ernierod

Had Dave Wells,Custom Guns,Nicholson,Pa-build a KKM barreled Wad pistol for me.Worst mistake I ever made.Pistol grouped 5.5" Report said:he didn't use a KKM bbl (which I paid for)in pistol,bushing/slide fit-not tight,bushing/bbl fit-not tight,rear hood area-sloppy fit and lock up was on the link rather than on the LUGS.I sent the pistol out to find out what was wrong with this pistol.This report comes from a highly regarded BE gunsmith in the SE.Dave Wells can't build a 45 cal target pistol.The barrel,he claimed was a KKM-in fact WAS NOT a KKM bbl!! I sent bbl to Kevin of KKM Precision bbl-he verified the bbl WAS NOT A KKM bbl..After receiving 8 to 9 emails from disgruntled DAVE WELLS customers,and listening to his many broken promises and lies I don't feel he has the skill,honesty or ethics to touch my pistol-ever again.I have to get the pistol repaired by a competent BE "Pistolsmith".He also installed a medium trigger-I ordered a short trigger,the trigger yoke was binding so badly I refused to fire it as I felt it was a safety issue and the primer hit is so light that the pistol is unreliable.When the pistol first arrived I noticed that there was no KKM,PECISION logo on hood of barrel.I called DAVE WELLS for an explaination and he told me he had to grind the logo off the hood to make the barrel fit/function better-a dubious answer at best.I hope this message will prevent any of my shooting friends from becoming a victim -as I was.I called him with my findings and he refused to refund me any money at all.I proposed to him this solution-have KKM send me a new match barrel,which I paid for anyway,and I would pay out of my pocket,a gunsmith of my choice-to instal/fit the KKM barrel into my gun and in return I woud just drop the whole issue. He refused and said send the pistol to me and I will take care of it.I refused-stating that after all the things he did wrong on the pistol and his lies I didn't want him to ever touch my pistol again.I thoroughly documented this horror story,have all emails and wrote down the jist of all phone conversations with him.

ernierod

Dave Wells-Final Resolution.Three months ago I informed Dave Wells that all I wanted was a NEW KKM barrel(which I paid for) and I would drop the issue.He refused and I had to submit a complaint to the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU-Washington DC/Eastern PA Division.Within 3 weeks Dave Wells sent me a new KKM barrel-I guess he felt it was the "right" thing to do :-) I am satisfied and have no need to deal with him-ever again. I hope the word spreads about him so there will be no more victims.

one eye joe

Welcome to the Forum, ernierod. That is quite a horror story ! Although you are satisfied by getting your pistol and a barrel that you paid for, IMHO that unscrupulous 'smith got away with your money. I realize that the time and effort involved in taking him to Small Claims Court may be prohibitive, and in some instances you just have to cut your losses. In this case we may have to rely on Karma to bring justice to Dave Wells.
Hopefully your post on this Forum will set that in motion. Good luck with your pistol, and make sure to post a range report w/ pics after you get some trigger time.

ernierod

Dave Salyer,S.C. gunsmith replaced/fitted barrel.I modified elevation screw on rear sight-too long,was interfering with firing pin.I installed Ed Brown hammer,sear,extended ejector and modified sear spring.Did trigger job-adj to 3.5lbs. Trigger now breaks like glass with no creep.All of this Dave Wells should have done-but didn't. Pistol works fine now.

one eye joe

Sounds like you got a keeper now, ernierod. That was a helluva long elevation screw! Nuthin' left to do now but get some trigger time. Can't wait to see a range report..........