Hunter Restorations

[gizamo]

Just wanted to put in a good word for Mike Hunter. I sent a basket case to him. One of my Model 94 Take Downs had been poorly cut down. To say that the barrel had a few issues is an understatement.

Anyrate, I contacted Mike and he has been generous with the PM's and the phone calls. He has walked me through getting this barrel/mag tube back on the right path. It's really refreshing to deal with someone who communicates professionally and in a timely manner. It's the Old School way of doing business ~ and in this day and age it is the exception rather then the rule.

I'm really looking forward to the day he sends the finished product back to me. I have to believe that his reputation for quality must be on par with his way of conducting business...outstanding.


giz

[J Miller]

Giz,

I'm glad to hear your report. I'm hoping you took some close up clear "before" pictures of the barrel so that when it comes back you can show us the "after" pics of Mike's work.

Joe

[gizamo]

Joe,

I did...

I have some fairly nice takedowns. Mike is making up a hunting package for me. It is a short rifle with a longer forearm configuration. Nothing that is even close to factory original. To straighten this one out...here are the challenges.

The gun was cut down to a odd measurement. Not 22" even from the forward bridge. Whoever did it, hacked the barrel off flush with the mag tube...and never bothered to radius the slot for the lever lug. When they cut the initial 4 inches off the barrel they managed to eliminate the mag tube hanger. The whole thing is a crying shame as the gun was in great condition.

Now for the controversy...
Because of the mess involving the flush barrel with mag tube...I asked Mike to shorten the barrel once again. It will end up as a 20". This will allow him to accomplish a few things. The sight will be in the right position, the mag tube will no longer be flush with the barrel, and the radius will be milled to lock the lever.

Here in Maine I hunt the thickest willywags you can imagine. If I were alive in the earlier 1900's I'd of ordered just this gun. I am fortunate to own a N.R. Davis and Son's Maximin 16 gauge shotgun with a set of 20" barrels. By trade, I'm a stairbuilder. My intent is to build a railroad type of carrying case for the two guns, to be carried together...

I'm pleased that Mike was willing to take on the train~wreck that I sent him....

Last note: The forend will remain at rifle length...I'm not trying to fool anyone. This ultimately is a hunting gun to be handed down to my sons...

As is the way it should be...as this one was once my Dad's gun.

giz

[1886]

Mike does very nice work. 1886.

[Ysabel Kid]

Very cool! Someday I need to get serious about the .25-20 WCF Winchester '92 I have. It needs some TLC beyond my very (VERY) meager skills!

[KirkD]

I sent Mike an old 1886 that had been through a massacre. He turned it into a drop-dead gorgeous 1886. The before and after photos are shown on his website in the 'Examples' page. Here's a couple more photos of the same rifle, a .40-82 ...

[Mike D.]

You can count on Mike doing the right thing by your '94, that's for darned sure. The TDs do not have a slotted mag tube plug, it's held in by a screw that goes into a detent on the barrel bottom.

[prebans]

What's Mike's web address / contact info?

Thanks,

Mike

[kimwcook]

Mike, here's his website; http://www.hunterrestorations.com/