How to deal with a non-responsive gunsmith?

[NV_Dmax]

When I had my shop you can damn well be sure that if I said 1 hour, 1 month or 1 year your project would be finished within that timeline. If there were logistical problems I would be up front with you. For example, I did a composite stock in the KUIU pattern (5 or 6 colors) it was approximately 45 hours of work. When I went to remove the final masking layer it peeled the under layer away on some spots. My first call was to the customer to say I had problems. He wasn't thrilled but understood. Communication is key. I didn't stone wall him and the finished product was incredible.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Not really related to the op, but based on many of the comments I feel like clarifying some things in regards to wait times. A rifle does not take all that long to build. Thats not why your waiting. If parts are taking 8 months to get, a gunsmith has to schedule farther out that that just to have work to do. You cant plan out 4 months in advance when actions are 8 months, unless your retired or have another source of income and don't need to work every day. Also, a smith can only build 50 rifles a year. If you go over you have to pay 10% excise tax on all of them including the first 50. So you will never see a guy do 60, its either 49 or in the hundreds and you cant do hundreds by yourself and do them right. So figure your smith is doing one per week along with all the other jobs like chambers that come in. So for you to get a 2 month turn around, theres only 8 jobs in the shop at most. Not sustainable for a full time smith. Not to mention the work load in general. When any shop has a lot of customers that are willing to wait, the wait will be long. The only way around that is to turn them away. I am the first one to say the situation SUCKS. Most of the smiths I know are way more stressed about getting the work done than even the customers are.

 

[tangocharlie]

One thing that has become immediately evident in reading through this thread is the varied and different personalities of our community. There are some people who thrive on dealing with adversity. There are others that prefer to avoid conflict. I find myself in the middle of that road. I do not seek conflict, because I escalate too easily. It is easier for me to try every possible avenue of resolution before I go to jail. And I am way too old for physical conflict now…That being said, responses indicate all levels of either immediate confrontation or prolonged avoidance. Hopefully the answer will be found and the reason for the questionable behavior found. At least, I hope so.

 

[300_whisper]

Not really related to the op, but based on many of the comments I feel like clarifying some things in regards to wait times. A rifle does not take all that long to build. Thats not why your waiting. If parts are taking 8 months to get, a gunsmith has to schedule farther out that that just to have work to do. You cant plan out 4 months in advance when actions are 8 months, unless your retired or have another source of income and don't need to work every day. Also, a smith can only build 50 rifles a year. If you go over you have to pay 10% excise tax on all of them including the first 50. So you will never see a guy do 60, its either 49 or in the hundreds and you cant do hundreds by yourself and do them right. So figure your smith is doing one per week along with all the other jobs like chambers that come in. So for you to get a 2 month turn around, theres only 8 jobs in the shop at most. Not sustainable for a full time smith. Not to mention the work load in general. When any shop has a lot of customers that are willing to wait, the wait will be long. The only way around that is to turn them away. I am the first one to say the situation SUCKS. Most of the smiths I know are way more stressed about getting the work done than even the customers are.

Wow great insight! I had no idea.

 

[pirate ammo]

You gonna fish or you gonna cut bait, that's all there is to it.

 

[Archer79]

Not really related to the op, but based on many of the comments I feel like clarifying some things in regards to wait times. A rifle does not take all that long to build. Thats not why your waiting. If parts are taking 8 months to get, a gunsmith has to schedule farther out that that just to have work to do. You cant plan out 4 months in advance when actions are 8 months, unless your retired or have another source of income and don't need to work every day. Also, a smith can only build 50 rifles a year. If you go over you have to pay 10% excise tax on all of them including the first 50. So you will never see a guy do 60, its either 49 or in the hundreds and you cant do hundreds by yourself and do them right. So figure your smith is doing one per week along with all the other jobs like chambers that come in. So for you to get a 2 month turn around, theres only 8 jobs in the shop at most. Not sustainable for a full time smith. Not to mention the work load in general. When any shop has a lot of customers that are willing to wait, the wait will be long. The only way around that is to turn them away. I am the first one to say the situation SUCKS. Most of the smiths I know are way more stressed about getting the work done than even the customers are.

I can totally understand this...but he should still be communicating with the O.P. ... that he's waiting on parts...I think if he would of communicated in the first place this post would'nt have happened...most people are pretty understanding when it comes to wait times even life events happen but not when they feel like they are being treated like a mushroom

 

[pirate ammo]

.most people are pretty understanding when it comes to wait times even life events happen

Hell, two consenting adults can make a whole new person in nine months, 3 years are you kidding. I'm using that adult thing very loosely.

