Wells Custom Gunmakers

Wells Custom Gunmakers is a family-owned gunsmithing operation in Nicholson, PA, run by Dave Wells—a former Kimber gunsmith who handles every project personally. He doesn't delegate: that means slower turnaround, but it also means you get his direct attention on your rifle.

Custom rifle builds for hunting, sniper work for county police departments, and precision collectibles in custom calibers. Customers commission work from across the United States. Wells also manufactures suppressors in-house—both .223 and .30 caliber models in stainless steel with Cerakote Graphite Black finish. Recently added custom leather work: holsters, cartridge belts, slings, chaps, and horse tack.

Wells Custom Gunmakers TANGO suppressors come in two configurations:

Both finished in Cerakote Graphite Black. Military discount available with current ID.

1911 & Semi-Auto Pistol Work - Semi-auto action jobs (clean, smooth) - Barrel fitting (ramped and non-ramped) - Slide cuts (Bo-Mar, Novak, dovetail) - Trigger and hammer installation - Beavertail safety modification - Frame checkering and stippling - Dehorning and edge breaking

Rifle Work - Custom builds from ground up - Barrel threading and crowning - Chamber and fit barrel to action: $468 - Glass bedding (hunting rifle or match rifle: $300; pillar bed: $400) - Bolt lug lapping - Bolt handle welding and forging - Muzzle brake installation - Barrel fluting (starting at $200) - Bolt fluting (starting at $88)

Shotgun Specialties - Long forcing cone work - Choke modification and installation - Barrel porting - Rib and lug resolder

AR-15 & Modern Rifle Services - Maintenance cleaning: $98 - Maintenance rebuild with new springs: $174 - Barrel threading: $156 - Gas port opening: $92 - Upper and lower assembly: $98+ - Complete rifle assembly: $174+ - Muzzle brake pin and weld: $87

Metal Finishing Options

Wood Finishing - Hunter finish (average stock): $205; complicated: $236 - Gunsmith finish filled oil (average): $294; complicated: $315 - Spray lacquer or polyurethane: $173

Wells handles complete 1919 semi-auto builds and M2HB work. Full service includes machining internals, sandblasting, parkerizing, assembly from kit, and function testing. 1919 builds run $1,254 labor (includes Karma trigger and sear). Also offers custom right-hand side plates with engraving ($225) and rivet sets ($46).

• •NFA transfers: $90
• •NFA engraving (starting): $80
• •Suppressor repairs and upgrades (call to discuss)
• •Military discount available on suppressors with current ID

Dave designed his own after years of disappointment with factory belts. 1.5" wide BioThane® construction with ratcheting system—adjusts in 1/4" increments over 7" of total adjustment. Unbreakable, waterproof, won't fold or stretch. Custom fit to any size at $58 per belt.

"All given time frames are approximate, as our build times are based on our suppliers lead times. If they go over on time frames, we all go over."

Wells works alone. He juggles time between quality workmanship and customer communication. Minimum charge per firearm is $46. Standard labor rate is $100 per man-hour; man and machine time is $150/hour.

Location: 1750 Maloney Hill Road, Nicholson, PA 18446 Phone: 570-222-2213 Current Inventory: Check GunBroker listings under seller #943851