Over a month ago I took my Spikes 14.5 cold hammer forged barrel, brand new in package, along with my upper receiver and my new Spikes Dynacomp Extreme muzzle brake to Josh at On Sight Gunsmithing. while I was there dropping it off, we ran through options for a gas block decided on a block with a rail on top because I need a front sight on my AR and told him I had a Magpul handguard to go on it.
Two weeks go by and I call to see if the work was complete. He said he was waiting on the parts. I give it another week and a half, call back. it's done and I go to pick it up.
I get there and first notice that the wrong gas block was installed, a low profile that will not fit my handguard, or accept a front sight (I guess I shouldn't have ordered the UTG screw on front sight).
The second thing I notice is that the Comp is pinned and welded in the wrong position. What I mean is the section of the brake with no holes was facing the three o'clock when it should be at the 6o'clock position. He wasn't there so I had to worker call him up and I expressed my concerns. The tag that was put back on the gun was reinspect.
after not hearing anything from him over the weekend or Monday, I drive up to the shop to see that he had torqued my permanently attached muzzle device in the proper position.
I called him today because after mulling it over, I will not settle for a damaged barrel. it is brand new, 0 rounds through a barrel that is rated for over 25,000 rounds. I was nice and offered to sell him the damaged barrel, he refused. I told him I will see him in small claims. I run up there today to pick it up, he smiles, "here's your property, hope to see you in court".
here are some pictures of the damage to the outside of the comp
I will be shipping this down ADCO in Ohio tomorrow, as they handle a lot of AR's, going to have to pay them to remove the brake and certify that what Josh Ledbetter did damaged my barrel.