Average Inletting Time?

[BigJohn141]

I was just wondering what is average amount of time it take for a company to inlet a stock? I'm not ready to throw names out just yet but I sent my B&C M40 stock out to a company, that is also a member here, to inlet for a DBM. It was shipped and received back in February, so about 6 months so far. I have emailed them many times and I always get a reply that it will be sent out at the end of the week. I figured I would ask if 6 months is about average or if it possibly takes longer now days since the gun craze happened.

 

[FamilyMan]

Absolutely not, unless of course he stated the lead time up front as being 6+ months. I have had 3 stocks inletted from 3 different guys on here and not one of them took more than 4-6 weeks included shipping time and the only reason they took that long was because they were way busy and a little back logged but they stated that up front and met the time frames they quoted me. Sounds to me that your being run through the ringer but that is only my outside opinion based on my experiences and the data you provided.

 

[ORD]

"It depends" is the short answer. Every company has different timeframes for projects, complete rifles, etc. Were you given an "estimate" or anticipated completion timeframe for getting the work done and your stock returned to you? If so...let that be your guide. If not...I'd be getting some straight answers (if possible), because 6mos for a simple inlet job seems like a damn long time to me to put it mildly. I have had two McM stocks opened up for two different DBM setups and neither of the ones I sent out took more than a little over a month from me shipping until I had the stock back in my hands ready to shoot.

Good luck!

 

[scotharr]

How long did they quote you? If they are way past the promised date, ask them to ship your stuff back and pay for the return shipping. That's the least they can do. Some gunsmiths get to comfortable sitting on your stuff and it's a good wake up call when the customer says, "i've had enough, ship my stuff back today."

 

[BillCh]

I had a custom stock maker quote me "about two weeks". We'd discussed the subject of turnaround time on several occasions, over the phone and via email. He wanted half the money down to order in the blank and other hardware. Understandable. He called me a month or so later to tell me the blank was in and to send my barreled action. I did, signature required.
Finally after 6 months of getting the runaround I called one more time to ask what the status was. He again offered another bullshit excuse why it was going to take a few more weeks. I told him that I was done and to just box up my barreled action and send it back to me immediately. 3 days later it arrived complete.
This guy was/is supposed to be a big-time stock maker. I won't mention his name here now but if someone ever asks about this asshole specifically I wouldn't hesitate to chime in with my experiences, and it won't be pretty. He's earned it.
He damn sure won't get any more of my business.

B

 

[Disturbed]

I was quoted 2-3 weeks for mine. I emailed and called every two weeks until I finally told him to ship mine back after 3 months. I got it the next week. I missed out on a rifle match because of it. If he said it was going to be 3 months from the start I would not have sent it to him until I had 3 months to spare.

 

[nuclear_shooter]

Is this kind of thing common or are some smiths worse than others? That seems like a terrible business practise for a profession that relies on good word of mouth. I hope you divulge the name so that others can avoid this pitfall. I know badmouthing isn't considered the best practice but then again neither is keeping a stock for 3 or 6 months for a job that shouldn't take more than a week or two.

 

[hlee]

Is this kind of thing common or are some smiths worse than others? That seems like a terrible business practise for a profession that relies on good word of mouth. I hope you divulge the name so that others can avoid this pitfall. I know badmouthing isn't considered the best practice but then again neither is keeping a stock for 3 or 6 months for a job that shouldn't take more than a week or two.

Anytime you are dealing with a "custom" industry you will tend to find talented people that are passionate about their field and very good at creating whatever it is that they make. But, more often than most would expect, you will find that these driven and talented people are also terrible businessmen. They take on more work than they can complete timely, underestimate lead times, use deposits unwisely, lack customer service skills, and generally do all that they can to piss off and alienate customers. "Good" smiths are not immune from this, especially taking on too much work (what business owner doesn't want more work than they can handle.)

 

[scotharr]

Is this kind of thing common or are some smiths worse than others? That seems like a terrible business practise for a profession that relies on good word of mouth. I hope you divulge the name so that others can avoid this pitfall. I know badmouthing isn't considered the best practice but then again neither is keeping a stock for 3 or 6 months for a job that shouldn't take more than a week or two.

Unfortunately it's all to common among good and bad smiths. Some smiths create a waiting list and call you when you have reached the front of the line. Only then do you send your gear in to them.....I like this method because your gear is not being held hostage and you can take your business elsewhere while you wait should you choose.

 

[nuclear_shooter]

The main reason I'm asking is I'm thinking about getting some inletting done while I'm on vacation. But I'll be damned if I'll go without my rifle for 6 months. When the time comes I'll probably ask around the hide who is recommended.

 

[ajwcotton]

For a simple dbm inlet I would just send it to somewhere that has cnc capabilities. They should already have a program for most dbm's and it usually takes a couple weeks at most.

 

[nuclear_shooter]

Unfortunately it's all to common among good and bad smiths. Some smiths create a waiting list and call you when you have reached the front of the line. Only then do you send your gear in to them.....I like this method because your gear is not being held hostage and you can take your business elsewhere while you wait should you choose.

This is a great way to avoid keeping somebodies rifle out of commission for 6 moths. To be honest I've never had a good experience with guns and customer service. The guys in my LGS act like total douchenozzles that don't want my money, gunsmiths I've talked to on the phone act like they're doing me a huge favour by taking my money, et cetera (this was with a local shop and I did not actually do business with them).

Edit: Before anybody gets the wrong idea, I'm not saying all LGS people are bad or all gunsmiths are. Its just my luck has not been stellar.

 

[Thud]

One issue not brought up is walkin's to the custom guys. I worked at a custom shop for a while, a lot of stocks and rifles were in the que and Joe good guy walks in and needs this done ASAP stuff gets pushed back and back and back. A 2-3month b/o leads to 4-7 months in that situation. Also borrowing parts from peter to pay paul. Very common in some shops. Remember a g/s has his own calender 2 weeks = 2 months just remember that. Good Luck

 

[BigJohn141]

Thanks for the replies guys, I am pretty sure im getting the run around. It was actually a package deal for the DBM and inlet but the thread vanished when the forum switched. I did write another email and of course I got the reply that it would be done this week. It's nothing fancy, just a R700 308 AAC, so I have the factory stock for it but it is way better in the B&C. I am just going to email him back for the stock to be returned and a refund. I understand things happen and stuff gets crazy but if it's going to be a month then say so instead of this "this week" bs for months.

 

[BigJohn141]

Well after 2 more weeks of waiting and still no word, I sent the email asking for the stock back and a refund for the work and DBM. I'm waiting on the reply now to see what the answer or excuse will be.