Gunsmithing Local Smith Jacked up my Threads

[Silverbullet2]

Guy's,
I had a local smith, that the local SWAT team uses, thread my barrel for a suppressor. I have several rifles that are threaded, and when I got around to shooting this paticular rifle suppressed, I got baffle strikes. Not too happy.
I took the rifle back to the Range/Pro Shop/Gunsmith, and they told me the gunsmith didn't work there anymore, and that said gunsmith had jacked up several other thread jobs. They took the rifle and checked it in, and when they got around to it, a week later, after I was on the phone with them several times, the apprentice smith told me that the adapter wobbled when the barrel was chucked in the lathe. He also told me that they are not comfortable with fixing it. They are not willing to fix it, give me my money back, and had no plans on getting my can fixed for me. Mind you, I have spent 14-16K in the last 6 years with this company.
Should I talk to a Lawyer, or just cut my losses and never set foot in that place ever again, or both. Thank for the help in advance.

 

[texote]

Why not do both? Thats alot of your money they threw away and I would be livid. Especially if I was a repeat customer of your caliber, thats what would aggravate me the most! And even if you weren't such a loyal customer, they should fix what they broke.
Why Is it your fault that they are incompetent at hiring experiened gunsmiths

 

[excaliber]

Are you sure the threads in the suppressor are true?

 

[Silverbullet2]

It is a Surefire, and I have had it mounted on several of my other rifles with no issues. Factory LWRC, custom bolt gun, Knights SR-15, and a Knights SR-25. Believe me, I am livid. I am doing my best to stay in control. I am hoping they at least send my can back to get fixed. Thanks, guy's.

 

[dentout]

I would think they are libel for the actions of an employee.

 

[bward]

I can't understand why the wouldn't be comfortable fixing it. They could chop the old threads off and in 30-45 minutes have it redone. You would lose about .600" of barrel, but I'm guessing you wouldn't care.

 

[x ring accuracy]

Its a simple fix. Find someone nearby or send it off to. Stop crying over spilled milk. They are unwilling to help which means they have no clue. In a lathe its a 10 min fix, including coffee break.

 

[Doug Shooter]

I would think they are libel for the actions of an employee.

+1 on that one can't imagine they are not libel for this.

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Liable guys, the word is liable, not libel.

They probably don't have anyone qualified to fix it, sounds like the apprentice can check it, but can't take it from there. As was posted, cutting back an inch or so of barrel and recutting it true, ought to fix it. The Surefire is easy to check once installed too.

Don't suppose you looked thru it? Sure seems like that one would have been easy to see from the breech end.

 

[Pinecone]

If they cannot fix it, I would have it fixed elsewhere and have a copy of the bill sent to them by a lawyer requesting payment.

 

[Gillettehunter]

Get everything fixed and document EVERYTHING. If they refuse to pay its a simple deal to go to the courthouse and file in small claims court. They will serve them a summons. Then they get to tell the judge why they seem to think they are not liable for their actions. You get your judgement plus filing fees. All expense if you keep good records of actual costs. Small claims can go as high as $3000in some states. Good luck. Bruce

 

[hero's machine]

Cutting it down is great, if he has the room. The adapter may "wobble" if chucked on the od of the barrel as the bore line may not be true to the outside.

 

[steveptr]

Im a Washingtonian as well. Can you tell me what shop did this I have my ideas

 

[eddieharren]

You should start post on all of the "Kewl" rifle sites and ask for legal advice. Remember the advice you get is worth exactly what you will pay for it.

 

[jhart2424]

They are liable for all work performed within their premises. They should have insurance especially because they deal with firearms. I'm sure if you have a lawyer serve them a nice letter, they would be more than happy to buy or repair your barrel and can.

 

[KYS]

They are liable for all work performed within their premises. They should have insurance especially because they deal with firearms. I'm sure if you have a lawyer serve them a nice letter, they would be more than happy to buy or repair your barrel and can.

this is good advice

 

[seanh]

Do you have a friend or family member that is an attorney, possibly someone here that can help? The reason I ask is due to the cost. All an attorney will do is send threatening letters...big deal. Then maybe it get a court date...so what. How long with that take?

I suggest that you go to a couple other smiths and get an official letterhead quote on the repair. Send a certified letter to them indicating their responsibility for payment or to repair the item...better to have an attorney draft one. Then wait for their response. If no response, send it again, certified. Then go get the repair done by someone else and take them to small claims court.

 

[bodywerks]

Its a simple fix. Find someone nearby or send it off to. Stop crying over spilled milk. They are unwilling to help which means they have no clue. In a lathe its a 10 min fix, including coffee break.

^^^ this. Take your money back take it to a competent Smith, get it fixed. Shoot.

 

[the once-ler]

why pay a friggin attorney?? just go pay your $80 and file in small claims court. You are going to have to have rock solid documentation from a competent gunsmith that what they did was incorrect. Their word against yours type deal. They could say oh he dropped it and bent the can or something stupid like that.

 

[stangfish]

just cut my losses and never set foot in that place ever again

They will be out of buisness soon anyway.

 

[STR]

Yes, they were wrong. However, unless you have a lawyer that works for free, it's cheaper to send it to someone that knows what they're doing. It's the easiest/cheapest fix. You would involve a lawyer for big money, not for $125.00 job that you got burned on. It sucks, I know. The can I would send back to the manufacturer for proper repair if you don't want to get burned some more. I would avoid the place that messed it up at all cost, and tell everyone I know who they are. That will cost them more than paying you for properly repairing their mess.

 

[Stokes]

I'm in the area. I'd like to know whom to avoid.

BTW, there are a lot of great 'smiths in the Puget Sound region. That's a relatively easy job, especially now that the threads are so screwed up the next 'smith could actually use the current crown to turn the barrel between centers and have perfectly concentric threads.