5) The only problem is that my gunsmith is so busy, he won't have time to get back to it for another several weeks.So I definitely think I am going to buy my Hatsan back from him, and try to get it fixed.
Excellent points Dave but on some, we can agree to disagree. He has an excellent "gunsmith" and outstanding person to do what he has done as far as with Chris and this transaction. Yep, can totally understand him buying the gun from Chris because of the reoccurring issues. Great gesture. If there is a quality issue with this particular airgun, it will allow Chris the opportunity to take the money and go buy a new and hopefully non-defective one. It will also give the gunsmith the opportunity to disassemble the airgun in his leisure to really learn the platform and investigate the issue.....WHEN he gets the time. But his bread and butter is firearms, so it may be a long time before he revisits the airgun. Maybe, maybe not, but he'll most likely get it done quicker if Chris tells him he would like to buy it back when he's finished with it.Hence the comment I made about the difference in a gunsmith and an airgunsmith. There is a difference in knowledge/experience, not ability. Let's face it, a gunsmith that is in business for any length of time HAS proven to have the mechanical ability. The difference comes in with the knowledge of a platform learned from experience.I totally disagree with the statement of a gunsmith slowing down for a "cheap" gun, referring to an airgun. You might "think" an airgun would be "cheap" compared to pb firearms but take a serious look. Most airgun prices stack right with or higher than most pb guns. It depends on the airgun (and the pb) but I would say the average airgun will run around $400. Yes, there are $29.95 airguns but there are also $4000 airguns. And who would take a "cheap" airgun to a gunsmith and pay more for the repair than they did for the airgun to begin with? Not many. I'm going to repeat again: Any firearm under $500.00 today is a "cheap" gun, air or otherwise. Especially when you consider the cost of labor for a smith. To really do quality gunsmithing work like it ought to be done, it's generally not financially worth it to most customers who own firearms costing less than $500.00 to pay to have premium work done. For example: To take a stock Mosin Nagant rifle with a good barrel (assuming it has one) and turn it into a correct and properly working sniper costs more than the gun is worth. Wether you disagree or not, it's an economic fact. I really like Rock Island Armory pistols. I own 5. But I don't work on them, because to do really premium quality work on them costs the customer more than the gun. Very few are willing to pay that. The vast majority of revolvers and pistols I work on start much closer to a $1000.00, often more before I even open the box and touch them. The part sets I use and replace in these premium pistols often cost $300.00 or better, as they're all forged steel. When the customer gets the firearm back, it's a $2000.00 gun and looks/feels/shoots like it. Close personal friend of mine does rifles and those are generally more expensive, but he generally starts with just a premium action from a few select manufacturers, then adds a barrel and stock. Again, the receiver alone costs $500.00 up.Again, his guy may be the best gunsmith on the planet. He most definitely is a person of good character judging by this single transaction. But again, I say an airgun would be better off in the hands of a knowledgeable airgunsmith. There IS a major difference in the platforms and most gunsmiths do not have nor would take the time to diversify to gain the knowledge needed to work on airguns. Guns are not all the same. Gunsmiths may have the ability and skill but not the time or desire.Just my counter point. After reading your entire post, I see you totally missed my point, which was for Chris not to insult or alienate his gunsmith. Has absolutely nothing at all to do with who could do a better job on the air rifle.