Should I be upset

[george8680]

I took my relatively new J-Frame Revolver to be cleaned by a gunsmith at a store call Shoot Straight. I was told it would be deep cleaned. One week later I paid $40 and picked it up... It is definitely cleaner than it was previously, however when I pushed the extractor back and wiped around it with the piece of paper, the paper became dark with residue, not a lot, I wouldn't call it a thick 'gunk' but definitely something. Take a look at a picture of the piece of paper I used... which is actually the receipt I got for paying to have it cleaned.

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[CentFlMod500]

When I think of gunsmiths Shootstraight, or before he got in trouble sports unlimited they would be last on my list...take it back to which location did the work and ask?

 

[Rpg]

Why in the world did you imagine your 'relatively new' pistol needed a gunsmith's services to clean it?

I wouldn't worry about the coloring you see: you don't know what the gunsmith did or what products he used. Most likely did no harm whatever he did or didn't do.

Did you obtain this service from the gunsmith at a big box store ?

 

[OKFC05]

No offense, but I think gun owners should routinely clean and inspect their own guns and save the services of a good gunsmith for disassembly and repairs that are beyond the owner's skill/confidence levels. It deepens pride of ownership and gives the owner a better understanding of his guns.


If this was just a clerk and not a trained gunsmith, I wouldn't want them doing anything to my guns.

 

[bigggbbruce]

He could have taken the side plate off and returned the gun in pieces in a box.

Cleaning your own revolver is a not hard to do, and takes about 10 minutes.

 

[Gunz50]

How many rounds had you fired through the revolver?
It must have been many hundreds to still have grime after what supposed to be a deep cleaning.
Deep cleaning by a Gunsmith should mean total disassembly , and or ultrasonic cleaning.
The pics show what appears to be gunpowder residue. A light cleaning that includes a spray down with an aerosol cleaner on a gun that is kept mostly together and then oiled up will weep out this grime that you saw.
I think you may have learned a lesson here, asklng exactly what the deep cleaning entailed should have been one of the first things you should have done.
I would ask them how your gun was cleaned , and then ask why it was returned only partially done.

 

[george8680]

Why in the world did you imagine your 'relatively new' pistol needed a gunsmith's services to clean it?

I wouldn't worry about the coloring you see: you don't know what the gunsmith did or what products he used. Most likely did no harm whatever he did or didn't do.

Did you obtain this service from the gunsmith at a big box store ?

Yes a gunsmith at Shootstraight cleaned the firearm.

 

[Targets Guy]

It will be interesting to hear what they tell you when you take it back and asked. Be sure to let us know.

 

[sigp220.45]

I would bet all this "gunsmith" did was take off the grips, drop it in an ultrasonic cleaner, eat a nice mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, fish it out, shake it off, put the grips back on, and put it in the "ready to go" pile.

I wouldn't be upset - I've learned lesser lessons that cost more than 40 bucks.

 

[ridgewalker]

Search this forum. There are several threads describing how to clean a revolver.

 

[Gripgrabber]

It's called shoot straight not clean straight!!
SEMPER PARATUS

 

[oneounceload]

Between the owner's manual, places like here, you tube and on and on, there is simply no reason for YOU not to clean your own gun.

 

[nachogrande]

YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT?

I'd be looking CLOSE for scratches/gouges/vice marks. For 40$ you found a great place NOT to go anymore, nor give them a 2nd chance to do worse. Bring it in to them, for all the "good" it probly won't do. You knew the person that did that "work" was a gunsmith, how? I guess a smith that didn't give a cats bass could have done it.

 

[muddocktor]

For the money you put out to get your revolver "deep cleaned", you could have bought a hollow ground screwdriver kit and a cleaning kit from Brownell's and did the cleaning job yourself. I figure that part of your responsibility as a gun owner includes leaning how to do a basic cleaning of your firearms. There are plenty of sources on the web showing how to do a basic cleaning of just about any firearm you might own, including revolvers. And these forums here are a very valuable source of advice on how to properly clean your S&W revolver and you can find numerous YouTube video clips giving cleaning advice also. Learn to clean your own guns; you can do it while sitting in front of the stupid tube (TV). That's what I do after a shooting session.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

George,do yourself a favor and go out and buy a cleaning kit;your gun will thank you for this and your mind will be at ease.Oh,and ask a friend at the shooting club how to use it.You'll find this a very good way to make new friends.
Qc

 

[TruckGun]

George, I'd be upset if I were you, having paid $40, and having received a shoddy job for my money. I agree with the other posters about learning how to do it yourself next time. Possibly join a local club/range if possible. Many old-timers are happy to show people the ropes, and pass on the knowledge that only comes with experience, and diving in.

 

[2K7]

Maybe residual solvent reacted with the ink on your printed receipt....

 

[Carrier]

George like many said you can do it if you want to. It would be great if you could hook up with someone decent to do a basic maintenance on your revolver with you but there are so many videos etc out there to help you.

 

[JH1951]

The advice about cleaning it yourself is good. There are a lot of resources available to assist you in accomplishing the task, and I am certain you will feel good about the experience after you accomplish it. There is no real magic about it and you can do little harm. I think you may actually enjoy the process!

 

[Lonestar57]

Wow kept the gun a week? Probably cocked the hammer (assuming it has an exposed hammer) tubed sprayed the insides with gun scrubber or similar then blew it out with compress air then shot a little Rem Oil in it, let it set for a bit and wiped it off. Patched the barrel and cylinders out; all done deep cleaned. About a 5 to 10 minute job. I agree what you're seeing on the rag is residual cleaner mixed with some fouling and the lube. To answer your question. Yes, I would not be happy paying $40 bucks for that.