Clothey & Sons Gunsmithing is hands‑down the best gunsmith in Southern California--bar none. If it shoots, they can make it shoot better. If it's broken, they can fix it. Simple as that. Years ago, I brought them my Mossberg, and not only did they repair it, they improved it. More recently, I took in my Sig Sauer 1911 that had been constantly jamming. They diagnosed and fixed the issue quickly. As soon as I picked it up, I went straight to the range and ran multiple boxes of 45 through it--multiple brands, multiple mags--and not a single jam. That has never happened before. Honestly, it's shooting better now than when I first bought it. If you want the job done right the first time, this is the place to go. Huge shoutout to Morgan and the team for the excellent service. They not only fixed my 1911, they took the time to teach me how to better maintain it and even pointed me toward accessories for my other firearm. Outstanding experience all around. read more

I heard a lot about this business from other gun stores. They have good communication and the prices for their fabrication and scopes are reasonably priced. I would definitely go to them. read more

Purchased a Remington 870 Wingmaster with a hunting barrel 8 years ago and wanted to increase its load capacity. Went shooting at Magnolia Indoor Range and they recommended this gunsmith. I brought my necessary parts and it was ready the next day. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - Remington 870 Wingmaster, a Quality Classic! - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

Friendly service and quick turnaround. I would go back. I recommend this business to anyone who needs gunsmithing

From the moment I walked into Clothey and Sons shop and had my first interactions with the staff, I knew my vintage firearm needing repairs would be in good hands. The representatives appeared confident and competent as they slowly took apart the 16 gauge and diagnosed the issues I described for my visit. And as they peeled back the onion, they uncovered more problems with the original stock I wasn't even tracking, thankfully they did. After some constructive conversation and presenting various options, they gave me a fair quote for the upcoming work. Over the next few weeks they methodically worked the issues with this almost 95 year old firearm to preserve it in its natural state. They provided regular updates on the progress made to keep me in the loop. When the firearm was finally ready, they satisfactorily test fired it multiple times to ensure their work held up and the firearm was safe for operation. In closing, I was very impressed with the overall progress, price, communication and professionalism. They are passionate about their work and I truly appreciate their dedication to their craft. I trust this organization with all my future firearm needs and wants. I will definitely be back again! Thanks! read more

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I have had Clothey and Sons work on a few different firearms and every job has been completed very well and within a reasonable amount of time. They've been able to answer every question I've asked and explained things plainly and simply without being overly technical. Among my requests were parts installation, adjustments to existing parts and have gotten recommendations for upcoming projects. The fees are admittedly a little higher than some other shops, but the value received is definitely there and I'm perfectly content paying a little more for peace of mind that the finished work will be exactly what I requested or better. Highly recommend if you need any firearms work done. read more

First time customer, I brought them an unusual installation request for an optic that required a new engineering program to be written for the proper cutting/milling modifications to be performed. It was done perfectly, and in half the time they quoted. They are expert craftsmen. I couldn't have been more pleased with the work and customer service. Not only did they perform the modification and installation, but they also took it to the range, tested and zeroed and then completely cleaned it. Outstanding service. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

Had some gunsmith work done on an old revolver from my father. I couldn't be happier with the work done and the communication was excellent. Will definitely use them again. read more

I purchased a used Springfield Armory 1911A1 that was in need of some upgrades. Despite all the problems that it had, Clothey & Sons Gunsmithing was able to turn things around with that pistol. I am very impressed with the level of professionalism, knowledge, and customer service provided by David and his staff. read more

These guys got my 1911 running better than ever. They have excellent customer service as well.

Very friendly staff, quality work, and turn around time was fast as lightning. They fitted a legion slide onto my p226 frame. Cost of service was very fair. Thank you for a smooth transaction. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - P226 frame with legion slide - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

Great guys, very helpful, and very knowledgeable. I came in twice now to get some squib loads removed and a repair done on an old .357 revolver. These guys did great work, the prices were totally fair, and they happily answered a ton of other questions I had about unrelated firearms. I would highly recommend these guys! read more

Brought multiple firearms to David and his team and everything has been made 110% perfect. Special shoutout to Chris and Morgan for their knowledge and helpfulness. They've spent hours with me formulating concrete plans to clean, build, and modify multiple pieces. Their turnaround is always super fast and their work impeccable. Absolutely the place to go to for anything and all things gun smithing! read more

I would not recommend this gunsmith. The owner took on a Mosin conversion I was doing . He told me what size compensator to buy , then he cut 4 inches off my barrel with out asking ! Who in their right mind cuts off 4 " of a long rifle and does not ask if that's what the owner wants done or not . Now I have the worlds shortest Modin and it's useless, still charged me full price for the work , no apologies or offer to help find a replacement barrel. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - This is the photo he texted to me - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I took my AR-15 into Clothey and Sons and they were very knowledgeable with any questions I had, and were very responsive whenever I called. Christian built my AR and when it was completed he took me through the whole process of what was done. They've been in business for 35 years and their work speaks for itself. The store owner, David, called throughout the process to keep me updated which was very nice. Overall, these guys are great and I will definitely be a reoccurring customer. read more

