Gunsmiths In NW Lousiana/East Texas? -Specifically AKM?

[Blake74u]

Any gunsmiths in Northwest Lousiana who work on AKs? I'm trying to thread a barrel, replace the front sight block, replace the gas block, and drill for a cleaning rod. Most of the local yokels whom I've talked to are either AR, or Bolt-Action-only. "No habla Kalashnikova!"

 

[Blake74u]

It's for a MAK 90 to deban and refang.

 

[audioshooter]

Check with paul smeltzer and see if he can help you. he is in athens la.

http://www.athensgunsmith.com/

 

[asianpersuasion]

Is Denton tonfar for you?

 

[Blake74u]

Check with paul smeltzer and see if he can help you. he is in athens la.

http://www.athensgunsmith.com/

I'll give him a buzz! Thanks!

 

[Blake74u]

Is Denton tonfar for you?

Denton's not too far. I kind of figured that I'd probably have to go into Dallas in order to get someone reputable. -I just think that it's amazing that someone doesn't set up shop here in the ARK-LA-TEX and starting cleaning house due to the lack of competition. There really is a need for a gunsmith in this part of the State who doesn't just do ARs, Glocks and bolt-action. (Hint, hint: Any ex-tv-stars looking for work... just say'n).

 

[bigoo7e]

Blake check out James Willis at Willis Arms, he is in Elm Grove. He also does $10 FFL transfers! ;-p

www.willisarms.com

Peace,
Evan

 

[Blake74u]

Blake check out James Willis at Willis Arms, he is in Elm Grove. He also does $10 FFL transfers! ;-p

www.willisarms.com

Peace,
Evan

$10.00 FFLs!!! Wow! I might just for THAT! (-:

 

[asianpersuasion]

http://jbiarmory.com/

Never used him but seen builds on different sites.

 

[Blake74u]

http://jbiarmory.com/

Never used him but seen builds on different sites.

Yup. That was one of the people in Northeastern Texas I was considering... He's pretty reputable up there from what I've seen on various forums.

Gentlemen, thanks for the input. I'll send out 3 emails and compare the responses. Thanks!

 

[bigoo7e]

$10.00 FFLs!!! Wow! I might just for THAT! (-:

Indeed, he has mentioned to me that if you get more than one gun in, it's only $5 for each additional gun. I send him a lot of business, he does great work on pistols, I haven't used him for anything else yet. I will say you may have to wait on his services, I bought a pistol earlier this year and has it transferred to his shop, he told me he was backed up 3-1/2 to 4 months and this was in the around April IIRC!

 

[225todd]

Blake check out James Willis at Willis Arms, he is in Elm Grove. He also does $10 FFL transfers! ;-p

www.willisarms.com

Peace,
Evan

+1 He has done VERY good jobs for me and a few people that I know. I just can't vouch for the AK platform. He knows his stuff pretty well and won't BS you from what I can tell.

 

[bigoo7e]

+1 He has done VERY good jobs for me and a few people that I know. I just can't vouch for the AK platform. He knows his stuff pretty well and won't BS you from what I can tell.

Yeah, he is a straight shooter and doesn't beat around the bush.

 

[Blake74u]

Check with paul smeltzer and see if he can help you. he is in athens la.

http://www.athensgunsmith.com/

So far, only Paul Smeltzer has replied. -I'm leaning towards Mr. Smeltzer right now. I'll keep the thread updated in case any other AK-nuts in NW Louisiana wanna follow suit with MAKs.

 

[Blake74u]

ARISE NECRO-THREAD!

Went ahead and FINALLY got that MAK taken care of....

I went with JBI Armory from Denton, Texas. Only about a 3 hour drive from Shreveport. Nice fellow. He has about a 2-3 month turn-around time. Quality work that I haven't seen in YEARS by an AK-Builder. His shop is very professional, he does work for DoD, and he specializes in Khyber-builds.

http://www.akfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125516

I'll post pics when I pick it up.

I will say this: There ARE NO competent gunsmiths in Northern and Central Louisiana with whom I would trust any of my AKs with. PERIOD. That's not just rhetoric. I've talked to most of them. Believe me, most don't have the equipment, nor the expertise. AR-friendly, yes, but that's about it. Most are cowboy rifle and long-range shooter aficionados. No Habla Калашников!!! So, if you live in Northern Louisiana, and you need your AK worked on, make that trip to Denton, Texas. You won't be disappointed.