Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Improving and repairing firearms. Rifle bedding, barrel work, stock replacement and other ways to improve your firearms.

Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by S O K A R » 23 Aug 2022, 8:46 pm

Basically I have a shotgun I want modified (within the law), cost/wait time/location is of no concern to me.
Only thing I care about is quality work.
Few local guys I've spoken to only do minor mods/barrels etc, so thought you lads might know some around aus that would be able to assist me.

cheers
S O K A R
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 219
Tasmania

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by SCJ429 » 23 Aug 2022, 9:06 pm

John Giles is one of the top gun Smith's in Oz. I have a rifle built by Bill Mastin and some by Russel Le Maitre which are excellent.
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3207
New South Wales

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by Shootermick » 23 Aug 2022, 9:25 pm

What kind of mods are you talking about?
.22, .22wmr, 223, 243, 303, 20ga, 12ga
Shootermick
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
 
Posts: 795
Victoria

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by No1Mk3 » 23 Aug 2022, 11:56 pm

For shotguns, R.E.Sharp in Bairnsdale, Rolf Hay is another, Schwarz Gunsmithing in Bannockburn.
No1Mk3
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2090
Victoria

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by S O K A R » 24 Aug 2022, 1:45 am

Shootermick wrote:What kind of mods are you talking about?

I'm looking at changing my shotgun from tube mag to box mag fed
S O K A R
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 219
Tasmania

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by bigpete » 24 Aug 2022, 1:31 pm

Be cheaper to buy a new gun
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by animalpest » 24 Aug 2022, 2:40 pm

Much cheaper
Professional shooter and trapper
Trainer and consultant
animalpest
Warrant Officer C2
Warrant Officer C2
 
Posts: 1025
Western Australia

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by mchughcb » 24 Aug 2022, 5:58 pm

Agree cheaper to buy another gun, but if cost is no issue then send it to Mialls in Frankston. They have some top notch gunsmiths there.
User avatar
mchughcb
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1521
Victoria

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by Wyliecoyote » 24 Aug 2022, 7:31 pm

https://youtu.be/M3Hs4do69ms

I know you probably don't have an auto but lever or straight pulls load the same way and this is a way faster and cheaper system than any box magazine on a shotgun. The guides and syringes are readily available as are tube extentions if your state allows it. Been around the three gun matches in the US for years. As has been already said, way cheaper to buy a new gun than convert it.
PS. The syringes are easily made from PVC and an O ring

PPS. For those not aware, John Giles died some time back. Old pommie mate Phil Mastin has also passed away a couple of months ago. Neither worked on shotguns. Too busy with benchrest and TR/FClass rifles.
Wyliecoyote
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 141
Queensland

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by mickb » 24 Aug 2022, 9:39 pm

custom magazine work gets pricey. I'll name the guys I think can do the work, most are big game rifle smiths. Whether they are interested or would have the time(or are still alive lol) you would have to ask.

John Clapham, Sydney
Anthony George in the NT
Rolf Bachnick, Safari Arms ( retired? Not sure)
Bob Devries, Kudu Services( not sure if poor health has retired him)
Alan Swan, Swan Barrels
Alan Naumann( retired, former owner of Corporal Trading, the synthetic stock guy. He did advanced metal work jobs too. May still do some projects)
John Jongmans. He has been in out of the guntrade for decades, unsure of his status now.
Tony at TSE engineering( the barrel makers in QLD).
mickb
Warrant Officer C2
Warrant Officer C2
 
Posts: 1095
Other

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by SCJ429 » 24 Aug 2022, 9:53 pm

mickb wrote:custom magazine work gets pricey. I'll name the guys I think can do the work, most are big game rifle smiths. Whether they are interested or would have the time(or are still alive lol) you would have to ask.

John Clapham, Sydney
Anthony George in the NT
Rolf Bachnick, Safari Arms ( retired? Not sure)
Bob Devries, Kudu Services( not sure if poor health has retired him)
Alan Swan, Swan Barrels
Alan Naumann( retired, former owner of Corporal Trading, the synthetic stock guy. He did advanced metal work jobs too. May still do some projects)
John Jongmans. He has been in out of the guntrade for decades, unsure of his status now.
Tony at TSE engineering( the barrel makers in QLD).

Good one, Bob of Kudu built me a Ruger #1. Beautiful rifle, great smithing.
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3207
New South Wales

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by bigpete » 24 Aug 2022, 10:49 pm

You could try ignition custom engineering
bigpete
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3577
South Australia

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by S O K A R » 08 Sep 2022, 3:37 am

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll make some phone calls.

Wyliecoyote wrote:https://youtu.be/M3Hs4do69ms

I know you probably don't have an auto but lever or straight pulls load the same way and this is a way faster and cheaper system than any box magazine on a shotgun. The guides and syringes are readily available as are tube extentions if your state allows it. Been around the three gun matches in the US for years. As has been already said, way cheaper to buy a new gun than convert it.
PS. The syringes are easily made from PVC and an O ring

PPS. For those not aware, John Giles died some time back. Old pommie mate Phil Mastin has also passed away a couple of months ago. Neither worked on shotguns. Too busy with benchrest and TR/FClass rifles.


Well fk me dead, that's impressive...feel for anyone that breaks into that guys house :lol:
Looks far quicker then I'd ever be able to change a magazine
Where would you be able to purchase that stuff?
I imagine its something that wouldn't take long to do either, unlike getting it converted...
S O K A R
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 219
Tasmania

Re: Top gunsmiths in Aus?

Post by mchughcb » 12 Sep 2022, 8:00 am

mickb wrote:custom magazine work gets pricey. I'll name the guys I think can do the work, most are big game rifle smiths. Whether they are interested or would have the time(or are still alive lol) you would have to ask.

John Clapham, Sydney
Anthony George in the NT
Rolf Bachnick, Safari Arms ( retired? Not sure)
Bob Devries, Kudu Services( not sure if poor health has retired him)
Alan Swan, Swan Barrels
Alan Naumann( retired, former owner of Corporal Trading, the synthetic stock guy. He did advanced metal work jobs too. May still do some projects)
John Jongmans. He has been in out of the guntrade for decades, unsure of his status now.
Tony at TSE engineering( the barrel makers in QLD).


Rolf is still around but his accent is very hard to understand.
User avatar
mchughcb
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1521
Victoria


Back to top
 
Return to Gunsmithing