Firearms are graded on numerous variables. Therefore without actually having a firearm in hand it is nearly impossible to provide even a "ballpark figure". If you want a true valuation you will have to bring the gun in to someone to have it checked. One word of advise on this... Grading and pricing are subjective. What the gun is worth to you is not the same as what the gun is worth on the market. I have a few crappy guns in my collection that I wouldn't part with for anything under $2 million. Also remember not to take the first offer as gospel. If you think it might be off try to get a second opinion. If they both came up with the same $90 price tag for your beloved 870 maybe it's time to start believing them. If you have a classic gun that you'd like to get a price range on go and buy yourself a Bluebook of Gun Values at the local bookstore or here Blue Book. You can even do a single search there for small fee.
That all depends on what you are looking for. I specialize in pistols but I can work on damn near anything. Look at the pricing chart below for a very brief idea of what I do. I am currently not equipped for bluing.
Turn around varies from job to job. Let me take a look at it and I'll let you know.
One free service I offer is advice. If you have somebody tell you that this or that is the best thing since sliced bread and you need to get it added to, taken away from, or created for your gun I'm happy to give you the pro's and con's. If I don't know I'm not afraid to tell you that either. Just remember..... I've seen a lot of gorgeous collectible shotguns lose 90% of their value just by having a poly-choke added because it was the greatest thing at the time.
The "best gun" is the gun that fits you, works for you, is functionally reliable, and gets the job done. In my role as a firearms instructor, salesperson, repair technician, and collector I have heard nothing but advice as to what the best gun is. They're all right..... but they're all wrong too. Find what works for you. I can give you a few pieces of advice. Though fun, a .50 BMG is not the best choice for that varmint gun. Animals have been killed with every caliber gun imaginable, though some more and better than others. FOLLOW THE RULES... don't try to do something stupid either in a competition or out hunting. You'll lose and so will all the other gun owners.
Here's a simple pricing grid. This is by no means a quote. All guns/jobs will be different. This is just a guideline.
Service
|
Price
|
|
Estimate/Quote |
Free |
|
Detail Cleaning |
$30 |
|
Trigger work |
$50 |
|
Repair work |
$50+Parts |
|
Custom work |
$75/hr |
|
Valuation |
$25/firearm |
|
Insurance letter (multiple guns can be on one letter) |
$40 |
|
Misc. Hourly Labor |
$30 |
|
|
|