Common Gunsmithing Costs For Standard Jobs
GENERAL PRICES:
* This list is neither a comprehensive list of the services we offer, nor is it a concrete representation of what the customer’s final bill will be. It is merely a guide for customers to use to get an idea of service costs before bringing in their firearm.
* The prices below do not include cost of parts, shipping & handling, tax, or ER discounts.
* AR “Home-builds” (and others) may include additional expenses for correcting faulty previous work, for example loctiting flash-hiders, barrel nuts, etc.
*Firearms that need to be logged in and sent to the gunsmith for work will be subject to a 1 hour (shop rate is $65.00/hr) minimum bill.
* Please do not pull your gun apart. Guns that come in parts require extra work and time. We charge $105 / firearm that comes in disassembled.
* We are often requested to estimate the amount of fees and costs likely to be incurred in connection with a particular project. Whenever possible we will furnish such an estimate based upon our professional judgment, but always with a clear understanding that the estimate is not a maximum or fixed fee quotation. The ultimate charges may be more or less than the amount estimated.
> $65 Minimum shop charge
> $65 Man Labor / hour
> $110 Machining / hour
> Polishing hour - $35
> Polish chamber / bore - $70
> Appointment with the gunsmith (30 minutes) - $30
> Outside business hours service (drop-off or pick-up) - $20
SHOP USE FEES:
> $2.95 Shop Fee (Materials other than parts - like sanding paper, lubricant, cleaner, target, etc.)
> $10 Administrative Fee for parts orders (for parts costing over $100 we apply a 15% Administrative Fee)
> $10 Research Fee for hard-to-find parts (over 15 minutes spent looking for the part)
> $45 Tool Fee / machining operation for cutting, drilling or pinning melonite / hardened metals / stainless steel
> Ammo – If you do not provide ammo, we will not test the function of your firearm, unless strictly necessary, in which case we will charge $5 / round.
SERVICES:
01. FIREARM MAINTENANCE
> Quick Clean: Field strip gun + ultrasonic clean, oil & reassembly (no painted guns): $85
> Diagnostic Clean (DCOA): Complete disassembly, clean all parts, examine for wear / potential breakage; quote replacement parts if necessary to put gun in A-1 condition
- handguns and long guns - $129
- double guns - $156
> Bead, sandblast or wire brush stainless steel - $130
> Drill & Tap (bbl, receiver, slide, etc.) - $45 / hole
> Plug hole, re-drill and tap - $69 / hole
> Remove broken screw - $65
> Weld in old screw hole, redrill + tap - $89 / hole *may damage finish*
> Mount and boresight scope - $65
> Swap Sights for standard guns - $65; difficult brands Sig, Beretta, Kimber and other, $85+
> Install stake-on front sight - $65
> Install fiber optic front sight (existing dovetail) - $65
> Install rear sight (existing dovetail, w/o cost of sight) - $65
> Install insert in pistol sight - $75, includes the insert
> Install fiber optic - $35, includes the fiber optic
> Flatten rear sight (existing dovetail, w/o cost of sight) - $129
> Bore sight - $65
> Trigger job – starts at $79
> Pattern shotgun - $65
> Sight in scoped rifle at distance (100 yards or custom) - $75
> Check headspace - $65
> Make chamber cast - $85
> Remove stuck fired case from chamber - $65 / hour
> Remove stuck live round from chamber - $180
> Remove obstruction from bore, including muzzleloaders (balls and broken ramrod) - $65 / hour
> Remove fouling from barrel - $65 / hour
> Lap barrel - $105
> Glass bedding barrel & action – Hunting Rifle - $129
> Glass bedding barrel & action – Match Rifles, M-1 Garand, M1A
> Pillar bedding barrel & action - $229
> Install recoil pad - $75
> Lap barrel - $105
> Make and install spring - $65 / hour
> Re-solder rib - $65 / hour
> Re-solder forend lug - $65 / hour
> Raising dent in barrel - $110, might require refinish
> Straighter or adjust barrel - $85, might require refinish
> Refitting hinge pin lug - $295
> Straighten crane on revolver - $80
> Tighten slide of 1911 auto - $159
02. METAL WORK
> Stripping nickel - $179 / handgun
> Draw filing - $65 / hour
> Bevel Magazine well of 1911 Auto - $69, will require refinishing
> Open and modify election port of 1911 auto slide - $94
> Throat, polish barrel and feed ramp of 1911 - $79
> Install auto pistol compensator - $229
> Open bolt face for larger cartridge - $120
> Mill bolt for M16 style safety - $150
> Action work:
- Lap in bolt lugs - $65
- Welding on new bolt handle - $180 - will require polishing and finishing or coating - might require polishing and refinish and inlet stock for new bolt handle / knob - $65
- Forging bolt handle - $129 - will require polishing and finishing or coating - might require polishing and refinish and inlet stock for new bolt handle / knob - $65
- Threading bolt handle for knob - $100 - might require polishing and refinish and inlet stock for new bolt handle / knob - $65