I hate to post this, I do. David was a nice guy and I enjoyed talking with him. However, this was one of the most insane experiences I've ever had with a business. For starters, Clothey canceled on me last minute 5 different times when it was time to pick up my gun. Each time was a different excuse. Finally, I asked to please just give me my gun back whether the job was done or not. At that point they said it would be done immediately and I could come get it. I went to pick it up and noticed the workmanship was pretty terrible. I was getting an LCI notch cut into a new barrel and it looked like they did it with a hacksaw. The notch is off center and about twice as long as it should be. And it just looks... awful. Friends grimace when I show it to them. I ordered a new barrel for a different gunsmith to do the work, taking the total cost of getting a new barrel from $300 to $600. I asked Clothey for a refund for the work they did and they did not respond. See the pictures and judge for yourself. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - This is an LCI cut by a professional gunsmith and what it *should* look like. It's smooth and even around the LCI with no extra space. - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Everything about this Clothey and Sons is just right. Their service, knowledge, craftsmanship, speed of return and pricing is exactly what you'd want as a customer. To the gentleman at Clothey's i'd like to thank you for all you have done. You will see more of me in the future. read more

I had a very unique request and they are a friendly knowledgeable staff. I have no doubt they will able to complete the service requested based on our discussion read more

I highly recommend Clothey and Sons for any work you need on your firearms. I had them do an optic cut on my Glock as well as an improved mag release and slide lock. Not only did they do a great job, they also surprised me with how quickly they completed the order. They are very friendly and knowledgeable, so as a new shooter I couldn't have asked for anything more! read more

SUPBERB service and support from David and Chris at Clothey and Sons! 100% recommend!!! My father left me a Springfield M1A that, although a much loved firearm, had been somewhat neglected over the last years. The team at Clothey and Sons were absolutely awesome and took great care of the M1 and me. Both on the phone and in the shop, they took the time to educate me on the nuances of this rifle and appropriate cleaning and maintenance. They did a beautiful job of deep cleaning and preserving the rifle, checked tech specs, and test fired at the range. When i picked it up, they took the time to debrief me on the work they did and how the rifle performed. Many thanks to the Clothey and Sons team for helping me to care for this family heirloom. I will be back for sure. Keep up the GREAT work and customer service! read more

These guys were absolutely phenomenal. I took an original 1873 Winchester that probably has not been cleaned and oiled for a century down to them to see what they could do. Also brought down a fairly rare 54 cal. Starr Carbine from 1865 that also needed a good cleaning. They kept me in the loop regarding the progress and in the end, presented an amazing result. They test fired the Winchester to make sure everything was safe and now I have two antique weapons worthy of a display case. It's good to see that father/son companies can still be found and that pride in workmanship is still alive and well. Given the amount of work they put in, I was pleasantly surprised with the bill, very reasonable. I have a few more antiques that are in need of a miracle that I will be bringing down to them soon. Bottom line, they're honest, fair and do some outstanding Gunsmithing. Can't recommend them enough. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - Ammo non-existent but pretty to look at. - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Very much enjoyed the experience and expertise of David and Christian Their work is professional and they have great advice on choosing various parts and upgrades read more

Dave and the crew do great work and fairly quick also. I've been a customer since El Cajon Gun Exchange and now they do cerakote work. One stop shop read more

There is a great crew at this gunsmithing store and they are very knowledgeable, reliable and honest! I had an unusual request for my handgun, an issue that was giving me trouble for a while but they were able to take care of it. I can't recommend this place enough for anyone that needs gunsmithing done in the San Diego area. read more

David, Christian and Morgan really know their stuff! Quickly diagnosed the problem on my firearm and fixed it ahead of schedule. It is now better than before. I trusted them so much I got their advice on a new firearm and had them do the work to customize it, and I'm very happy with the outcome. They will be my go to gunsmiths, and I will be recommending them to all my friends. read more

First off, I just want to say thank you to David and Chris over at C&S. I'm a very new gun owner, and they were very happy to explain the ins and outs of my new firearm. I came in to get some CGW parts installed, along with some Sights,and they turned it around in a very fast time. The prices are very fare for the pristine work they do on your gun, and they will help you out on most anything that you need. 10/10 professionals who get it done right! Thank you guys. read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

The men who own and work for Clothey and Sons are really good people. Their craftsmanship is also top-notch. What I truly appreciate about their service is that they take the time to treat me as an individual, addressing questions and concerns that I have. The time and attention I consistently receive each visit is--in my experience--unparalleled. They have won me over as a customer for life because, at Clothey and Sons, their product and value go beyond gunsmithing. Give them an opportunity to earn your business, you won't be disappointed. read more

