Shield Slider Paint Question

[johnnyk71]

man, that's bad.

 

[M&Pmeister]

Okay, I think the OP gets the point loud and clear. Maybe offering some possible options to propose to his "smith" would help more at this point.

I like Jiman's post on ATEi offering Melonite for $90. Their work look very professional. Maybe the OP is interested getting some customization done to the slide at the same time. Offer to split the shipping cost with the "offender"... or just have him pay for the $90 for re-Melonite. Hopefully, there is some silver lining the OP can get out of this whole mess.

 

[checkmyswag]

Way too many guys beating on guns and calling themselves gunsmiths. I can replace a fuel pump but I dont call myself a mechanic.

 

[mafbloggerdanny]

you should also closely inspect those sights to make sure he didn't irreparably damage those as well.

 

[howiema]

Maybe it is just me but the gap at the rear of the dovetail on the new sight makes me a little suspicious. I work at a LGS and I believe he tried to drift them out the wrong way or they are not the correct sight JMO. At my store we would be calling s&w and replacing the slide. From what I know the original sights have an epoxy under them and yes they need to be heated a bit to remove. Good Luck

Pete

 

[emory]

OP,

You took a gamble when you picked this gunsmith. You lost. Here is how to play the odds from here on out:

This is likely to cost you $125 and a month of trouble. You might end up doing better, but understand that this is where you are right now.

Send it in to S&W customer service and ask them to replace the slide at your expense. You want it in perfect condition. This is how you get there.

When you get it back, take the packing slip and proof of payment to the gunsmith and politely ask him to split it with you. If necessary, tell him you accept ammunition as a form of payment. You are going to be buying ammunition anyway. If he is a decent guy, he will cover the entire cost. He might not be. You take whatever you can get. Make sure you look him in the eye when you ask.

If he refuses to pay anything, you need to get online and write a lot of reviews. Don't be bitter or snarky. Do not call him an orangutan even if he resembles one. Keep it short and sweet: "John Doe of John Doe Gunsmithing Inc. damaged the slide of my pistol while attempting to change a dovetail sight and refused to pay for the damage he caused." By doing so, you can keep people like us from having to take a gamble when we visit a new gunsmith.

You can't always avoid problems like this. What you can do is swiftly and decisively put them past you. Better get started. Good luck.

 

[andrew8404]

OP,

You took a gamble when you picked this gunsmith. You lost. Here is how to play the odds from here on out:

This is likely to cost you $125 and a month of trouble. You might end up doing better, but understand that this is where you are right now.

Send it in to S&W customer service and ask them to replace the slide at your expense. You want it in perfect condition. This is how you get there.

When you get it back, take the packing slip and proof of payment to the gunsmith and politely ask him to split it with you. If necessary, tell him you accept ammunition as a form of payment. You are going to be buying ammunition anyway. If he is a decent guy, he will cover the entire cost. He might not be. You take whatever you can get. Make sure you look him in the eye when you ask.

If he refuses to pay anything, you need to get online and write a lot of reviews. Don't be bitter or snarky. Do not call him an orangutan even if he resembles one. Keep it short and sweet: "John Doe of John Doe Gunsmithing Inc. damaged the slide of my pistol while attempting to change a dovetail sight and refused to pay for the damage he caused." By doing so, you can keep people like us from having to take a gamble when we visit a new gunsmith.

You can't always avoid problems like this. What you can do is swiftly and decisively put them past you. Better get started. Good luck.

Thanks that sounds like a good plan. I'm going to try and go over today and talk to him.

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[JAREDSHS]

Andrew, you screwed up and I believe you know that you screwed up. I believe that you know that your "gunsmith" is not going to help you with his bubba talent screwup on your
once fine firearm. If it were me, I would have allready properly "told him what I think of him and his lack of ability and knowlege, and my wrecked firearm would allready be in the hands of S&W for repairs. " I'm going to try and go over today and talk to him."-would not be my approach---I WOULD "talk" to him allright, and when I was through talking he would know that he needs to find another vocation. Trying to deceive
you by covering up his butcher job with "paint" is the work of a crazy person. You have been given some excellent advice---get off your butt and get busey. Good luck.

 

[richca]

^^^^ problem with this approach JaredSHS is that you would walk out with nothing but a hot head.
Even if a person is willing to make it right when you go in with hostility and humiliation it never works out, even if they seriously screwed up.

Once was a time when 8 out of 11 gunsmiths were like this. With the internet we can now be warned and avoid these bozo's.

 

[ammodave]

Please do the rest of us a favor and identify this "gunsmith". I removed and replaced the rear sight on my Shield without damaging anything; does that make me a master gunsmith?

