Did I do the right thing?

T

turbodog77

New member
ok. I am paranoid now. But, since this is my first shotgun I took it to a gunsmith in my town. It's a heirloom gun now I so wish I didn't take it there.
He had me fill out the repair tag and he put it on while sitting there. But, made me nervous the way he went on about it when I took it in. Being a nice gun that is.
Had it broken down in seconds, looking it over, admiring it maybe, showing me every little imperfection. But, I walk out the door feeling like I just left my mom there. omg! I know I am freaking out. But, if you don't know where to go and the person is a licensed firearm dealer, it should be alright isn't it????????????? geesh.... I didn't think it'd stress me out so much!!! I think I should call Thursday and check on it or stop by suddenly! whatcha think guys?
I was so nervous I forgot my case and went back for it red faced.
I'm just stressing I guess :( :( :( :o
 
I just got it after 8 months of BS with my mom's stuff. It's the only thing I got of hers. :( so sad right now. I'm a girl if it helps any :( LOL
 
I would prefer his treatment vs. the opposite. Did he provide you with an estimate?

I had a Gentlemen do the same with me over an antique clock years ago. He loved his skill (master clock and watch repair person) and enjoyed sharing with others. He ended up being a mentor and teaching me much more than I could ever describe.

Thanks to him, I can repair my own now. I never paid him enough for all he taught and did for me.

This Gentlemen could be of the same cut of cloth.
 
If he's got a good reputation - you should be fine.

Whenever I take a gun to anyone ...reputation is important / cleanliness of the shop / making sure there is a clear understanding of what I want done - and how I want it done. If its anything wrong other than what we've discussed - I make sure to note, to call me - and make sure he has my phone numbers. If its something real specific ( like a trigger replacement ) I'll expect the replaced parts in a bag when I pick up the gun / and some documentation of the type and spec on the parts he put into the gun. If its something specific - like I want the trigger to break at 4 lbs on bottom barrel and 3 1/2 lbs on top barrel --- then I make sure its in my instructions to him in writing vs trust his memory on many guns he has to work on. If I spec a specific part ...then I put it in writing as well vs taking whatever he thinks it ought to be.

If its an expensive gun / or even not so expensive ...I'll take some photos of the gun / a few hours before I drop it off - to establish condition / just in case.

If he does something special / or something beyond what I asked for / tightened something or adjusted something he found wrong...then I'm careful to tip him accordingly / make sure we have a good solid relationship. If he's an employee - I may have a gift card for Starbucks or something in my wallet ..so its something he can use vs shop owner / or drop off some donuts or something for the shop in general...( or a big tub of red licorice - that you can buy at Costco, or Target or wherever...something like that for the shop ...just to say thanks).

If I'm unhappy when I pick up the gun / I make sure I meet with the owner --and try and discuss a fair resolution.

( but whenever possible / I do my own work as much as I can --- so when I go to a gunsmith - I know the work is out of my league / and I expect to pay for his knowledge and skill). Its good to have someone to rely on when necessary...
 
yes. I thought it was high. But, he said he'd clean out the gunk, dirt and fix it. I already knew what was broke. It was an easy fix for him. Pricey maybe, and then he said he will fire it. Little do they know I will be requesting them to shoot it again upon my pick up.
I always kind of feel ppl out and ask for a fair estimate.
He's been repairing guns for 55 yrs according to site and a retired gun trainer for our police department. So, I thought with those credentials it would be ok. I am just going by what his web site said. I don't know any gunsmiths personally. There was a guy taking in two shotguns to be worked on I suppose so it must be ok. I just didn't like the way he marveled over my heirloom gun. Kind of makes a girl nervous. I don't like to get my things fondled like that LOL..... I guess I should just try to relax and think he was just giving me a compliment about her gun. :)
 
well I thought $90 to fix the spring for the shell chute was high but in the price he is going to break it down and clean it which he did it right in front of me in seconds. Then he is going to go out and actually shoot it a few times to see if everything is ok. So that in itself plus I am reading that he has been fixing guns for 55yrs made me feel good that I can shoot it after he goes over it. I think it might be pricey, but either that or take it to another guy who does a half a** job.
Just want it back very soon! It is just a gun to someone looking at this post. But, after 8 months of hounding to buy it and it was my mom's & should of been handed down to me in the first place! I feel lost it is somewhere getting fixed now. sounds silly but it is a part of my mom, has her mojo on it :)
 
they called

thank God they just called. I am out the door when I get my hair dried.
Geeshh..... I guess it's like I had this vision of my mom whispering in my ear, "If anything happens to my gun I'm gonna make you see Jesus!":eek:
Can't wait to get this relic back in the house!
I sure appreciate someone to talk to about it. Nothing like having a house with no one to talk to about guns and such :) :) :)
 
really ripped me. I think it is not fixed, I think they just ripped me off. I haven't tried to load it yet. But, just from looking at it and playing around it's a no go.
I even told him there , no let me see it> I looked over the chute/lever, it isn't any better!??? he says, "oh if you think it needs more adjustment, I'll do it again." What!
It's BS. I should of said something. They "reduced" it to $75. yeah, right, what to stick their finger in my butt. There is no one in my area that's honest so far! so unhappy.
My mom is right there's alot of con artists here waiting to take your money for nothing.
I think I got ripped off bc they think I am a stupid woman. I'm trying to focus on the fact I have it back and to heck with the world right now. Time for a beer.:mad:
 
model 12, 16 ga. 1938

well, I loaded it and had to play around with the chute, so I shouldn't have to do that. Not sure what all he did to it.
At least, he came down which he should of he was adding money bc I was a woman.
As he went on about how they don't make the model 12, 16 gauge I knew everything he is telling me. I don't know how to fix guns but I do know some things about them.
Maybe he thought later, well she was a nice lady maybe I should charge her $90. well yeah, he didn't do anything that I can see, trying to figure out how he adjusted a spring. ?
need to look at the break down catalog again that I guy showed me yesterday, a new spring is around $6.50 and the chute is like &12.50. I hear there's a online website like the dinnerware one where you can buy old vintage gun parts.
If someone knows what that was tell me. I had a headache yesterday and can't remember now.
I think I'll brush all the bs to the side and enjoy this beauty. I'm sure it will bring me good luck in the field :) :) r.i.p Ma, I have your gun :)
 