Dropped off my rifle and kit to make it California featureless compliant. Promised return in 3 days, but completed the work in 2. Upon arrival, educated me on the new mechanism, work performed, and proper disassembly. The bill was also more cost-effective than purchasing the specialized tools. Fast, friendly, and very professional. read more

Came in to have my pistol worked on, fairly simple job but was done very quickly, David is very knowledgeable in firearms he knows what he's talking about, he'll answer all your questions and make you feel good about having chosen to stop by. There's not too many gunsmiths in San Diego I believe so it's safe to say for any and all my gun related maintenance or repair David and his skilled staff will get the job done. 5/5 stars read more

Had my wife's gun and one of my rifles cerakoted here. They did good work on both and turn around time was about 2-3 weeks. Overall I am happy with my experience at this shop and would recommend them if you're looking to cerakote your gun. read more

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Was not empresses by David. As a Gun owner my whole life ( age 89)I know when I am being feed BS. Hey Walther P 22 frozen barrel nut does not have to be removed to clean the weapon. But if you wish to put in a 5 inch barrel you have to take the nut off.Deep cleaning of the pistol-remove the nut take out the barrel . I reblued the tool marks when I got home. read more

My experience: flawless, customer service was quite excellent, reasonably friendly, and fast. Because of Covid 19 virus and the huge demand placed on shops around town, I decided I'd give this smaller outfit a try. I needed a pro to get my rifle serviceable and this shop was reasonably nearby. I was expecting to leave my AR for a day or two. David at the front fixed my problem (ejecting/cycling issue) in under 25 mins while I sat and waited. Fired the rifle in the back test area to make sure it functioned properly. Had no problem with the price charged, seemed fair and saved me a massive hours long headache diagnosing the issue, finding a place to test it out, and finally, saving me the cost in ammo wasted to finally get to the issue. $75 well spent. Would personally go back. read more

My Father passed away a few years back and he had some old guns that I wanted to upkeep, make workable, and keep in good condition. Dropped them all off with Dave, Chris, and I forget the other guys names. Amazing work they've done. Very happy I brought them and suggest anyone who needs some restoration or guidance go here. read more

Great bunch of guys. I came in with a bunch of different questions and they took their time and carefully answered all of them. Highly recommend them. read more

David helped me out with a very stubborn magazine tube on my Mossberg 500. I could tell from my previous attempts the threads were caked in red loctite. Even after heat and soaking it in solvent it seemed the only way to get it off was to brute force it. We found out the mag tube was rusting and so was the follower spring. One new mag tube later and a fresh follower the shotgun is better than ever (and future maintenance will be easier). These guys still make good on their work even in times of adversity, highly recommend. read more

Dave and Chris are excellent Gunsmiths they've worked on more than one of my firearms and every time the outcome is excellent. I recently just had my Kimber 20+ years old refinished and it's like I have a new firearm. I can't say enough about the quality of workmanship that these guys do at their shop they're awesome !! read more

I couldn't have been more impressed with their gunsmithing services. I went in for an issue with my MDRX, because it had a bur on the feed ramp and would routinely jam. They were able to fix the issue without 48 hours, cleaned my rifle for free, and even gave me a military discount. I have put 500 rounds down range since without a single jam. Thank y'all so much! read more

This place was recommended by an employee of Turner's Outdoorsman. Took my Browning Buckmark pistol there as the gun was not shooting.....something about trigger or firing pin. Staff ordered the part I needed to get my gun back in working order. They also showed me how to field strip the gun even further compared to what was shown in my owners manual. All three staff members were friendly and extremely helpful. Very pleased with a fast turnaround time, low repair cost and overall great experience. Hopefully I don't have any more issues with my guns but if I do, back to Clothey and Sons for some gun smithing needs. 2 thumbs up and left the store with a smile! read more

Clothey and Sons Gunsmithing - Gunsmith Near Me - El Cajon, California

This place has great service. I took my Smith and Wesson M&P full size 9mm in to have an apex trigger installed, and they completed the task fairly quickly. Unfortunately, I had an issue with my Smith and Wesson which was not caused by their work. David was quick to take my weapon, to see what the issue was. I had advised him I was shooting reloads, and for whatever reason I kept getting a light striker fire on my rounds. He believed it was the reloads, and I just wasn't too sure. However, David and his staff took the weapon in again, and figured out what the issue was. My weapon was re-cleaned again, and taken apart. Their staff are very knowledge, and care about guns. This place is not a gun shop, it is a gun work shop, and a damn good one. Thank you! read more

I took both my rifle and hand guns to Dave and his partner (I failed to get his name) both are great guys. They did some repairs and upgrades making my shooting experience even better. I highly recommend them as professional gunsmiths . I will from now on bring my guns to these guys. They did a great job snd guided me on better options . Thanks guys read more