Apologies if this is not the correct forum to discuss this.
I went to the gunsmith counter at the range I'm a member of today. I spoke to the gunsmith and described how I'm an idiot and screwed up my new rattler upper while trying to change the muzzle device. I told him the issue was I tried using a Bev block on an MCX, it wouldn't fit and I decided to try anyway and bent part of the upper (again, I admit I'm an idiot). I make sure it was okay to show him, then pulled it out of my range bag. When he saw it, he made an "oh crap" face, and said "is that an MCX pistol? I can't work on those". I explained to him that I've removed the lower and left it at home, and this is just the upper. He reiterated that he could not work on it at all. I asked if I just removed the barrel and have him do the muzzle device (as I could just get an new MCX stripped upper for $500 and get around the bent part), and he again refused. He said company policy is to not do any AR pistol work until all this stuff is sorted out in the courts, and described some of the mess they've been going through with the ATF. I'm not trying to screw up anyone's livelihood, and completely understand the position he's in. I expressed this to him and thanked him for his time and discussion. He gave me the card of someone he thought would be willing to do the work. He's a nice guy and not trying to call him out or throw any shade, but I really don't feel like waiting for this stuff to get sorted out in the courts to get my gun working again. I mean, it could be years.
My question is, is this the way things are now or is my range being overly cautious to put this rule in place?
Second question, how much should it cost to put on a muzzle device on an MCX barrel and bend back the retaining pin part of the upper? I'm hesitant to buy/mod tools for an MCX upper, as this might be a one-off. I have changed muzzle devices on ARs before (without issue but with the right tools).
I went to the gunsmith counter at the range I'm a member of today. I spoke to the gunsmith and described how I'm an idiot and screwed up my new rattler upper while trying to change the muzzle device. I told him the issue was I tried using a Bev block on an MCX, it wouldn't fit and I decided to try anyway and bent part of the upper (again, I admit I'm an idiot). I make sure it was okay to show him, then pulled it out of my range bag. When he saw it, he made an "oh crap" face, and said "is that an MCX pistol? I can't work on those". I explained to him that I've removed the lower and left it at home, and this is just the upper. He reiterated that he could not work on it at all. I asked if I just removed the barrel and have him do the muzzle device (as I could just get an new MCX stripped upper for $500 and get around the bent part), and he again refused. He said company policy is to not do any AR pistol work until all this stuff is sorted out in the courts, and described some of the mess they've been going through with the ATF. I'm not trying to screw up anyone's livelihood, and completely understand the position he's in. I expressed this to him and thanked him for his time and discussion. He gave me the card of someone he thought would be willing to do the work. He's a nice guy and not trying to call him out or throw any shade, but I really don't feel like waiting for this stuff to get sorted out in the courts to get my gun working again. I mean, it could be years.
My question is, is this the way things are now or is my range being overly cautious to put this rule in place?
Second question, how much should it cost to put on a muzzle device on an MCX barrel and bend back the retaining pin part of the upper? I'm hesitant to buy/mod tools for an MCX upper, as this might be a one-off. I have changed muzzle devices on ARs before (without issue but with the right tools).