Bobtail Mess-up??

[nunya]

So I went with a local 'smith to bobtail my 91 Commander.

I saw how many guys on here did their own so I didn't think I would need to go to the trouble and expense to ship to one of the big name gunsmiths. It couldn't be that hard if normal guys are doing it, right? Well I'm afraid I was mistaken. :butthead:

With the grips on, it looks real nice I think. But when I got home and took the grips off, I noticed that it appears he drilled two holes in the right side of the frame. As if he drilled one and it was a hair off, so he drilled another, leaving a slightly oblong opening. It's very, very slight, but it is noticeable, especially with the pin in.

So for my questions:

(1) Does it matter? Am I fretting over nothing? I'm a perfectionist, so it really bugs me that it's not perfect, but the grips cover it so it doesn't detract from the normal look of the gun. I don't see how it could affect the operation, either.

(2) How would a good gunsmith fix it? Weld and redrill?

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3051/mainspringpinvq4.th.jpg (http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3051/mainspringpinvq4.jpg)

I leave in a few days and won't be back until summer, so any fixes will have to wait until then. :(

Thank you.

[Hill]

He should've told you at least.

The pin is held in by spring pressure. The spring base is pointed and fits into a groove cut around the circumference of the pin in the center of the grip, so no worries about it coming out even if the grip were not blocking it's exit. Even over time this shouldn't have a negative effect on the operation of the pistol and it does not preclude future removal and replacement of the MSH to renew the spring.

To repair would probably be best done by welding the hole closed, smoothing the surface to match, redrilling, and refinish/polish.

edit : I hadn't realized that the picture could be enlarged so now looking at it close-up I don't see that he drilled two holes. Might have slipped his centerpunch, used a slightly oversized bit, or something to make the TINY oblong of the hole. It'll make future spring changes a little bit easier.

[pa_guns]

Hi

Give the guy a call and see what he has to say about it.

Bob

[nunya]

Thanks.

I will give him a call tomorrow - I wanted to let it settle a little bit so I didn't overreact on the phone.

[pa_guns]

Hi

What's an issue to one person may not be to another. The question is not so much should he have done it. The thing to find out is weather he'll do it to your satisfaction.

Bob

[kcshooter]

I've seen it done before. What he should have done is start with a tiny drill bit to make sure it got centered right.
Disappointing, but like I said, yours isn't the only one like that, you can't tell when the grips are on, and it won't affect operation at all.
It will, however, affect resale value, and I think he should compensate you for the loss. Just my opinion.

[pa_guns]

Hi

There are several ways you can take care of things. One alternative is to use an oversized pin.

Bob

[nunya]

Hi

There are several ways you can take care of things. One alternative is to use an oversized pin.

Bob

Do you think it'd harm anything to just leave it as it is? What Hill said made sense - it shouldn't matter. Do you agree? Or do I need to pursue a "fix," whether it be weld/redrill, oversized pin...?

[pa_guns]

Hi

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it the way it is functionally. It's purely a cosmetic item. Since it's cosmetic and under the grips, I'd just ignore it and move on.

Bob

[nunya]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it the way it is functionally. It's purely a cosmetic item. Since it's cosmetic and under the grips, I'd just ignore it and move on.
Thanks, Bob and all, I think that's what I'll do.

[George Smith]

Para ord guns break main spring housing pins because the holes are off a smig.
if your start breaking the pin you know you will need to deal with it.
in your case the grips cover the pin so the half's will not fall out.
geo

www.egw-guns.com

[pa_guns]

Hi

Nunya - Did you ever ask the guy who did the work what was going on? I'd be interested in knowing what he had to say.

Bob

[nunya]

Yeah I called him the next day. He said he squared it in the mill, used a jig, did everything "correctly." He said the drill appeared to pass through smoothly and then when he took it out, he saw the "oblongation." He said maybe the gun was out of spec, or something, but it certainly wasn't his fault. He swore he did everything correctly. :butthead: "And it's hidden anyway, right?"

He ended, "Well I hope you're satisfied with the work." I about lost it. I said I wasn't, the gun went to him with round holes and came back with ovals. I hung up shortly thereafter. I'll cut my losses and tell everyone I meet not to use him. I don't think Harrison or Crawley or Wilson stays in business by messing guns up and then blaming Colt for building a gun "out of spec."

[pa_guns]

Hi

Everybody messes up from time to time. That's the one constant in the pistol business. The only real division is how far they each will go to make things right when they do mess up.

Bob