Would a Gunsmith Really do Such a #### Job?

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I got a gun in a trade a while back back. The trigger group was apparently smoothed out by a "gunsmith". The thing is is that I can't tell the difference between it and basically an exact copy of the gun(DA Grizz and Norc HP9).

Not only that, the work looks like it was done with a Dremel and the "smith" never bothered to smooth it all out. Pretty much ground a few spots down and put it back together. I very much doubt the work was done by anyone qualified. Is there any way to find out besides contacting the supposed gunsmith? I would post picture but my cell phone likely wouldn't show it.
 
This is easy. Contact the gunsmith who supposedly did the work.

If he actually did the trigger job, you will know who not to have do any work for you.

If he didn't, he would probably like to contact the fellow who said he did. :D

Ted
 
B said:
......Not only that, the work looks like it was done with a Dremel and the "smith" never bothered to smooth it all out. Pretty much ground a few spots down and put it back together. I very much doubt the work was done by anyone qualified.
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Therein lies the issue; many people call themselves "gunsmiths", based on very little professional expertise/training. In this country, it's rare to find any formal training in the gunsmithing field, when compared to the U.S.

I myself, am always skeptical...unless of course, there is a reputation that goes with the name. There are some notible "smiths" out there who build some of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen. Of course, there are some very competant individuals on this site that I would consider to be gunsmiths, but they perhaps, do not. They are very practical in their approaches, and have documented excellent work over the years.

I guess the bottom line is, if you do research the individual....don't be surprised if the gunsmith turns-out to be significantly less than a 16 year old with a Dremel tool. :rolleyes:
 
Well what gets me is that it was apparently $150 worth of work. The only work that was done is the sides of the housing is a bit scuffed up where the hammer rests. All other marks showed up after breaking it in. I have been on the short end of all our deals it seems...
 
B said:
.....I have been on the short end of all our deals it seems...
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Well, I learned early on.......
I bought a re-barelled M1903 that had been done by a monkey. (reported in the add as one of the best Gunsmiths in Canada) off another site. Headspacing was wrong, and the indexing was a mess. It was a mistake I'll never repeat.

Now, I never buy anything modified, added, changed or otherwise messed with. I want it as it came from the factory. I simply don't trust someone else's work, or opinion on work done, (unless as I mentioned, I know them or they have an excellent rep).

My simple rule of thumb - I only ever:

a. Buy new, when I can afford it.
b. Buy used (best condition as possible) from a reputable seller, who has not messed with it in anyway, (and offers a money-back inspection period), OR
c. Don't buy it.

It's not worth the headaches and the disappointment of someone else's bad judgement.
 
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I just checked his trader rating. An interesting new one. He has apparently sold someone some broken parts as new. What is the etiquette on busting someone for lying? Has it been too long (3 months)? I always thought I was getting shafted, if this is really a BS job then I will be pissed.
 
A few years ago , a member of our club claimed to be a gunsmith. His specialty being trigger jobs.

Another member decided to go with him for for IPSC gun trigger job. When he got it back & tried it for the first time, it went full auto with a 10 round mag in it. It was later examined by a known competent gunsmith who uttered some profound language about beginners & dremel tools.
 
I've seen way too many guns turned into garbage by people that call themselves a gunsmith. I think anyone with a dremel can call themself a gunsmith. where I live there's lots of scam artists that call themselves gunsmiths but when you talk to them you realize they have no idea what they're talking about.....or they're trying to take you for an idiot

but then again I see people bring a perfectly good working gun (usually brand new) and pay someone to wreck thier gun and make it unsafe and unreliable. good gunsmiths are few and far between
 
B said:
I got a gun in a trade a while back back. The trigger group was apparently smoothed out by a "gunsmith". The thing is is that I can't tell the difference between it and basically an exact copy of the gun(DA Grizz and Norc HP9).