Well, do you plan to take it to a range to fire or just out on the back 40?

If a range, you could always ask around about:

a) gunsmiths in the area

b) for another shooter to take a look and see what they think

2nd pair of eyes never hurts, just be your pleasant self, most shooters are happy to help their fellows, especially those of the opposite gender:rolleyes:;)
 
I remember your post - glad you got the gun.

I have a summer house in MI and just went to this shop with my Dad. He bought a new circuit judge from them and we went up after he bought it to ask a question. Both the owner and his son were there too and we were all looking at the gun trying to figure out the choke system - .410 and .45lc is a new thing.

Anyway, they are great and not sure if you are near there in MI, but I would recommend.

The Gun House
2560 South Cleveland Avenue, Suite 3, St. Joseph Charter Township, MI (Stevensville, MI)

good luck.

And I know guns are mostly a guy thing, but even the biggest baddest tallest guy in the world can be leveled by a girl pulling the trigger. As people have often say, a gun is an equalizer. (I try telling this to my wife, but she still hates guns except occasional trap/skeet bouts)
 
16 gauge Model 12s were all built on the same frame as the 20s and 28s. The result was a potent repeater that carried easily but smote like a minor Diety.

Every one of these I've had the privilege of holding felt alive in my hands.

There's two guns that could get me back into 16 gauge.

One is Ansley H Fox's marvelous SxS in that gauge and the other is the Model 12.

Enjoy.....
 
I am no gun expert and know little about your Mom's gun, but I made a living resolving problems. Generally, most tradesman want to be fair to the customer, but emotions can get in the way of a fair and amicable resolution. (I hate trying to resolve my own problems, even though I am pretty good at dealing with client's issues, as I tend to get emotionally involved when I think that I am being cheated.) You are understandably emotional about your Mom's gun. Do you possibly have a friend that could talk to the gun smith and find out what he did and explain your concerns? You did say that the smith offered to redo what was supposed to be a fix.
 
let's see if I can tell some details.

of course the gun is old. I understand that, but I went to them asking them to fix it because I can see what is wrong with by trying to load the thing then I should expect them to fix it.
So, since he didn't fix it and I wanted to know why it wasn't any better? I never got the right response.
Secondly, after the first visit I won't be taking it back. I don't know that much about guns but adjusting a spring just doesn't sound right.
I also visited some gun shops and examined the same chute to see how the tension was. Of course, the normal. This chute does need a spring. And I am sure it's the same spring for all shotguns that are in the catalog I looked at it gave the exact info for ordering the part. Unless I am misunderstanding something about his "fixing"
What scared the geebee out of me is the local gun/fishing store here in Edwardsburg Michigan I visited on Thursday, the associate in the gun section said this gunsmith posted on his facebook page, how a customer that same week fussed about how he wasn't going to pay for a fix that wasn't fixed and the gunsmith just took his gun! that is way wrong. Like something is just squirrely going on here.
I was in total shock. I said well, this is why I paid him and got the H*ll out of there. I made sure I made the comment, well if you fixed it why isn't it any better?
I was actually glad a man and woman were in front of me at his bc he gave me one sharp look.
I think the best thing for me to do is just that go to some firing range and ask for help that way I am asking before shooting it.
For me, the whole it's my mom's gun is freaking me out. I guess I am a little intimidated at this point.
I did see the gun also says" full" on barrel. I would like to know if there is any 16 gauge guys out there who has a gun that says that on the barrel who could tell me what ammo they shoot for game hunting and target shooting.
:)
Everyone in my area is pointing to On Target. So, really it would be worth the time to drive there and talk to someone. I hear Gander Mountain in Fort wayne is great too. But, not sure what the law is on gun transpo across statelines. I haven't heard of the Stevensville shop, but I will keep this in mind for future references.

Funny how the manager at the gun section in Edwardsburg said yeh, that's not a good place to take your gun he doesn't have a good reputation.
So, at least a facebook friend of this guy and an older local was honest. I just told them in my own words what happened. And it won't be happening again in my book. The manager asked his associate how he could be friends with such a guy! Bah!
I'm stuck with some ammo. Might as well tell all. I didn't know it said "full" so I have some slugs that I am stuck with time for garage sale!!
:mad: Oh well, that's what I get for jumping the gun ha, I just was so happy to be getting it. Thought I was preparing... Not!

I haven't done anything with the gun and that might be a good thing. Maybe the other jerk on the phone is right just put it in a gun cabinet and admire it. :(
 
gun repairs

I took an old 38 pistol to a local guy who had been in business here for about thirty years . Had the same feeling when I left , will I ever see it again and will it work if I do ? I was about 27 when I dropped it off , I am now 59 and he is dead. I will only send arms nack to mgr or to some where like Gander for work now.

Hope you have better luck.
 
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