- Inlet stock for new bolt handle - $65
- Installing safeties - $65 / hour; all safety installs will require refinishing
-> labor for Dakota, Gentry, Mod 70 Type Safety with shroud and similar usually costs $175
-> labor for Mark II / Beuhler type usually costs $85
-> labor for Chapman Swing Safety Lever usually costs $99
-> beavertail safety for 1911s, requires frame modification – labor usually costs $129 and includes fitting
- Action job – Clean, smooth action - $65 / hour, usually $130 for revolvers, $180 for semi-auto pistols, not including replacement of parts
- Install crane lock for revolvers - $65
- Remove / modify revolver hammer spur - $100 – will require refinish
- Fit & Install barrel bushing on 1911 Auto - $92
- Fit custom hammer - $65 / hour, usually costs around $80
> Sight work:
- Milling slide for dot sight - $150
- Milling dovetail slot - $86
- Solder on front ramp - $120
- Screw-on front ramp - drill & tap - $45 / hole
- Install banded front ramp - $65 / hour
- Install insert in pistol sight - $75, includes the insert
- Install fiber optic - $35, includes the fiber optic
- Cut slide for BO-MAR sight (usually for 1911s) - $65 / hour
-> plain cut – usually costs $149
-> with side Shields – usually costs $179
- Cut slide for Novak rear sight (usually for 1911s) - $65 / hour – usually costs $139
> Trigger work:
- installation or adjustment - $65 / hour
- labor for Shilen, Timney, Dayton-Traister, Moyer type usually costs $80
- labor for double sets usually costs $210
- labor for single sets usually costs $105
- labor for 1911s usually costs $75
- labor for AR usually costs $65
> Barrel Work:
- Muzzle brakes:
-> cut, crown & thread barrel - $159
-> thread muzzle for muzzle brake or suppressor (does not include muzzle installation or thread protecting cap) - $99
-> pin & weld muzzle brake to barrel - $69
-> install in-house made muzzle - Brubaker Arms TriCircle ‘Brake: Custom made, timed to Barrel, matching barrel profile (if .650”+dia) - $110
-> install in-house made muzzle - BAMF ‘Brake: Brubaker Arms ManuFacturing ‘Brake: Larger ports than our TriCircle ‘Brake, with 4 .125” ports 60* off top Centerline (30* each side) - $159
-> custom thread protecting cap – matches barrel diameter - $48
-> install muzzle brake – when clients provides muzzle - $65
-> custom 1/2-28 to 5/8-24 adapter - $129
- Install barrel band swivel - $65 / hour
- Lengthen forcing cone - $74 non-plated bores, add $45 for plated bores
- Install liner in the barrel - $120
- Cut down and crown barrel - Rifles and Shotguns / Handguns - $78
- Rebarreling – Remove old barrel, replace with new factory barrel, labor only; any rebarreling will
require refinish.
-> if barrel is blank (chamber and fit barrel to action) - $285
-> if barrel is pre-threaded and chambered - $179
-> revolvers - $119
-> 1911s, non-Ramped Barrel - $129
-> 1911s, Ramped Barrel - $149
-> AR barrel - $72
- Basic re-chambering - $179
- Back-boring, non-plated bores only, $65 / hour / barrel (shotgun)
- Open / modify choke - per barrel or tube, non-plated bores only, $65 / hour (labor usually cost $95) (shotgun)
- Install screw-in choke - (plus tubes) - Win-Choke®, Colonial, etc. - $129 for non-plated bore, add $45 for plated bores (shotgun)
- Port barrel - $129 / barrel (shotgun)
AR WORK
Install aftermarket trigger - $65
Install aftermarket forend / free float - $65
Assemble:
- complete upper - $78
- complete lower - $78
- complete rifle - $134
Install flash hinder on pre-threaded barrel - $65
Open gas port for functioning - $75
Install / replace gas block - $65
Install / replace AR barrel - $72
Install / replace buttstock & buffertube - $65
03. METAL ART WORK
Custom slide profiling - $110 / hour – will require refinish
Convert revolver from square butt to round butt - $134
Jeweling / engine turning bolt - $99 / hour
Jeweling / engine turning small parts - $65 / hour
Re-contour front or rear receiving ring - $110
Dehorn and break edges for carry - $75 – will require refinish
Full melt down bevelling - $129 – will require refinish
Checker front strap of frame on 1911 auto - $209 - will require refinishing
Stipple polymer frame - $79
Engraving - $1 / minute
04. METAL TEXTURE - $35 / hour
> DIP: If you chose to prepare the metal yourself, you are welcome to do so. We will do the bluing exclusively, based on a liability release form that you sign.
If you are sending your project in for a “dip”, we do not do any metal preparation for you. It must arrive in the shop completely rust-free and polished to your satisfaction. Please do not send any rusty parts for a dip – no matter how light the rust, bluing will not eliminate it.
Preparation should include stripping old bluing, then bead blasting with an abrasive (e.g. glass bead or aluminum oxide) to remove rust, followed by polishing from lower to higher grits. It is important that you properly oil and package your prepared metal, as surface rust can form in a very short period of time, especially in transit environments.
