SBR Engraving Fail

[Mr McSimon]

I wasn't going to post about this because there's not much I can do about it now, but I want to bitch a little and get it off my chest.

I recently received a Form 1 approval, and had a local gunsmith in mind for the engraving. I had heard that it's prudent to do the engraving before filling out the form 1, but I figured this engraver is local and will do it while I wait, so there shouldn't be any problems with a lost shipment or anything like that. Silly me, trusting that things will go the way they're supposed to.

So, the joker (employee) does the engraving, but he engraved my entire mailing address onto my lower. Name, street address, city, state, and zip code. You'd think a guy working for a place that advertises SBR engraving would know better, but no, I guess not, there's dumb@$$ workers in every industry, and I guess it's on me to trust that the guy knew what he was doing. Nobody wants to be insulted by having their customer tell them their job though, so I didn't. Big mistake.

Anyways, I'm pretty disappointed, just because it looks stupid having all that extra info on there. I hope to get over it in the next few weeks because the thing will shoot fine, but it was a let down. I don't see that there's any legal problem either, because all the info that's required to be there is, but it's still annoying. It's like getting a tattoo that the artist mucks up, or misspells something. Makes me want to rattle can the thing to try and camouflage the engraving, total fail IMO.

Ok, I've said my piece if anybody wants to chime in, but just as a reminder, it's good advice to have your lower engraved BEFORE completing your Form 1, or at least micromanage the hell out of whoever is going to do it for you. Stomp all over their feelings if they don't like you supervising, in the end, your the one who will be stuck with the results.

I'm interested in other people's take on the situation, and I'm especially interested if anybody sees any problems I'm not considering with having the extra address info on the lower. I don't want to have rinse and repeat the process to have a (replacement) lower done properly, but I'm considering it. Mostly because of my own annoyance, but certainly if there a good reason to eat the cost of a new lower and stamp, then I'll feel compelled.

Post also if you have a engraving story of your own. Post good stories because, well, who doesn't like a good story? Or, post bad stories, so maybe that will help me feel better about letting this happen.

[Inkslinger]

You know you could have a couple thousands milled off and have it engraved again if it bothers you that much.

[markm]

Pappabear's guy put "THE" in front of the "Pappabear RLT". It reads like a college football moron naming his school. He was a little annoyed by it, but I think he's forgotten about it.

He had an actual stipulation on one of his approvals for engraving. I don't bother with the nonsense since the marking description on my Forms don't mention any engraving.

The Address thing is classic. What an idiot.

[Bret]

So the guy can operate an engraving machine, but doesn't know what's required to be engraved. It's terrible when idiots don't ask what they need to do prior to starting. Back over 20 years ago, my father wanted to have a side scope mounted added on to his MAK-90. I took it along with the side mount to a local shop with a really good reputation. When I returned to pick it up, the owner told me there was a problem. His son had drilled the holes for the side mount in the receiver cover instead of the receiver! I left it with him and the owner purchased another receiver cover and properly installed the side mount on the receiver. So much for my father's matching numbers MAK-90. Fortunately, my father didn't care. Not having matching number on a gun that should is the type of thing that bugs the crap out of me. It never occurred to me that I should have asked the owner if the monkey he was going to give the work to knew what the %$!& he was doing and if he'd ask if he didn't.

[MJN1957]

If you haven't assembled the piece yet, you can get a full refund and reapply with a different serial number off of a replacement receiver (hopefully supplied by the engraving shop).

Nuisance PITA, I know...but an option that I didn't see mentioned.

[MegademiC]

Have them cover the extra info, and rest if the receiver with engraved paisley print.
Its the only solution.

[eodinert]

Back over 20 years ago, my father wanted to have a side scope mounted added on to his MAK-90. I took it along with the side mount to a local shop with a really good reputation. When I returned to pick it up, the owner told me there was a problem. His son had drilled the holes for the side mount in the receiver cover instead of the receiver! I left it with him and the owner purchased another receiver cover and properly installed the side mount on the receiver. So much for my father's matching numbers MAK-90.

Mounting a scope rail on that rifle where he asked for it would have destroyed the collectibility of it anyway, had it been collectible. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), it wasn't collectible to begin with.

[JoshNC]

That sucks. Did you not give him the exact info you wanted engraved? I never assume that anyone knows what they are supposed to engrave. I’ve also always watched it being done so that I can correct any error before it’s permanent.

[Pappabear]

Pappabear's guy put "THE" in front of the "Pappabear RLT". It reads like a college football moron naming his school. He was a little annoyed by it, but I think he's forgotten about it.

He had an actual stipulation on one of his approvals for engraving. I don't bother with the nonsense since the marking description on my Forms don't mention any engraving.

The Address thing is classic. What an idiot.

other than THE he did a very nice job. I later found out on some of my stamps my LGS added The to my name, so THE must be a thing. I may have lost my mind if he did my entire address.

Engraving is a PITA. One good reason to buy a complete gun.

For those looking to get engraved. I would write it on piece of tape and tape to stock. Write it down as you want it. EVERYWHERE.

PB

[RobertTheTexan]

Pappabear's guy put "THE" in front of the "Pappabear RLT". It reads like a college football moron naming his school. He was a little annoyed by it, but I think he's forgotten about it.

He had an actual stipulation on one of his approvals for engraving. I don't bother with the nonsense since the marking description on my Forms don't mention any engraving.

The Address thing is classic. What an idiot.

Thanks for reminding PB. That was awesome.


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