The Custom Hunting Rifle — Adding a Touch of Class

I would guess that 90 percent of gun owners are very happy with their mass produced factory firearms, and they would happily use them forever without modifications of any kind. They have been using the same lever-action that sat on grandpa’s back porch and “If it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.” No doubt, the only time they take it to the gunsmith is when something stops working and that’s fine.

Most gunsmiths are just parts changers who preform basic stuff. I should be more polite and refer to them as doing basic repair or general gunsmithing. Servicing that includes replacing or fixing broken parts, polishing, bluing and other metal-surface treatments, and perhaps some wood stock refinishing. In addition, they may provide stock bedding, recoil pad installation, trigger jobs, and other basic performance improvements, as well as auxiliary services such as scope mounting, safety evaluation, zeroing, and so on. The better ones are also excellent machinists.

Another type of gunsmith specializes in accurizing and performance. This is who you seek out and find when you want a guaranteed match winner. You may want a:

• Super-accurate rifle for benchrest or high power
• Tack-driving handgun for precision or action pistol
• Smooth-swinging shotgun for sporting clays
• Well-balanced precision small bore rifle
• Cut down, dehorned, and accurized revolver or semi-auto for IDPA and concealed carry

You will not find one gunsmith that does it all. Find the one who specializes in the platform and modification you want. The chances are greater that you will be happy that way. In this group, you will also find those who specialize in sporterizing — taking military bolt-action rifles, replacing the factory stock with a custom wood stock, composite or other material, and turning them from soldiers to civilians as it where.

Custom Gun Makers

There are a few select individuals called “Custom Gun Makers and Engravers.” These beings transcend the mortal. They can turn out works of art so exquisite that they cast a spell on us the likes of which happily propels us to open our wallets without a thought. I know. I have succumbed to the siren’s call.

Those artisans fall into the different disciplines of the shooting sports and might be described by category. They loosely belong to rifle, pistol, shotgun, and antique reproduction and restoration categories.

There are also a small number who have the skill and ability to manufacture custom accessories for firearms such as tools and still others who manufacture bottom metal, complete actions, barrels, and parts. I have only known one so gifted that he could do it all at the level of artisan.

My journey into the rarefied air of custom rifles started prior to my first African safari. At the time I scheduled my first safari, I knew very little about Africa other than what Tarzan movies portrayed. I did not know much about the animals I would be hunting or the equipment I would need.

To be honest, the trip was not even my idea. I had a friend who won an auction at a Safari Club Convention for a hunt for two and asked whether I wanted to go along. I accepted. As I did some research, I realized I needed a proper Safari Rifle, so I asked around at my local chapter meeting.

An older, wiser gentleman took pity and recommended I speak with the Chapter Expert on Custom Rifles. During my phone conversation with said expert, he suggested I go to the Custom Gun Makers and Engravers Guild Show coming up shortly in Las Vegas. Of course, I ask him who the best was, and he said they are all good, but the best is the one you prefer.

He did take some pity on me and gave me the names of a half a dozen in his order of preference. He advised me to put the list in my pocket and not look at it until I made my choice. Only then was I to look to reenforce and confirm my selection.

I followed his suggestion to the T. To say I was a bit overwhelmed by the quality of work at the show would be a gross understatement. It was amazing. I somehow managed to put 5 gunmakers in an order of preference, which was really just based on visual appeal. I had no idea of what I was really looking at. When I opened my notes — to my surprise — my picks fell in his recommended order. So, off I went to the first pick and proudly announced I was going on a safari to Africa and needed a .375 by June.

I was politely told by the first gunsmith that he would love to build a rifle for me, but he had a 4-year waiting list before he could even start. I could, however, buy the .338 Win Mag on his table that the commissioner could no longer afford due to financial problems brought on by an ugly divorce. I asked how much and was quoted the price of a new car.

