Hoag Gun Works

What a terrific guy. I went in for some emergency fixes to my Beretta m9– I needed it fixed asap, because I’m going shooting this weekend. He told me he couldn’t get it done in the time frame I asked, even when I offered him more money. He said he didn’t want to delay work for his other customers. I can appreciate the hell out of that.
Then. He offered to take a look. Told me my problem was with the trigger spring. Lo and behold, he was dead right. I was able to fix it on my own with his guidance. I then tried to pay him for his time. He declined, and said that he would just see me next time. I insisted, and be declined. Just a terrific guy. Great to talk to, mighty kind, and obviously lives up to his reputation.
Finally, I asked him how much it would cost to replace my sights. 50 bucks, in four days. Trust me when I say that’s a better price in shorter time than I’ve heard anywhere else.
Much respect to Mr. Hoag, and I won’t be going anywhere else for my gun needs.

Jim Hoag is the Yoda of gunsmiths. I just had a simple sight swap on a Glock (kinda like having Einstein do your math homework). Nevertheless, not a hint of attitude. Quick turn around, reasonable price and great service. If I ever need something that can’t be solved by attaching it to a picatinny, I’ll bring it to Hoag.

Did a wonderful job repairing my S&W .357, when no one else could. Delightful gentleman!

I previously found Hoag Gun Works while looking for a gunsmith to do some work on my old WW2 Mosin Nagant. I was surprised to find when I took my gun in a vacant front in which looked abandoned. I stood there for about three minutes as I heard work in the back getting done and simply yelled «hello?» I was promptly greeted by Mr. Hoag after admiring the interior of his shop front, which shows copious amounts of 1911 awards/​certificates. It was a pleasure speaking with Mr. Hoag especially after a couple of reviews claimed how rude he was, boy were they wrong!
After leaving my Mosin, it went in for a barrel shortening for the new Arcangel stock I had purchased, and expected a two week, or even three delay as he seemed swamped with his work (good thing of course.) But less than a week passed and I received the call from Mr. Hoag and that my rifle was ready to go! On my drive there, I was planning to leave it for barrel crowning, as we hadn’t discussed that and I accepted the fact that it takes a good amount of work fitting, crowning and balancing so I was down to pay more for the service. But to my surprise, Mr. Hoag not only did a great job on the cut, and exactly where we had measure it, but he also crowned it too! Super professional here, and a true honor to deal with him
Pros: He’s phenomenal at what he does, he does it right!
Cons: He’s a little older, so be patient and not all antsy, he does fine workmanship!
Overall: Jim Hoag is a superb gun smith, you can’t go wrong with his services, and he stands by his word! Also, bring cash! He doesn’t accept credit/​debit cards.

I have a beautiful 1911… a Colt Gold Cup. Unfortunately it had serious reliability issues. Lots of failure to extracts (FTE’s), stovepipes and some double feeds. A little research on top 1911 gunsmiths in California led me to Jim Hoag. His shop is in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, where I grew up. He is acclaimed by many as a master gunsmith, particularly when it comes to 1911’s.
I dropped it off, and chatted with him about the issues. I asked him to do his «reliability package», replace the roll pin on my rear sight (it had sheared), and fit an extended thumb safety. He quoted me a price that was extremely reasonable.
Jim is a true gentlemen, and a pleasure to talk to on the phone and in person. You pretty much have to call him or drop in at the shop. No facebook, e-​mails, texts or similar for this old-​school classic. His shop is a throw-​back to an earlier age, and it brings me joy to know places like this still exist.
I picked up the Gold Cup three weeks after dropping it off. The work was perfect. It cycles without flaw now. I couldn’t be more pleased!

I just had Jim do a job for me. Less than a week, and perfect. It does not get any better.
My first job by Jim was about 1984. 30 years later and he still does awesome work.
Jim is old school and the last of the breed.

Jim has been doing work for me since 1974. If you have one of his guns, think of it as a collectors item. If you need work done, find your way to his shop. I have been a satisfied customer for 40 years and still use him. How can you give any better review that saying its still good after that long?

Mr. Hoag is an incredibly nice guy and most definitely one of the best gunsmiths in Los Angeles. He came highly recommended by Turners Outdoorsman and I was ver happy that he was a local guy and his shop is a few miles away.
However, three weeks later than promised I’m picking up my gun untouched! He has gotten old and a bit senile. I hope he can hang it up soon because he doesn’t look like he’s in a good enough physical condition to continue his work. I still care for him the way I cared for my own grandfather! Good luck Jimmy.

Expert service performed quickly at a great price, with a friendly attitude. Can’t beat that.
I bought a used 1911 that wasn’t cycling properly and brought it to Jim. Jim just happens to be a legend in the 1911 world, and just happens to be conveniently located near me in the valley. I told him that there was no rush, take your time, etc…, but he called less that 24 hours later to tell me that it was ready to pick up. He turned a sow’s ear of a 1911 into a silk purse, for under a hundred bucks.

Again this guy proves why he’s busy. However had to drop A star as I got my equipment back a week late.

