Honestly, there are great gunsmiths, and there are **** poor ones.
Seems like this guy really dicked you around and had the nerve to try and collect an outrageous invoice.
Having worked in the firearms industry for many years at both the wholesale and retail level (and having worked with some fantastic 'smiths along the way) I can absolutely say that a good smith won't charge for learning a new action or procedure. They consider it a learning opportunity and will usually let you know this beforehand. A big no-no in the industry to is go rogue and do work on a customers gun without authorization.
I just got some work done on a long range rig, and gave the smith carte blanche to do whatever he wanted. Fitting three barrels (shouldered with brakes), trigger, finishing. Invoice came to just under 2 grand and worth every single penny. Left it all up to his experience and vision and couldn't be happier.
This guy in High River seems like quite the hack.. thanks for the heads up to avoid him.
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