St, Gabriel Gunsmithing, LLC

Those seeking custom, competent, reliable gunsmithing are invariably well served by the fine skill and meticulous attention to detail that form the hallmarks of Barry Heffners work at St. Gabriels Gunsmithing Service near Newberry, South Carolina. Id long wanted to restore an aging and battered Browning A5 to its original, 1958 condition, but no one in the area seemed willing to undertake the project, partly because of the time involved, but also because completely disassembling and verifying the soundness of the A5s intricate mechanical complexities is a job for experts only. However, Mr. Heffner did not once hesitate to undertake the project. He completely disassembled the Brownings action, verified the soundness of each individual screw and spring, and sent me detailed photographs and lists of individual parts with his professional evaluation of each. Next, he beautifully cold-rust re-blued the barrel and action, installed a new, gold-plated trigger, and rubbed the old stock until it shined. Ive shot the gun many times since then, and it always functioned flawlessly. Several of my fellow sportsmen have complemented me on its finished, nearly perfect appearance, and that classic, round-knob, A5 look is a source of pleasure to me.On the strength of his masterful restoration of the Browning, I then submitted my fathers 70-year-old Fox Model B to Mr. Heffners attention. I was a little hesitant, because of the sentimental value of the shotgun, but I shouldnt have worried. I marveled again at Mr. Heffners attention to every mechanical detail, and the gun came back to me in perfect condition. Not only had he had refurbished the firing springs, firing pin, opening lever and safety, and then beautifully cold-rust re-blued the barrels and action, but after sending me several color photographs of different shades of stock finish, he restored the gouged and battered stock and fore end to a mirror-like, hand-rubbed oil finish, tastefully set off by the carefully re-cut checkering.I therefore feel quite safe in recommending Mr. Heffner and his St. Gabriels Gunsmithing service to anyone who has been searching for a dependable and gifted gunsmith whose work is beyond reproach. Jacob Rivers

Courteous, professional service. Services are in high demand. That usually indicates reliable work.

Quality work from a dedicated gunsmith