Gunsmith recommendation for Winchester model 88

[jcloer1]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and am about to kick off a couple of projects. The one I'm really struggling with is finding a quality gunsmith who has experience with the Winchester model 88.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Jim

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[orygun]

@Velzey who is Tim at Copeland Custom Gunworks.

 

[jcloer1]

@Velzey who is Tim at Copeland Custom Gunworks.

Great, thanks for the tip!!

 

[orygun]

Tim might be a little difficult to get ahold of, as he is extremely busy, but he's a good guy and does nice work.

 

[coop44]

The model 88 winchester is a pretty durable lever gun. They must be well liked, a bunch were built and rarely do I see any for sale.

 

[jcloer1]

The model 88 winchester is a pretty durable lever gun. They must be well liked, a bunch were built and rarely do I see any for sale.

They are! I grew up hunting with one in 308. I now have a project with a very corroded 308 barrel. The plan is to convert it to 358 Win.

 

[jcloer1]

Tim might be a little difficult to get ahold of, as he is extremely busy, but he's a good guy and does nice work.

I suspect they're swamped. I've seen lead times quoted so far from five months to a year. I'm excited to finally get this project off the ground but it's not a current hunting rifle so the wait won't kill me.

 

[444 Marlin]

For your project, I'd reach out to JES down in Cottage Grove, OR. He specializes in conversions to 35 calibers and he has a great reputation. http://www.35caliber.com/

Please share how your gun turns out. I have an 88 that I was thinking of doing the same thing with.

 

[jcloer1]

Thank you for the heads up! I was able to make contact with Tim at Copeland though and he has my 88! I can't wait to see how it turns out!!!

I was an idiot and was too excited to remember to take before photos. I asked Tim to do so for me when he is ready to start the work and he said he always does on projects like mine.