How Long Would You Wait??

[Sunbear]

I been waiting for 1.5 years for a 1911 to get Smith and Wesson K frame sights put on. Called today and the famous 'smith said he hasn't touched it yet. However, other customers that have dropped off their firearms after I did, are completed. I have called periodically over the last year, and got the same answer, "haven't got to it yet."
Nice man, but I am concerned and a little upset. I was never given a estimate on time, but I didn't expect 1.5 years. I called five times total, so I certainly haven't bothered him. Is this normal?
Thanks for any ideas.....

[robcoe]

you had to know it was coming.

Honestly, not 1.5 years, I would just ask for the gun back and a refund if he can't get to it in the next 30 days.

[Dano3467]

^^^this...

[Citadelgrad87]

It actually is pretty normal, gunsmiths can be terrible businessmen. I've heard stories of them dying, retiring, and simply abandoning their shops while n possession of many guns.

I'd politely ask for a firm date so you can decide whether to have it done elsewhere.

[Sunbear]

Thank you gentlemen, I will have it shipped back....

[mr2ndamendment]

I think the gunsmith profession is a job you must do only if you absolutely love it, not simply if you're good at it. As Sh*tadel Citadel grad said (Had to do it, VMI '11 here), most gunsmiths are not businessmen and some prioritize projects based on their revolving interest. When the money is flowing, the business is non-stop, and their customer base is only getting bigger, they can get sloppy and if there's a couple projects they really don't want to do they may very well put them on the back-burner.

Back to the post: looks like you're headed this direction, but get the thing back. The next place you take it to, I'd tell them how long you waited. Tell them it's no pressure and no rush, but that you'd like it in less than 1.5 years. That's a little bit crazy.

[krwada]

Get your gun back.

1.5 years is way too long.

I recently had some work done on a 1911. The fellow promised to have it ready in a month. Two months later ... no reply. I finally got the message, about 3 months later that the piece was ready.

I was relieved to get the thing back at all! I do not think I will ever go to an individual gunsmith again.

However ... there are smiths who work out of a reputable local gun store ... The problem with the smiths that work out of the local gun store ... they charge usually 500% over what others will charge for some work.

I recently went to a smith at a local gun store to check out a .308 bolt rifle. After paying about $300 for the following:

1. looking at the gun
2. checking headspace
3. test firing at the range

I got it back ... I mean seriously ... $300 for just the three items I mentioned above???

Boy ... I really did get fleeced.

I have heard that there are reputable smiths out there ... ones who will charge a fair price, and give you reasonable delivery.

[bsg]

The next place you take it to, I'd tell them how long you waited. Tell them it's no pressure and no rush, but that you'd like it in less than 1.5 years.

i'd be careful about that.

[maylebox]

Sights? It's been an 18 month wait for sights? Not a fully accurized, match barrel installed, trigger modded, deburred frame, blasted and refinished gun? Don't call and ask him to lighten the trigger pull while he has it, by the time it's ready you'll be able to fly your car over to his shop to pick it up.

I guess what I meant to say is I personally think that is way to long to wait for a simple pistol upgrade. Famous gunsmith or not. Unless when you dropped it off he said "I'm so backed up that I have know idea when I can even get to this" and you were okay with that.

[AKSOG]

No way I would have waited this long for that kind of work

[mr2ndamendment]

i'd be careful about that.

True. You have to be careful about how you say it if you're going to. Most gunsmiths I've worked with will laugh and say something like "Oh no, we won't do ya like that." It has to be in jest, if not, then don't say anything. If you approach their door as a beaten-down customer from a competitor they may fast-track your project to show you their quality and what they do. Lot's of variables -just have to feel it out.

[Anthracis]

***

[nickel plate]

Thank you gentlemen, I will have it shipped back....

That's even harder to do than installing the sights. Sounds like you're in no position to just drive over and pick it up.
I learned a lesson that I will never again mail my slide out for new sight installation as it did return to me within the quoted time frame but the front sight was visibly off center and shot true to the front sight placement. What enticed me to go that route in the first place was that if you buy the sights from them at retail, the installation was free. It would have taken another $15.00+ in postage to send it back and then it still may not be right. Luckily I was having some work done locally on another pistol so I took the misaligned Shield with me when it was time to pick up the other pistol and the smith fixed the front sight while I waited.
I don't ever expect aftermarket installed floating sights to be perfect from the get go so have them installed locally so any future tweeking doesn't turn into a real PITA.

[BigPimping]

Buy it with the correct sights on it already? ?

[Citadelgrad87]

Buy it with the correct sights on it already? ?

Can you list the makes/models of 1911s equipped with K frames sights as oem?