I met Ryan of Spence Gunsmithing while working on a project for
USA gunsmithing schools. He responded immediately and offered to visit our showroom and educate me on the tools and toolbox requirements for the industry. As a graduate of the Pennsylvania Gunsmithing School and a lifelong firearm aficionado, he was extremely helpful. Gerstner made some modifications to our chests to better fit the industry including a new corrosion prevention drawer liner.
When Gerstner’s Craftsmanship Lives was approved as a registered trademark, we wanted to highlight others who epitomize this philosophy in their work. Spence was the first person I thought of and true to his nature, he responded immediately and agreed to an interview and tour of his shop!
When driving down the tree-lined street, Spence’s gunsmithing is identified with a hand-made wooden sign. He and his dogs were there to greet me and give me an exclusive tour of the property before heading inside the shop. Spence has a background in the Marine Corps as a marksmanship instructor for the 2nd Marine division, then spent his early civilian career as the head gunsmith of the Remington premier warranty service and later performed warranty work for Weatherby, Henry, Marlin, and others. He has guns in the Smithsonian, Hollywood Movies, and has partnered with major manufacturers.
He opened his own shop in 2013 and has built a reputation for providing the highest quality service for a good price. His shop may be small, but he has everything he needs to repair and customize all makes and models of firearms. You can tell he is passionate about what he does by his great stories and infectious laugh. He combines patience and meticulous attention to detail to ensure every job is done to his exacting standards.
No two workdays are ever the same. He believes the field is experiencing a growth by people who are looking for careers with daily variety that require hands-on craftsmanship. He is committed to his craft and sharing his knowledge with others by accepting interns to get real-world experience. He says that learning to operate a lathe is similar to learning how to drive stick shift. It takes someone next to you helping you learn the ‘feel’ and proper speed and touch. It isn’t something that can be taught online or through videos.
The way he talks about the initial reaction of his family and friends when he told them he was going to gunsmithing school is humorous, but he showed them all with a fabulous living doing what he loves!
By: Vicki Campbell
Gerstner’s Sales Executive
and Ducks Unlimited Member