Hatfield’s Gunsmithing

Sam is the best at being brutal ly honest, and it’s great. I want lessons from someone who will teach me to be the best I can be! He’s funny, informative and makes sure safety is first! Excited to see the finished product, but you never stop learning do you?
The whole shop is filled with great and knowledgeable staff!

I have seen Hatfield’s Gunsmithing many times, as my wife and kids love the Manassas Cinemas next door. But having never required Gunsmithing services, I never stopped in to see what this place was about. Fast forward (and long story/​short) my wife received the first gun she had ever shot from her father, who had been storing it for nearly two decades. The rifle looked good, but even my father in law suggested taking to a gunsmith, just in case. So, I wandered online to check out that place beside the Cinemas.
Undeterred by some of the reviews, I toted that long, bolt action rifle to Hatfields. Sam was cordial and almost immediately you can tell he knows his stuff – he is opinionated, but he knows his stuff. He does not provide estimates on when you can expect to get a gun back, because like he says ‘You tell someone one week and then you open the gun up and the barrel is pitted or springs are broken or rust flakes fall out’ (okay, he didn’t say all that, but I have read online other gunsmiths complaining about such things). Her rifle took forever and a day, but it came back thoroughly checked out, cleaned and test-​fired, so now I am confident in allowing her to enjoy her old/​new rifle.
So I have been back to Hatfields at least a dozen times since early July 2015. I used him as an FFL to get my Colt AR-​15 from TacOpShop in Utah. I stop by to buy random gun-​related items, such as ammo and cleaning supplies (I could save money at Wal-​Mart or Amazon, but this way I am helping a local Mom&Pop, even one run by Sam [grin]). My AR had a bullet wedge in the barrel, and after removing it I took it to Hatfields and they took it in and test fired it for me – hey, better him than me and he is an expert, I am not. It wasn’t a quick turn around, but I spent a lot on that weapon and I am learning to be patient for good service. As a matter of fact, Sam has that weapon as I write this review in order to perform some more work on it for me. And Sam even let me see a demo of his awesome simulator – I can’t say this enough: You HAVE to buy a simulator session. HAVE TO.
So no complaints from me. I see some of the more negative reviews and I will admit, I think Sam requires some «getting used to», but as an Army Brat, I knew a few guys like Sam from the Army and whereas they take some «getting used to», they weren’t bad people. Keep in mind it is a small shop, the man is probably busy; if you can be patient/​have some time, I think that will help. And buy a simulator session, you’ll be amazed.

This review only pertains to handling a FFL transfer.
I ordered a firearm online earlier this month and selected this place to do the transfer. Before finalizing my purchase I checked both parties guidelines and followed them appropriately. I was aware Hatfield’s was going to be closed from June 17 – 19, but in actuality it was a day longer than that since I called and called and no one answered. My firearm arrived on June 16^th and just as I was pulling up right at 2PM (when they were scheduled to open), I see someone walking inside after posting a sign stating they’d be open at 4PM that day. No big deal until 4PM rolled around and I called to see if I could pick up my firearm. I was told the person who handles background checks was on vacation until the 24^th.
It was just really inconvenient and difficult to do a simple transfer. While I only ended up paying $ 27 and Kristan was awesome to deal with, I felt like I had to keep bugging them to pick up my firearm. I was finally able to finish the transfer on the 25^th during my lunch break.

I have not only had multiple weapons repaired and customized at Hatfields, but am a regular customer on the simulator .
All of my pistol modifications have turned out beyond my highest expectations… the quality of the craftsmanship is flawless.
The costs for the specific, and sometimes complicated work seems fair and honest for the work required. Both employees Andy and Louie have always gone above and beyond to make sure I’m a happy camper.
I have also taken an AR-​15 armorers class with Andy as instructor and it was an excellent learning experience.
I strongly suggest to new firearm owners to take, at least the introductory Sim class and the AR class before relying on your weapon to protect yourself.
Thanks to all the Hatfield staff for really great experiences.

I’ve never been one for guns but I took the bf here for a birthday present. Plus it was simulator so I thought we’d be pretty safe.
We arrived a little late (it’s kinda hard to find) and were a little rudely told by the front desk lady that we wouldn’t be able to add that 10 minutes on to the end of our reservation but that was the only thing I didn’t like about my experience at Hatfield”s.
The instructor was super professional and personable. He didn’t make us feel silly when we made mistakes but was firm on enforcing the safety rules. I really liked how he explained why certain things he taught us were the way they were (I always like to know WHY I’m doing something).
He was full of helpful tips and encouraging words while still helping us learn our way around the simulator. Afterward he talked with us a bit more about some firearms, laws, and answered all of wacky questions.
I applaud the establishment for their welcoming and inviting attitude toward newbies.

