Gunshop taking too long???

[Rockrz]

So, I take my old Remington 12ga to a local gun shop since I've had it for about 10 years
amd have never done anything with it. I wanted them to clean it internally / externally
and inspect it so they could let me know if it's in good working order and if not what
do they recommend by way of repairs and/or maintenance.

Plus, they're going to put a new kick pad on the end of the stock.

It's already been in there for about 3 weeks now, and I just got
off the phone with them and they are saying it's going to be a
few more weeks. He said they should have told me up front
that it takes 4 to 6 weeks

Are these guys taking too long, or is this normal?
It sounds like they need to hire som more help over there...

[joe817]

Wow! That sure IS a long time. They must have a HUGE backlog for their gunsmith......or they just have a part time one. I would have thought that would have been a 4 or 5 day turnaround.

If that were mine, I'd seriously think about going and getting it, and taking it to another gun store. Obviously they haven't even started on it.

[longtooth]

Some are really backed up. Some only do the cleaning jobs like you describe when they catch up on the smithing jobs.
There are a few like one here: you get in line & he does not do but one job at a time.
He is really good but man is he slow.

[Rockrz]

If that were mine, I'd seriously think about going and getting it, and taking it to another gun store. Obviously they haven't even started on it.

That's kinda what I was thinking depending on what folks on the board here thought about whether this
was taking too long, or not. On the other hand, it's been under my bed in a cardboard box for over 10
years and I don't really need it now...so I kinda feel funny for complaining.

I'll have to think about taking it to another gun shop. If I did, I'll obviously have to ask them
what their turn around time is. I have been hearing that alot of shop are backed up, but this
did seem like it's taking a long time.

[shootthesheet]

I think they are. I would find a good gunsmith in your area and have them do what you want. Otherwise, do as I do and take care of it yourself.

You can disassemble the gun and look to make sure no parts are cracked or excessively worn. You can also buy a pad and install it yourself. At this time you can do what cleaning you need. I realize it may take time for you to do it yourself but even doing a little at a time you can finish the job in much less than 4-6 weeks. Most manuals are available online at the gun makers web site and it should have disassembly instructions and maybe even what problems to look for. Otherwise, another site may have instructions on even your particular gun with steps shown. If not one that is shown of similar make may be close enough for you to get enough info to do what you need. It really isn't difficult if you have the info in front of you.

[longtooth]

Do some calling before you go get it. If you find one that will get right on it then you can take it there. If no one is going to get in a hurry then leave it where it is.

[joe817]

It takes....what? Like 20-25 minutes to install a butt pad? If that long. And let's say another 24 hours for the bonding agent to dry(if glue even used)? And 2-3 hours to completely dissemble a shotgun and thoroughly clean it and re-assemble it?

I can't say for sure, as I don't know what city you are in, but it seems as though they are putting a very low priority on your shotgun. If you really don't have a choice of where to take it, it's conceivable that it could take that long.

Maybe I'm being to harsh, but that's how I feel.

[longtooth]

You are not. There are a lot of shops that dont want the clean up jobs. The one I referred to above does not even want the recoil pads, scope mounts, ....
I did not look at location but if you are anywhere close to Lufkin there is a good one here that will do the cleaning & inspection for you at a reasonable price & he will get on it in a timely manner.

[Rockrz]

I can't say for sure, as I don't know what city you are in, but it seems as
though they are putting a very low priority on your shotgun.

I'm not far from you...I'm in Ft Worth

I probably can take one apart and put it back together with documentation
I'm an auto machanic by trade, and spent years doing that kind of work

The major thing that bothers me is if a gun is assembled wrong it could
kill somebody...like me! So, since I've not had any experience doing this
sort of work, I figured I'd take it to a professional...apparently a slow one!
(I won't mention the name of the gun shop I took it to in Ft Worth)

Any suggestions of a good place to take this in the Ft Worth area?
I don't mind paying a good price for expert service. It's the expert
part I was wanting to have inspect it.

[joe817]

Oh wow! Hi neighbor! (wave).

I can think of 2 gun shops that have onsite gunsmith's: Elk Castle on I-30, around Cherry Ln. and Winchester Gallery, Loop 820 & Lancaster.

I know nothing about Elk Castle since it's on the other side of Tarrant county from me, but I go to Winchester Gallery weekly to do my shooting at the indoor shooting range. The gunsmith there is right next door to the gun range, in back behind the chain link fence. If you've never been in the gun store, you're in for a real treat. I just go gaaaaa gaaaa when ever I walk in.

Did you take it to one of those 2 places?

[The Annoyed Man]

Are these guys taking too long, or is this normal?
It sounds like they need to hire som more help over there...

I'm not sure exactly where you're located, but I do most of my business with Euless Guns & Ammo. They are a small shop with a big reputation and their gunsmiths do pretty good work. The downside is that that, because they are a smaller shop, their gunsmiths do get backed up anytime leading up to or around the beginning of any hunting season. I've had 4-6 weeks quoted to me before to do a fairly simple thing, like adding an ambidextrous safety to a pistol, because I brought them the gun before dove season. That said though, they have never actually taken that long, and the longest I've ever had to wait for a gunsmithing job was maybe around a week or two - even at their busiest.

[Rockrz]

Did you take it to one of those 2 places?

I'd rather not say since talkin bad about a gun shop on a public forum
might cause a not very pleasent reaction by the owner or employees
of that gun shop.

I may as well just leave it there and let them take their sweet
marry time about it, since I really don't need it anyway right now.
It's already been about 3 weeks, so I should only have about
3 more weeks to go...maybe...I hope.

I may need it come dove/quial season...if I knew of a good
place to go do some bird huntin that wouldn't break the bank!

[txmatt]

6-8 weeks has been my experience here. I took in a rifle to get the headspace checked and it took two months. I don't take my guns to a smith if I can at all avoid it after that experience. However, I did use it as an excuse to buy another carry gun so that if I ever have to take one in, I would have a backup. :)

[Rockrz]

However, I did use it as an excuse to buy another carry gun so that if I ever have to take one in, I would have a backup. :)

Yessir....I'm thinking of buying another 12 ga since mine is in the shop.
Can't never tell when a covey of quail might attack

[gemini]

Remington shotguns aren't that hard to dis-assemble/assemble. Pump or auto.
Go to Remington.com, library, owners manuals. Free download for your gun.
Read it. Don't be afraid to take it apart yourself. Buy a cheap cleaning kit
at Wally World or Academy....clean it yourself, save the money and learn
something about your gun at the same time! It's theraputic......