Gunsmith

[802flyfish]

Back in early August, I decided I finally wanted to add some LOP to a newly acquired over/under. Before I handed over the shotgun, I asked what kind of turnaround time I could expect, as I wanted to have the shotgun back before opener on September 1st. I was told 1–2 weeks.


After three weeks had passed, I called and was told it should be ready soon. Three weeks eventually turned into six weeks, so I called again and was informed that he was working on it and that it should be done within a few days.


Here we are, almost eight weeks later, and I still haven’t received a call.


I’ve never worked with a gunsmith before, but I’m not sure how a 1–2 week timeframe can turn into eight weeks. As you can imagine, I’m pretty frustrated, as I was really hoping to use the shotgun for upland season.


Would it be acceptable for me to call and say that I’d like the firearm back? Not sure how to handle this situation. We live in a rather small town in SW MT and I don’t want to burn any bridges.

 

[Addicting]

That seems reasonable to me to want it back. Especially since season started a month ago.

 

[elkantlers]

Back in early August, I decided I finally wanted to add some LOP to a newly acquired over/under. Before I handed over the shotgun, I asked what kind of turnaround time I could expect, as I wanted to have the shotgun back before opener on September 1st. I was told 1–2 weeks.


After three weeks had passed, I called and was told it should be ready soon. Three weeks eventually turned into six weeks, so I called again and was informed that he was working on it and that it should be done within a few days.


Here we are, almost eight weeks later, and I still haven’t received a call.


I’ve never worked with a gunsmith before, but I’m not sure how a 1–2 week timeframe can turn into eight weeks. As you can imagine, I’m pretty frustrated, as I was really hoping to use the shotgun for upland season.


Would it be acceptable for me to call and say that I’d like the firearm back? Not sure how to handle this situation. We live in a rather small town in SW MT and I don’t want to burn any bridges.

Acceptable? It's your shotgun. You absolutely have the right to get it back if you want it.
If he balks, get the law involved.

 

[EastTNHunter]

I’d get it back regardless of season starting… something smells off to me.

 

[El Jason]

Use a slip on pad to increase your length of pull.

 

[noharleyyet]

Those types of situations are maddening...be firm.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Nothing wrong at all with asking for it back. Things happen and smiths are usually busy if they're any good. If you need the gun, then get it. A good smith will not have an issue with you getting it back. There are a few things in this world you can count on, and a smith being overly optimistic in their timeline is one of them.

Then get a slip on pad that will add upwards of 1.25" to your LOP until the smith can actually get it done.

A good local smith is someone to nurture and molly-coddle. So be polite on the ask. If he's a good smith there won't be any drama. If he's a bad smith, I'd start looking in other areas