statjunk,

I can't add much to this discussion, but in terms of a gunsmith in Michigan, I can recommend Dick Williams in Saginaw. It is a bit of a drive, but worth it in my opinion. He's a knowledgable old timer with a stable of competent workers and turns out good work at very fair prices and very good advice.
He's done some drilling and tapping of actions for me, trigger work, cutting and turning of some bolts to a sporter configuration. All the work was top notch and beautifully done. That was my experience anyway.

He also worked on some of my dad's old Browning and JP Sauer & Sons pistols ... the work was completed in short order and done nicely.

For anything obscure he's the guy, and with the plain jane vanilla stuff he's still the guy.

http://www.dickwilliamsgunshop.com/

Good luck