Am I being unreasonable? ** UPDATE **

[Broham85]

Hello Calgunners,

I just wanted to vent on a situation and hear your thoughts.

This is concerning a 1911 pistol that was sent to a known gunsmith for custom machine work.

I was quoted a 6-7 month turnaround time and we're closing in on 1 year. I've always had to call for updates and I've been told "soon".

Work has already been paid for.

This is my only center fire pistol and I'm thinking the gunsmith should have contacted me when he was ready to start my project.

Has anyone had this happen before? Is this standard practice or am I being overly anxious/ unreasonable?


Please share your thoughts.

Thanks!

[VictorFranko]

Work has already been paid for.

There's the crux of your problem.
He's already spent your money and has to keep bumping your work back behind new work to keep the cash flow coming in.

[SkyHawk]

Known gunsmith, or Well-Known gunsmith?

What 1911 did you send?

[stix213]

The only thing unreasonable in your statement is that this is your only pistol.

[XDJYo]

I feel for you OP. That said, most places for custom work wouldn't take full payment in advance. Usually a deposit or percentage of the total. 1 year isn't unheard of for VERY well-known 1911 smiths. They are a small community and somewhat of a dying breed. There are several here on the CG pages that are known to be excellent 1911 smiths and do excellent work with excellent reputations.

I would say 'known gunsmith' is code word for a guy in a garage armed with a Dremel? Doubt a reputable 1911 smith would do what you say happened.

I would firmly, but in writing, request that your money and your 1911 be returned. You do have paperwork on it right? A trail of e-mails? Date/time and details of all phone calls right? If you don't I would suggest building your case first and then contacting the gunsmith. It could get ugly.

[Broham85]

Didn't think it would be this bad. It was sent to Stan Chen Customs.

@stix213, it does suck but I'm slowly moving toward minimalism. This was going to be my one and done center fire pistol..

[Jimi Jah]

It doesn't take a year to work on one of those, just a few hours. So what is he doing in the meantime? Taking in more work from others? Watching your gun collect dust?

[Broham85]

@ Jimi Jah, that's what I'm saying. Besides that, I see posts of him offering new products etc..

My thing is take a deposit to hold my spot and then have me send in the gun when it's my turn..

[theLBC]

bummer. i probably wouldn't have sent it until he was ready to work on it.
nothing takes a year...

[trackcage]

The only thing unreasonable in your statement is that this is your only pistol.

You win

[downdiver2]

Known gunsmith, or Well-Known gunsmith?

What 1911 did you send?

That's the best question posed here. Known Gunsmith or WELL known Gunsmith. I learned a VERY hard lesson in this. A gunsmith can be a good known gunsmith - but is he know to work with 1911's?

[L-2]

#1 is to ask for your 1911 and deposit back. If necessary, do so in-writing, keeping a copy for later.

Research small-claims-court. With good communication, court can be just an option and hopefully, the gunsmith returns the gun and deposit back.

Although it may not be written, the deal/contract might be considered breached as the time estimate was to be done in 7 months and now it's been a year.

Even verbal assertions are allowed in small claims court, but written contracts are much better. There is a cost to both sides for small claims court in the time it all takes, filing fees, and serving the other party. It's always good to settle things outside of court, if possible.

Yelp is even an alternative, although it may be better as some type of threat, for now.

Another option is to save up more money; but another handgun to have and enjoy; and be patient, hoping your subject 1911 and/or deposit is returned someday, either worked-on or not.

Once you get the 1911 back, let us know how it all worked out. Good luck

Add'l Info: Even once you win in small claims court, there's still the matter of collecting on the matter; but having a court order directing the settlement really helps and most people will abide by that court order.

[newbutold]

Didn't think it would be this bad. It was sent to Stan Chen Customs.

@stix213, it does suck but I'm slowly moving toward minimalism. This was going to be my one and done center fire pistol..

Thanks, scratching Stan off my list. Good luck

[Broham85]

Thanks for the tips "L-2".

It was a Kimber Stainless Target 9mm for the RO Machine package.

You can clearly see his estimated time on the website.

http://www.chencustom.com/machining/

[L-2]

Although I don't have experience with this person/business, he is well-known and I wouldn't think he'd be out any money if he's so busy. You're just one little gunsmithing/machining job with probably several others to move up the schedule by one notch.

Here's some info you'll need-to-know business/corporation-wise:

https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/TradeNameSummary.do?quitButtonDestination=BusinessEntityResults&nameTyp=TRDNM&masterFileId=20181591783&entityId2=20181591783&fileId=20181591783&srchTyp=TRDNM

Communication is key. It may get your 1911 moved to the very top; the business may have had extraordinary and understandable delays (injury, illness, moving, fire, etc. I'm just making guesses.). Once you communicate with Stan Chen Custom, aka Legacy Custom Products, you may decide to still leave the Kimber with that company instead of getting your 1911 and deposit back, perhaps minus some shipping costs, I'm guessing.

More. Here's the business address should you decide you need to get the business legally-served:
65 N Skylane Dr., DURANGO, CO 81303, United States (it may or may not be where you sent your Kimber to be worked on.)