 

[andrew8404]

Andrew, you screwed up and I believe you know that you screwed up. I believe that you know that your "gunsmith" is not going to help you with his bubba talent screwup on your
once fine firearm. If it were me, I would have allready properly "told him what I think of him and his lack of ability and knowlege, and my wrecked firearm would allready be in the hands of S&W for repairs. " I'm going to try and go over today and talk to him."-would not be my approach---I WOULD "talk" to him allright, and when I was through talking he would know that he needs to find another vocation. Trying to deceive
you by covering up his butcher job with "paint" is the work of a crazy person. You have been given some excellent advice---get off your butt and get busey. Good luck.

Getting pissed off and angry never gets problems solved. And I would have talked to him already but work kind of gets in the way of that.

 

[Lycan]

Getting pissed off and angry never gets problems solved. And I would have talked to him already but work kind of gets in the way of that.

It is a good idea to let us all know who it is and where they are located. Someone that will do what he did and not have already replaced the slide should not touch another gun. If he does you right and replaces the slide, you can post back here about that too.

 

[JAREDSHS]

Getting pissed off and angry never gets problems solved. And I would have talked to him already but work kind of gets in the way of that.

Please do not add words or emotions to my post---did I mention p'''''ed off or say I was angry?? What in tarnation is wrong with you guys. You handle it your way. Please let this "angry" P''''ed off 78 year old codger know how you work it out OK? Best wishes.



richca ---Welcome to the forum.

 

[andrew8404]

Please do not add words or emotions to my post---did I mention p'''''ed off or say I was angry?? What in tarnation is wrong with you guys. You handle it your way. Please let this "angry" P''''ed off 78 year old codger know how you work it out OK? Best wishes.



richca ---Welcome to the forum.

Well, your connotation suggests that but I appreciate your input.

Quick update. Called Smith and Wesson and they said 150 bucks for a new slide which isn't too bad. I also called around trying to get a few opinions earlier this week and was referred to another gunsmith who told me to bring it in today. This guy sounded like he knew what he was talking about and said he could fix it and make it look new with cerakote for 75 bucks. He chuckled and said he loves looking at other gunsmith mistakes when I showed it to him. He agreed with what most of you had said on here. He assured me that it would look like new with a sweet titanium color that I picked out. His previous work looked great by the way. I also attempted to stop by the gunsmith that did the horrible job but he was closed two hours early. I figured I'd get the cerakote done then take him the bill. If he doesn't want to pay it or at least half then we will have problems. I'll keep you guys updated I appreciate all the help! Pics will be posted when the gun is done.

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[Jiman]

I'm not sure if I should say congrats. It is your gun though.

I guess I'm having a hard time with your logic.

You're willing to spend half the cost of a new slide for a repair & coating that's good, but not nearly as good as a real surface treatment like melonite.

Or to contact ATEi (with a known excellent rep) and do the same thing (but they do melonite) for a few bucks more.

Good luck brother. As long as you're happy.

 

[andrew8404]

I'm not sure if I should say congrats. It is your gun though.

I guess I'm having a hard time with your logic.

You're willing to spend half the cost of a new slide for a repair & coating that's good, but not nearly as good as a real surface treatment like melonite.

Or to contact ATEi (with a known excellent rep) and do the same thing (but they do melonite) for a few bucks more.

Good luck brother. As long as you're happy.

Well, they said the problem with a new slide is that it may not fit the gun properly. Which sounds like BS but that's what the SW lady said on the phone. My logic is I wanted to cerakote or do some type of finish to the slide anyways so if he pays for this then I'm happy and I don't have to jump through hoops. Or if need be I can just ask the gunsmith to buy me a new slide so I have two! That's my reasoning if that makes any sense.

 

[andrew8404]

Oh and the GunSmith is in San Bernardino, CA called K&D Gunsmithing.

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[Bkreutz]

Well, they said the problem with a new slide is that it may not fit the gun properly. Which sounds like BS but that's what the SW lady said on the phone. My logic is I wanted to cerakote or do some type of finish to the slide anyways so if he pays for this then I'm happy and I don't have to jump through hoops. Or if need be I can just ask the gunsmith to buy me a new slide so I have two! That's my reasoning if that makes any sense.

It's definitely BS, M&P's are not hand fitted slides (like some high end guns). I swap slides around pretty regularly without problem. She must have been thinking about their 1911 model. (or one of their other metal framed autos)

 

[Rustyt1953]

I went to K&D' s website. All it needs is polyester curtains, wheels and wringer washer for a mail box! I'd bet that any two of us would have as many guns as this place displays. Wouldn't be surprised it it did have wheels so they could bolt when it got too hot. Work bench looks like Bob the Builder's. Maybe I'm being too harsh but tell me what you think.

 

[Bkreutz]

I wouldn't judge by the appearance of their store or their inventory, a lot of businesses started small. I do think the work they did on the OP's pistol and the way they tried to cover it up was amateur. Lot's of quality gunsmiths started out by working out of their one car garage, but I bet they never did something like the OP's pistol, or if they did, they made it right.