How long does it take for a gunsmith to chamber and muzzle thread a barrel blank?
- Thread starter Camoman1
- Start date
Why do u ask?
Many smiths have flat fees for those services. So it takes as long as it takes.
Or do you mean how many weeks can you expect to wait? In which case ask, they will tell you.
If in any doubt, send it to PR Precision. He will tell you what his backlog is and he has standard pricing posted.
He also does exceptionally good work.
Many smiths have flat fees for those services. So it takes as long as it takes.
Or do you mean how many weeks can you expect to wait? In which case ask, they will tell you.
If in any doubt, send it to PR Precision. He will tell you what his backlog is and he has standard pricing posted.
He also does exceptionally good work.
"Average" means that half the smiths would take longer and that seems a little long. Pretty sure I could do it properly in 2-3 hours. It is two separate setups but the crowning and threading the muzzle is relatively quick and easy to do. Also depends on how often one is doing chambering work.
Just trying get a feel on pricing. I was just quoted 700$, I paid 600$ earlier this year. (Although he’s a great guy and gave me a quick turnaround so I’m not complaining)
Again I’m not complaining, I understand they should charge what they feel is right. And I can put my money where I want. Just nice to know so I can make an educated decision.
Definitely not something you want to be rushed or done poorly. And guys have lots of equipment and tools they have invested in.
Chambering is usually 450ish muzzle threading 150ish. Give or take depending on the smith. Some more well known smiths are on the higher end, but they are well known for a reason. And those come with a backlog in most cases
Not only are you paying for shop time, you are also paying for the 'smith's skill and experience. Three hours would not be unreasonable.
The make and model of rifle would also be a factor. A Mauser 98 is simpler than a Remington 700 or a Mannlicher Schoenauer.
It would also make a difference if the correct reamer is on hand.
If you have paid $600 previously and are happy to pay $700, fine.
The make and model of rifle would also be a factor. A Mauser 98 is simpler than a Remington 700 or a Mannlicher Schoenauer.
It would also make a difference if the correct reamer is on hand.
If you have paid $600 previously and are happy to pay $700, fine.
There are all sorts of things to factor into the cost of the OP's work being done to his rifle.
Location of the shop is a big factor to the cost.
If the smith is mortgaging, renting or leasing a building, heating costs, power costs, tooling costs, maintenance on the equipment and what it costs him to live, set up a retirement plan, etc, if it's his only source of income.
Some smiths have new, modern equipment, which will often be easier to set up and take less time. Experience/training is also a factor.
What takes one smith a couple of hours, can take another the whole day.
Most smiths don't charge as much time as it takes them to do a job, in my experience.
Then there is another factor, is gunsmithing something done as a part time job, building up clientele, for a customer base, part of a shop's offerings, to coincide with other income? The list goes on.
If a shop is hiring a smith/machinist to do the work or jobbing it out, which is normally what happens, then it has to pay for the work to be done and add more onto the bill for their profit margin.
Location of the shop is a big factor to the cost.
If the smith is mortgaging, renting or leasing a building, heating costs, power costs, tooling costs, maintenance on the equipment and what it costs him to live, set up a retirement plan, etc, if it's his only source of income.
Some smiths have new, modern equipment, which will often be easier to set up and take less time. Experience/training is also a factor.
What takes one smith a couple of hours, can take another the whole day.
Most smiths don't charge as much time as it takes them to do a job, in my experience.
Then there is another factor, is gunsmithing something done as a part time job, building up clientele, for a customer base, part of a shop's offerings, to coincide with other income? The list goes on.
If a shop is hiring a smith/machinist to do the work or jobbing it out, which is normally what happens, then it has to pay for the work to be done and add more onto the bill for their profit margin.
Yikes a life style and living expenses is not a part of a specific job everyone has costs of living
It's part of the cost of a specific job, if it's your business and where your incomes derives.
When you're running a business as a livelihood, it all has to be factored in, or face bankruptcy, etc very quickly.
You can't survive on good intentions.
When you're running a business as a livelihood, it all has to be factored in, or face bankruptcy, etc very quickly.
You can't survive on good intentions.
MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
Literally the definition of overhead cost, it is absolutely relevant. If your cost to run your business goes up, you often have to raise the prices of your services to keep up. Basics business practice.
MosinMan13
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thornbury Ontario
I feel like maybe this ought to be rephrased as “What is the current going rate for ______” which is totally a reasonable question.
well for sure you know all about thanks for the inlightenment
i wish i new that 40 years ago when i started building rifles i would be a millionaire today
how many rifle have you built
ATRS Shaun
Business Member Rep.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
We charge $600 to chamber, crown, and engrave caliber for custom actions.
$700 for factory actions (ie. Rem700) which includes lapping the lugs and truing the action.
Threading the muzzle when we're already crowning it is only $50 extra, but if that's the only job and we're tearing the rifle apart and getting it dialed into the lathe, that's $150.
Turn around is usually 4 to 6 weeks.
If we're waiting on barrel blanks or other parts, all bets are off for turnaround time.
Actual time spent on that one individual rifle is probably 4-5 hours split amongst everyone. -meaning writing up the paperwork when it comes in, stripping the rifle down, the actual machine work, test firing, and reassembling.
$700 for factory actions (ie. Rem700) which includes lapping the lugs and truing the action.
Threading the muzzle when we're already crowning it is only $50 extra, but if that's the only job and we're tearing the rifle apart and getting it dialed into the lathe, that's $150.
Turn around is usually 4 to 6 weeks.
If we're waiting on barrel blanks or other parts, all bets are off for turnaround time.
Actual time spent on that one individual rifle is probably 4-5 hours split amongst everyone. -meaning writing up the paperwork when it comes in, stripping the rifle down, the actual machine work, test firing, and reassembling.
ATRS Shaun
Business Member Rep.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Ten years in, it sure feels like it. Regret it daily.
Fastest way to destroy a fantastic hobby.
If we're just talking "built" as in assembled; not actually manufacturing... and we open that up to semi autos...
At the peak of Modern Sporters, I was putting MS18-A3's together at around 14 rifles an hour. Those were the days....