When we receive your firearm, we will evaluate it to be sure there is no rust present, and then run it through the bluing tanks in the next bluing session. If rust is present we will contact you regarding your options.
If you have aluminum parts that accompany your dip, we can Cerakote those parts for an extra fee.
> MATTE: Abrasive / bead blast / wire wheel followed with all screw holes and corners protected and square.
> SATIN: Abrasive / bead blast / wire wheel followed with all screw holes and corners protected and square. Finished with Scotch-Brite.
> SEMI-GLOSS: Polished to #320 grit polish with all screw holes and corners protected and square. Finished with Scotch-Brite.
> HIGH-GLOSS: Polished to #600 grit polish with all screw holes and corners protected and square. Finished with Scotch-Brite.
> MIRROR: Polished to #1500 grit polish with all screw holes and corners protected and square; all polishing marks removed, no ripples, and finished with #1500 polish to a mirror finish. Finished with Scotch-Brite.
05. METAL FINISHES – include bead blasting only:
> CAUSTIC SALT BLUING / HOT BLUING / OXYNATE® 7 REBLUING:
Handgun: $249
Long gun: $269
> SLOW RUST BLUING - $519
> SLOW RUST BROWNING - $519
> NitreBlue™ / FIRE BLUING – Offered for small parts / accessories only, one basket of parts - $132
> ANODIZING – Aluminum only - $150
> COLOR CASE HARDENING - $550, starting at
> CHARCOAL BLUING - $475 (Pair with mirror polish to replicate the Traditional Colt Blue.)
06. METAL COATINGS
> CERAKOTE - $79 / color / part; for custom patterns, by quote
> DURACOAT - $79 / color / part; for custom patterns, by quote
> PARKERIZING – Steel only - $185
07. WOOD / STOCK WORK
> Install adjustable butt plate - $126
> Install sling swivels – standard and quick detach - $65
> Install stock cross bolt - $69 – will require refinish
> Install recoil reducer:
- Simple installation in buttstock - $65
- Hydraulic butt plate-style (Gra-Coil or Counter Coil®) - $189
- Drill Stock & Install Recoil Reducer - $79
> Inletting and finishing of semi-finished stock - $469 - not including checkering, recoil pad, special butt plate, grip cap or other attachments
> Fit, bed and finish fiberglass stock blank - $279
> Prefinished synthetic stock – fit and install barrelled action - $110
> Install adjustable comb hardware - $209 - might require refinish
> Cut stock + make epoxy / aluminium part - $85
> Fit recoil pad - $79
08. WOOD / STOCK ARTWORK
> Recutting Checkering - $65 / hour
> New Checkering- $85 / hour
> Custom Checkering - 1 of a kind art - $1000 / firearm
09. WOOD FINISHES
> Total stock restoration - Strip to bare wood, raise marginal dings & scratches, seal wood pores, recut checkering, rubbed oil to desired finish: matte, gloss, high gloss - $450, starting price
> Wood finishing hunter finish - Lacquer or polyurethane finish on average stock (Does not include any shaping)
- $199 for standard stock
- $249 for complicated stock
> Wood finishing gunsmith finish - Filled, rubbed oil finish
- $289 on standard stock
- $349 for complicated stock
10. WOOD COATINGS
> CERAKOTE - $79 / color / part; for custom patterns, by quote
> DURACOAT - $79 / color / part; for custom patterns, by quote
> WEATHERBY FINISH - two part epoxy varnish - $998
11. PACKAGES
> Accurizing package – includes:
- True bolt face
- True receiver face (and recoil lug on Remington type actions)
- Lap bolt and inner lugs and recoil lug
- Rechamber to minimum head space
- Bed action to stock and free float barrel
- Set trigger to 3lb or otherwise specified
With glass bedding: $576
With pillar bedding: $661
Save 15% when purchasing the Accurizing package vs. purchasing the services individually.
12. WRITTEN APPRAISALS
> APPRAISALS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES (FIRE / WATER / SMOKE DAMAGE)
Firearms collections can constitute a valuable loss in case of fire hazards. Our company can assist you with minimizing your loss by providing you with a written appraisal on a letterhead document. Our written appraisals packages include the following, but we can customize your package as requested by your insurance company:
- close inspection of each firearm;
- establishing the market value of the firearm prior to the fire hazard and after;
- when the firearm is a collectible item that had been conserved in original finish: loss of collectible value
- list of services needed for bringing the firearms back to the original value, with quotes at our shop rates
PRICING:
- ATF recording (acquisition and disposition): $1 / firearm
- Written appraisal on letterhead: hourly rate, $65 / hour (usually 12-15 guns / hour)
> WRITTEN APPRAISAL FOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY - $40 / firearm
Although most manufacturers provide a high-standard quality control, sometimes firearms present function faults from manufacturing. If your firearm is still covered by warranty, it is cheaper for our customers to ship the firearm back to the original manufacturer rather than covering the repair cost. In that case, we will provide you with a written appraisal to ship with your firearm to the manufacturers.
Our written appraisals usually include:
- close inspection of the firearm;
- function testing;
- proof of malfunction from production.