Who are the recommended gunsmiths for S&W revolvers, specifically the modern models for action jobs, tuning and finishes?
I have a 686+ I want to have the action/trigger worked on and have it refinished.

What all for action work do you want done and what finish do you want? Email me at spetrasic(at)gmail. I still do work occasionally and the only revolvers I liked working on was double action S&W's.

I had Don Williams at The Action Works do an action job on my M66, I'm very happy with the work he did

quote:

Originally posted by TAP:
Who are the recommended gunsmiths for S&W revolvers, specifically the modern models for action jobs, tuning and finishes?
I have a 686+ I want to have the action/trigger worked on and have it refinished.

As to refinishing, I think it would depend upon the finish you desire.

If I were going for a re-blue and chose not to use the factory, I would probably send it to Fords.

If I wanted a highly corosion resitent duty finish, I would send it off to Robar for their NP3 or to CCR for their CP-II

Color Case Hardend would go to Doug Turnbull.

Cerekote would go to almost anybody

After typing all of this I went and re-read your post. Now I see you have a 686. Anyone can bead blast or polish a 686. It does not even need to be a gunsmith. That is the advantage of stainless, it has no applied finish


As to action jobs, for Sport, Duty or carry? If not going to the factory for a duty action job, Cylinder and Slide or Power Custom would be right up there.

If he is still taking work, I would use Walt Sherman who does the best DA job imaginable. Great for the various revolver combat courses. However Walt's roller bearing conversion is expensive


As to "tuning" I am not sure what you are asking

I had my M29 done by Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring Precision. It is hands down the smoothest action on a revolver I have felt, he also installed new sights and magna ported it.

Don Williams is also great, he did my BHP and it great.

For the action and trigger, can't say enough for North Virginia Gun Works! Sandy Garrett did an incredible action job on my 625-3. He recontoured and polished the trigger as well; after picking the 625 up, I couldn't put it down, dry firing incessantly. Shooting was even better!

If Randy Lee at Apex is doing revolvers again, he does great work.

I talked to Randy last week and he asked me to not ask him to do an action job on one of my L-frames...of course, I couldn't, but I wanted to beg.

Cylinder & Slide did a trigger job on my 638 that is still fantastic to this day, I had this done in 2005 or so.

There's some shop south of Portland in one of those little nothing towns between Portland and Salem. Wish I could think of it, but the guy is good and competent. He won't screw up your gun. He's well known for complicated repairs.

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Originally posted by radioman:
There's some shop south of Portland in one of those little nothing towns between Portland and Salem. Wish I could think of it, but the guy is good and competent. He won't screw up your gun. He's well known for complicated repairs.

Rich's gun shop in donald oregon.

Owners name is lee.

Another vote for NoVA Gun Works in Springfield, VA. Been using Sandy Garret over 20 years now.
I think I funded the new addition on his house.

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Originally posted by colt_saa: ...

colt_saa, give the guy some suggestions, will you please?