Clarity
Lynn,
Thanks for the clarity. Everyone is scratching their heads on this one. The only reason I jumped into this thread is that I received a private e-mail from Mark (Twud) asking if I had experience with this gunsmith. I replied that I had and we discussed the man's work, personality, etc. Like anyone worth knowing, this gunsmith is a rare combination of talent, opinion, reputation, a loyal following and he has a playful contrariness that may throw off certain people. I personally like the man and have a good rapport with him. I've recommended people to him and they have come away impressed.
It's part of my normal work ethic to bring business to people who have taken care of me as a way of displaying loyalty to the craftsman as well as making sure that my friends receive quality work.
When Mark (Twud) brought this initial problem up, I picked up on it because I have the same chamber, reamed with the same reamer, etc. My buddy has the same deal. Every time I've conversed with Mark, in private, I've asked him to post his results so that we can all learn and collectively help a fellow shooter. There is no information being witheld from these posts. I've asked Mark, in private, whether he lubed his lugs, what load he's using, etc.; the normal good practice procedures one would ask in trying to solve a problem. I also don't believe in splashing a gunsmith's name all over the internet while a client is working through a problem, as I believe in integrity and fair play. It's also one of the reasons I use my real name and not an internet name to hide behind. I also encouraged Mark to work the problem through with the gunsmith because I knew he would make it right if his work was at fault. I was 99.9% certain the gunsmith's work and methodolgy was solid. I also knew that Mark would be subjected to a degree of good natured ribbing, by the gunsmith, over this incident. That kind of ribbing doesn't bother me as I'm a character myself and don't mind having a little good natured sport with someone who can take it. I work in an industry where you need a thick skin to survive; pipe fitters, crane operators, riggers, boilermakers, millwrights, machinists, electricians, nuclear control room operators, engineers, managers, etc.; you get the picture.
The one element I've tried to interject into this whole subject is to vouch for the quality, reputation, and following of the gunsmith who performed this work. There have been some, who have alluded, that perhaps this gunsmith's work is to blame, or the reamer was not right or some other reason for this problem. I'm scratching my head like everyone else but I was never scratching my head over whether this gunsmith knew what he was doing or not. Mark (Twud) was looking for a level of verification from me as to the quality of this man's work and I provided that. Mark was stand up enough to follow the advice I gave him and resolved his problem with the gunsmith. He didn't resort to name calling, unfounded claims, etc. I purposely did this to provide a template for others to follow.
Lou Baccino
