Gunsmith scratched my shotgun! Need your opinion!

[truthseeker]

OK, I took my Perazzi MX8 that I just spent $400 having the receiver nickle plated. It was PERFECT, no scratches, etc... BEFORE I brought it to a gunsmith to have a new stock and fore-end wood fitted to the metal.

So, I take it to a gunsmith (I will not name him now until I talk with him) to have a stock and forend fit to the shotgun.

Well I went to look at his progress and there were a couple scratches/gouges where the receiver meets the wood on the top by the safety switch. The only way they could have gotten there is from when he was trying to scrape away wood or when filing the wood he must have slipped and hit the metal.

Anyway, how should I approach the gunsmith?

I am pissed off that I just payed $400 to have it nickled and now it is F***ed up!

One of my friends told me to ask the gunsmith to have his friend (that does engraving) cover up the scratches with some engraving, but I don't know if the gunsmith will do that.

Also, the guy has been "stand-up" ever since I started using him, however, I think we will get in a heated argument if i bring the scratches up and demand he pay me $400 to have it re-nickled.

So, I need your opinions on what you have done (in this type of situation) or what you would do in this situation.

Thanks!

[Beelzy]

Umm, I think you are supposed to do the wood before the metal re-finishing........For the next time.

Mention it and measure response......then see about a little engraving to cover the spot perhaps?

That's a tough one as I know what it's like to have a blem added to work that
is done by a Gunsmith. I usually sell the gun later on, in disgust.

[mjsweims]

Mention it to him calmly and talk to him about suggestions to fix it first. Don't go head to head with him until you get your gun back.
I had an old shotgun restocked after it was color case hardened and reblued - no issues with the stock maker.

[Jonathan Doe]

Should have sent it to Perazzi USA, period. The gunsmith needs to take the responsibility.

[Vacaville]

[BigDogatPlay]

Should have sent it to Perazzi USA, period. The gunsmith needs to take the responsibility.

I'd agree, but I also agree with the notion of having the wood fitted before having the receiver plated.

[Rob454]

No matter what the gunsmith did the damage so he needs to step up and pay for the repair

[Diabolus]

Gunsmith needs to repair, or you will never be happy.

[FastFinger]

Maybe the stock should have been fitted first, but once the smith takes on the job it's his. And now it's his to remedy.

[raven108]

Just think of it this way, let's say you just bought new car and you took it to a shop to put some rims on it. When you got your car back, you noticed that there are a couple of "dings" on your door. Would you just leave and not say anything? Would you just pretend it didn't happened just because you "assume" what that shop will or will not say? Of course not...!!


You need to tell him straight up, I'm not saying to go in and start kicking and screaming.... it's a business! I'm sure that maybe he's secretly praying that you don't see the marks but if you do bring it up (and not in a submissive way, you need to be firm in knowing that the marks was not there when the gun was handed over to them,) so it is their responsiblity to make amends for what their shop has done. Just be civil but firm and everything should work out in your favor.

Just my two cents.

[Barbarossa]

I think every gun I own has a scratch on it somewhere.

Pics?

Is it bad or just a small scratch? Will it buff out?

[Rob454]

I think every gun I own has a scratch on it somewhere.

Pics?

Is it bad or just a small scratch? Will it buff out?

yeahbut I bet if you paid to have one of your guns refinished and a gunsmith put a scratch on it you would
1. Be mad
2. Expect the gunsmith to make the gun in the smae condition as you gave it to him

personally i would want the gun in the same condition I have it to him in. if the gun had wear already I'm not gonna sweat another small scratch.

[Voo]

Just think of it this way, let's say you just bought new car and you took it to a shop to put some rims on it. When you got your car back, you noticed that there are a couple of "dings" on your door. Would you just leave and not say anything? Would you just pretend it didn't happened just because you "assume" what that shop will or will not say? Of course not...!!

You need to tell him straight up, I'm not saying to go in and start kicking and screaming.... it's a business! I'm sure that maybe he's secretly praying that you don't see the marks but if you do bring it up (and not in a submissive way, you need to be firm in knowing that the marks was not there when the gun was handed over to them,) so it is their responsiblity to make amends for what their shop has done. Just be civil but firm and everything should work out in your favor.

Just my two cents.

Big +1

With respect to the shotgun, this is a no brainer. The gun was JUST refinished/re-nickeled. There's absolutely no room for the smith to say, "It was like that when it was delivered" He owes you the cost of refinishing the firearm.

You might be able to work something out, but until you figure an amicable compromise, IMHO, you're entitled to the cost of having the gun re-nickeled.

As far as scratches go, I dont mind them on my gun- So long as I PUT THEM THERE.. It's kinda oblivious to say, "it's going to get scratched anyways, live with it" when obviously the OP just went out of his way to spend $400 making it look nice.. If he had wanted it scratched, he wouldve' left it alone..

[Greg-Dawg]

Just bring it up to him.

[weezil_boi]

If he is a "stand up" guy, give him a chance to make you happy. If he just wont do anything then looks like you are short one gunsmith. Then be sure to post in here as often as possible to let folks know about your experience.

Of course, if it were me, Id also let him know what Im planning to post and give him this website. That way hes free to join and express his side of the story.