03/11/2026
In response to the recent negative review we currently received and accusations made toward our staff; it is not our normal position to entertain such rhetoric. But in the interest of public safety and awareness we are going to respond for clarity on this situation. We regret the customer was upset but not everything stated is factually true. Our repair policy is to maintain standards to factory specifications and guidelines on any factory-built firearm. In addition, we have liabilities associated with any repair work performed by our shop.
In this case the gas block adjustment on a FNAR 7.62x51 (aka Browning BAR MK3) is the focus. Adjusting or tampering with the factory gas settings is not recommended at all by the manufacture regardless of what has been stated. This was verified to still be the manufacture’s position to date. Unfortunately, there are a lot of forums, DIY Gunsmiths and other Social Media platforms that show various alterations to fi****ms that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Some are benign alterations which really pose no threat to the operator or firearm, others however can be detrimental to the firearm or operator to the extent of catastrophic failure, severe injury, or death. Work requested in this instance was to thread the muzzle to allow attachment of a suppressor. This work was done and the customer provided quick detach muzzle device and suppressor was installed. The firearm was test fired and was found to be over pressuring the operating system (over gassing). Test firing was captured on shop surveillance cameras March 2nd 3:49 pm. Research was done to check availability of parts that would alleviate the overpressure issue and the only option was aftermarket parts. Customer was informed of the issue encountered and was told we would not attempt any alterations or modifications to the gas block on this firearm. One of the options would be to change the buffer recoil spring which cost $30. Customer opted not to do that. Customer called back the next day and requested quick detach adapter be removed and a muzzle brake be installed in its place. He also stated he would probably would sell the firearm since he did not want to deal with the over gassing issue. We removed the quick detach muzzle device which required disassembly of the firearm again to install barrel in the vise to unscrew the muzzle device which was torqued onto the barrel when installed during original requested work. Which is also necessary to properly torque the requested muzzle brake. Customer called back again later and said not to install the muzzle brake that he thought he had one and did not want to purchase another one. He wanted us to reassemble the firearm and he would pick it up. We fully reassembled the firearm again for the second time due to his previous request.
Two days later customer come to pick up his firearm, he got upset with the cost of the work. His total bill was $352. Here is the breakdown of what the cost was; the original price quoted for threading the muzzle was $200 plus tax. There was an additional charge added of $120 plus tax for the additional time of working on his firearm totaling $320 plus tax. Our shop labor rate is $60 per hour; machine shop rate is $100 per hour. Original work consisted of complete disassembly of firearm, setup in lathe and machining threads. Installation and torquing muzzle device, complete reassembly of firearm, attaching suppressor and test firing. ($200) Additional work consisted of complete disassembly of firearm again, removing the muzzle device and preparing muzzle brake for installation which was halted just prior to completion due to aforementioned phone call. Then complete reassembly of firearm all due to customer’s request. ($120/2hrs).
As for the timeframe when the customer originally brought his firearm in, he did not have his suppressor or quick detach adapter. The adapter was needed to properly machine the muzzle to insure proper thread engagement and concentricity. It was approximately a month before he returned with the with the adapter and suppressor so work could be done.
Regarding the confrontation when he picked up his firearm no one had lied to him. The owner was not here, no one tried to add additional parts to his firearm. The customer was kept informed throughout the process. The only additional cost was due to the additional work performed on his firearm. Which was removed and absorbed by the shop due to his belligerence and to deescalate the situation.
It is unfortunate the customer was unsatisfied with our services, we deal with the public every day but we have liabilities and overhead. Approximately 2000 fi****ms a year pass through our shop. Given that volume, odds of not being able to satisfy everyone are probably not in our favor but we strive to accommodate everyone we can.