Not only that, the work looks like it was done with a Dremel and the "smith" never bothered to smooth it all out. Pretty much ground a few spots down and put it back together. I very much doubt the work was done by anyone qualified. Is there any way to find out besides contacting the supposed gunsmith? I would post picture but my cell phone likely wouldn't show it.
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problem with the word gunsmith in canada, is that any joe shmoe can toss "Gunsmith" after their name , there is no course for training up here. so it could very well have been done by a "Gunsmith".
 
Yes some bad bubbasmiths out there.
I do alot of work, build alot of guns and can be very handy and many gunsmithing jobs, but i allways have my machinist for the big stuff, and for detailed work i used 1 of 2 real gunsmiths.
bbb
 
Ok so I sent a PM. This is really eating at me despite the time that's passed. I told him some issues have arrived with the shotgun and I needed the name of the smith who did the work. I was just told he isn't actually a smith, rather "an old timer at the club" who apparently does this in his spare time. Now here is the problem.

I traded a like new Glock 17 and 3 OEM 10 round mag and 4 KCI 10\17s(new) for 500 pcs of 10mm brass and a DA Ghost ring Grizzly with a sidesaddle and NR Knoxx stock. Obviously not a good trade right? Well that $150 dollars worth of work was supposed to add to the resale value of the shotgun. I knew I was taking a loss but I needed cash and brass. It worked for me at the time...

So I can't sell it in good conscience without taking a huge loss as the work done was not done by a qualified person and it was pointless. There is a loss of $150 right there. So I went from a loss of about $100 total in the deal to being close to $350 out. What should I do? I should have spoken up sooner I know but he still lied repeatedly. He knew I planned to sell the gun.
 
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B said:
........What should I do? I should have spoken up sooner I know but he still lied repeatedly. He knew I planned to sell the gun.
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Firstly, be encouraged by the simple fact that anything done incorrectly........can (usually) be re-done correctly.

You should borrow a camera & get some close-ups of the issue at hand. For two reasons; the first to document the issue for prospective buyers, and second to post on here and get some opinions.

I have personally spent more time in my shop "fixing" so-called repair jobs, than doing new assemblies. Re-surfacing, polishing or burnishing parts that are chipped, scratched or otherwise messed-up is not difficult...but it does require patience and careful preparation.

Yes, you may very well end-up taking a loss....Or, you may find someone willing to help you out for a reasonable price. In any case, I would take it one step at a time, and get a number of opinions before you make a decision on what to do.
 
It is done. I will certainly take a loss. It has shown me to take no one's word. It's all apparently my fault for being such a tool. What the f**k good is it being nice to people when you just get s**t on for your troubles???
 
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No disrespect, but your situation outlines exactly why there is no intrinsic "value" in the amount of money someone else may have spent on work done by anyone, on anything.

The guy paid (supposedly) $150 for some hack work, and you took that as an indication of value. I wouldn't have.

My read. Just another gun that has been modified. To be evaluated on it's own merits. Any modifications could be an improvement or not. But I sure would not pay out for any mods at retail added onto the value, either.

Well maybe. Partly. If I knew the guy I was buying it from, the guy that did the work, and knew that they both stood behind same, it may have some added value, otherwise it's just another potential liability when it comes time to figure out what the stuff is worth.

Clean it up, or install some new or aftermarket parts, sell it for what it's worth, and consider it the price of an education. Get the name of the "gunsmith"? Maybe pin that one up on the wall, as a reminder.

Probably goes without saying that you will inspect (espescially the "custom" stuff!) the gun thoroughly next time you buy one, eh?

Oh yeah. I think whynot? is on the money. Contact the guy that supposedly did the work. One way or another, it would be worth the call.

Cheers
Trev
 
I would have to agree. The problem I have is that he lied repeatedly about both the work done and who did it. A trigger job by a qualified gunsmith is at the least, a selling point right? Instead I have nothing, work done by nobodies is a bad thing IMO. Seems quite a few others agree. This has been a learning experience at least :rolleyes:.
 
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