Off I went to my second choice, and my third, my fourth, and so on until I realized everyone in the ballroom was booked out for many years. I did find one gunmaker who said he had a .270 in the works on speck, and I could assume that project if I wanted. I bought in to keep from getting skunked. However, I still didn’t have a .375 for the Safari, but I could have that .338 on the table instead of a new car this year. And yes, I bought the .338, but I still did not have a .375 H&H for the trip.

As it turned out, the hunt my friend won at the auction was for plains game so a .375 was not required and the .338 would do nicely. The trip was a success, and I came back with 11 animals (that I had previously never heard of) as trophies plus a leopard the outfitter allowed us to add. However, it was too late! I had been bitten by custom rifle fever.

Custom Rifle Fever

I went from a nobody to a top player in way too short a time, but it was heady, and I learned lots about custom rifles — especially how to spend money. That said, I am here to caution, and advise you as to how you might get bitten also.

It starts innocent enough by wanting a new barrel, then maybe some custom sights or scope mounts. Next, a new stock from a nice piece of wood, maybe refinish the metal, niter blue the screws, color case hardened the bolt shroud, maybe your initials engraved on the grip cap. You might as well engrave the bolt knob, add some scroll, and a little gold inlaid boarder… See how easy it is to get bit?

But seriously, there are good reasons to have some custom work done. A custom gun will be made to your specifications and dimensions. It will point better and be more lively between the hands. It will operate smoother and be more accurate than anything you could have imagined.

It will stand out it the rack. Everyone will admire it. The pride of ownership will make you stand taller. It can have features no factory gun could dream of. Believe it or not, you will shoot it much better than a factory rifle because it fits you — no more accommodating a rifle that was made for average everyman.

An entry-level custom rifle might look like my .270 executed by the late Jim Coffin of Albany Oregon on an FN Mauser action. It has a Boots Obermeyer barrel in a custom stock with simple point checkering pattern, a Model 70-style safety and 3×9 Zeiss scope. A very utilitarian rifle with excellent accuracy that has taken many game animals. I like to describe it as “exhibiting understated elegance.”

You can then up the game a bit and go for a pricier piece of wood with more figure and color like the nice piece of Circassian Walnut on the .243 Winchester rifle pictured. The metal finish on this was also a step up. It was executed by Doug Turnbull. It shoots as good as it looks.

Speaking of looks, you can take it to the next level again and move in the direct of the English quality “Best Guns” — especially if they are intended for safari on the Dark Continent. Names such as Holland & Holland, Rigby, Purdy, Westley Richards, Jeffery must make your heart skip a beat, so we might as well mention some of the other continental names Such as Piotti, Bernarbelli, and Hartmann and Weiss. Believe it or not, we have some of the best in the world right here witnessed by this example in the English style presented in a Marvin Huey Oak and Leather case.

This truly exquisite firearm has so many features that they are almost too numerous to mention. It started life as a pre ’64 Model 70 Winchester and now looks like a double square bridge Magnum Mauser action. Everything on this gun was fabricated by hand from the bottom metal to the custom rifle scope and mounts.

The Mike Rock barrel has integral sling attachment and quarter rib, you read correctly… Integral. The bottom metal was custom made to display an attractive shape and blend the dropped magazine, so the lines flow smoothly and it does not appear bloated.

The bolt shroud was fabricated, and the safety was moved to the tang for a clean appearance of the bolt. I could go on for hours but there is no need — the photos speak for themselves. This heavenly piece of work was all created by the one man that many consider the finest custom gunmaker ever to have lived, Monte Mandarino, the engraving was by Laura Stenhouse.

Do yourself a favor. Visit the Custom Gunmakers and Engravers Guild Show. We still have some of the finest custom gun makers in the world building custom rifles, pistols, and shotguns but don’t take my word… Also, check out the Custom Pistolsmith Guild to get a real eye full. And maybe, just maybe, you might get your feet wet and add a custom touch or two to your favorite firearm.

Regardless whether you have the budget, do you have a taste for custom rifles? Which custom rifle is your favorite? Share your answers in the comment section.