After working for 5 different gun companies in 3 different countries, the time seemed right in the spring of 2005 to start my own gun company, Buehler Custom Sporting Arms. The focus of the company was from the beginning on to build high quality custom rifles for serious hunters and collectors alike.
I was born and raised in Switzerland. Firearms are a part of life in Switzerland and they are deep ingrained in the Swiss culture, just like here in America. I was around my father’s service rifle and grandfather’s hunting gun since I can remember. As a teenager I wished nothing more than one day to be a “Buechsenmacher”, or gunmaker. The opportunity presented itself in 1988 and I left my tiny hometown and the family farm and started a 4 year apprenticeship in Luzern with the company “Felder Waffen”.
In 1996 I moved to the United States and have been residing here ever since. Growing up I was fascinated with the United States, the land of the endless opportunities, the strong and righteous defender of the Western world during the cold war, a country deep rooted in capitalism, and where hard work can realize the American dream. Things have changed in the last 20 years. Our freedoms have been more restricted by regulations and laws and America has been straying from the concept of rugged individualism. Still, America has been very good to me, and I love the country dearly. I have been blessed with a wonderful wife and 2 boys and have the privilege to do what I like doing most in life, the building of fine guns.
I’m primarily focused on building high-grade bolt-action rifles, but I also build falling block rifles, single shot break open rifles and best quality double rifles. My break open guns are built completely in house. I do take on repairs on high end guns, if time allows for it. From the metal work to stock making, bluing and finishing, we perform all aspects in house, with the exception of engravings. I’m well equipped and utilize modern technology. 2 CNC milling machines and Cad-Cam software are part of my equipment and have become very much part of life. But at the end of the day, about 80% of the work is still done by hand.
Please feel free to contact me, I would love to hear from you.
Reto Buehler