Where to get your airguns fixed

by Tom Gaylord

If there is one thing a collector of vintage airguns needs, it's the number for a good repair shop. Over the years I've dealt with quite a few shops. In my role as a writer, I tested hundreds of airguns for "The Airgun Letter" and had occasion to view the work put out by dozens of airgunsmiths. Some of them weren't worth talking about, except in warnings. A few, however, were really good and careful workers. I've listed four names here who can do a good job on most CO2 and pneumatic airguns.

George Pena
George is a Texan who fixes American pneumatics. His business card says "Benjamin, Sheridan and old Crosman model 140/1400 pneumatic air rifle repair." He puts them back to factory specs.

I've shot a vintage Sheridan he resealed, and he did a great job. Not only does the gun shoot like new, he didn't mess up the vintage finish on a significant collectible while he did the work! George is at heligun1@msn.com or 512-863-2951.

Mac-1
Tim McMurray in California has been fixing CO2 and pneumatic guns since 1964. He has the parts to fix the old guns, and he makes the parts he can't buy.

He also has several modified models of guns, such as the Crosman Mark I, that he turns into a bulk-filled long-barreled super shooter called the LD. There's also the Steroid Streak, which is a very powerful Sheridan pneumatic. Contact him at tim@mac1airgun.com or call 310-327-0238.

Dave Gunter
Dave lives in Oregon and rebuilds vintage Crosman, Sheridan and Benjamin guns. He can reseal the S&W 78G and 79G. One of his specialties is making valves more efficient, and his Crosman 600 "Buntline" pistol is a legend. It gets close to 100 shots per fill and almost 500 f.p.s.!

Dave is a perfectionist who strives to get the most out of a vintage gun without changing its looks or operation. Contact Dave at dgunter@ados.com or call 503-556-1439.

Rick Willnecker
Rick is in Pennsylvania, where he repairs vintage and modern Crosman, Benjamin and Sheridan guns. Rick is another guy who has been doing this for several decades, and he's very methodical in his work. He will restore airguns to operational specs, but he won't increase power in guns beyond the factory levels. Contact him at airgunshop@aol.com or call 717-382-1481.

I recommend these guys on the basis of their work. Tim and I don't get along very well; I don't know George Pena at all and I've lost contact with Rick Willnecker, though he was a good friend when I used him 10 years ago. Only Dave Gunter and I are still in contact on a semi-regular basis. Nevertheless, I do recommend all four men as good repairmen for vintage CO2 and pneumatic airguns.