Gunsmith DESTROYED 1911 Slide - Legal Opinions
- Thread starter johnlemon
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That's a real PITA. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Now, I'm probably going to sound like a bit of a fool but...
What kind of 1911 is it?
What is the description of damage (pics even better)?
Did you go to a provider that is known for their gunsmithing services (openly advertised)?
Now, I'm probably going to sound like a bit of a fool but...
What kind of 1911 is it?
What is the description of damage (pics even better)?
Did you go to a provider that is known for their gunsmithing services (openly advertised)?
you will not win in court
Nobody would ever accept this.
make of 1911 that will determine what action to take
posting vague info is just annoying as far as someone else on here offering to repair it you don't want that option
come to terms with the company accept a pay out
and move on
the world is full of 1911's
posting vague info is just annoying as far as someone else on here offering to repair it you don't want that option
come to terms with the company accept a pay out
and move on
the world is full of 1911's
I understand your perspective ... but what if it was a mechanic you gave that corvette to, and he negligently destroyed it ?
I didn't just lose my 1911, I sent it to what I thought was an expert, and they have now irreparably damaged it due to their negligence.
I very much appreciate and understand the perspectives shared here, but there is a certain depth to this which has taken hold over the last nearly 3 years. It very much includes concerns that are not related to the actual cost of the handgun.
1. I did not agree to a three year process where I would be mistreated and abused/disrespected, I agreed to pay an expert for services rendered on my firearm.
2. The gunsmith/expert has invited this situation and engaged in Detinue by demanding to fix my property and by intentionally ignoring my contact and delaying resolution. As has been stated in this thread, there are other gunsmiths that do not have a damaged trust relationship which could have sooner handled this.
3. I had a reasonable expectation that this job would be finished within 60 days of the gunsmith receiving it, and as a result of that I have not been able to enjoy the shooting sport, or to educate/teach beginners with the most (or second most) ubiquitous handgun platform in the western world.
NONE of what happened was agreed to, literally none of it. The damages cannot pertain only to the destroyed property after almost three years, how could it ? Also, is this the precedent we want to set for gunsmiths beckoning prohibs in ? I don't think so.
This is what I was wondering as well, there are a lot of things that can be done to fix a "destroyed" 1911 slide.
You keep mentioning enjoyment rather than any kind of harm that this has caused you over the past 3+ years. That's not gonna fly in any court here.
I think almost all of us understand your frustration and anger, but we're just telling you taking this to court will net you less than $2900, likely won't get your pistol back, and will cost you a lot more time, effort and frustration. Courts are not quick in Canada, they are unfamiliar with and often hostile towards gun owners and gun property related claims, and will certainly view the $2900 as in fact more than generous especially given the likely original price of your 1911. If you still insist on pursuing legal action in spite of all that, just to scratch a vindictive itch, and you are more than comfortable financially to go that route, then by all means that's what you should do.
If this is the case - it's a simple Small Claims Court action.
Appears to me to be more to it - however. Nevertheless, Small Claims Court is not difficult to do, $175.00 or so to fill out the documents... serve the court notice etc. yourself.
Appears to me to be more to it - however. Nevertheless, Small Claims Court is not difficult to do, $175.00 or so to fill out the documents... serve the court notice etc. yourself.
Small Claims Court might net him what the pistol cost him at best, plus maybe a little extra for what is reasonably expected to get it repaired+shipping+etc. AT BEST. It might not even get him his lower receiver back. Unless this was an actually $2000-$5000 semi-custom or custom 1911, and he ends up with a judge that is actually familiar with firearms in Canada and what the value of this pistol might have been, he will only potentially win in terms of getting revenge against this extremely unprofessional and negligent gunsmith/retailer. His argument about enjoyment and time lost when it comes to pistol shooting might earn him the scorn of the court too if I'm being honest. He's just rightly frustrated and angry, but he should sit down and rationally read some of the replies here and maybe consult a firearms lawyer too.
Did you ever go to small claims court or any court?
Quit your belly-aching , take the money and your gun and go elsewhere to get it fixed. If the offer included a new slide, get it too. Let someone else finish it. The sooner you are done with this outfit the better you will feel. They are not happy either...
I can't speak for their expertise on 1911s, but Black Box Customs probably has access to the right gunsmiths to do your 1911 fix for you.
Canis Customs in BC used to do some cool custom pistols, most of them 1911s, probably still can.
Assuming your problem retailer is not Ellwood Epps, they're not that bad with gunsmithing jobs either and sell a lot of 1911 parts still, or used to at least, can probably source them if not.
Dlask no longer sells 1911 parts but it might be worth contacting them anyway as the owner was the one who did some of the best custom 1911's in Canada.
Rodger Kotanko has been killed by police, so he's no longer an option, but he would have been the best option for 1911.
Edit: Bits of Pieces in Vancouver too. Great gunsmith. Assuming they are still in business.
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Hopefully you can understand how I'm feeling when the first person that comes to mind for fixing these issues is actually the one thats been dragging me through this nightmare. You've named the party responsible for destroying the 1911 slide.
I've really got no clue what I can do, at this point. I still have Rodgers biz card here in the safe, and I wish he were here to help.
All I know is that the cranky fellas in here saying I should accept some pocket lint and a jarred fart .. well .. you guys need to realize $2900 is not what it used to be. I'd be lucky to even have a working 1911 if I accepted $2900 and my pile of parts back, if I could even find a smith to accept it and fix it. Never mind whatever waitlist they probably have.
Why can’t they use the 2900 to buy you a new slide and fit it?
They've been repeating for nearly 3 years that they have a slide on order from the states, but it just never happens.
They never call me, I reach out and they just keep sucking their teeth at me. They say its happening, but it isn't. It feels like they're hoping I just expire one day and stop calling, at this point.
I’d take the money as long as you’re getting the gun back and take it somewhere else
Maybe not but at least you’d have it back
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