I am not trying to be an ******* either, the help is greatly appreciated and every thought is taken in, not ignored. I know it sounds like I am ignoring you but I JUST got this gun, I dont have any other gun and I really like shooting it so dont want to wait a couple weeks to get my gun back. I am going to try to do the easiest, cheapest fix which is just to bend it back.
If that works, then it was a free fast fix, if it dosnt, not a big deal because I know I wouldnt be able to fix it for cheaper/faster, so I can send it off to s&w and have them fix it.
I would like to try to get the gun shop to pay for the damages but in all honesty unless the repairs are exspensive its just not worth the time, they will just lose mine and friends business.
*Sigh*
I understand it's your first gun & you are anxious to shoot it. I understand that because you are a new firearms enthusiast, you don't know what you don't know.
Everything in a firearm must work in concert, in a set sequence, for it to work. A slightly out of spec firearm may fire, but at the detriment of safety & longevity of the firearm.
The "gunsmiths" you paid to do a job, damaged your rifle. Pounding, banging, etc. The easily visible damage is to the bolt rails. I'm willing to bet there's more damage that isn't readily evident and/or misalignments that you can not see.
As a new firearms enthusiast, you don't know what you don't know yet.
You don't have the background knowledge, experience, or skill to be able to asses, identify damage, and repair it on your own. For the sake of your own safety & the safety of the other firearms enthusiasts on the range, send it back to S&W for diagnosis & repair.
It will be frustrating to be without your 15-22 for a couple weeks, but when you get it back you will know that it is 100% good to go.
The title of this thread should be changed to I destroyed my 15 22.
He didn't destroy his 15-22. The individual who misrepresented themselves as a gunsmith with the appropriate knowledge to work on a 15-22 did.
Now if he carries on the bubba gunsmithing chain, then he's got a hand in destroying his 15-22.