McLaughlin Metalworks
McLaughlin Metalworks builds custom rifles and manufactures vintage-style gun sights for hunters and precision shooters. John McLaughlin's philosophy is simple: every hunter deserves an accurate firearm. John's gunsmithing foundation came from studying under Harold Thomason and Cliff LaBounty at Tri...
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McLaughlin Metalworks builds custom rifles and manufactures vintage-style gun sights for hunters and precision shooters. John McLaughlin's philosophy is simple: every hunter deserves an accurate firearm.
John's gunsmithing foundation came from studying under Harold Thomason and Cliff LaBounty at Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) in Colorado, where he completed the full gunsmithing program and attended NRA summer courses. After graduating in 1996, he worked as a metalsmith and designer for a double rifle manufacturer, then specialized in Sharps rifles and custom sights before opening his own shop in Butte, MT in 1999.
From 2007 to 2015, John taught gunsmithing and NRA courses at TSJC—a role he returned to Helena to step back from. He now teaches manual machining at Helena College while running McLaughlin Metalworks.
Nationally certified in nine machining disciplines, John brings institutional-level expertise to every project.
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Custom Rifle Builds | Complete builds to specification |
| Action Blueprinting | Precision bolt rifle truing and alignment |
| Re-barrels | Custom barrel installations with fitting |
| Octagon Barrels | Custom octagon-profile barrels for vintage aesthetics |
| Double Rifles | Specialized builds for dangerous game and classic hunting |
| Vintage-Style Sights | Handcrafted peep sights and cocking piece sights |
| Precision Machining | Custom metalwork and specialized gunsmithing |
Recent work includes:
- •African Plains Cocking Piece Sight — custom dangerous game sight
- •Original Rigby Style Peep Sight — reproduction of classic design
- •McLaughlin's Dangerous Game Cocking Piece Sight — proprietary design
- •.470 Nitro Express rifle — magnum dangerous game build
- •Wesson Long Range & Mid Range builds — precision rifle development
- •McLaughlin Forearm Hanger Assembly — custom fixture design
- •Detachable scope mount conversions — German claw mounts to Talley rings (featured in GUNS Magazine, October 2017)
McLaughlin Metalworks has been featured in Helena IR (gunmaking feature article by Thom Bridge) and GUNS Magazine for scope mount conversion and optics work.
- •Experience: 20+ years in custom rifle work, metalsmithing, and precision machining
- •Education: Trained at TSJC under master gunsmiths; taught gunsmithing courses for eight years
- •Certification: Nationally certified in nine machining disciplines
- •Specialization: Focus on accuracy, functionality, and vintage aesthetics—not mass production
- •Local: Based in Helena, Montana with deep ties to the gunsmithing community
McLaughlin Metalworks Helena, MT (406) 422-0867 [email protected]
Portfolio and custom work available through website.