broughton or Bartlein

[AlanPF]

So what can you do if you get a dud barrel? Are any of the barrel makers prepared to stand by their products? I have been using Kriegers for a few years in my 6.5-284, and decided to try another popular brand, and after trying several projectiles different loads etc. it won't shoot much better than about 1 MOA, and that makes it uncompetitive in Open F-Class. Would it be worth putting my case to the barrel maker?

Alan

 

[frankgreen]

The issue at hand is this. The customer in question and gunsmith got two 6.5's from us. They claimed they didn't shoot. Instead of sending the barrels back to us so we can look at them and check them over to see what if anything is wrong with them they have gone on many different forums and made negative comments.

I don't think it was unfair for us to ask for the barrels back to inspect them. If there is something wrong with them, we would gladly replace the barrels. Same as we did when we worked at Krieger. Is this to much to ask?

Also this started over a year ago. It got so bad on Benchrest Central,we didn't start it) that the post was pulled.

The offer still stands to these two guys. Return the barrels back to us so we can look at them. If they are unwilling to do this than they should have nothing to say. If they returned them to us and we did nothing then they would have a right to complain but for them to complain and we cannot even examine the barrels we don't feel it is fair. For them to keep pounding on this for a year or more now you come to a point that for some people you can never please. This is the point that we are at and we got tired of getting ripped on so yes we fired back on the long range hunting forum. You get to a point that enough is enough!

Bartlein Barrels Inc.

 

[280man]

Frank,
I don't believe it is to much ask for the barrels to be returned If you have done this and they are unwilling to send them that's there problem now not yours. I'm shooting one of your barrels now and could not be happier all I can say is THANKS for a great product and keep them coming.
Rick

 

[Raptor]

Frank,
What your asking is more than fair!! I can't believe they wouldn't send the barrels back for your inspection. This should have been the first thing done.

I have not had the pleasure of using one of your barrels yet but plan on putting one on my next rifle. I use mostly Kreiger and Pac Nors. I had a Pac Nor barrel go bad on me on a 260 after nearly 1300rds through it. It had a flaw in the steel that caused a piece of the barrel to flake out about an inch ahead of the throat.

I called Chris at Pac Nor and he said send it in for us to look at. I told him that it had nearly 1300rds through it and he said that did not matter so I sent it in and he looked at it and replaced the barrel at no cost to me. Now thats customer service!! I will always have a gun with a Pac Nor because of that. I have heard nothing but good things about your barrels and customer service and look forward to trying one out in the future.

 

[SlowpokeRodriguez]

I do not have any interest in using any product manufactured by Bartlien. I have gone back to using John’s barrels because they work period and I like to win so that issue is settled. Now what remains an issue is how abusive the management Team at Bartlien became. In this industry we are dealing exclusively with discretionary income and it speaks volumes about people or a companies integrity for that matter when they immediately begin to fabricate allegations that can not be substantiated in order to cloud the issue in a feeble attempt to raise doubt.

Funny, I deal with many people in this industry and never have a problem with anyone else nor have I been called a liar which is something that would not be a good thing to say to me while looking me in the eye. Frank has had some issues over the last several years that have changed him or so I have been told but nevertheless what was stated in the aforementioned thread was not something that you put into a public forum when you represent a business. While at Stiller Precision a couple of weeks ago Frank called and talked to Curtis about some actions while I was sitting there and thought about asking for the phone but then thought better of it. At this point as I stated earlier my preference would be for the “Red Ryder” tube:thumb:.

More than a few people in the industry,some at the executive level at the big 3) have reviewed what was posted by Frank and the unanimous opinion was that he should have just let it go that he did neither himself nor Bartlien any credit by taking the actions that he did:nono:. What is done is done and available for all to see. The individual will have to render judgment and decide if ““Caveat Emptor”” is indeed appropriate for this vendor.

Oh and for those that did not see the thread that was on BR Central I did not start it either nor were the comments that I made the reason that it was pulled. There were many comments about the phone not being answered or calls being returned at Bartlien and it degraded from there. Many folks were upset because they could not get in contact with Bartlien to find out if and when their product would be shipped because of upcoming matches. Frank even made a post about it apologizing.

Many people are having success with the Bartlien product and that is good but if you are not just be prepared.

 

[gebhardt02]

I have a Bartlein barrel on my 300WM that cleans up very easily and shoots great. I currently have two barrels on order in 6mm for a new project. When I called, the phone was answered each time. My emails were returned in a timely manner. I'm looking forward to the new barrels and have seen no indications of ANY customer service issues. I will be using their barrels again in another year or so when another project gets started. Keep up the great work Frank and Tracy! One happy customer here.

Geb

 

[tightneck]

I would suggest to all that are reading this thread as well as the one on LRH that there is only one poster pissing and moaning about Bartlien in each thread. The rest of the posters have had positive experiences with Frank and the rest of the folks at Bartlien. I have chambered in the neighborhood of 15 Bartliens in the last year and a half and have only good things to say. Not just about the quality of the product, but in all dealings with them, especially with Frank. I've talked to him on the phone several times to discuss ideas on custom contours as well as rifling. He's always made plenty of time for my calls and called me back promptly whenever the need arises. I shoot Bartliens almost exclusively now, only time I don't is when I have an immediate need and then I call Lester for a Krieger that he has in stock. Oh, and BTW, I don't shoot them just because Frank is a nice guy. I shoot them because I win with them.

Slowpoke, don't you have some connection to Speedy? If you choose to plead the 5th, I would understand.

 

[Senderofan]

I think this shows the down side of the internet...one or two people have a problem, whether percieved or real ) and suddenly it appears to be a major problem with a company or service.