I won (bought) a beautiful rifle at my the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) Annual Fundraiser … always fun … always come home with something — this time a rifle!
About the gun shop — I needed to get a sight … was referred to Jame Hoag… just like in SFV — there is an industrial area with small shops — GEMS — and this is yet another example of such.
James is kind, pleasant, informative, honest and reasonable.
You will be happy, satisfied and have a sure shot.
my brother loves the rifle too :)

Mr. Hoag knows his 1911 stuff! This is the «marksman gone master gunsmith» who started the custom .45 revolution with his beavertail grip safety, long slide, and trigger work. The shop has trophies and pictures from «back in the day», giving you the same nostalgic feeling as racking the slide of a Colt Commander. If you have the opportunity to take your 1911 in for some sight work, polishing, reliability package, or anything else you may want to do to it, then go spend some time with Mr. Hoag. You will learn a thing or two along the way. His experience and quality craftsmanship serves you best unrushed, so if you want your piece in a hurry then save yourself and Mr. Hoag the hassle. He is reasonable in his delivery estimates and with his prices. Also, leave your credit card and smartphone at home… Mr. Hoag is cash or check and telephone with no answering machine during biz hours, 10 – 4.

JIm is one of the early custom ‘smiths and I used to read about him, Weaver and Cooper and their shooting competitions up in Big Bear. After using the new gunsmith at a formerly top-​notch shop, I took a 1943 Rem-​Rand to Jim to properly fit a new barrel and thanks to him, it now outshoots my Kimber Gold Combat II. I was pleasantly surprised to find him still working his magic and definitely recommend his work. Thanks, Jim

I brought my 1911 in to Jim to have the rear sights replaced, and an ambi safety fit and installed. Nothing to difficult, granted, but he had the pistol back to me in two days. Fast turnaround, reasonable rates, and quality work. What more can you ask for?

Referred to Master Hoag by a serious student of the ballistic arts.
Humble to a fault as true masters are, Mr. Hoag explained in perfect simplicity the issues with my new Springfield 1911 longslide… so I went back a week later with the match-​grade barrell (a serendipitous story in itself) and it was ready for me in a week.
This Stainless longslide went from being pretty sloppy to bing a smooth-​as-​silk target shooter capable of merged holes at the far end of the indoor range with iron sights by a non-​professional shooter. Me.

I’ve had Jim work on a few of my guns over the past 10 years. He’s a good guy — honest, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I never knew his history or background until I mentioned him to a buddy of mine. My friend says «What? You know Jim Hoag?!» and the rest is history. He had no idea Jim’s shop was right here in the SFV.
Jim’s an old timer so you gotta give him a little break but he’s the most knowledgeable and experienced gunsmith I know. I’d trust him with any of my guns.

I called Mr Hoag mid May of 2011 regarding some work to my .38 super 1911. He assured me he could do the work and I shipped my gun to him the first week of June. I never received confirmation that he received the gun or a possible time frame for completion.
I told him 5 months was enough and that I wanted my gun returned to me, he wants to charge me $ 75 to have it shipped back, great. He does not accept credit cards so I have to snail mail a check and wait for it to clear, I guess I can write off another 2 months without my gun.
Retirement is an option

Based on the reviews I took my beretta px4 to get some new xs front and rear sights installed. When i got the gun back i noticed some pretty serious paint chipping on the front bottom of the slide that look like it was caused by a vice because they were on both sides of the same area. Additional chipping was found on the base of the new front sight. First time trying out with the sites at the range after about 70 rounds the rear sight completely came off and fell to the floor. The tightening screws on the rear sight were not loctite’d.
I don’t know if this is an isolated incident but I cannot reccomend bringing your gun here unless it’s a 1911. I did not go back and try to get a refund because I felt the damage was done and felt my time to get out back out there was not worth the 40 bucks.

Best gunsmith in LA —

Oh me oh my.
I’m hanging out at the pistol range (having a mighty fine hair day — I may add) and as I pull the trigger on my lady Wesson, poised for the recoil I get… nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
And I get it again.
So, when I get done twirling my hair and rolling my eyes to the heavens I hop in the car and wind up in Canoga Park.
It’s a wacky little shop in a warehouse strip mall and I swear to all that is good if a hooded KKK member had come out to greet me I wouldn’t have been at all suprised.
I would, however, have been scared shitless because I’m newly disarmed.
Ick.
But a smiling gentleman named Jim (Mr. Hoag) greeted me and went on about how annoying all the trigger safeties are and how there are too many unnecessary parts that create ill will the cheap ass ammunition I’ve been (apparently) buying at the firing range.
*blah*blah*blah*
He kept talking but my eyes were drawn to his walls and the signs.
There are endless signs on this man’s walls.
Anyhow, punchline?
The gun is fixed and y’all do not need to worry because I am back to being a well armed woman.
I know that was a big concern.
And it only cost me $ 30.
AND if you google Jim Hoag you’ll find out he’s quite a talented gunsmith held in high regard by his peers.
I just think he’s a really nice man.