Local gunsmith unveils weapon to fire new 350 legend round

The SFC Gunsmithing shop in Newton began accepting customers interested in a custom platform to fire the recently released 350 legend round manufactured by Winchester.

Owner of SFC Gunsmithing Stephen Roach knew he wanted to be able to build this kind of custom firearm at his business in order to provide this weapon people in the community.

“I was like, let’s build these and get them out there,” Roach said.

The round and rifles are designed to be used for deer hunting and Roach wants to make sure customers know that.

“This is a deer rifle. This is a deer rifle that fits in the pistol season parameters,” Roach said.

For these first few prototype weapons, Roach has to purchase the materials and put them together according to customer specifications. While this will provide the customers with a weapon that can fire the new round right now, there is also the possibility for future growth within the company if this initial batch of weapons sells well with buyers.

“If this first line runs well, we are going to run an SFC Gunsmithing line. We have got to order so many uppers and lowers to put our names on them and to have them made for us. Then they’ll be a Newton-made firearm,” Roach said.

Right now what Roach is making is on an AR platform in order to make the firearm right now if a customer wants. But he also wants them to know in the future there could be the possibility for putting it on a bolt action rifle platform.

“We don’t have our lathe up to cut barrels yet. I mean I could put it in a bolt action after we get our machine shop set up. This is the easiest way to get it out right now,” Roach said.

Roach said if customers want a rifle made for them right now he would be available to do so. Also, if he gets enough people interested, he would allow customers to test fire the already made weapon.

“As customers express interest we will let them go out and fire this and decide if they want one ... I’d like to get five or 10 people to come out. We are charging the cost of ammo for it,” Roach said.

The cost to be able to do that, according to Roach, would be roughly $3.25 for five rounds to fire. The cost of the firearm itself Roach said is $999 with a single coat ceracoat paint job and five round magazine included in the price.

“However, if you want your camo pattern to run on these we do it included in the $999,” Roach said.

As customers put in their orders, it typically takes five to seven day to complete the weapon. Roach is excited to be able to offer a custom built firearm that will give hunters the option to use the new 350 legend ammunition.

“I wanted to make a gun for Iowa, and that’s what it is,” Roach said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com