Author Topic: Hack Job! What to do? (Read 1050 times)

SeaBass · « **on:** August 10, 2005, 08:22:38 PM »

I recently had my Win 94 drilled and tapped by a local "part time" gunsmith with 35 years experience who has a small but professional looking shop in his basement. After drilling and tapping 2 holes in the receiver bridge I had him install and boresight an XS lever scout mount and leupold m8 scout scope with leupold QRW rings.

The gunsmith I wanted to go to was backed up and I needed the rifle for an off hand shoot this comming weekend. The smith I went to charged $11 per hole and $15 to install and boresight the scope and base. I dropped it off on Friday and picked up on Monday. So far so good.

When I picked up the rifle I was mostly concerned with how the scout style setup would work out. I looked it over briefly and didn't notice any defects. I was very happy with the quick turn time and the balance of the rifle.

After giving it a prerange cleaning I noticed the mount is a bit crooked. the aft part of the base is too far right. The screw heads are cocked one way and the other because the holes aren't drilled properly. The aft hole was drilled to far to the right a 1/16" to 1/8"!!!! There is a shiney spot on the base where it looks like he tapped it with a mallet to get it as straight as he could.

The sad part is I could probably have drilled and tapped it myself but I didn't want to risk messing up my favorite rifle.

If it holds zero I guess I can live with it since it is a short range rifle. However I am very disappointed that this guy screwed up my rifle and tried to pass it off as if nothing had happened!

What should I ask him too do? I don't see how it can be fixed. I doubt he will replace it. The rifle was stored for a long time before I bought it and is a little dinged up but it was hardly fired and it is a real SHOOTER. I doubt a replacement would be as accurate or tight.

I guess the only thing I can reasonably hope for is to get my money back. What would be a fair resolution if it were your rifle?

NONYA · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2005, 09:51:25 PM »

a real gunsmith could fill the off hole for you with a welder and refinish it after tappin a new hole in the right spot,after the base was attatched you would never know.I would take it to a real gunsmith ,get it fixed and send the hack the bill.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2005, 04:02:53 AM »

I would take it to the first guy. The one who screwed it up. And see exactly what he intends to do about it. If he won't make it right, you have little choice except to take it to a good gun smith and chalk it up to experience.

"I need it yesterday" is not something any craftsman, good or bad, likes to hear. 'Course, we all need to have something like that happen before we really learn that lesson.

By the way, how did the rifle shoot with this bubba-ized job done to it?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2005, 03:12:43 PM »

I doubt welding up the holes is an option. I'm afraid that'd put too much heat into the receiver.. Retempering is expensive and with the metalurgy of the 94 being all over the place I be hesitant to suggest that fix. Sorry for your problem but if the rifle sights in OK it may be the best it's going to be.. Regardless it should be taken back and a complaint registered.. and if the scope won't zero it may require the mount be adapted to the crazy holes. I have seen scews turned in and new holes drilled and tapped through part of them,, it just never looked right. I've also seen receivers swiss cheesed by hacks that are almost impossible to fix well..

SeaBass · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2005, 08:29:21 PM »

Well I shot it some today and it seems to be holding zero. I talked to a machinist who also said filling holes in that area is not an option. No one who has picked up the rifle has noticed the mount being crooked and it is shooting well. So I guess I can live with it.
I never told the guy I needed it right away. I asked when he could get to it and he said I could pick it up on monday. Who knew? He was recommended to me by a member of our gun club. It's a shame really. He is much closer than any other gunsmiths are to my home. All the local gun shops send their work to him. There are couple of other smiths that are 45min to an hour away who are practically legendary. They are also of course quite busy.

Tom H. · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2005, 06:00:49 PM »

SeaBass,
Chiming in late on this one.

My guess is that the screws are probably 6/40 or 6/48
It is possible to move it over by redriling off-center to an 8 size screw.
Best done in a milling machine but it could solve your problem.

Good luck

Tom

Judson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2005, 06:57:41 PM »

In reality, if the hack was a REAL gunsmith he would of done the job right in the first place, notified you if things went wrong, and corrected the screw up even if that meant replacing the rifle. That is the responsibility we as gunsmiths have to accept if we are working on other peoples guns.
If you can not do it right, do not know how, or do not want the job then send it to some one who can do it right! If you screw it up then correct it and eat the cost it is your screw up and as a reputable gunsmith you owe that to the profession and your customer!