Meet Manhattan's Gun Guy and Gal

MANHATTAN, IL — Paula Downs and Jeff Gibbs were hoping their family business in a little shop in Manhattan would grow slowly. But the community had other plans.

Gibbs Custom Gunsmithing, 155 W. North St., debuted in December 2015. They didn't buy ads, or try to spread the word—but it got out anyway. Less than a year later, they find themselves almost too busy.

"But that’s a good problem to have," Downs told Patch.

Of course, there was that dicey August break-in that blasted news of their presence in Manhattan. As news spread that the tiny town had its own gunsmith and shop, she said, they saw an opportunity to show how much care they had taken in their business.

The two have lived in town for years—Paula since 2002, Jeff since 2004—and take their responsibility to the community seriously. In addition to gunsmith services, repairs, and cleaning, they stock ammunition, accessories, and some firearms. Every security measure available has been taken to prevent any firearm from getting into the wrong hands, she noted.

"Any safety measures we could take, we did," she said. "Everything that’s a firearm is locked in a safe every night. They have to get into the building, they have to get into our shop, and then they have to be a safe-cracker if they’re going to get anything."

Following the break-in, there were whispers that some might be uncomfortable with a gun shop in the center of town. But Paula laughed, noting the small space that houses the business and the limited number of firearms stocked inside.

"I can tell you for a fact, there are many homes in Manhattan that have far more guns than we have in our shop," she said. "Nobody advertises it, nobody talks about it. It’s good to have a service like this here. It’s good to have a responsible place for this."

Gibbs is certified by the American Gunsmithing Institute in Pistolsmithing, .22 Rimfire Rifles, Rifles, and Basic Gunsmithing. He began his 'smithing career in 1985 at The Gunnery in Justice, Illinois, later moving to Targetmasters in Orland Park. Joining the Local 434 Carpenters in 1994, for many years his 'smithing activities were only for personal use. Responding to increasing requests from friends and fellow sportsmen, he refreshed his skills with formal training, and then the business was born.

They weren't always intent on Manhattan for their business space. In fact, they had found a spot in Frankfort a year prior. Jeff sought out additional training and certification, and by the time he had completed it, their first choice had fallen through, Paula said.

"We look back at that as the best thing that ever happened to us," Downs said. "We love the space we’re in."

Paula, who works as a plumber, raised her kids—23-year-old Kurtis, 20-year-old daughter Taylor and 17-year-old Morgan—just blocks from the shop. The day of the break-in she and Jeff, a carpenter, were at their full-time jobs in downtown Chicago, and called Kurtis to check on the shop. As he walked there, he passed the suspect. If that man had been able to get his hands on a gun, she said, her son might've been hurt. Or anyone else's child.

"It’s personal," Paula said, of the security measures. "It’s part of the reason why we were so careful."

They also offer refinishing, restoring, and Cerokote painting services. Other services include custom triggers, and firearm diagnostics and repair. They can also order most firearms if they don't carry what a customer wants.

"We are taking every step possible within our business framework to increase capacity and improve service," Paula said. "We've hired experienced counter help. We are training an apprentice gunsmith and we have a new online appointment system so folks aren't bringing things in for service until we are ready to give it our full attention."

It's entirely possible they could outgrow their current space, she said.

"We’re really glad we’re in Manhattan," she said. "Because it’s so busy and we see we need to expand, we’ve looked at a couple of different things, but we’d rather stay in Manhattan than move out."

Gibbs Custom Gunsmithing is open Tuesday through Friday, 5:30 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find them on Facebook, and check out their website for more info.

Photos Courtesy of Jeff Gibbs and Paula Downs