How dangerous is this?

I just had a FAL built and couldn't get it to zero at the range after about 25 rounds so I just quit and went home. The next day I found that the barrel was loose in the receiver and I could very easily move it around and rotate it. Was I in any danger? The gunsmith has offered to fix it with no charge. Would you send it back to him or find another gunsmith. I've already paid him in full and I really don't want to spend more money to have another gunsmith fix it. I'm looking for knowledgeable opinions to help me make a decision.

By all means take it back. He will fix it if he is partially conscious. He doesn't want to finance his lawyer's early retirement.

Dale

> ... about > ... and > ... no > ... have > ...

I would send it back to him. Are you looking to try to sue him on something you think may have caused you harm, sorry that doesn't work? Brass tacks pal, that's what I'm getting from your posting, I could be wrong.....nah, don't think so. You weren't hurt, the gunsmith is standing behind it in good faith, get the gun fixed. I hope you aren't a professional sewer or sue-er (same thing)!

Dangerous? It could have killed you, ask him WHY this happened, does he know what he is even doing? SHould you trust him?

> ... about > ... around and > ... with no > ... to have > ... help me > ...

Hi,

#I just had a FAL built and couldn't get it to zero at the range after about #25 rounds so I just quit and went home. The next day I found that the #barrel was loose in the receiver and I could very easily move it around and #rotate it. Was I in any danger?

Possibly. The danger of a loose barrel would come from an unsupported cartridge case head blowing out. The gas venting would blow off anything loose, like extractors, magazines, etc.

# The gunsmith has offered to fix it with no #charge. Would you send it back to him or find another gunsmith. I've #already paid him in full and I really don't want to spend more money to have #another gunsmith fix it. I'm looking for knowledgeable opinions to help me #make a decision.

This is a personal judgement call. I'd like to see that gunsmith learn a lesson and see the result of his work and be able to fix it. On the other hand you need more assurance you have a safe, shootable piece. I would say, let him fix it and then have another smith check his work. Checking could be as simple as trying to unscrew the barrel and putting a NOGO headspace gauge in it. If it passes NOGO and the barrel is tight, check the barrel after every shot for 100 shots or so, and then before and after every session after that.

Tell us what you end up doing, and how it turns out.

He forgot to torque the barrel. Yes, it's a dangerous situation as a loose barrel opens the headspacing. If opened far enough, a cartridge could have burst in the action, destroying the rifle and perhaps you! Since torquing a barrel isn't brain surgery, I don't see any harm in having him fix it, but double check to make sure he checked the headspace after torquing. Also, I don't think I'd be giving him any more business. That kind of oversight could cost someone their life.

Danno wrote,<snip>#I hope you aren't a professional sewer or sue-er (same thing)!