 

[Archer79]

Hell, two consenting adults can make a whole new person in nine months, 3 years are you kidding. I'm using that adult thing very loosely.

I've waited over a year before...and in the end was very happy with the product....however the smith I used was good at communicating where he was at, and what the hold up was

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I can totally understand this...but he should still be communicating with the O.P. ... that he's waiting on parts...I think if he would of communicated in the first place this post would'nt have happened...most people are pretty understanding when it comes to wait times even life events happen but not when they feel like they are being treated like a mushroom

That's why I said it was that it was not really related to the original post

 

[Rem06]

Here is the background.

I was looking for advice on a gunsmith back in 2018. One of the prominent members of this forum contacted me via pm and recommended his gunsmith. I contacted his gunsmith and went out to visit him in PA (I'm from IN). Based on that meeting and some research on his match shooting performance I decided to go ahead and have him build me two rifles. One was to be built on a new action and the second was to be built on a action I already owned. He was going to purchase a new action from Borden, build the stocks (from his blank supplier), thread and chamber the barrels, install a bix trigger on the new action, and fit everything together (action ordered on April 5, 2018). Down payment check for 1/2 the action and 1/2 the stock blanks arrives on April 9, 2018. I ship my 4 barrels to his shop and they arrive on April 10, 2018. June 19, 2018 stockmaker mangles his shoulder and they will be delayed. In the mean time he re-barrels another firearm for me and the workmanship is outstanding (turn around time was a little over a month). Stocks show up on July 17, 2018. New Action arrives on Aug 22, 2018. February 8, 2019 rifles are promised to be ready in time for the arrival of decent weather. May 19, 2019 rifle still don't done but suggestions are made to making progress and not compromising on quality. October 22, 2019 stock finishing problems start to develop and problems develop with a new lathe. Jan 23, 2020 text sent indicating good progress I inquire about having them ready to make the first match of the season on 4/4/20. He says they should be taken care of without a problem. May 8, 2020 He indicates he has two hard coats down on each of the stocks. May 15, 2020 and the stock hiccups are supposed to be behind us. October 8, 2020 stock are out for finishing and he's supposed to be working on the remaining metal work. Nov 17, 2020 Guy doing the final finishing gets hit by a motorcycle. April 1, 2021 supposed to be getting close.... Last communication was on April 3, 2021.

A project that was supposed to take 6-8 months has taken over 3 years and now I cannot get a response via text or phone. I have been more than accommodating and have not blown up his phone looking for updates (a call or text every couple of months). If I didn't know the quality of work is outstanding I would never let this go on so long. Since I haven't been able to get a response in over a month I'm trying to figure out what to do now.

Any advice?

geeze zips! toss a name out there so you can find some real answers vs, go beat his ass to he may be dead!
i am begining to think this is a stirr the pot post?
same kind of speculation, nothing personal to the OP!

 

[tsyarnall]

Alex, you’re a class act.

Scott Y

 

[rrwildlife]

Not really related to the op, but based on many of the comments I feel like clarifying some things in regards to wait times. A rifle does not take all that long to build. Thats not why your waiting. If parts are taking 8 months to get, a gunsmith has to schedule farther out that that just to have work to do. You cant plan out 4 months in advance when actions are 8 months, unless your retired or have another source of income and don't need to work every day. Also, a smith can only build 50 rifles a year. If you go over you have to pay 10% excise tax on all of them including the first 50. So you will never see a guy do 60, its either 49 or in the hundreds and you cant do hundreds by yourself and do them right. So figure your smith is doing one per week along with all the other jobs like chambers that come in. So for you to get a 2 month turn around, theres only 8 jobs in the shop at most. Not sustainable for a full time smith. Not to mention the work load in general. When any shop has a lot of customers that are willing to wait, the wait will be long. The only way around that is to turn them away. I am the first one to say the situation SUCKS. Most of the smiths I know are way more stressed about getting the work done than even the customers are.

Thank you Alex. This post is insightful for the business side of things and something I did not know.

Ryan

 

[ctrickett]

Communication is important, if the guy doesn't answer you....after 3 yrs, heck after 1 yr, I'd make the road trip.....there is zero expectations anything takes that long.
A friend of mine many years ago was interest in hunting Africa....he sent 3 rifles to be built to Montana gun smith. I don't know how this possible but my friend waited so long he forgot about the trip and the rifles....10yrs later the gun smiths widow sent the rifles back to my friend, mostly complete.