I recently received a Stevens Model 311 to engrave a name, date and some tasteful American scroll that I really didn't want to do because the receiver was rusted so bad it would be nigh impossible to prepare correctly. I refused it at first, but the gunsmith persisted and I finally acquiesced. He spent several hours sanding and filing, stating the customer wanted it done no matter the cost as it was his father's gun and he wanted to "fix it up" to present to him later on. Plus, it had to be DEEP CUTS as the gun is to be Cerracoted. Well, over my objections I did it, spending another hour and a half stoning and sanding and still had a very unsatisfactory finish, some pits were so deep that nothing short of tig welding them would do. After his and my prep, every factory letter needed to be recut, some almost completely gone. Well I proceeded to engrave it the best I could under the circumstances, but I'm not real sure I want my name associated with it. Maybe I'll post pictures one day as an example of what NOT to accept and do, but not right now. Have any others had this same type experience? This guy is spending close to $1000.00 for a gun worth $100 at the most, but more likely a throw-away.
Bill
Bill