Sharps Shooter Supply

[ReedG]

Building a custom rifle is a test of anyone's patience. When I had my BAT SV built, it took 21 months to get the action, barrel, stock and accessories together. I, too, have been frustrated by the process and was lied to and ignored by one of the biggest names in custom rifles. On the contrary, I have been blessed by the services of people like Mickey Coleman, Jim Borden, Gary Long, Ian Robertson, and Nat Lambeth, to name a few.

The nature of the beast for most of us who don't qualify for preferential treatment, is to get on the list, plan to wait an unspecified amount of time, and focus on how much enjoyment you will have with it next season. Above all, remember Jesus' advice to "do unto others ..." -- if you were snowed under with work, working as fast and accurate as you can, and the phone keeps ringing ...

Redneck, thanks for changing your post and reconsidering ... God bless.

 

[Heavies]

I don't believe that building a custom rifle needs to be as painful as what SSS makes it.
The smith that I had build my last rifle is a very honest character.
It took longer than quoted, differnece is he was upfront about the change in schedule, he let me know right away, always called me back, and did a great job.
He is also swamped with work, but that does not mean that customer service needs to lax.

 

[wvuredneck09]

I guess I have high standards, I have had a custom upper built for my AR and the experience was great, Robert Whitley. I had a rifle built by Scott at QMM and again it was great. Both answered calls, and again if I would have had to leave a message and wait for a return I wouldn't be complaining. However it is still highly disrespectful to just pic of the phone and put it back down, hanging up on the person with not so much as a call back later. Just leave the phone ring. as for only 1 complaint per year I have been through a lemon law with the BBB before and must say that I'd have to be really pissed to go through the trouble of making an official complaint. I will try again and post the result. I will talk to some others either way and see who I think can get me what I need.

 

[DennisH]

disrespectful to just pic of the phone and put it back down

Just my 2 cents worth.

I know on several occasions I have picked up the reciever and it slipped out of my "fingers" and hung up on the person calling.

Maybe . . . . . . . not saying this is the case, but it's happened to me and I answered up to 100 call per day!

I have high standards as well, I just recieved my stock and action from SSS yesterday. It's some of the best work I have ever seen! The bedding job they did on the action is "PERFECT", I didn't think it could be done like this!

 

[queen_stick]

this subject pops up every few months...

do a Google search for sharp shooter supply, and select 'discussions" as the search criteria (on the left pane, where you can select "everything", "images", "videos" and etc, select "MORE", then click on "discussions") - that will search forum posts only. You'll see this issue discussed on snipers hide, this forum, LRHunting, 24hr campfire, etc...)

You'll find A LOT of threads questioning their business practices. Read through them, and make your own decision about using their services...

My opinion: they do good work and make good products, but they're horrible to work with.

They need a PBX and at least one more person answering phones... that alone would make a huge difference for minimal cost (IP PBX's are cheap for a business with that much call volume). It's really mind boggling that they refuse to do something about the only complaint about their company.

 

[MarkS]

wvuredneck09
I have 2 SSS barrels they do great. The last barrel I got took 3 times longer than they said. I also got a bolt head with the order, it did not show with the barrel. there I had finaly got my barrel and could not shoot it, I called for 3 day all day long, no answer. I had to go thru my card co. to get my money. I will not deal with them again. Some people get good service from them, but I have not seen it. I got my bolthead from Kevin Rayhill. If you leave him a message, he will call you back.

Mark Schronce

 

[wvuredneck09]

Dennis, that is what I thought so I waited a few minutes or so and then tried again, same result. I did get the chance to talk to shilen today and wow, they are great, highly recommended.

 

[lloydx2]

What about just leave a measage on the answering machine saying your lead times are unacceptable and you are having trouble returning calls. Be honest, whats so hard about that?

 

[hepburn45110]

I've crossed paths with SSS on 4 different occaisons over a 2 1/2 year period. The first 2 were great. The 3rd was less than satisfactory. The 4th was a train wreck. I was dented bad enough that I won't deal with them again. I won't air my experience with them in any specific detail other than it was a large dent.

 

[dksac2]

Since they have grown, their CS has gone down the tubes and their waiting time is just way too long, Fred refuses to heir help.
My smith specializes in Savages, has two other smiths working with him, so he's only out 16 to 18 weeks and he has fantastic CS and builds rifles that shoot, put him up against fred anyday. Try www.savagegunsmithing.com
The Smith, Scott Null is a Master Smith, guarentee's .3" or better @ 100, most shoot under .3 with ease with good ammo. He does all machine work. Guns are shot and target returned with the rifle, any caliber or conversion that can be done with a Savage and the Best AcuTrigger you will ever feel.

