Gunsmithing is a profession of dignity and importance. The knowledge that a gunsmith has comes from years of training, with vital on the job experience. They know firearms from creation to execution, can repair the ones that are broken, and can customize or modify to make a gun a true work of art.
Many of the gunsmiths working in America have their own shops, or may work for some of the biggest gun manufacturers in the world. This is an artisan job that requires the gunsmith to have a vast understanding of their craft. These gunsmiths are some of the best in the world.
Let’s look into where they are from, what they do, and how they managed to make a name for themselves in the firearm world.
Paul Chapman
This gunsmith is actually the Vice President and Director of Gunsmithing at Griffin & Howe. This is a famous firearm store in Lower Manhattan. They have been around since 1923, but when Paul Chapman was only 19-years-old, he started working at this store. Many famous people have purchased guns there over the years including the Bush family, the Vanderbilts, and even Ernest Hemingway. Paul started as an apprentice there and eventually worked his way up with his exceptional skill and drive to where he is today. One of his most recent projects was creating a special collection of guns for the Safari Club.
Michael V. Loder
Working as the head gunsmith for all of the Bass Pro Shops has lead Michael V. Loder to become one of the best around. He’s been a part of the industry since he was 20-years-old, working at a gunshop in Houston, Texas. With knowledge from decades of experience, many customers now come to him to figure out what historic guns they own are worth. He still gets his hands in the repair of many weapons, but is also responsible for the management of the NRA’s National Sport Arms Museum at the store in Springfield, Missouri.
Chris Peters
In 1982, Chris Peters joined the Ruger team in New Hampshire right out of gunsmith school in Colorado. In the years since, he’s worked practically every kind of job at Ruger there is. He even worked closely with Bill Ruger, who created the company in 1949. Now Chris is the head of customer service, because after years of doing the intricate work that a firearm requires, he physically couldn’t do it anymore. Working closely with a staff of 40 people, including gunsmiths, allows him to stay close to the profession that he loves so much.
Wade Stuteville
Owner and head gunsmith of Stuteville Precision, Wade Stuteville is who the pros go to in creating custom guns and fixing up the broken ones. His shop is located in Shawnee, Oklahoma and there is a also a 100 yard shooting-range on the grounds. Wade’s expertise lies in precision rifles, and he even competed in this category of shooting sports for over 15 years. One of his biggest customers is Accuracy International, a British firearms maker, which trusts him to take care of their guns.
