directory/gunsmith
Nelson Gunsmithing
1830 W Airport Way, Boise, ID
•4.9 (44 reviews)
•Nelson Gunsmithing focuses on precision action work and revolver specialties that most shops won't touch. Erik Nelson and his team handle everything from Glock trigger jobs to complex single-action revolver builds for Cowboy Mounted Shooting competitors. One of only a few shops nationwide specializi...
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Nelson Gunsmithing focuses on precision action work and revolver specialties that most shops won't touch. Erik Nelson and his team handle everything from Glock trigger jobs to complex single-action revolver builds for Cowboy Mounted Shooting competitors.
One of only a few shops nationwide specializing in Cowboy Mounted Shooting (CMSA) work. They handle customers who compete in SASS, Fastdraw, and other single-action sports. This isn't basic gunsmithing - working on SA guns requires specialized knowledge that most armorers don't have.
"Working on SA guns is a specialty among gunsmiths. It is not something to leave to the armorer at the local gun shop or a friend who likes to tinker with pistols."
They specialize in trigger jobs across multiple platforms. Erik regularly tests and reviews trigger systems from companies like Tyrant CNC, focusing on mechanical precision rather than marketing claims.
- •Gas System Tuning: Adjustable gas block setup and tuning for AR-15s, BRN-180s, and other gas-operated rifles. They understand the differences between long-stroke and short-stroke piston systems and can optimize your setup for suppressed or unsuppressed use.
Nelson Gunsmithing maintains an active blog covering real technical topics:
- •Shotgun load selection and patterning
- •Gas system adjustment and tuning
- •Safety system comparisons (passive vs active)
- •Single-action revolver carry considerations
- •Industry insights from SHOT Show
| Revolvers | Modern Platforms |
|---|---|
| Ruger Blackhawk | Glock |
| Heritage .22 | AR-15 variants |
| Custom SAA builds | BRN-180 |
| Bisley-style hammers | Suppressor hosts |
They're working with Diamondback to improve their Heritage .22 design - that's the kind of manufacturer-level relationship that shows real expertise.
Erik Nelson attends SHOT Show annually and maintains relationships with manufacturers like Diamondback, Tyrant CNC, and others. He's done work for gun writers and reviewers, including Dan Reedy from Primer Peak.
Their approach focuses on function over flash. They'll tell you straight up that #4 buckshot works better than #00 for home defense, or that most "exotic" shotgun loads are marketing gimmicks that don't perform.
- •Cylinder polishing and honing for faster reloads
- •Custom sight installations (Novak fiber optics)
- •Gas system optimization for different ammunition weights
- •Suppressor-specific tuning
- •Competition prep for mounted shooting sports
This isn't a high-volume shop pushing quick jobs. They handle specialized work that requires real gunsmithing knowledge, particularly in areas where most shops either won't work or don't have the expertise to do it right.