Flaky gunsmith
- Thread starter Pripyat
- Start date
- Status
jblackfish
Member
We live........and we learn. Hopefully you'll get a gun back that's usuable. If so, count your lucky stars because it could have been a disaster. Good luck!
Keeperfaith
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 235
@ Pripyat, WHERE is that gunsmith so I NEVER use him. I live in San Antonio. I've used Nagels before and they take a long time (always busy) but they get the job done and it's well done.
Steve
Steve
BigHossCCF
Member
Don't know how you did it (had the patience, almost of Job) Pripyat...but you Sir...are a good customer. That "gunsmith" was lucky to have you as his customer...
jblackfish
Member
Pripyet, So did you get your gun back? I couldn't tell from your last post whether you'd picked it up or not.
I am taking him bullets tomorrow and picking it up later this week. I made the comment earlier today to a coworker that I would give him $30 more just to get my gun back without hassle. That way I can say I learned my lesson and go on about my life as normal.
El Viejo
Member
I hope everything works out for you and you are very happy with what the guy has done with your 1911, and I guess - lesson learned. Next time, do it yourself or else find a new gunsmith.
Godsgunman
Member
Pripyat,
You are one patient man, I take my hat off to ya. I consider myself to be pretty easy going and patient, and most people would attest to that, but if I were in your shoes I would have found someone else a long time ago and wouldn't have given him a penny.
You are one patient man, I take my hat off to ya. I consider myself to be pretty easy going and patient, and most people would attest to that, but if I were in your shoes I would have found someone else a long time ago and wouldn't have given him a penny.
I went to pick up the gun up although I called ahead to make sure I could just pick it up without providing ammo for him to test fire with. When I picked it up he asked for $10 more and actually had already printed a receipt for $10 more.. I think the most interesting part is that he told me that since I am relocating he would be willing to pay the gunsmithing fees at a different location if I found a problem with his work. I interpret this whole situation as the guy is a very good person but a not so good gunsmith.
Functionally everything seems fine. Will test this weekend.
Functionally everything seems fine. Will test this weekend.
Well geez. It looks like I will be taking it to another smith or taking more off the safety. When I push up on the safety it doesn't snap into place like it should. Below is where it stops unless you force it:
Also note the scratches on the frame between the safety and hammer. Near the slide. Those were not there before and are clearly through the parkerized finish.
Also note the scratches on the frame between the safety and hammer. Near the slide. Those were not there before and are clearly through the parkerized finish.
jblackfish
Member
Good grief! Run from this guy and never look back. He has NO IDEA what he's doing and he is FOR SURE in the wrong business. He needs a job doing something harmless and he needs to do it for someone with a brain as his boss.
Sure sorry this happened to you - hopefully you'll find someone to help you get it right but it's gonna cost you unnecessary time and money to get there.
Sure sorry this happened to you - hopefully you'll find someone to help you get it right but it's gonna cost you unnecessary time and money to get there.
I didn't mention.. He quoted me 70-80 dollars for the work. When I got there and saw my gun case on the table I walked up to it and there was a sticky note on it that had my name and a cost of $80.90 on the bottom of the note. I pulled out 81 dollars and he said "no, that is the total I wrote down the day you brought the gun in. $90 is the new total if you don't mind."
He then hands me a receipt he had already printed for $90. Despite me telling him we "would talk about" the additional charges when I got there.
Not to mention who tells someone something is going to cost 70-80 dollars expecting to charge them $80.90?
He then hands me a receipt he had already printed for $90. Despite me telling him we "would talk about" the additional charges when I got there.
Not to mention who tells someone something is going to cost 70-80 dollars expecting to charge them $80.90?
BBBBill
Member
You were far too kind with him. Not to say you should have blown up on him, but he needed a little firm educating about his attempt to learn on your gun at your expense.
col.lemat
Member
I knew that no mater what, the time would come when you would just be glad to get the pistol back weather fixed or not. Next time go with your gut feelings and first impressions, there were subliminal warning signs that you did not follow.
LeonCarr
Member
What is his name/the name of his business?
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Field Tester
Member
I've been following this thread from the beginning and feel so bad for you man. I think you should have been a bit more firm with him. You seem like a wonderful person, that doesn't like confrontation and avoids it at all costs.
You'd be doing your fellow shooters a great service by naming this "gunsmith".
If I were you, I'd be taking that "gunsmith" up on his offer for someone else doing the repairs.
You'd be doing your fellow shooters a great service by naming this "gunsmith".
If I were you, I'd be taking that "gunsmith" up on his offer for someone else doing the repairs.
alsaqr
Member
Bingo!!!!
IME: Some of these guys are gunsmiths like Jethroe Boudin is a brain surgeon. One of them hung a pipe wrench on the magazine tube of a friends Model 12 shotgun and crushed it.
No, for the ATF it's about knowing businesses that are receiving other people's firearms.
Everything else aside, the guy buggers up the finish on your pistol and then wants to charge you more?
He should have comp'd you the repair and apologized profusely.
He's lucky if you don't take it to a competent smith to fix the safety and refinish the frame and take him to small claims court to reimburse you.
He should have comp'd you the repair and apologized profusely.
He's lucky if you don't take it to a competent smith to fix the safety and refinish the frame and take him to small claims court to reimburse you.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I think most of the problem is what has been covered, you have a lot of guys running gun shops who love guns but don't know how to run a business.
This is why I don't fart around with "local" gunsmiths. The gunsmiths I trust are known nationally and I know plenty of guys who have used them. Sure, it might cost a little more to have Jim Stroh (former treasurer of the APG) or Hamilton Bowen do the work but I know it will be done right and lead times are usually pretty accurate.
This is why I don't fart around with "local" gunsmiths. The gunsmiths I trust are known nationally and I know plenty of guys who have used them. Sure, it might cost a little more to have Jim Stroh (former treasurer of the APG) or Hamilton Bowen do the work but I know it will be done right and lead times are usually pretty accurate.
jblackfish
Member
I'm not saying you need to spread this guy's name all over the internet but, if someone (especially) in the area where this guy "operates" asks for his information, I hope you PM them the info. Also, this guy needs to be reported to any "gunsmith in your area" list that you might locate now or in the future to prevent your fellow shooters from going through the same agony you've been through. (My opinion) Good luck in getting his screw-ups corrected.
The business was near Greenville sc. PM me for the business name if you are local and want to avoid this guy. I'm not wanting to turn this into a slander type situation.
This guy isn't worth my time. If I was broke or if the weapon was more valuable I would be more pissed than I am now.
I hate my attitude towards public service people... I have had nothing but bad experiences paying someone to do something me. I do all my own car maintenance including mounting/balancing my own motorcycle tires due to bad experiences. I ONLY took this gun to the guy because of the safety issues involved. But I got bit. Should have spent the $90 on a sear jig.
This guy isn't worth my time. If I was broke or if the weapon was more valuable I would be more pissed than I am now.
I hate my attitude towards public service people... I have had nothing but bad experiences paying someone to do something me. I do all my own car maintenance including mounting/balancing my own motorcycle tires due to bad experiences. I ONLY took this gun to the guy because of the safety issues involved. But I got bit. Should have spent the $90 on a sear jig.
Jolly Rogers
Member
This is a disappointing repair. Plus it is not a difficult job. I would send it to another smith to have it redone and send the bill to him with a request for reimbursement. And I would post the pic and function of the install as a stand alone post...not a gripe ...and ask for a critique of the repair with his business info in the post. He should have handed the gun to you and said " no charge, I am not satisfied with the work and it took too long".
Joe
Joe
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