I would call the communicating gunsmith once a month and try to get what the next step on my gun was to be. The next month I would call him and ask him if he had started on that step. I wouldn't be rude, short, or sarcastic.
I would email the non-responsive smith. I would ask him to return my gun and to let me know how much I owe him. If no response after a month then I would snail mail him the same request. If no response after another month then send a registered letter with the same request. If no response after another month I would send another registered letter threatening to turn him into the appropriate authorities.
As long as they are talking to me I have hope.
