Christopherson Gunsmithing Services

You know, they say finding a good mechanic is hard. It really is, finding an honest one is even harder. You can imagine how difficult it is to find a good and honest gunsmith. Sticking to my mom’s advice of not saying anything that isn’t nice, I will refrain from my previous experience with «professional gunsmiths» in Portland. That is, until I found Christopherson Gunsmith Services.
I had a Springfield Armory GI model with the stock GI sights. As they often do, the rear sight became lose. Since there is no set-​crew on these, the weapon must be taken to a gunsmith that can apply the necessary pressure to the slide to put the sight back in its place securely. I found Christopherson Gunsmith Services by using Google. I called and set up an appointment with Mr. Christopherson, who greeted me at the door. He filled out a receipt for the gun and sent me on my way. Total time spent there, about 20 minutes: ten on the gun, and another ten answering my stupid questions about completely unrelated weapons. I like guns. He does too.
I walked away with that empty feeling every CCW feels when they leave their baby in some one else’s hands. I believe they call that separation anxiety.
He called me the next day to let me know I could pick it up. 24 hours later, I showed up, paid a very reasonable fee for the work, shook his hand and went to the range. Two-​hundred rounds later, that sight hasn’t budged.
A few weeks later, I came across a really old gun. I mean: really old. Made in 1889, this revolver looked good for its age, but the insides were pretty messed up. The cylinder wouldn’t rotate, much less align properly with the barrel. When it comes to guns, I tend to be somewhat anal-​retentive. I didn’t intend on risking my life shooting a gun this old with modern ammunition, but I wanted to have the option to. What good is a broken gun?
So once again, I phoned Mr. Christopherson and made an appointment. I handed him the revolver; he told me all about the weapon and the sort of ammunition it would require; recommended a web site to see if I could find some ammo for it (I did), shook my hand and off I went.
He phoned me to let me know that there was a broken spring inside the gun, and since those parts were no longer available, he would need to manufacture one. When he used the word «manufacture» I thought right there and then that I would not be able to afford getting that historical gun fixed up. He gave me a very reasonable quote. It goes without saying that this piece took a little longer than my 1911, but what I got back was a fully functional revolver.
I can’t recommend this business enough. I am keeping his card handy. You should too.