(still) Need a Milwaukee gunsmith

[AJ Dual]

I have a ban-era Colt AR with a bare muzzle. I bought a Smith Vortex flash hider to Obama/Dem-proof it, and need the muzzle threaded. Probably not something I want to do in my basement with Harbor Freight Chicom dies and a Sears bench vise... :p

I've been searching THR.us for "gunsmith" and "Milwaukee" but haven't come up with much.

The only place I know of for sure that has a gunsmith is Gander Mountain, which quoted me $150 and approximately a two-week turnaround time. I don't know if that's reasonable, or if the Waukesha Gander Mountain has a good rep.

I've called the Shooter's Shop, but their "gunsmithing" is limited to cleaning, scope mounting, and installing drop-in parts. I refuse to do business with Badger Outdoors, because of their general lousy attitude, and public statements the owner/management has made stating they'd like to see private transfers banned in WI. So I don't even know (or care) if Badger has a smith or not.

[Gewehr98]

Give Krieger Barrels in Richfield a call.

They do some gunsmithing services.

If they don't thread the muzzle on your current AR's barrel, they'll be happy to sell you a match stainless barrel already threaded.   

[AJ Dual]

Give Krieger Barrels in Richfield a call.

They do some gunsmithing services.

If they don't thread the muzzle on your current AR's barrel, they'll be happy to sell you a match stainless barrel already threaded.   

Thanks, I will check...

Hmm $65 http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Services-c1246-wp3391.htm (Halfway down the page. "Thread and install customer supplied muzzle brake that does not need timing.") And they're only a 30 minute drive. Do-able on a lunch break. 

That's about what I was expecting to pay, unless those prices are not a-la-carte and there's an additional min. service fee when you're not buying their barrel, or they have to disassemble my upper to do it. 

[Gewehr98]

They're good people.

I had an interview there, and the only thing that kept me from taking the job was the commute from the Madison area.

In hindsight, with the economy tanking, and gun-related sales increasing, that was probably a mistake.

[AJ Dual]

Well, Kreiger is out. I gave them a call and they only thread their own barrels. 

I have a call into High Performance http://www.hpirifles.com/ based out of the Milwaukee area, to see if they'll do it, or if they're only interested in their match rifle builds.

Fletcher Arms out in Waukesha has a relationship with a smith, and they said they'd get back to me today.

Anyone else?

[Nick1911]

I could do it in my basement with JET Chicom 9 x 20 lathe and an Israeli made, carbide indexable cutting tool. 

Out of curiosity, what thread do they use on those?  1/2-28 right hand like they do for suppressors?

(I'm not in the Milwaukee area, and not confident enough in how I'd set that up in a 9x20 to actually try it.  Seems it would be best to turn it between centers, but that'd be hell on the chamber and crown)

[AJ Dual]

I could do it in my basement with JET Chicom 9 x 20 lathe and an Israeli made, carbide indexable cutting tool. 

Out of curiosity, what thread do they use on those?  1/2-28 right hand like they do for suppressors?

(I'm not in the Milwaukee area, and not confident enough in how I'd set that up in a 9x20 to actually try it.  Seems it would be best to turn it between centers, but that'd be hell on the chamber and crown)

The little instruction card Smith Ent. sent in the baggie with the Vortex says 1/2-28, which I guess is pretty standard threadding for western/American rifles at least. I don't think they mention the "handedness" of the threads, so I'd assume it's right.

I have no idea how set up for an AR barrel is done either. I don't have the ability to dissasemble an AR upper either, so I hope whoever does it knows what they're doing.

[bedlamite]

They're not in WI, but ADCO has a good reputation.

[Strings]

There's a smith in the appleton area that does good work. I'd have to do some digging, but I'mm willing to do that for ya (heck, I'll do the running if you want it taken there)...