I've been working in service related jobs for over 30 years...The last 20+ has been in healthcare. I honestly bust my backside to provide the best care, information and follow-up with every anesthetic I provide. Every 5 years or so....I run into someone that is just plain ticked off at the world. And...no matter what...they find something to complain about. Perhaps this is a similar situation....since the satisfied customers far exceed the complaintants.

The situation appears to have reached an impass when the tubes weren't returned. I think if they had....we'd have had a completely different outcome...or at least..."The rest of the story." Instead....there appears to be a continued attempt to pick at an old wound...and stir things up. I can't possibly imagine that Bartlein would still be in business if they produced inferior tubes on a regular basis. It just doesn't make sense in this highly specialized business. I think all the manufacturers run into a dud once in a while....just the nature of things.

I'm looking forward to my Bartlein tube!! I'm just glad there are companies out there making premium rifle barrels for us to purchase....who knows what the future holds?

Wayne

 

[a10xrifle]

We have used every major barrel on the planet earth and I can say with 100% satisfaction that Bartlien Barrels are the most consistant we have ever used. Period!!!

Trace and Frank have always been a pleasure to deal with and strive to always make the customer happy.

Been doing business with them for about 2 years and over 800 barrels without a problem.

 

[6BR]

I have owned two Bartlein Barrels and they have been the best barrels I have ever used. I have used Krieger, Lilja and Hart barrels, they are great barrels too. I just have had the best accuracy and luck with Bartlein barrels.

I just ordered another 6mm 1-8 twist barrel from Bartlein. I made so many changes to this barrel I thought I was going to make them mad, however, they made the changes every time and were super nice and very helpful. Their customer service was the best I have ever had. I spoke with Frank on many occasions and he was great to deal with. I would highly recommend Bartlein Barrels for your next project. Their barrels are of HIGH QUALITY and every gunsmith I have been specking with have been raving about Bartlein Barrels.

Once again, Bartlein Barrels customer service was awesome. They went above and beyond to make me happy and treated me like I was their only customer. Frank and everyone at Bartlein was awesome to deal with. I will always use Bartlein Barrels for all of my projects from now on.

It's really funny how one person tries to cause problems. I think it shows the excellence of Bartlein barrels when a Company like GAP recommends and praises them. It should also be noted, Sinclair International carries them along with Krieger, that alone speaks volumes. It makes that guy, SLOWPOKERODRIQUES, look a little silly.

Thanks a bunch Bartlein Barrels and Frank, you guys were great to deal with and your barrels are excellent.

 

[Forum Boss]

Bartlein has been a strong supporter of this website from the beginning, and has supplied barrels for one of our latest test rifles,almost finished!). Frank has been great to deal with. I can also say we've received many, many positive reports about Bartlein barrels from gunsmiths such as Richard Franklin and Al Warner.

 

[SlowpokeRodriguez]

Well it looks like Frank has been busy today rallying the troops and that is good hope it was worth the effort. Glad there are so many satisfied customers and I do see Bartliens on many equipment lists in PS and on the line.

This has evolved into an issue much larger than the tubes I had installed because that part of this saga was written off for me well over a year ago. Maybe Frank learned something from this and then again maybe he didn’t but I hope in the future he will think twice about making allegations,telling lies) that he cannot provide substantiation for lol!

Even if Frank got Jerry Fisher to come up to me at the Guild Show and tell me what a great guy he was I would just smile and change the subject because I know better..

 

[rstreich]

Well it looks like Frank has been busy today rallying the troops....

Frank hasn't rallied any troops. I think a lot of people just smell something fishy with your story. I know I do. The telling part on the other thread is where you said The issue is closed with me and I chalk it up to lessons learned. Apparently it isn't closed as you seem to feel like bringing it up whenever you get the opportunity.

I also find it very interesting that you completely dodge the issue of not returning the barrels to Bartlein for them to look at in every one of your responses. Hmm, reminds me of trying to pin down "Mr D" on an issue over on BRC. Of course, I also appreciate the quasi-kind'a-sort'a-not-quite name dropping of those who believe that Frank somehow transgressed in the other thread. I'm not someone in the executive level at the big 3, I'm just one of the buying public, i.e., a customer, and I kind'a like what Frank wrote. But that's just me.

I've never met Frank. I've talked to him on the phone a few times, bought a couple of barrels, but haven't shot a single round down either of them yet. However, after hearing of your difficulties, I think I'll order my next couple of barrels from Bartlein. In fact, I'd order them tomorrow if they only accepted American Express,You listening, Frank?) and I don't even need one right now.

As to the original question of this thread, I'd order a barrel from any of the barrel makers in Wisconsin. I happen to have more Krieger barrels than any other simply because they take American Express,Frank?). The only barrels that I currently have that didn't come from Wisconsin are several Liljas--he really seems to know how to make .17 caliber barrels. About the only reason for this is that I like buying from the neighbors.

robert

 

[SlowpokeRodriguez]

Both of the barrels are available if you would like to see them because they are already finished,fluted with brakes) I am still considering if one of them would be suitable for a hunting rifle if anyone here would like to buy the other please make an offer! Feel free to let me know when you would like to bring your bore scope and have a look. If you know what to look for then the "fishy" smell will no longer be wafting across and fouling your sophisticated palette.

As I stated earlier the money part of this is a closed issue with me but he chose to fabricate a story about an alleged email I sent to him and when challenged could not produce it because it never existed.

Many great products exist to choose from and when sitting at the line my equipment is not something that I care to worry about as conditions are what I concentrate on. Looking on this from the outside it is apparent that many have clairvoyance into this issue and that is good I just wish that they could send me some stock tips---more money is a good thing!!