There are many words that one could use to describe the gunsmithing "industry" (not really an industry at all). Words like witchcraft, ignorance, hubris, craftsmanship (ha!, just kidding) but the most fitting might just be... incompetence.
I know of no other line of work where, so often, actual science is simply ignored, if not disbelieved outright.
Physics, chemistry, materials science, basic arithmetic, these apparently hold no sway at the bench of the "gunsmith", who believes that his knowledge is actually that.
One of the most common misconceptions among these practitioners (and also among many end-users) is that a loose rib can be correctly repaired without a complete strip and relay. This is not so. The reasons why are described in detail elsewhere on this blog. That being the case, I won't reiterate it here but I will show yet another example of why anyone that says otherwise should be viewed with suspicion regarding their abilities.
In the case of the end-user (the customer), this belief can be forgiven because he or she can't realistically be expected to know about such things. In the case of anyone calling themself a gunsmith, it is wholly unforgivable.
Here is what was once a Westley Richards Hand Detachable in 16 gauge, with 30 inch barrels. It was the victim of exactly the kind of partial "repair" against which I have railed for as long as I can remember. What is worse, is that the perpetrator should have known better, given their reputation. They are now out of business, so maybe their reputation wasn't so deserved.
Doing it right, the first time, is always not only cheaper, the results will also last a lot longer.
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