Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Gunsmiths

Case in point:

This is a tough situation. Make darn sure you have all the facts on paper on when the job was promised and you have details of what you sent and when. Be extra careful before making accusations of theft. If you know an attorney, I would get some counsel to make sure you're on solid ground when you move.

+1 on Taxidermist

The only time I've ever had a similar situation I made a road trip. When I arrived, my rifle was done. I picked it up. Never knew why the grandparents nsmith would not ship. He never asked why I decided to pick it up. It was a 6-hour drive each way. I suspect the gunsmith had a drinking problem.

I think you should have a member stop by to see what is happening.

With all the members here, someone could know him or live right up the street....out the bastage's name.

Where's this fella at?

I would PM Bricktop and tell him that Larry Root has a revealing picture of Bricktop and wants to sell it. Then tell him that Larry is at the address that your gunsmith resides. You may never see your guns, but you would hear about it in the 10:00 news.

My gunsmith is a super good fellow and a great friend as well. That said, he has on two occasions kept my guns for a very long time. I never figured it out and actually gave up on the last gun. He recently returned it to me, fixed perfectly, after having it for several years.

Sage advice right there!

I did have a smith reline a Model 94 Marlin in 38-40 in Washington State a few years ago. It took about a year. When I next asked him to do a new w job,he wasn't taking any more work as he was about 3 years behind. It was a good job on the 94.His name was John Taylor.

RUBBISH.

A long list of honest paying customers have(out of frustration) bothered total a**hole frauds like Stuart Saterlee, WFHein, and Empire Rifles
and the only persons to make a [bleep] list was those businesses, not the rightfully disgruntled customers.

Subsequently other trustworthy smiths gladly took up the good business offered to them from those customers.

Anyone who allows themselves to be intimidated into silence by the dodgy element of an industry
of mostly glorified garage hobbyists is lame and pathetic.

But there will always be those types that dont dare question their gunsmith, PH, LEOs, gunwriters or local pastor.
instead they seem to prefer to live a life of fear.

I talk or text my smith at least twice a week he's a great guy. I have five rifle builds going with him right now. He is always more than happy to visit. 😉.

I'd make a visit.

Agree on a time frame up front. Don't let him be a weasel. It ain't "poor businessmen" that pull this schit. It's liars and thieves.

Horsefly - Don't take advice from people on the internet - me included.
the fact that the guy is a gunsmith has no relevance - what if was your car, or your dog, or a watch??

Federal LAW dictates disposition of firearms delivered to a gunsmith - he operates under the same license as a dealer so him selling off your guns etc is rubbish.

POLL: Has ANYONE on this site delivered a gun to a gunsmith and had him sell it without your consent??? Raise your hand and speak up please....


I had a similar incident: Guy in Arizona - I'm in Georgia - old S&W revolvers, he "made" the parts, etc, Sent him TWO Customer's guns. Never had good or great communication but he was highly recommended. Finally I called the local police and asked them to do a "wellness check" on the individual and asked them to pass the message to please have him call me. It worked, and I do not mean to imply the police are my personal messenger boys, BUT something terrible could have happened to him.

You trusted him enough to send your gun(s) to him, trust him that he's not willing to risk federal time and charges on firearms.

I once gave a .22 rifle and a Lyman target receiver sight to a local gunsmith to install. After a time, when I called to find the status, he told me that I never gave him the sight. I argued with him over the phone and he was insistent. When I drove over to his shop, there was the sight in his show case with a price sticker on it. When I pointed at the sight and said, there's my sight, he got very sheepish and tried to laugh it off as a senior moment. A week later I had the rifle with sight installed and he did a fine job, not that it was difficult. It was the last work I gave him.

I guess I've been lucky. . . . here in Central Penna., we have a local smith who is busy but fairly prompt, does good work and is as honest as the day is long. Also, another smith who builds my benchrest rifles takes a long time to get things done but you know that going in.

Good Lord!

Reading all these posts sure makes me wonder about all those guys who claim they're 'gunsmiths'... WTH is wrong with someone who just can't be up front and honest re: completion time and or simple communication???

The day my name's mentioned above with similar issues is the day I hang it up for good....

I already figured you for an annoying kghunt.

You probably call every five minutes. "Is it ready? Is it ready?"




Dave

While I agree pestering a busy man delays the work getting finished, if he tells you it's finished but "doesn't have the money to ship"...that would scare the chiit out of me. Then he quits responding after you offer to pay the shipping charges on your dime ?, that's a red flag if you're hoping to see the guns again.

Name of the Smith or it didn't happen.. You guys want to know how to deal with this? All it takes is time, patience and money and in the end, not only did I get all of my deposit back, but enough to cover attorney fees plus a little more...

HOW TO NAIL A CROOK