Gunsmith troubles!!! Help!!

[Deer mangler]

To make the story short: I sent a rifle to get th action trued, rebarreled, muzzle brake installed, new stock and trigger work. Sent it to a guy in oct/nov. I talked to the gunsmith many times via email, text and phone before sending it to him. Sound like he knew his stuff so I figured give him a try. But now I'm getting the runaround "I'm waiting on this", "I'm waiting on that", "just got this but need that". ***!! I know these things take time and I've had custom guns built before, but this guy back pedels a lot. I've been waiting on a cheap *** boyds stock for two months now. So he told me. And never heard from the guy since. I've tryed to make contact and no response. What do I do?? He has my gun and money!! And he is 3 states away. Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Hired Gun]

If you found him on the net like on a forum like this one I would assume he at least reads that forum once in awhile. I would just go on that forum and ask if anyone has heard from him recently and you are trying to get ahold of him. Be polite. Being self employed sounds like you are in control of your time but it's true they are dealing with suppliers that are way out. Even a simple reamer can take over 6 months to get if not in stock.

For example I get a lot of repeat work so I would never rent a reamer because then I couldn't guarantee identical chambers so they can reuse their existing ammo. If they had 3 last week and none when I call it could be another 6 months before they make it again and if it's custom then it's 6 months for sure.

I'm still waiting on stocks I ordered in December. Then medical, family and other business things compete for our attention. When my mother died and I was the executor of her estate I was tied up for a month. God forbid a gunsmith goes hunting, takes a vacation or even teaches. Hard to put much priority on a $300 chamber job when he can make 10-15 thousand teaching a class. There is a well known smith on this site that does great work and regularly quotes it may take about a year or so and I have seen 3 years to actually deliver. This is tough and has helped fuel the demand for more guys doing their own work and going into the business. If this guy is one of those then his regular job gets priority all at the expense of you waiting. I will admit that the squeaky wheel does eventually get the grease. If he is good it is worth the wait. It's just the nature of gun work. I do no advertising, no promotion, no sign, nothing but word of mouth and repeat business and we are backed up near a year. Our local general repair gunsmith is backed up 18 weeks to even look at a gun.

Just continue to drop him emails monthly and ask for an update or offer to see if he needs anything.

In the future be very wary of any smith or any trades person that asks for the labor money up front. If they do it's a huge indicator of financial trouble for that trades person.

Oops, so much for lunch.

 

[BountyHunter]

Road trip!

 

[Sully2]

.......

I'm still waiting on stocks I ordered in December. Then medical, family and other business things compete for our attention. When my mother died and I was the executor of her estate I was tied up for a month. God forbid a gunsmith goes hunting, takes a vacation or even teaches. Hard to put much priority on a $300 chamber job when he can make 10-15 thousand teaching a class. There is a well known smith on this site that does great work and regularly quotes it may take about a year or so and I have seen 3 years to actually deliver. This is tough and has helped fuel the demand for more guys doing their own work and going into the business. If this guy is one of those then his regular job gets priority all at the expense of you waiting. I will admit that the squeaky wheel does eventually get the grease. If he is good it is worth the wait. It's just the nature of gun work. I do no advertising, no promotion, no sign, nothing but word of mouth and repeat business and we are backed up near a year. Our local general repair gunsmith is backed up 18 weeks to even look at a gun.

If I wouldnt wait 3 years on a new $30,000 car...why would I wait 3 years on a $3000 rifle? I wouldnt....Id find a different smith

 

[Sully2]

To make the story short: I sent a rifle to get th action trued, rebarreled, muzzle brake installed, new stock and trigger work. Sent it to a guy in oct/nov. I talked to the gunsmith many times via email, text and phone before sending it to him. Sound like he knew his stuff so I figured give him a try. But now I'm getting the runaround "I'm waiting on this", "I'm waiting on that", "just got this but need that". ***!! I know these things take time and I've had custom guns built before, but this guy back pedels a lot. I've been waiting on a cheap *** boyds stock for two months now. So he told me. And never heard from the guy since. I've tryed to make contact and no response. What do I do?? He has my gun and money!! And he is 3 states away. Any advise would be appreciated.

What ever you have sent him...tell him to send it back NOW! You can always find another smith

 

[Sully2]

Road trip!

YUP!

 

[tinkerer]

I'm sorry, but this is one of the reasons I like Savage so much. A little ingenuity on my part makes a custom worth thousands at my home part time.

I understand gunsmiths are highly skilled, but they are human also.

Just my DA opinion.

Good luck. Maybe someone lives near this gusmith?

Larry
Tinkerer

 

[Sully2]

I'm sorry, but this is one of the reasons I like Savage so much. A little ingenuity on my part makes a custom worth thousands at my home part time.

I understand gunsmiths are highly skilled, but they are human also.

Just my DA opinion.

Good luck. Maybe someone lives near this gusmith?

Larry
Tinkerer

A "take apart" Savage isnt even in the same realm as a custom built rifle via a gunsmith.

 

[Deer mangler]

Thanks guys for all your input. Maybe I should just give it little more time, just wish I had better contact with the guy. But when I look back when he wanted me money contact was easy. I guess give it time, keep trying to contact him. Live and learn!

Anyone looking do to some rifle work?

 

[Broz]

You can and have given a good description of what is taking place with your transaction. And you have not bashed him. But I would give a name so others can decide if they wish to do business with him. Also maybe a personal friend or shooter near him knows of a way to contact him or if he has a good excuse for not answering messages left. In the end, if it does not play out, I would have all documentation of funds and what was sent to him and plan a day there to collect your property. Hope it works out for you.

Jeff

 

[C.O. Shooter]

I would send him correspondence via certified mail! Start a paper trail!