenever possible. Some heavy finishes can require a chemical such as Acetone to remove. But I start with the least aggressive and move from there as needed to get the desired result.
NOTE: Specific finishes can be used at your request. If you have a favorite or recommendation for your firearm I am happy to use it. You can supply it or I can source it at cost. On-hand I have Arrow Wood Finish, Tru-Oil Finish, Tung Oil, Boiled Linseed Oil, Minwax Oil Stains, Teak Oil, Stock Wax, Beeswax. Arrow and Birchwood Casey products are preferred sources. Allow 2-3 weeks to complete.
I now offer a true Winchester Red Oil hand-rubbed finish. It takes minimum 30 days to reproduce.
Advanced Stock Refinishing: $150 (2.5 hrs)
I do not bother any existing checkering. I also do not do any ‘re-checkering’ - that’s a specialty service. A soft bristle brush is used to clean out the existing checkering grooves.
I can retrace incidental checkering lines to smooth scratches.
Bluing / Browning (metal parts, non nickel-plated). Bluing or Browning involves inspection, disassembly, cleaning, rust removal (if needed), pitting removal/resurfacing (if needed), degreasing, bluing or browning, oiling, gunsmith inspection. For bluing I use a two-part process, still heated but not acid based. Its ‘official’ name is Rust Bluing. Firstly I clean the piece with very fine grit abrasives and cleaning pads to remove old bluing and rust. This creates a slightly rough surface to which the bluing then adheres. If needed i can clean the metal in a blast cabinet with 100 grit aluminum oxide. Secondly I apply the bluing to the desired color / darkness. Heat is applied via heat gun or propane torch till dry. This is repeated two more times. The part is then submerged in boiling water for about 15 minutes. The whole application process (heat-apply solution-dry-boil) is repeated two to four more times as needed to get the dark blue-black shade. Browning is the same process but with a different and slightly more acidic solution. Lastly I oil all metal parts with an ultrafine gun oil… this halts all additional bluing action. For all intents and purposes this finish is permanent. Rough handling and time can damage any finish. If that occurs I’m happy do touch-ups free of charge within the first year.
Bluing / Browning: $60 per hour. Depending on the level of surface prep needed
3 to 4 hrs are usually sufficient (unless the metal is very badly rusted and/or pitted). I can do cold bluing if only a touchup is needed. That requires only 1 - 1.5 hours.
Typically firearms made prior to 1900 were ‘Browned’ whereas later firearms were ‘Blued’. That’s not hard and fast as manufacturers applied processes to their products in manner appropriate to the time, material availability and expense. During both World Wars most military weapons were ‘Browned’.
You’ll also find many receivers were colorized using a Case Color Hardening process that leaves the metal with almost a dark swirled color (think oil and water mixed).
I am presently testing a new forge we installed to provide Case Color Hardening services.
Inspection and Cleaning as a standalone service (included in refinishing). If you simply need your firearm inspected and cleaned I’m happy to do that for you, We can not do any live-firing at our business so any ‘sighting-in’ is not possible. But a thorough inspection and cleaning can give you the peace of mind your firearm is operating at its best. Inspection involves disassembly to the user level (that is remove clips, bolts, any clipped in furnishings - basically anything short of actually removing screws other than the butt plate). Cleaning involves the use of degreasers (natural citrus based), applying cleaners and approved solvents, brushing the barrel then oiling all metal parts and mechanisms (extremely light gun oil) then applying a very light coat of natural waxes to all wood surfaces (including under the butt pad).
Safety and Function Inspection and Cleaning: $60 (1 hr)
-In-place cleaning of all parts; Does not involve complete disassembly
-The gun in inspected thoroughly for working safety features and an evaluation of each parts’ functionality. A 12-point check provides a detailed report we can email or print
Advanced Inspection and Cleaning: $90 (1.5 hr)
-Includes complete disassembly
-Includes ultrasonic cleaning as needed
-Includes 12-point Safety and Function Report
This typically takes about an hour. If we discover needed repairs we will inform you with pictures or setup a time to review in person to discuss.
Some Available Extras…
Inletting and Stock Making Services
I can inlet the firearm furniture onto a new/replacement stock or grips have a gunstock thats cracked and broken? If we can’t repair it i can inlet it (fit it by carving space for all the parts) onto a new one. Either you provide or i can source it for my cost. Still an hourly rate of $60. Time to inlet depends on the extent needed. Inletting between two stocks of similar size and carvings takes 3-4 hours
If a new stock is desired i can usually creat one from the hardwood of your choice a basic stock takes 3-5 hours to create
Cerakote / GunKote Application
At the moment I am limited to single color applications. That is any given part can be only a single color as opposed to a pattern such as camo. GunKote is my preference. In my opinion GunKote currently offers a more durable finish. Cerakote offers many more colors to choose from but is also more labor intensive (greater net cost to apply). A typical application involves 2 hours setup and spray plus cleanup and residual disposal. Curing is 1 hour in the oven. Afterwards I do a thorough cleaning. This covers most applications but depending on the desired finish and number of surfaces to apply the cost can vary. We can discuss beforehand. I can do single parts or an entire gun. Basic colors are readily available: Black (Gloss or Satin); Dark Grey; OD Green. Other colors require special order and involve current market costing. As of mid 2023 they’re $35/color
Cerakote / GunKote : $60/hr (1 hr min). A single part or two will take approximately 1 hr. An entire gun could take 3-4 hours.
Firearms Research. This is included in any restoration project. I also offer it as a standalone service. I research the firearm, its history, any special attributes, manufacturer details like when, where, how many produced, personal information where available. I provide a digital (USB stick) and print copy of my findings.
Research as a standalone service : $60/hr
Firearm Transfers. Buy a gun online and it has to be transferred by a licensed FFL to you.
>The online seller ships it to my shop. At this point its a good idea to give me a heads-up it is coming : 717-799-5576.
>I notify you when I receive it.
>You call to make arrangements to come in, show a state-issued photo ID (PA driver’s license works best).
>You fill out some standard paperwork. One form for a long gun. Two forms for a handgun, one of which gets forwarded to the ATF Office in Harrisburg.
>I run a background check on you via the PICS (Pennsylvania Instant Check System) and get an approval number. Usually takes 15-20 minutes tops.
>You pay the transfer fee and take your firearm home. Easy-Peasy…
Sounds complicated but it’s actually pretty straightforward. You as the buyer are fully responsible for verifying your purchase is valid in Pennsylvania.
Transfer Fee : $45 for up to two firearms in the same transaction. $5 each for all over 2.
But (always a ‘but’), if you show proof of being a
Veteran or First Responder : $10 covers ATF fees).
…..and thank you for your service!