I hope Dennis Olson doesn't read these posts for fear that I will be on his *$%^& list. I sent him a push feed Mod 70 I had barreled to .404 Jeffrey for feed rail work back at the end of August 2005. He said it would take about three weeks to finish but, when I reminded him that it was a push feed action he said he wouldn't work on one. I asked him what my alternatives were and he said, "buy a CRF action or I will convert yours to CRF". I hadn't ever heard of that being done but for the price he quoted, I told him to go ahead. Now, the problem is, I ain't heard from him since. Have I been patient enough and should I call him or do I wait for a while longer? I sure don't want to tick him off and have him put it on the bottom shelf because I bugged him.

Patience grasshopper, patience. Good things come to those that wait. You can't rush quality. Anything worth having is worth waiting for and all that crap.

Start yourself a new project and that will help ease the time.

I disagree. You have waited long enough to make a phone call to say "Dennis, just wondering how my project is coming along".

That's only 6 mos out, really not remarkably long for someone as busy as Dennis. He can be a bit gruff at first on the phone but I would highly doubt that he would in any way hold a check up call against a client. If you need the gun for something by a certain date let him know--I did that for a project of mine that he had and he got it done for me.

Masterrifleman, This reminds me of waiting for Contractors to pay up(send a check) after I do a Job for them.

I get pissed inside and feel like calling and saying "Hey where the Frick is my check. Its been over 30 days, you SOB". But you cant do that.

Best thing to do is be consistant and pleasant over the phone.

I think you sould have "checked in" with him sooner. Just a friendly call to ask how your rifle is doing. Thats it.

Be patent friendly and consistant. Your not going to get on his shit list. Im sure he gets many rude impatent customers and you dont sound like that type.

Thanks for the advise. I would never get rude with someone over the phone much less with someone who has his hands on one of my prized possessions. One of the reasons I am getting worried is that I'm putting my house up for sale and moving to a different state and am concerned over the ATF requirements that might arise from returning it to a different address than the one it was sent from. I think I will call him this week and "politely enquire". Gosh I want that thing back, I'm getting .404 withdrawls!

Hello,
When you say convert from PF to CRF are we talking about just relieving the bottom circumference of the bolt face in order for the cartridge base/rear to slide up and be captured as it enters the chamber?? Are we also speaking of a fixed ejector blade as opposed to the spring/plunger arrangement??
Irregardless, the delay seems quite excessive and definitely would be finding out what is going on with your rifle. Any list that a gunsmith should worry about is the client/customer's list for that is the person paying the freight on this deal and determines who prospers or does not prosper as a 'smith. Definitely polite, but firm and final.

He told me when we first spoke that it would entail complete change-over from the push feed to a controlled round feed using all Winchester parts. I am assuming that this will be milling the underlip of the bolt, replacing the spring loaded ejector with the blade type, milling a slot for the ejector both in the bolt and the receiver, cutting the right locking lug back to allow for the extractor lip and cutting a groove in the bolt for the extractor collar and possibly tapering the left lug and coning the barrel. That's a lot of assumptions but, that's what he implied to me.

I don't think you need worry about Dennis' reading your post (above). he told me he does not mess with the internet.

Masterifleman

Did Dennis give you a timeline for the project? In all my dealings with him he has nearly always finished the project when he said he would.

I wouldn't feel guilty about calling him and checking on the status especially if you have an impending move coming up. I can't believe he would get upset over you wanting to know the timing of your rifle versus your move. One thing you have going for you is that Dennis likes bigger bore rifles and when he is done with them they are utterly reliable from what I have seen. Although, the last time I was there I asked him what he thought of the 404 as a big bore. He replied "Oh, you mean a medium bore".

I agree that it is doubtful he will read this. He once told me there were actually only a few swear word in the English language, but E-mail and website had added to the total count.