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The Value of Quality Gunsmithing? and a story
TeleDetective
Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
First the story:
Two years ago at Christmas I was visiting family in Topeka, KS. My father-in-law called up and said, "I'm gonna go test some loads I made for my .308, wanna come?" Now, understand, the first thing my father-in-law said to me when I showed up to take his daughter on a date was, "Wanna see my gun collection?" Then afterwards he showed me a shovel and the big empty field behind his house, and how far away any of the neighbors were, and then he said something about how I was a dirt-bag and he doubted anyone would truely miss me or look too hard for me or something like that, so I am really hesitant about going someplace alone with him and a gun, especially a rifle.
OK, that's a lie, he actually offered me a beer.
Back to our story. Being that I absolutely hate shooting, it was below freezing, and I am a south Texan who was out of his element I responed, "Sure, you picking me up?" (Because I was lying about hating shooting)
After printing about 7 or 8 different loads he asked, "So, how do you like that rifle?" Being that I am stupid and didn't pick up on the subtlity of the question, I responded with my usuall lack of tact and subtlity, "That was a lot of fun." So he surprised me with his next sentence, "I'll give it to you with one condition." Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciated the offer, but I'm not big on gifts with strings attached so I said in return, "No thanks."
Sorry, that was a lie, I actually said, "OK, what?" Buck, that's my father-in-law, said, "If you decide you no longer want it, ya have to give me a chance to take it back before you sell it." As this was unreasonable I told him, "Buck, that sure is nice of you, but I find your offer a bit unreasonable. Here's my counter offer..."
OK, that's another lie. I actually said, "Uh, sure, thanks." So I went home that Christmas with a new rifle for my collection.
The rifle is a Mossberg 800A, in .308 Win. I looked up the rifle in one of the gun digests and I know what the stock value is, however, this rifle isn't stock... Buck is a retired US Army Infantry Colonel, who once commanded the US Army's National Match Team. If I remember correctly he said something about having some special work done on it; floated the barrel, glass-beaded (bedded?)the action, trigger job (not a two stage, just about 2.5-3 lbs. And it shoots.
I mean it really shoots. I have placed several commercial loads into groups under 1" at 100 yrds. Sometimes I can get all three or four holes touching. It is sub-MOA.
If this rifle is stolen or destroyed by act of God... OK, stolen, 'cause God would never destroy something this gorgeous, what is reasonable replacement value for quality gun-smithing?
(Yeah, I know, I could call a couple gunsmiths and ask for quotes, but then you wouldn't have this great story to entertain yourself with)
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Two years ago at Christmas I was visiting family in Topeka, KS. My father-in-law called up and said, "I'm gonna go test some loads I made for my .308, wanna come?" Now, understand, the first thing my father-in-law said to me when I showed up to take his daughter on a date was, "Wanna see my gun collection?" Then afterwards he showed me a shovel and the big empty field behind his house, and how far away any of the neighbors were, and then he said something about how I was a dirt-bag and he doubted anyone would truely miss me or look too hard for me or something like that, so I am really hesitant about going someplace alone with him and a gun, especially a rifle.
OK, that's a lie, he actually offered me a beer.
Back to our story. Being that I absolutely hate shooting, it was below freezing, and I am a south Texan who was out of his element I responed, "Sure, you picking me up?" (Because I was lying about hating shooting)
After printing about 7 or 8 different loads he asked, "So, how do you like that rifle?" Being that I am stupid and didn't pick up on the subtlity of the question, I responded with my usuall lack of tact and subtlity, "That was a lot of fun." So he surprised me with his next sentence, "I'll give it to you with one condition." Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciated the offer, but I'm not big on gifts with strings attached so I said in return, "No thanks."
Sorry, that was a lie, I actually said, "OK, what?" Buck, that's my father-in-law, said, "If you decide you no longer want it, ya have to give me a chance to take it back before you sell it." As this was unreasonable I told him, "Buck, that sure is nice of you, but I find your offer a bit unreasonable. Here's my counter offer..."
OK, that's another lie. I actually said, "Uh, sure, thanks." So I went home that Christmas with a new rifle for my collection.
The rifle is a Mossberg 800A, in .308 Win. I looked up the rifle in one of the gun digests and I know what the stock value is, however, this rifle isn't stock... Buck is a retired US Army Infantry Colonel, who once commanded the US Army's National Match Team. If I remember correctly he said something about having some special work done on it; floated the barrel, glass-beaded (bedded?)the action, trigger job (not a two stage, just about 2.5-3 lbs. And it shoots.
I mean it really shoots. I have placed several commercial loads into groups under 1" at 100 yrds. Sometimes I can get all three or four holes touching. It is sub-MOA.
If this rifle is stolen or destroyed by act of God... OK, stolen, 'cause God would never destroy something this gorgeous, what is reasonable replacement value for quality gun-smithing?
(Yeah, I know, I could call a couple gunsmiths and ask for quotes, but then you wouldn't have this great story to entertain yourself with)
S_Cline
Comments
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
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