Houston gunsmith

[Madhouse]

Can anyone recommend a gunsmith in town? Preferably west or northwest Houston, and preferably a 1911 specialist.

Thanks all.

 

[cajunautoxer]

Briley

 

[Madhouse]

Cool, thanks! I had never heard of them, but found them with google.

 

[The_Hunter]

Cool, thanks! I had never heard of them, but found them with google.

Bring a big check book... They are really good and they know it

 

[Madhouse]

Ah, ok, I probably can't afford the price of admission.

 

[mndang]

Just went to Cypress Gun Works -Clint Brown. His shop is at Hot Wells Gun range. He adjusted my sights pretty quick and nice fella. Don't know how well he is with other stuff.

 

[miversen1]

If you need the action worked on then I would recommend Teddy Jacobson. actionsbyt.com will get you to him. He did my Tuarus PT92 and it is sweet.

Mike I

 

[Madhouse]

Two more options, thanks fellers!

 

[matefrio]

Just went to Cypress Gun Works -Clint Brown. His shop is at Hot Wells Gun range. He adjusted my sights pretty quick and nice fella. Don't know how well he is with other stuff.

I don't personally think Clint is up to anything more than a sight adjustment and entry level gunsmithing.

Give him some time to rack up experience, I bet he gets there, but the kid is still fresh out of school in my book and hasn't worked under a mentor.

 

[Roscoe]

Ed Vandenberg of Webster, Tx. (just outside of Houston) does excellent 1911 work. He did my Commander for me, and did an outstanding job. He is a member of the Pistol Smith Guild and is a real professional. He has a website at vandenbergcustom.com.

 

[matefrio]

Ed Vandenberg of Webster, Tx. (just outside of Houston) does excellent 1911 work. He did my Commander for me, and did an outstanding job. He is a member of the Pistol Smith Guild and is a real professional. He has a website at vandenbergcustom.com.

+1

 

[Acera]

Ed Vandenberg did my FAL, and some muzzle brakes for me. Good prices, good skill level. Real good guy if you get past his lack of concern for anything other minimal customer service. Not real good on time estimates. He will call you when the work is done, don't call him. Don't try to get him on the phone, or email, its a real PIA to contact him. Don't think you will stop by his shop, he probably will not answer the door. Be prepared to only visit during very limited time frames, and only on the day of the week he chooses. Since he is good, his business is more than sufficient to keep him working hard, and he chooses to have a most basic level of customer interaction.

 

[Kingsnake]

Eddie is a personal friend of mine who for many years has done a lot of work for me on a variety of firearms. His performance has always exceeded expectations.

In addition to working another full time job, he runs his shop with 1 assistant and chooses to remain focused on gunsmithing during business hours. He WILL return your email and make an appointment for you to drop off/pick up work.

His current workload has him backed up for months, and in LE terms that is what we call a clue. If you wish to avail yourself of his services you will have to do it under his terms, but know that he did not rise to the top by treating his customers poorly.

 

[Mikewood]

Consider calling the factory and tell them your story. If the gun was purchased new it is probably under warrantee and will be fixed for free. Maybe at a local gunsmith that they certify to do the work. Maybe they will send you a box to return it to them.
It may be a small fee for parts or shipping. In any event its better than a local gunsmith who will give you a 30 day warrantee and void your lifetime Manufacturer warrantee.
Having said this +1 Ed Vandenberg. He built my custom 1911 from the ground up and it's awsome.

 

[skinman]

Ed Vandenberg did my FAL, and some muzzle brakes for me. Good prices, good skill level. Real good guy if you get past his lack of concern for anything other minimal customer service. Not real good on time estimates. He will call you when the work is done, don't call him. Don't try to get him on the phone, or email, its a real PIA to contact him. Don't think you will stop by his shop, he probably will not answer the door. Be prepared to only visit during very limited time frames, and only on the day of the week he chooses. Since he is good, his business is more than sufficient to keep him working hard, and he does not have to have but a most basic level of customer interaction.

No way would I trust this person to work on my firearms! He might be the best gunsmith since John Browning but if he has this kind of disrespect and contempt for his customers, this will also be reflected in the quality of his work. Quality service also means good customer relations...they are and always will be synonymous.

 

[Roscoe]

Sorry if anyone has problems with Vandenberg, but I can tell you that wasn't my case. I was home from Iraq on r&r when a buddy told me about Ed's work. I have an early 80 series Commander I wanted customized and upgraded. I sent Ed several emails concerning the work to be done, he responded to each email and offered some very good suggestions on how to get optimum performance without unnecessary bells and whistles. Ed answered all my emails in a friendly, helpful manner. I had to return to Iraq before I could get the gun to his shop, so my two sons drove it down to his place. While he was obviously busy, he took the time to talk with them about why I wanted the gun customized, why it was important to me and asked questions on what I might be using the gun for. While I have carried a gun with my agency for twenty-some years and have been an active shooter, this was my first customized pistol - and he was aware it has a great deal of sentimental value to me. He showed the boys several of his guns and was very friendly to them. He advised the gun would take 60-90 days to finish - he completed the work in just over 80 days.

Even nationally known pistol smiths often have to work a day job to pay the bills. Taking time away from his smithing work to answer my questions, and show my sons around his shop was more than enough for me to recommend him to friends. I've handled and fired guns by Wilson, Baer, Novak, and my favorite pistol smith Ed Brown. I would rate Vandenberg's work favorably to them or any other pistol smith I know of.

 

[JohnG]

I have known Ed for many years and have never seen anyone more professional in their ethics. His work is as good as it gets, he is a perfectionist. If someone does not trust him to work on their firearms, it is their loss and I am sure Ed can live without that type customer.
He has shown me utmost respect and has built many weapons- the right way. No short cuts nor BS. He is/was an instructor locally also, his work speaks for itself.

 

[Ready.Fire.Aim]

Ed Vandenberg has always been friendly with me. He chooses Saturday as his customer interface day- worked for me. He was always good wih emails and I thought his work was relatively quick. He built two FALs and did work on other guns for me, really nice work. I always make a point of stopping by his booth at th HGCA show and saying hi.
I would recommend him.

good luck,
RFA

 

[300LW]

Eddie Jimenea in Stafford. 281-499-4918. Leave a message and he'll call you back. Eddie's been building working on 1911's since the 70's and does top notch work in a reasonable time frame.

 

[hardcase60]

Is anyone aware if Herman Mueschke still smithing over in the Heights? At one time he was one of the best 1911 techs around.