Gunsmith Recommendation & IDPA(MOVED)

[sidspappy]

Any gunsmiths on Oahu besides E-Tac? I've not used E-Tac, but I get prompt responses on inquiries. Anyone with experience with them? It boggles my mind that you can't find gunsmiths on this island, but there are several off island. Why is that? I've got some work I want done, and if E-Tac is good, then I will certainly be calling them.

On another note, why aren't there any IDPA clubs set up on Oahu? IDPA actually sounds more up my alley than USPSA, but there don't seem to be any matches on Oahu. Anyone want to start one up? I'll join up if you do! :D

[hishoot]

I believe the problem is where to hold the matches. My understanding, someone correct me if I'm wrong, is that on Oahu, Kokohead does not allow shooting from concealment.

-osamu

[Qbeam]

Sidspappy,

I believe John Perreira does some gunsmithing work, but have never talked to him personally. He will probably be at the upcoming Gun Show at the NBC. Check out the Hawaii Rifleman Post on this site, for some additional folks.

As for IDPA, there was a club that did shoot, but haven't heard from them in a while. I looked at the schedule for the action shooting bays (located at the pistol range bulletin board), and didn't see any IDPA clubs.

Keep up the posts.

Qbeam

[sidspappy]

Thanks osamu and Qbeam for the informative responses. I'll try to follow up with Mr. Perreira.

That's disappointing about IDPA. Since Kokohead is a public range, I can see how things like concealed weaponry on site would make the legal eagles nervous.:rolleyes:

I'll be posting back here if I hear more on these subjects. Thanks again.

[Apolonio Dulatre]

There are plenty gunsmiths here in Oahu. It's just what kind of job you want done in your firearm. A man there in Koko Head pistol range can do prety good trigger job in all types of 1911's. And there are two brothers from Waipahu that can do lots of jobs in the 1911's and 2011's. Let me know if enterested.

[sidspappy]

There are plenty gunsmiths here in Oahu. It's just what kind of job you want done in your firearm. A man there in Koko Head pistol range can do prety good trigger job in all types of 1911's. And there are two brothers from Waipahu that can do lots of jobs in the 1911's and 2011's. Let me know if enterested.Sorry it took so long to respond to your helpful post. It's interesting to read that you say there's lots of gunsmiths here - it's almost as if they don't want to be found!

I joke about that, but I guess it may be true. My dad gave me his old Ed Brown comp 1911, but he felt bad, since he forgot I was a lefty! So he insisted that he get the pistol fitted with an ambi safety (what a great dad!). He found an old shooting buddy who does 1911 work. The gunsmith is a big-time Bullseye shooter. The guy has more work than he can handle at the moment, but he did my dad a favor to accept the work and move to the head of the line.

I don't want to name the gunsmith, as he says he's not accepting unsolicited jobs at the moment. So I suppose I can see the point about the 'smiths here on island not adverstising!

But if I need more work - like on the new Springfield Armory XD-45 I picked up, I may indeed be contacting you for some references! Thanks.

I never knew Koko Head had a resident gunsmith. Who is he? I'd like to get to know the guy if I need work done.:D

[osamu]

But if I need more work - like on the new Springfield Armory XD-45 I picked up, I may indeed be contacting you for some references! Thanks.

I sent my XD-9 to Springfield Armory for work.

Springfield Armory Custom Shop Services attached.

[sidspappy]

I sent my XD-9 to Springfield Armory for work.

Springfield Armory Custom Shop Services attached.I forgot about them. I hear they do excellent work. Thanks for the information, osamu!

When shipping a handgun to the mainland, what's the procedure normally entail? Do you have to have it shipped back to an FFL?

[osamu]

When shipping a handgun to the mainland, what's the procedure normally entail? Do you have to have it shipped back to an FFL?

I use UPS. Normally UPS(and Fedex) policy is that you must send handguns via Next Day Air, which obviously is expensive. The nice thing about UPS is that since they can't guarantee Next Day delivery to the east coast they don't offer Next Day service. So they are forced to use the next fastest service, 2nd Day Air. This cuts down on shipping costs by about half. I forget if sending to Springfield was far enough way to force 2nd Day service.

I don't use Fedex because they require you to remove the firing pin to send a firearm. You have to declare the package as a firearm for both UPS and Fedex.

You can send, and gunsmith can send back to you directly since you already own the firearm. No need to send/receive through FFL. The only time you have to send a handgun through an FFL is if you want to send the handgun via USPS. Only FFLs can send handguns using USPS. It's a lot cheaper to send via USPS(especially if you use a Flat Rate box, $11.00), but of course the FFL may charge you for his time which adds to the cost.

If you use USPS, use Priority Mail and Delivery Confirmation. Insurance is optional, but if the package gets lost and you don't have insurance it's tough toe nails. Parcel Post is cheapest, but Parcel Post to/from Hawaii can take as long as 2 months. :eek:

For rifles I send via USPS(OK for non-FFLs to send long guns via USPS). I use the Pensacola Station. You must declare a firearms when using USPS as well. USPS has been the cheapest. You can send long gun via UPS and Fedex, but they are more expensive. No need to send long guns Next Day Air, but the last time I sent a long gun through UPS, the lady said it can only go UPS ground if it's in a commercially made rifle case.

And, if you do use UPS for send your hand gun, ask for Next Day Air Saver. This is the cheapest Next Day Air service.

On all the services, use the smallest box you can find since they charge by weight and girth. It really starts making a difference with Next Day charges with UPS and Fedex.

I"m sure others can give other shipping tips.

-osamu