Imbert & Smithers in San Carlos

[6mmintl]

Imbert & Smithers in San Carlos
I saw a pristene 40 x rem .308 26" stainless/ clip slotted/ repeater action at imbert and smithers, needs a cheekpiece but not a big deal $1200

They also had a 3,606,xxx 3006 M1 garand 1945 barrel, dean alley front sight, pristene barrel, orig cmp gun for $1000

[Wrangler John]

Yeah, and two weeks ago I purchased a Remington 783 in .30-06 from Imbert & Smithers just to blow part of a Social Security payment. Really, what's better social security than another rifle? Then just for giggles I put a Redfield Revenge 6-18x44mm Fine Plex Philippine made scope on it. Turned out to be a pretty good scope for $250. Yesterday at the range, with a quick handload to break in the barrel, it is proving to be one of, if not the most accurate rifle, out of the box I ever purchased. Next step, add a swap barrel in .25-06.

Having fun with guns from Imbert & Smithers since about 1970.

[james758]

And a few years ago a bought a Kimber warrior from them for over $1200. I shot it a few times and turns out the sights were off a bit. I went in and said: "I bought this $1200 gun from you guys and the sights are off, can you adjust them for me?"
They said "SURE!!!!, that'll be $12."

[MongooseV8]

If you cant adjust your own sights maybe you should stick to shotguns...

[-hanko]

If you cant adjust your own sights maybe you should stick to shotguns...

I would agree.

Imbert is great for used long guns...I hit the place twice a week when I'm in California. Prices are normally good, sometimes unbelievable. Surprisingly, they're not overly confused with an out-of-state C&R license.

The supposed "reloading expert" (looks like a cousin of Lurch) is useless.

[kendog4570]

If you cant adjust your own sights maybe you should stick to shotguns...

Someone probably sold him a car with a blind spot also.
You just cant trust gun shops these days!

[Wrangler John]

Someone probably sold him a car with a blind spot also.
You just cant trust gun shops these days!

Being a Kimber, I'm surprised that the barrel was bored all the way through.

[james758]

If you cant adjust your own sights maybe you should stick to shotguns...

Um, yeah thanks for the expert commentary Capt. Obvious.
If I could adjust the sights with a screw driver don't you think I would have?

This particular model came with FIXED sights that needed a sight pusher to adjust. I deeply and sincerely apologize for not having a sight pusher for that particular gun in my back pocket at the time.

My point was that after spending a grip of cash there and asking them to fix, they wanted to nickel and dime me afterwards. Thats just kinda douchey.

[MongooseV8]

No thats running a business. If they gave away free gunsmith time for every person that buys something from them they would go out of business. Its more than common for sights to be off a smidge for the end consumer especially since no two people hold/shoot a firearm exactly the same.

When buying a house you dont expect the seller to pay to have it painted your favorite color for free. Its no different.

[MongooseV8]

Btw I am fully aware the Kimber Warrior has fixed sights. Thats what a brass punch and hammer are for.

Im not trying to insult you, just pointing out it Is unrealistic to expect them to do something for free.

[kendog4570]

... Im not trying to insult you, just pointing out it Is unrealistic to expect them to do something for free.

Why MongooseV8, whatever do you mean??

Isn't ANY gun repair or gun purchase basically a lifetime retainer to service said arm for ANY reason for the lifetime of the buyer or till hell freezes over, whichever comes last??

After all, the shop just got filthy rich off the sale.



Just thinking, maybe the guy with the Kimber should have contacted....Kimber??

[Sheepdog1968]

I do like their used rifle and shotgun selection. I've used their gunsmith service a fair bit. My take on it is that they have good turn around time and will be very upfront if something is beyond what they want or could do. They do charge for their service. However, I know of other places that have much longer wait times but lower prices. I've always felt Imbert and Smithers ran their gunsmith service like a fair business.

[6mmintl]

The real story is they did not do any machine work (barreling, sight base, inletting) the past 12 years and mostly farm it out, they have a person called gunsmith working there now but don't see or here the machines running, there are a few repairmen or persons who can clean guns and set up new scopes.

Other then that "its in the mail".

[ar15barrels]

This particular model came with FIXED sights that needed a sight pusher to adjust.

[wirenut6]

I just jailed a 1951 Marlin 336A in 30-30 for just over $400 from them! I was picking up another purchase, while they were in back getting it I wandered over to the used rack. There it was sitting in the back corner. I think I got a killer deal on it. The stock has a few dings, bluing is decent, action feels good. The kicker for me was that it looks like it has the original sling!