opinions needed

[Pheasanthunter]

Try to make this short. A few years ago I purchased a 220 swift, Adams & Bennett barrel Mauser large ring on Boyds thumb hole stock and a bushnell scope. Was told his gunsmith had built it. After 20 rds down the tube I noticed brass in action. Took it to a new gunsmith ( a friend of a friend and ex military ) just starting up. He told me it was not safe to shoot because of headspace issue also he had removed scope and said it only had one mount screw in back so he could repair all but he needed to rent a reamer and just starting out would need money(340.00) up front. Well after a year and half of one story or another I finally caught him in his shop on a Sunday and seen he was packing things told me he was just moving and had my gun done but the bluing touch up. Guess he had to grind receiver flat and was going to reblue it. I took it anyway went to a another smith he checked it and headspace had not been corrected holes drilled wrong and when he dipped it to remove bluing he must have laid it down and chemical round down barrel and ruined it. He skipped out owing rent wouldn't answer or return calls and I have never found him. So I was wondering if this action is now scrap or worth doing something with.

 

[shortgrass]

Besides the "Swiss cheese' effect on the front receiver ring, the rear hole appears to be located where it would be IN the top bolt lug abutment. A definite 'NO NO", as this may weaken the lug abutment. I'd discard it in a heart beat. Anymore, there are amateur gunsmiths everywhere, guys that shouldn't be working on any ones firearms at all..

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Besides the "Swiss cheese' effect on the front receiver ring, the rear hole appears to be located where it would be IN the top bolt lug abutment. A definite 'NO NO", as this may weaken the lug abutment. I'd discard it in a heart beat. Anymore, there are amateur gunsmiths everywhere, guys that shouldn't be working on any ones firearms at all..

Yes I learned my lesson.

 

[Ggmac]

The holes location are a definite no no . In my opinion I would scrap it for a high pressure cartridge .
It looks to be blasted , either glass or sand , I would clean the barrel and scope it to make sure it's toast .

 

[hogpatrol]

I'll second those two motions. Scope the barrel and scrap the action.

 

[Ggmac]

Now that I'm awake , sort of , I ask these questions .
Has someone ever lapped the lugs ? Usually a no no , unless you re heat treat .
If it has been dipped in acid , how long ?
What make of receiver . What was the indications of needing work ? ( excess headspace , case ring )
What type of base was on it . Most one piece bases have only 1 screw in the rear bridge .
Who installed the Adams Bennet barrel ? I may have missed that .
If you want to sell or donate it , check gunsmithing schools and see if they would be interested and issue you a value for tax write off .
Make a 45 acp rifle , 230 gr at 800 fps makes a fun gun at 100 yds .

I forgot the most important , I would not hesitate to mention his name or at least a location , we as smiths are self governed and its this kind of guy that will make big brother eliminate that and it INCREASES our liability insurance .

 

[Riesel]

It really is a shame that these two "gunsmiths'" put you thru this and they should be ashamed of themselves. That term was used very loosely.
I have seen worse Mauser hack jobs that have been salvaged to shoot lower pressure or reduced loads but it would be an expensive endeavor.
I vote also to forego any attempt on the action and I would really give that bolt a good going over to be sure there was no extra grinding on it.
If the barrel and action check out, you may be able to re-coup some of your loss on ebay. This would included the trigger and the bolt stop.
Don't expect much.

 

[Riesel]

Ggmac, looks like we covered most of the bases.

 

[JRS]

Pay for service after the service has been rendered. Not before.

 

[Ggmac]

I just remembered another . If the headspace was excessive , why did he need a reamer ? All he needed to do was determine how much it was over and remove that amount from the tenon .
I'm sorry if I ramble , I've seen a lot of this in35 + yrs , glad I'm retired now .
I guess I want others to question and observe when they drop a firearm off for work .

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Now that I'm awake , sort of , I ask these questions .
Has someone ever lapped the lugs ? Usually a no no , unless you re heat treat .
If it has been dipped in acid , how long ?
What make of receiver . What was the indications of needing work ? ( excess headspace , case ring )
What type of base was on it . Most one piece bases have only 1 screw in the rear bridge .
Who installed the Adams Bennet barrel ? I may have missed that .
If you want to sell or donate it , check gunsmithing schools and see if they would be interested and issue you a value for tax write off .
Make a 45 acp rifle , 230 gr at 800 fps makes a fun gun at 100 yds .

