[Milkmaster]

Came home with a Winchester 1300 tonight from a guy who said it was jamming. I have owned many 1300 models & volunteered to look at it for nothing.

I did a complete disassembly including the bolt assembly down to the firing pin and furniture removal. I don't beleive this gun has ever in its lifetime had a drop of oil. It wasn't really dirty inside, just no lubrication. There wasn't even a wet oily spot on anything. There is premature wear everywhere and metal particles all through the mechnisms. I did a flush, clean and lube. Then I reassembled the gun. It works ok, but it is not the slick action I am used to feeling from a Speed Feed 1300 for sure :(

It just breaks my heart to see a nice shotgun neglected like that. I think half the life of that shotgun is gone from the wear I witnessed. I don't guess I will be able to criticize too much due to the working relationship I have with the owner. But I just needed to vent. Some people are just pityful sometimes.

[joeq]

I wouldn't be a jerk but I would definitely tell him why it wasn't functioning. I imagine it would lead to further damage if you didn't inform him that it's critical firearms have lubrication. It is amazing that people can be that neglectful of basic maintenance.

[Girodin]

Some people are just pityful (sic) sometimes.

Sometimes, however, often people are just ignorant. People aren't born knowing how to maintain and care for firearms. What is second nature to someone who does know may not even cross their minds. I would just nicely explain what the issue was and how to avoid it in the future.

[btg3]

This is not atypical of our society on 2 counts:
1. We eschew science/engineering/technical education.
2. We tend to consume/dispose rather than maintain.

In addition to the OP example with the Winchester 1300, consider automobiles. Some folks never do an oil change or any other service -- run-to-failure, then get another one.

[Milkmaster]

Sometimes, however, often people are just ignorant. People aren't born knowing how to maintain and care for firearms. What is second nature to someone who does know may not even cross their minds. I would just nicely explain what the issue was and how to avoid it in the future.

My original post was simply a venting process and sharing to others of the same firearm loving breed as me. I did not ever intend to be non-diplomatic to the coworker/owner today when I returned the shotgun. I would not bring insults to the lashing. I did explain to him the problem with his shotgun. At the time I don't think he even paid attention. I just will not volunteer to look at his problem so easy next time.

At least one benefit was that my son was there to witness the problem during the cleaning and learn from it.

So it goes...

[dirtykid]

You hit it right on the head (btg) Alot of people have come to the mindset of when it breaks i'll buy a new one,, It could be a gun, a tv, or a car, it dosen't matter.
Looking at it from the other side of the counter, i can spend way-less time and make better profit margin talking a customer into a new furnace or A/C than i can marking up the parts and charging them labor to fix the old,, besides new equipment comes with all the "features" that we have been told we want. ??

[ants]

That's why I hesitate to participate in internet gun auctions.
Those people don't throw their guns away, they sell them.