Damage to pistol by gunsmith

[Colt Smith]

Ok, I got my Smitty M19 snub back from the gunsmith. The work for which it was submitted(chamfering the forcing cone)was fine. No problems there. I took the gun to the range today to run some rounds through it. When I got home and went to clean it I noticed an edge under the topstrap that had been damaged. It wasn't noticeable until you swing open the cylinder and turn the gun upside down. I know the gun didn't have the damage before I gave it to the gunsmith and I definitely didn't cause any damage to the gun since I had it back. So, how do I approach him? I don't necessarily want to walk in accusing the guy outright and I don't want to lose him as a gunsmith. He is a very nice man and as far as I can tell a capable gunsmith. Not to mention that there aren't a whole lot of gunsmiths in my area, capable or hacks. I can't PROVE he did it. I doubt very much that he will admit he did it. More than the fact that I take very good care of my things this also affects the value of the gun. So what now? Suggestions?

 

[Sheldon]

You're not referring to top strap cutting from the gasses right above the barrel cylinder gap are you??

 

[Colt Smith]

No. Picture the long sharp corner along the length of the underside of the topstrap leading from the recoil shield to the barrel. Now picture a portion of that edge 1/4" long marred by something, ruining that edge and scraping off the bluing. It scraped with enough force to move some of the metal past the short vertical edge of the side. Doesn't seem like much but if you handed your gun to somebody in perfect condition and got it back marred, especially when you are very particular about the condition of your things, you might be as pissed as I am. You know as well as I that the value of these guns is not going down and the government isn't making it any easier to get more. That is beside the point however. That's not how I gave it to him. I got it back damaged. That's the point.

 

[.38 Special]

I can't PROVE he did it. I doubt very much that he will admit he did it.

Seems to me you already know the answer. Bummer.

 

[schmeky]

Colt Smith,

I feel your pain. I took a really nice S&W 686 to a "local" gunsmith to slick up the action. I got back a pistol that had a spring kit installed and the trigger would not reset/return. Marred up the edge of the side plate as well. What a bargain at $125.00.

I never went back. The moral of the story is the damage to your Model 19 is irreversible. You can't reasonably replace the removed metal from the topstrap.

Don't go back.

 

[harmonic]

I shipped my brand new Colt Commander back to Colt because the slide was locking open while there were still rounds in the mag. I had to ship it twice.

They finally managed to fix it, but in the process, also put an inch long scratch on the slide.

My suggestion? Cold blue it and let it go.

 

[coyotehitman]

I don't necessarily want to walk in accusing the guy outright and I don't want to lose him as a gunsmith.

I can't PROVE he did it. I doubt very much that he will admit he did it.

I would bring it to his attention and see what he suggests. If he is not honest enough to admit it, I certainly wouldn't want to do business with him again.

 

[sniper350]

Does it look like it could have been caused by clamping the frame into a Vice ??

I would diffinately bring the damge to the gunsmith's attention ......... see what his reaction is ? Maybe he can Blend the damage area and put a small bevel along the whole back-strap - both side to match of course. Then some Cold blue to refinish.

If he says the damage was not caused by him ........not much you can do but walk away. Use this knowledge the next time you need a gunsmith.

JF.

 

[fixyurgun]

If you don't tell him he'll never know. I tell all my customers that if they have any problems/notice any thing they don't like to Please let Me be the 2nd person to know so I can make it right.
If you do a good job for somebody, they will tell 2 or 3 friends, But do a bad job they'll tell Everybody they know. Give him a chance to do the right thing, then if he doesn't make it right dump him & rant to all that will listen. jest my two cents, Jim

 

[Colt Smith]

I just got off the phone with the gunsmith. Like I said before he is a very nice man so I didn't want to start with a harsh tone. I just told him that I noticed the damage when I got home. He admitted right away that it must have happened while he was working on the gun and offered to fix it while I wait. I'm heading over right now. I'm glad he was so up front about it. He's an older gentleman, about 75, from a time when most people just did the right thing. If he does a good job with the fix I'll spread his name around a little to show my appreciation.

 

[koginam]

As a gunsmith for more then 30 years I have had customers bring back guns for problems like yours and I have fixed the problem right away, If you don't tell us we can't fix it. Believe it or not your smith is the rule not the exception to the rule.

 

[1911 guy]

Agreed. If that had happened to me, I wouldn't be happy about the damage, but I would be happy that he owned up to it and made it good. Everybody makes mistakes, it how you deal with them that matters most. He dealt well.