ltwguns.com

I'm looking for a gunsmith (good one) to do a trigger job on a Les Baer TRS. I'd also like a quick turn around time. Any recommendations/suggestions?

Yes, I want to eat the cake too!

pick up the phone and call ANY of the smiths here. They will be more than happy to help.

--Mark

I'd recommend a pistolsmith close to your area that you don't have to ship the gun via a carrier. A trigger job cost anywhere from $60-$80, plus shipping cost of $40 minimum one way!
If it's a Baer, why not contacting Baer to see if they would tweak the trigger at no charge? maybe they'll pick up the return shipping fee. So all you're out is the outbound freight.
My $0.02

I've already contacted two of them. One wait was 12+ months and the other isn't taking new work right now.

Baer will cover ZERO percent of the shipping, even if it's a broken part. Their argument was that it's often not a pistol problem but a person problem - so rather than figure out who needs to pay shipping in those situations - they never pay for it.

It's the exact oppisit policy of Nighthawk Customs. They send a call tag for pickup and take care of the destination fee as well.

One guy we have local is Tim Bacus. I just can't find any data points on him.

I have heard of Tim Bacus, he used to post on the 1911forums, can't say that I've seen him post recently.

I've seen others mentioned this gentleman's work, he's in VA.
http://www.samscustomgunworksusa.com/pa ... /index.htm

Too bad Baer's shipping policy is on the stingy side. Sounds like the boys at Nighthawk know a thing or two about building a customer base, retaining them and their satisfaction.

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CT Brian Custom
'Blending Art With Firepower'

Yes Yes .... I know.

$40 is low for shipping. I just sent a gun for a rebarrel to the east coast. $73 each way. On a ~$250 rebarrel!

Fedex won't ship handguns.
USPS won't ship handguns

UPS requires shipping Next Day Air which when combined with insurance makes shipping to a gunsmith an expensive job.

I feel your pain on the local angle. I used a local smith for a small fix and waited almost a year for my gun.

Still not as bad as the custom rifle project I commissioned in Jan of 2004 that I have still not shot!

Javentre,

I'm going to have to echo what Smooth One said and say to opt for Dave Sams. Call him at (804) 375-3782. There's not a better trigger/action out there, and a trigger job would likely go with the "small jobs." The phone is the best way to contact him. Tell him I sent ya'.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

This is not true. You CAN ship via Fedex, but they too, will require overnight shipping. AND you cannot ship via one of the stores... It has to go via the main depot.

--md

+1 on what Mark said.

Can I read this as an offer to help me out?

Ok, I'm going to add my unwanted opinion here.

Why would you expect Baer to cover shipping on a trigger job you elect to have?

You don't have your location in your profile so no one knows where you are to try to help you find a smith relativeley close.

You can ship overnight UPS/FEDEX but you need not insure it for more than $500. Thats all their respective companies will insure firearms for as a limit. Anything you specify over that they will charge you for happily but thay don't pay that.

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I NEVER suggested that they should (in this case), I was only trying to provide "smooth one" with Baers policy since he suggested it.

I would argue that the trigger it shipped with is unacceptable for a $1700 semi-custom gun, but that point aside - I believe they should cover shipping if something breaks that is out of the ordinary.

The trigger shipped the way it did and they must have thought it was acceptable - so I'm trying to find someone else to fix it. As a point of reference my stock Kimber has a better trigger!
Virginia [NoVA]. It's nice that someone may be close who can do it - but it's certainly not my requirement which is why I didn't include it. I'm more concerned about getting it done right then cheaper. $70 extra in shipping is something I'm willing to just factor in the price.

Javentre,

I know I already said this, but if you're in Va already then I HIGHLY recommend taking it to Dave Sams or shipping it to him. I'm pretty certain the turn-around on that could be fairly quick and the price good. I think Al, Chip (Witherspoon), ad anyone else who's ever felt Dave's triggers can attest to their feel. His number is (804)375-3782.

~Jim Keeney [/i]

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Jim. I've contacted him via telephone and told him you referred me. Seems like a nice guy. He saves these "small jobs" for fridays. I'm trying to coordinate a road trip to drop it off (~ 3 hours) - but this ice storm we're expecting may hinder that.

I do appreciate the tip and will let you know how the results are.

You will enjoy the trip. Nice country. When you get there expect to be greeted by two Jack Russells. Both, plus a yellow tabby, will eventually try to crawl into your lap.

Dave's trigger jobs are excellent. It is my understanding the smoothness is possible due to the liberal application of pet fur.

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Sic Semper Tyrannis

While I have never had any personal work done by Tim Bacus all of what I have heard about him is positive. Pictures definitely don't tell functionality or feel but I have some pics of his work that I can post if you want.

Chip, do you realize what you've done? That "hair on the sear" trick is directly from JMB's shop notes. Dave had taken it as a boy and studied the mixture until he came up with the 40/30/20/10 mix (orange tabby hair, Jack Russell hair, chicken feather, turkey feather). The true key, the fundamental element, is actually having the turkey feather coming from a 56lb bird. That's why Dave is the only one.

Javentre, you just don't know what you're getting into. Beware.

~Jim Keeney

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"I'd rather die on my feet than keep living on my knees." - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican Revolutionary

Fair enough. If the trigger is a botched factory work job then I would have said to send it back. However, you will never get as good a job as you would with a true "custom" smith.

Be prepared if you take it to Dave to have tell you what a piece of crap Wilsons, Baers or any "semi-custom" high dollar gun is. He would rather start with a S.A., Caspian , Colt or any basic gun and do far better work for the same amount of money. How do I know, I got the same speech when he saw my TRS on my belt.

Be prepared to drive into the country and down his field past the above mentioned dogs, cats, chickens and turkeys. Dave spent 20 years in the 82nd and was a master gunsmith with the AMU. He still builds for them and for individual shooters. Thumbtacks at a 1k yard guns. Plan on entire day, Dave like to talk.

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I'm picking up a RRA 1911 this weekend. I'm just gonig to take both guns down there for a little TLC. I sure do like the fact that he's an early riser. I can call him at 6:50AM and he's working in the shop!