Hatfield's Gunsmith in Manassas

[jrswanson1]

Two big thumbs up on Hatfield's. So far, quick turn around on installing new sights on my Rem 11-87 as well as an aftermarket bolt release. An excellent trigger job on my ParaOrdnance P16-40, plus the shortened the trigger shoe so my stubby fingers work with the trigger. Nice people to work with, and they do custom AR, 1911, and Glock builds. http://www.hatfieldsgunsmithing.com/ They run a really nice bowling pin match, too.

Jim

[VAman]

Glad to hear you had a good experience, but this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone having a good experience there. This is one of those gunshops that most people have on their list to avoid.

[jrswanson1]

Glad to hear you had a good experience, but this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone having a good experience there. This is one of those gunshops that most people have on their list to avoid.

Really? One other guy on the board here has used them and recommends them. What problems are you having with them? Just curious, I don't buy guns there, I just get work done by them.

Jim

[meak99]

I haven't had work done by them, but they host a good bowling pin shoot the second Day of every month. I've won some gift certificates that I need to use by the end of Sep - plan on having them do some work to my 1911. Will report back afterwards. Also interested to hear what's not good about them.

[gregj]

I've been to one of their bowling pin shoots as well, good time. Also looked at some of their work, very nice stuff. Would also be interested in hearing what problems someone may have had.

[nosreme]

Well, crap. Before I posted my favorable review yesterday I did a search for "Hatfield's" and nothing relevant showed up. Now I see that this thread has been here for a week. If I had seen it, I'd have put my note in a response.

"On a list of gunshops to avoid" sounds like the usual internet extrapolation of absolutely nothing into a infallible pronouncement. If there were such a list, the complainers would have come out of the woodwork by now as that's what complainers do in the anonymous internet communication age. (They also tell only their side of the story and of course embellish it significantly). I suspect the only people who might be unhappy are the ones who expect a complete customized rebuild of a 1911 in a day or two or who expect them to turn a pile of pot metal into a match-grade gun for a pittance.

[Diomed]

I was less than impressed with the work they did for me, but I wasn't really surprised. Most places don't do well if you have them work on guns outside their comfort zone (and like many tacticool shops, if it's not a 1911, AR or Remington 700, they may not even know which end the bullets come out).

[jrswanson1]

When I went to pick up my shotgun and pistol, I asked if they did work on AKs/Saigas. They stated that they did not, as there were no smiths there familiar with the platform. They don't accept work if they can't do it. They do work on Ruger and S&W revolvers, which are not "tacticool." They've more than earned my trust and business. If they do screw up, you'll be the first to hear about it.

Jim

[Diomed]

Sounds like they may have learned their lesson.

[jrswanson1]

I took my "bag o' gun" to them last Friday. I managed to completely disassemble my Ruger Mark II and couldn't put it back together. I also requested that they install a scope base on it. I brought it in Friday, picked it up last night. Nice work, and they greased/lubed the pistol for me. I'm still waiting for my Cabela's order so I can put the mini red dot on it. I ordered it Friday, Cabela's shipped it yesterday and it won't get here until Monday.

[nosreme]

I'm not sure what agenda those who resort to negative soundbytes without substance are working, but my experiences with Hatfield's continue to be superior, as well. Most recently, they made my Ruger SP-101 357 mag revolver into a work of art, beautifully improved the marginally acceptable headspace on one of my Colt 1911s, and are currently lowering and flaring the ejection port on a Colt 1911. I enjoy the heck out of just chatting with everybody on the staff if I have what to them must seem a dumb question and see lots of others there doing the same thing.

[meak99]

Just don't call or email to ask for a status if you're having work done there... that's $5 per occurrence. I can't complain because I should have read what I was signing, but I was charged $10 extra for calling once, and emailing once (was never responded to). Three weeks to put in a new over-sized slide stop in a 1911.... I was starting to wonder so I called. Wasn't thrilled, but again, I should learn to read.

[Diomed]

I can't complain because I should have read what I was signing, but I was charged $10 extra for calling once, and emailing once (was never responded to).

They charged you for asking and never even replied?

Sleazy.

[wolfhfac]

Any gunsmith/gunshop that charges you for any inquiry should be called out on a public forum and hopefully most people will have common sense to avoid a place like this....This gunsmith must be taking a cue from the banking industry: finding new ways to tack on extra fees to generate more revenue

[meak99]

They charged you for asking and never even replied?

That is correct. I know they are busy, and constantly checking statuses for people takes time, but to charge $5 per occurence... starting with the very first one, and even for emails to which they don't respond is not reasonable in my opinion. I know they want to keep guys from calling every day asking if they are done yet.... but allow at least ONE status check per firearm being worked on... or at least one per X weeks... then start charging if they really feel the need to.

[SherKhan]

Hatfields did a nice job overhauling my well-used Ruger Mk II. They were prompt, friendly, and reasonably priced.