Pierce195 is right on target. My experience is that Mark will work with you on what's best for the firearm (no bubba work) at a fair price for the customer.
I don't know what got LP Man upset but I've had nothing but great experiences with Highsmith. That operation is honest and up front. I wouldn't trust a firearm to any other shop in central Indiana. Most work dropped off will take a month but it will be done correctly and they'll stand behind...
I've picked up a Chinese SKS which appears to be immaculate (still had cosmoline in the gas tube, piston, bolt and firing pin). It's factory cartouche is /16|. I'm reading that only factory /26\ rifles can be dated, but when I had the first two numbers of the serial number (18031079) to 1956...