Don't mean to bad mouth Fred, he's a good guy, just way in over his head. Has been making a lot of people very unhappy lately with his CS. Talked to one guy, Fred has had his rifle almost a year and a half. He's good, but not the only good smith out there. A few others can do just as good of work or better, when someone figures they have so much work the customer does not matter, not a good thing, a good smith takes good care of his customers, nobody is so good they can forget that CS is King and he's not that good, nobody is.

If I can find a smith as good or better (and I did), why would I even bother to send my rifle to someone who will shelf it for two full shooting seasons and not communicte with me, what if there is a problem with the rifle, is it another 6 months before I see it, no thanks. Makes no sense unless someone has blind loyelty, I want results, answers and a reasonable wait time. I work too hard for my money.

John K

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I've crossed paths with SSS on 4 different occaisons over a 2 1/2 year period. The first 2 were great. The 3rd was less than satisfactory. The 4th was a train wreck. I was dented bad enough that I won't deal with them again. I won't air my experience with them in any specific detail other than it was a large dent.

Ditto, never again...

 

[nhm16]

I've crossed paths with SSS on 4 different occaisons over a 2 1/2 year period. The first 2 were great. The 3rd was less than satisfactory. The 4th was a train wreck. I was dented bad enough that I won't deal with them again. I won't air my experience with them in any specific detail other than it was a large dent.

Sadly that's about how it worked out for me too. Which is a shame because I love my Savages.

 

[wvuredneck09]

Dont despair, the other posters on this thread are correct, call Kevin Rayhill at Stockade Gun Stocks. He is great to deal with, has fair pricing, couldn't be more professional.

 

[wvuredneck09]

Also, I tried calling again just to be sure I didn't catch someone on a bad day and same old same old. It will be my last call to SSS.

 

[cliffe]

I tried calling them last week ten times in one day and the phone was either busy or no answer. emailed them and got a call in about ten minutes, I ordered another trigger from them. I have been happy with the triggers from them, set at just over a pound, work great and are easy to install. I also have a dogtracker stock from them and think it is a well made, nice looking stock. got a douglas 6mmbr barrel from them for 320 shipped that shoots decent.
SSS might be lacking in the communication dept. , but IMO make some good products that for the money work well.
to say that someplace sucks because you can't have them answer your 2 calls is a little childish. good luck with your build, whoever you have do it..... cliffe

 

[wvuredneck09]

cliffe, again its not the fact that they didn't answer, it is the fact that they just picked up the phone and then hung up on me. Basic social skills suck in this country in general, people need to learn some respect and manners and this is coming from a 24 year old that was just lucky enough to be raised right.

 

[DennisH]

vwuredneck09, I respect your opinion!

Your talking about a perfect world! The Basic Social Skills don't exsist anymore in this country and you will see this as life goes on!

Try to get help from our own government offices! Most of them can't define what your saying let alone help you!

I do a lot of business with SSS, they are working on improving their system. But Fred is the best with Savages. My best guns are the ones he worked on!

 

[chestsprings]

I'm not questioning any complaints posted above . just has never been my experience.

I've had actions T&T , bought a lot of misc. things, triggers, recoil lugs, triggers, etc. from SSS in the last 4 yrs., & I have not run into any of the situations i see posted here. of course, I don't expect my "wants" to be put in front of others.

don't understand the "bitching" about the CS , not hiring more people, etc.

who are we to complain, & tell SSS to increase there work load if SSS wants to remain a small shop. they will continue to put out exceptional work. seems like they are satisfied with there business, & have all the work they want.

if some people don't want to wait, or feel they want there work done "now", they are free to go some other place. why continue to bitch, because your phone call is not answered right away. at least you don't get sent to a " phone menu".

if some people decide not to do business with SSS, doesn't make me, or others mad, as we will move up the line to get our work done.

some times we need patience.

 

[Heavies]

These arguments are the same every time SSS comes up.
It's not about not wanting to wait, or I want it now mentality. Its about respecting your customer.

If they where up front, truthful, and fair with the customer then probably 95% of the complaints carried by folks would be resolved.
Many have had good exerences with SSS, as well, good for them. Just as well folks should know that all is not always well and good there and if you do research there are many instances of this. One must make their own decision.
A person should not have to be crapped on to get a rifle built.

JMHO. Golden Rule.

 

[DennisH]

It's a fact SSS has more business than they know what to do with!

That's because Fred is the best with Savages!

They realize the situation they are in and are trying to find a solution to make everyone happy! If Fred could hire someone who has something close to his ability, most of his problems would be taken care of!

But as stated above, this is an easy statement, filling the position is another story!

Check around with other smith's, they are in the same shape, Stockade, Sin Arms, etc., are all backloged! When your good, this is usually the case!