I forgot the most important , I would not hesitate to mention his name or at least a location , we as smiths are self governed and its this kind of guy that will make big brother eliminate that and it INCREASES our liability insurance .

Now that I'm awake , sort of , I ask these questions .
Has someone ever lapped the lugs ? Usually a no no , unless you re heat treat .
If it has been dipped in acid , how long ?
What make of receiver . What was the indications of needing work ? ( excess headspace , case ring )
What type of base was on it . Most one piece bases have only 1 screw in the rear bridge .
Who installed the Adams Bennet barrel ? I may have missed that .
If you want to sell or donate it , check gunsmithing schools and see if they would be interested and issue you a value for tax write off .
Make a 45 acp rifle , 230 gr at 800 fps makes a fun gun at 100 yds .

I forgot the most important , I would not hesitate to mention his name or at least a location , we as smiths are self governed and its this kind of guy that will make big brother eliminate that and it INCREASES our liability insurance .

I just remembered another . If the headspace was excessive , why did he need a reamer ? All he needed to do was determine how much it was over and remove that amount from the tenon .
I'm sorry if I ramble , I've seen a lot of this in35 + yrs , glad I'm retired now .
I guess I want others to question and observe when they drop a firearm off for work .

Pay for service after the service has been rendered. Not before.

Besides the "Swiss cheese' effect on the front receiver ring, the rear hole appears to be located where it would be IN the top bolt lug abutment. A definite 'NO NO", as this may weaken the lug abutment. I'd discard it in a heart beat. Anymore, there are amateur gunsmiths everywhere, guys that shouldn't be working on any ones firearms at all..

the guy I bought the gun from said his gunsmith built the gun I do not know who he was I purchased it at a gun show. After shooting it there was brass shavings in receiver I took it to onsight gunsmithing in flint mi. The owner and gunsmiths name was Josh Ledbetter. He was a friend of a friend. I don't know about using reamer or whatever he needed to fix headspace problem (his diagnosis ) figured he knew what he was doing. It had a two piece mount. He dipped it to remove bluing and then must of laid it down on shelf or somewhere. When I picked it up I took it to Williams gunsight (where I should have went to in the first place) one of their gunsmiths scoped the barrel and showed me that the chemical must have ran down the inside of the barrel and pitted it he also checked and told me the headspace had not been fixed. I have not been able to find Josh since, I did win a judgement against him but have not been able to locate him. Thanks guys for the Replys

 

[Ggmac]

He was married in 2009 . Excessilor springs Missouri . His FFL expired in 6 of 2016 , I think , he had complaints going back to 2012 . I'm checking into his wife's background .
Was he into MMA or muscle lifting and had a large tatto on his left shoulder ?
Actually he was from Liberty Missouri . His mid name is Eugene , he was 26 in 2009 his wife was also from Liberty and 3 yrs older .

 

[Ggmac]

Interesting I found 2 Joshua , Eugene , Ledbetter , that were married in 2008 and 2009 to 2 diff women . No divorce records found yet . I doubt he's got 2 wives but I checked Missouri and Michigan .
Both Joshua's are the same age .

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Interesting I found 2 Joshua , Eugene , Ledbetter , that were married in 2008 and 2009 to 2 diff women . No divorce records found yet . I doubt he's got 2 wives but I checked Missouri and Michigan .
Both Joshua's are the same age .

Don't know about mma or tattoo was supposed to be ex military age is about right what I found on local records for genesee county at the time was lawsuits and some speeding tickets but the address for house was a rundown non liveable building he skipped out owing rent on his shop which is why he was packing up on a Sunday. I think his moms name is Vera. Thanks for help.

 

[joshb]

Interesting I found 2 Joshua , Eugene , Ledbetter , that were married in 2008 and 2009 to 2 diff women . No divorce records found yet . I doubt he's got 2 wives but I checked Missouri and Michigan .
Both Joshua's are the same age .

Dang Gary: You should use "G g man" as your moniker. Ever work in the FBI, back in the day?