Our Founder.
The Gun Doctor was established in 2000 in Moncks Corner, SC. Our founder is a well known master gunsmith, James “Bob” Elam. For decades, The Gun Doctor has been serving the Low Country forming a great relationship with our customers. We thank the community for all the support and appreciate “word of mouth” that has made us a landmark for all your gun-smithing needs.
More about our founder.
Our founder, James, grew up in rural Missouri. His fascination with collecting guns started early. As a young boy, he learned to hunt, shoot, and care for his firearms. Surrounded by farmland, he had no choice but to love the outdoors.
After meeting the woman of his dreams, he joined the USAF. The Air Force allowed James to see parts of the world a mid-west farmer only sees on TV. Eventually, he and his wife settled down and started a family. After living on the west coast for a short time, he was soon transferred to the East coast of Charleston, SC. Here he stayed raising two daughters and plethora of fowl and rabbits. All the while, James continued tinkering with guns in his garage. Not only building and finishing guns for himself, but his daughter and friends, as well. He was an avid outdoors-man. From hunting in the mountains to fishing in the Edisto, he and his family spent quality time enjoying nature.
Retiring as a Veteran after 21 years in the military, he decided to put his interest in guns to good use. He applied as a gunsmith in a local gun store in Goose Creek. A few years later, that store closed. James had made many friends and loyal patrons by then, earning the affectionate nick name, the Gun Doctor. One friend opened his own gun store in Moncks Corner and hired James as his gunsmith. After a few years, that store also went out of business. But by then, James was able to buy it for himself, renaming it after his nickname. After their kids were grown, James and his wife moved to Cross, SC. There they raise chickens and play with great grand children, as any good Pawpa would.