What a great place and great people! We enjoyed the simulator session with a groupon coupon here 2 days ago.
We thought it would be a bit like a video game and that we would just be shooting some on our own… that SO was not the case!
First of all; being new, you do not shoot with real bullits.
Second; you get taught by great guys (Thank you so much, Sam and Charlie!).
Third; this place is so interesting and fun, you tend to stick around for a long time!

Being an avid gun fan, I’d always hoped to find a shop not staffed by the surly, I’m-cooler-than-you types that seem to get the majority of gun store jobs. The crew at Hatfields are the antithesis of that: very friendly, approachable, and helpful. Sam’s depth of knowledge about all things gun related, combined with the enthusiasm of the rest of the gang, makes visits to the shop a lot of fun.
I’ve had a few gunsmithing things done (a couple trigger jobs, a sight replacement, a rifle buffer repair), all completed in reasonable timeframes and with prompt calls alerting me to their completion.
I’ve attended 2 classes, one of which was a basic 1911 armorer’s course taught by Sam that was fantastic. The class was an all day affair that far exceeded what I expected from a «basic» class. I’ll be heading back for the intermediate as soon as it’s offered.
Finally, the simulator is outstanding. The best way to become a better shooter is to shoot, and the sim is a fun and challenging way to do just that. Simple targets? Check. Moving silhouettes? Check. Realistic scenarios with variable outcomes? Those too. It’s a great tool for building technical as well as practical skills. And I have to mention: Andy is a great instructor who not only knows what he’s talking about but is genuinely interested in seeing the progress of the people shooting with him. He’s not there to be better than you; he’s there to help you be better. Actually, I think that applies to everyone working there. Thanks all!

While this review isn’t glowing, I’d like to preface it with the fact that everyone was extremely pleasant, and I had some great conversations with some of the guys and appreciate the insight. However, I dropped off a firearm for a relatively simple procedure (sights) on a Friday. When I asked when it might be ready, he looked at the clock and told me today would be tight so it’ll be Tuesday. At the end of the day on Tuesday I inquired to whether I should plan on heading in to pick it up and I was told «probably another day or so». I know it’s natural to tell people in front of you it’ll be ready sooner than it may be, but it’s not a good practice in the big picture.
The sights were installed but I noticed lots of scratches on the end of the slide on both sides that appear to be from a vise or tool. This gun is brand new so its possible I’m being hypersensitive but wanted to put it out there. I have not notified the shop of this and will try to fix it myself.
Sam has a great reputation and his credentials are superb, but it doesn’t matter much when he isn’t the one doing the work.
Link to photo of scratches below:

Its hard for me to rate these guys. Sam seems like a nice enough guy but I can’t figure out how he does business I tried to buy a custom 1911 from him and we talked for an hour and I was ready to throw down $ 2−3K and he just walked away and started talking to someone else. I tried to come in again with no luck and finally bought a Wilson at another shop. I came in again today to get some work done to my wife’s gun and we were talking about patterns and such that are possible, I went to get the gun and a picture of what I was talking about and he packed up and started to leave the store without saying a word to me, I thought we were working out a deal and he just up and left. Another very nice gentlemen started to help me but I wanted to talk to the person who’d be doing the work because I needed some help deciding what direction to take the gun in and I’d already spent several minutes discussing this with Sam. The gentlemen went to grab Sam for me and Sam told him to tell me to email him a picture of what I wanted. Well I didn’t have an exact photo. I needed further conversation and some help deciding what to do. I believe that Sam probably does very good work. But he’s so difficult to work with or get him to start something… I just don’t understand why I can’t just lay down some money and get on the same page with him. I guess I’m taking my wife’s gun somewhere else again. It’s a shame because I really like the shop and I wish them well but they are turning away money left and right.

I am a person shopping for my first firearm. I grew up shooting with friends, mostly 22 caliber, so I am familiar with guns. I was given a simulator course at Hatfield’s for Christmas, and went feeling that any gun simulator was bound to be silly. I was wrong. The crew was professional and friendly. The owner ran the 30 min simulator session and helped me lots. Great value. They do seem to have limited inventory, but they aren’t a sale shop, but a gunsmith. I can’t rate their smithing.
1. The staff answered questions for 30 mins afterwards. Thanks.
2. The simulator was really effective at its purpose: to make me a better shooter. It would be expensive for entertainment, but its a value for education and improving your skills.
Thanks Sam and team.
Raymond McGill