Hatfields Gunsmith

[DrBurgle]

Just wanted to post about my experience today at Hatfields. The folks there are awesome, great customer service and very knowledgeable. I went in for a basic issue where my grip screw bushings wouldn't come out of my frame and they jumped in right away and got them out for me and put my slim bushings in for me for $20 and about 20 minutes of their time. I then spent another hour there just talking to the guys about what they can do to my officers 1911 that is my everyday carry. They showed me some 1911's they had just finished working on with some amazing triggers that they could tune mine to be the same and talked about all other aspects from re-doing my ramp work to cuts in the frame to help with grip as well as doing a new custom bushing for the gun and an oversized slide stop with linkage. The service there was tremendous and the prices were great as well. I highly recommend giving them a shot at any work you need done based on the quality of work I saw and the great customer service and willingness to explain and demonstrate their work in my hands.

[jrswanson1]

Oh, that was you at their shop today? I was dropping one of my ARs off when you came in.

[Reca]

They are located in manassas right?

[Jamie]

Yeah, over by the Manassas Cinema (or at least what used to be called the Manassas Cinema). I haven't had them do any work for me 'cause I don't own a 1911 or AR (oh, and I'm cheap) but they have a decent little store there with personal defense ammo that I've used when I didn't want to drive all the way to Virginia Arms or Guns & Ammo Warehouse.

[Reca]

I appreciate the info Thanks!

[jrswanson1]

So far I've had them work on my Remington 700 and 11-87, my ParaOrdnance P16-40, and I just dropped off an AR for them to swap handguards and install a new gas block. They work on modern guns, so I had to bring one of my SMLEs and a Vz-54 to another smith. They don't take in work that they can't do. If you have a 1911, double-action revolver, AR, Remington rifle or shotgun, or a Glock, they'll work on it. Otherwise, get someone on the phone there and ask. Nice people. They even fixed my Ruger Mk II.

[bryanrheem]

jr,

what work did they do on your remmington 700?

[jrswanson1]

jr,

what work did they do on your remmington 700?

They lightened the trigger from 8+ pounds down to 3.5 and smoothed it out. They also threaded the barrel and installed a muzzle brake on it. Shooting it now is like night and day.

[nosreme]

I've gotten a revolver rebuild, revolver trigger job, and 1911 "tuneup" back from Sam in the past couple of weeks. Each was perfect (as usual). A couple of others who took guns in on my recommendation report the same high level of satisfaction.

[ZipDrive]

At the moment, I have Hatfields inspecting and possibly repairing my H&R Premier .22 revolver.

The idiot who owned it before me had dry fired it too many times, denting the top of each chamber. The owner took a look at it and said they can fix that, barring any other problems, like the cambers not aligning properly, etc. Just from the short interaction that I had with them, I got the feeling that they know exactly what they are doing.

I dropped it off about 5+ weeks ago, and have yet to hear back. However, from the reports from other people who have gotten work done here, the work takes a little longer than you would expect. But when it's done, it's been done the right way. Sounds pretty good to me.

Out of curiosity, how long of waiting times have y'all experienced here before?

[jrswanson1]

At the moment, I have Hatfields inspecting and possibly repairing my H&R Premier .22 revolver.

The idiot who owned it before me had dry fired it too many times, denting the top of each chamber. The owner took a look at it and said they can fix that, barring any other problems, like the cambers not aligning properly, etc. Just from the short interaction that I had with them, I got the feeling that they know exactly what they are doing.

I dropped it off about 5+ weeks ago, and have yet to hear back. However, from the reports from other people who have gotten work done here, the work takes a little longer than you would expect. But when it's done, it's been done the right way. Sounds pretty good to me.

Out of curiosity, how long of waiting times have y'all experienced here before?

Depending on the work, 2-3 months. Their work is top notch, definitely worth the wait.

[ZipDrive]

Just after 6 weeks, I got my answer today from Hatfield's. Looks like my H&R Premier is unsafe to fire. Ah well...

[vtloki]

Is a 2-3 month wait expected for any work? I wanted to get some sight's installed on a S&W M&P9. I wonder if that's a little quicker.

[Redhorse6]

I would stay away from Hatfields -- they seem like an assembly shop (if it bolts on or clips on a picatinny rail) they can do it, real gunsmithing, uhhh not even close. Their time to complete is incredulous, expect to wait weeks to months for even the simplest job. Took a rifle in for a scope mount and finally got frustrated being told the parts are on order week after week; just went and pulled it from them. Also -- they have a "take-in fee" of $25.00 nonrefundable which you pay whether they do work or not or getting around to telling you they can't do it. Run away!

[nosreme]

Redhorse's opinion obviously is driven by something other than Hatfields' gunsmithing work, which most have found to be superior in all respects but wait time--but you certainly don't want a good gun worked on by a gunsmith so lacking in work that turnaround isn't a problem, and you don't want your own worked bumped by somebody who barged into the shop and demanded to be placed at the top of the queue. Note that Redhorse appeared to join this forum just to complain about the Hatfield shop. That, alone, tells you something about motives and objectivity.

[Redhorse6]

Not true nosreme -- I am an avid shooter and a member of several clubs in NOVA. You'll see a lot more from me with special interests in palma/modified palma competition. They originally installed a scope on my long gun, retaining screw split in half (Leupold); and scope blew back. Just trying to get it right and let others know of MY EXPERIENCE. To each his own.

[jrswanson1]

They could use another 1911 smith or two, but Sam has pretty high standards. All three of the gunsmiths I know of in NOVA are backlogged for months. That's right, I've only found three. Sam, then an older gent near Gainesville who works on old firearms, and Northern Virginia Gunworks in Fairfax who takes in new stuff every once in a while. If you wanted a quick scope mount, head to Virginia Arms in Manassas. They have an armorer who can do it for a nominal fee. He's decent on AR's, too. Nobody in NOVA works on AKs.

[Chasbo00]

They could use another 1911 smith or two, but Sam has pretty high standards. All three of the gunsmiths I know of in NOVA are backlogged for months. That's right, I've only found three. Sam, then an older gent near Gainesville who works on old firearms, and Northern Virginia Gunworks in Fairfax who takes in new stuff every once in a while. If you wanted a quick scope mount, head to Virginia Arms in Manassas. They have an armorer who can do it for a nominal fee. He's decent on AR's, too. Nobody in NOVA works on AKs.

+1 If you need a scope mounted or new sights installed, don't take it to a gunsmith as the gunsmith will likely give that job to one of his helpers and that helper may not know how to properly do the job or may not be properly supervised. You will get better and faster service from a certified armorer. For ARs, S&W M&Ps, and Glocks, Robb Jensen at Virginia Arms is one of the very best.

[ShortMan]

Supply/Demand.

Theres just enough demand on the market to keep a handful of professional smiths employed. Unfortunately that means long turn around times.
It will get worse as all these amateurs who've been buying out of fear and ignorance start breaking their guns and need help. I dont know if Hatfields will employ a bunch of people just to deal with the rush of damages, especially since folks will likely sell their impulse purchases this summer.