Gunsmith taking me for a ride?

I don't know the first thing about gunsmithing. Having said that, I have a M70 in 338 with a crack in the stock, and a gunsmith telling me that I need a new trigger. He wants to charge me $165.00 for a timney(sp?) trigger, plus 125.00 to install it. He told me he could get me a stock for $150.00, and was going to charge me 50.oo to "fit it." I found the trigger at E-gunparts.com for 63.00, and an original M70 stock for 93.00. The guy at e-gunparts said the stock is completely finished and shouldn't need any work. He also "claimed" that I could install the trigger with little or any effort and I should just have a gunsmith check the work after I was done. Any suggestions, or opinions on the subject would be appreciated. Is the gunsmith taking me for a ride or just asking for what the work is worth?

I'd knock him out! When he woke up,I'd tell him what he did wrong!(grin). That guy,is trying a World Cl*** hose job. I can get you a McMillan Winlite Factory replacement stock,for $80. 100% new,and ready to drop-in. Bed it,and you are on your way. You will be able to install the Timney,in your sleep. Several friends,have purchased the stocks,and are delighted.........

I will be the first to say that he is trying to rob you blind. A Timney trigger for a M70 is under $100.00. The $125.00 for insalling it is a bit high as well. Sometimes you can get by with just dropping the trigger in Sometimes they require fiting of the safety because the striker release is a not in the same exact spot. I would charge $35.00 for that. And I am not cheap. The stock is high too. Especially if you found one for $93.00. Fitting is not required, but, I would opt to have it Gl*** pillar bedded anyways. A used wood factory stock will be wore in a bit to the previous barreled action, plus factory bedding is crap anyways. If he was going to bed it for $50.00 that is cheap and I would be suspect of maybe not so good of work. I would charge Twice that for an A-1 pillar bed job. Hope this helped you some.........Celt

I agree with big stick and celt. this guy is trying to rob you. If you want a gunsmith to do the work get it back from him and find another. My .02 Paul

Whoa! Fix the stock with accragl*** and refinish it yourself,then take the rifle to a good 'smith or send it to me,Celt,John Ricks,or any good 'smith for trigger evaluation and correction if needed. Holy dog doo batman!!!!!! I was already to defend some guy when I saw the topic but this guy needs a Kiwi enema! No wonder I ain't makin' any money plumbin' guns!! Hey Celt! ever heard of a M70 trigger going bad and cracking a stock? For the life of me I think your 'smith in question didn't wish to be bothered with your repair...or is an idot. Cheers! E4E------------------ Remove the mechanical variables,and then you can only blame yourself!

new2Alaska, I would whole heartedly recommend E4E (Pat) to do work on your rifle. He has been the best experience I have ever had working with a gunsmith. He is easy to reach, answers phone calls and emails. That smith I used before Pat kept my gun for almost two years when he told me that it would be a few weeks. He lied to me about part availability, and did shotty work to boot.Greg Yonkers

&^%#$ Maybe I should start charging prices like the guy, and I could retire 5 years ago!!! Celt is correct, not only is the guy a Con artist, but he dosen't understand bedding. A good bedding job is time intensive, and in my shop, time is money. And I want to know how a trigger splits the stock. Maybe the guy thinks the pull is too heavy, and your grip around the stock is so tight that the stock splits!!!! I am still falling out of the chair laughing. Send it to E4E, this is his area of expertise.

Thanks for all the info. After calling around here in town, which I should have done in the first place, I found out that the guy was "the biggest con going" here. I just got my rifle back and needless to say he won't be getting anymore gunsmith business from me.

Forgot to clear something up. The trigger didn't make the stock crack. 2 seperate things. Sorry for the mix-up. Regardless, rifle work goes to someone else from now on. thanks again, jim

Guy has a problem with his plumbing. Calls for help and a craftsman arrives, taps the drain pipe twice and says all is good. ''And that will be $250, sir.'' Homeowner replies,''Geez, I'm a doctor and I don't charge that much for so little.'' Plumber: ''Yeah, I know, I used to be be a doctor,too'' Your gunsmith went to the same school.