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Fern Hills Customs operates out of New Carlisle, Ohio—just outside Dayton—as a small family business run by Jake Klarer and his father Greg. Jake earned his gunsmith certification in November 2007 after graduating from the Colorado School of Trades, where he worked as lead gunsmith for a local outdoor retailer. Greg brings machinist expertise that backs up every job the shop takes on.
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Full description and what we offer
Fern Hills Customs operates out of New Carlisle, Ohio—just outside Dayton—as a small family business run by Jake Klarer and his father Greg. Jake earned his gunsmith certification in November 2007 after graduating from the Colorado School of Trades, where he worked as lead gunsmith for a local outdoor retailer. Greg brings machinist expertise that backs up every job the shop takes on.
The business went public in 2017 after the manufacturer they were contracting with closed. Since then, they've built a reputation for understanding what firearms mean to their customers and refusing to hand back work that's anything less than excellent—whether it's a $45 repair or a complete custom build.
Standard labor rate: $75/hour with a $45 half-hour minimum.
| Service | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| NFA Engraving | Flat surface $55 \ | Inside flared magwell $75 |
| Laser Engraving | Custom designs available | |
| Custom Trigger Work | Precision adjustments | |
| Muzzle Brakes/Crowning | Accuracy improvements | |
| Stock Refinishing | Restore or customize furniture | |
| Slide Milling/Serrations | Custom 1911 and pistol work | |
| Pistol Stippling | Grip enhancement | |
| Mount & Boresight | Scope setup | |
| Recoil Pad Installation | Shotgun/rifle comfort | |
| Barrel Threading | Suppressor prep |
Fern Hills Customs is a Cerakote-certified applicator, offering durable polymer-ceramic composite coatings that resist abrasion, corrosion, chemicals, and impact. They work on firearms, suppressors, optics, knives, and even tumblers.
| Platform | Single Color Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Revolver | $250 complete (cylinder $85, frame $125) | |
| AK Variants | $400 complete receiver/cover/op handle/furniture | |
| Shotgun (auto/pump) | $300 complete \ | $250 metal only |
| Bolt Action | $375 complete \ | $250 metal only |
| Lever Gun | $400 complete \ | $325 metal only |
| Suppressors | $100 (hi-heat) | |
| Optics | $125+ (retail value $500+) | |
| Knives | $75+ (must be disassembled) |
Hydrographic removal before Cerakote: $100
Fern Hills manufactures and sells CA-compliant grip paddles for firearms that require them under California law:
All paddles include mounting hardware (3 truss head screws + 3 Chicago posts).
Appointment-only as of July 2025 — Walk-ins no longer accepted
Jake Klarer isn't some high-volume production operation—he's a certified gunsmith with a machinist father backing every project. They spent years doing contract work for manufacturers, which means they understand tolerances, precision, and California compliance inside and out. The fact that they went appointment-only shows they prioritize quality over foot traffic. You're not just getting a gun worked on; you're getting two craftsmen who genuinely care that you walk away satisfied.