Early model 83, does anybody know.....

[Bob Baker]

I just returned from Europe, thought I would check in.  This thread caught my attention mainly due to some similarities with a receiver that came in today.

Target, are you by chance located north east of Sacramento?  The receiver we received came from that area with a note from an individual asking us to change the firing pin.  All we received was a stripped receiver, no barrel or any other parts but we know it at least started life in the late 80’s as a 454 Field Grade and judging by the markings it had an octagonal barrel in it.  Unfortunately the top strap had a 4th hole drilled and tapped in a spot that comprises its strength therefore we won’t do anything with it.  The receiver is now on its way back to the individual unrepaired.

[SJPrice]

Each time I think I have seen it all someone comes along with a new one.  Why would you take a great handgun that is already set to work with either iron sights, reflex or scope mounts that are about as rugged as you can get, and then drill holes in the top strap.   

[Bob Baker]

SJ, I know what you mean.  Some of the modifications I have seen over the years really make me scratch my head wondering what they hoped to accomplish.  In some cases the owner didn't know the gun had been modified.  That is part of the risk of buying used guns or in some cases sending a gun out to be modified.

In situations like this I like to talk to the individual that sent the gun in but he didn’t provide a phone number and a search on the internet doesn’t show anyone by that name in that area.  It would be nice to find out what he knows about the modification.  Maybe he will call when he gets his receiver back, maybe not.

[suba]

Not important

[targetshootr]

Today my gunsmith called to relay the problems he was having replacing the firing pin and as I type this I'm awaiting a call from FA to see if this gun will ever be more than a high-end boat anchor.

Several years ago I called FA to price an octagon barrel and was told they were not offered on Field Grade guns. So last year I happened onto a octagon FA barrel someone had as a spare when theirs was replaced with a longer one. So I called the factory to see what they would charge to install it and was told they wouldn't do it. So I was left to send it to an FA gunsmith. Well, a week after it came back from him the firing pin broke so I bought the new replaceable kind from FA and sent it back to my gunsmith. Today I learned the old firing pin was in the gun so hard he was afraid he'd damage the gun so apparently he sent it to the factory who again refused to do anything and promptly returned the gun to him.

So here we are.

[targetshootr]

It turns out I need to find someone with a high-end boat.

[Ken ONeill]

So.... a gun owner has a years old FG FA, that used to have a 1 year warranty before it expired. He sends that revolver to a gunsmith with a good reputation like Jack Huntington to have non factory- standard work done. That gunsmith - or someone else- even further modifies the gun with some non standard drilling and tapping. Then something breaks on the gun...the gunsmith with the good reputation sends PART of the modified gun back to the factory to be "fixed". The factory sees a safety problem with the drilling and tapping (etc) and doesn't want to touch it. They may even wonder what else has been done to the non-returned parts. All of this is somehow seen as being the factory's "fault".
I don't see it that way. When I have any non-factory work done, I relieve that factory of any further responsibility. That's true with anyone...if you're going to entrust work to someone else, go into it with your eyes open, or perhaps YOU will turn YOURS into a boat anchor.
I've never had the occasion  to send part (or all) of a  Smith modified to a non-factory configuration, back to the factory for work. However, I am certain that if they will do the work, they will refit it into a complete factory specification gun, just as I know that Ruger does. Mods that they see as compromising the strength of the gun ? Why would they want to take on THAT liability?
Custom work is fine...if you're ready to shoulder the responsibility.

[targetshootr]

I have the feeling the only reason the factory won't install their very own barrel on one of their very own guns is money. It's more profitable for them if we spend a boatload of money we may or may not have, on a Premier Grade gun.

In any event, my smith called again to say I'll have it back in working order one day soon.

[Bob Baker]

Ken, you summarized that pretty well.

Targetshootr, as I told you on the phone, you have a right to be upset with Huntington but your anger at FA is misplaced.  As a suggestion, you and Huntington should figure out what the best thing to do is for the long term with this gun.  If, as you mentioned on the phone, you just sell it with no notification to the buyer as to what the problems are, it will come back to FA when the buyer has a problem.  At that point we will introduce the buyer to you and Mr. Huntington.  If you need some help getting this sorted out just let me know.

[BigMuddy]

"If, as you mentioned on the phone, you just sell it with no notification to the buyer as to what the problems are, it will come back to FA when the buyer has a problem.  At that point we will introduce the buyer to you and Mr. Huntington."

WOW! That would be a hard one to take. I did buy one used that had been "buggered up" but it was not something that was not repairable.

Ken I agree with you completely. Can you imagine a Bowen converted 475 or 500 going to Ruger for repair work?