The shooting industry and the waiting game...

[XTR]

My introduction to the waiting game was three yrs ago a local FFL who was going to do a transfer for me told me to "go home and come back tomorrow to get your rifle after we log it in, we won't get to it today". (never been back there Coal Creek Armory) That was the beginning.

I'm one of the last individuals to get an order into Rock Creek about a week before their site was changed to say that they no longer take orders from individuals, 20+ months ago.. I wonder if I'll ever get that barrel?

Defiance quoted me six months on my action a couple of yrs ago, lucky for me, they got it to me in less than 5, at least they met the commitment.

I ordered a stock from Richards Microfit Stocks last yr, didn't realize there was about an 8 week wait (duh), I think I got it in 12, and when it showed up the rosewood tip was not there. Then there was a disaster with them and UPS to get the return and the delivery of the repaired stock. Lost track of how long that took, but the season ended before the rifle got in the stock.

Barrels, that's a punch line. Last time I talked to someone from Kreiger they were quoting 12 months. (at least I talked to someone, unlike Rock Creek where I've never gotten a response to a phone call or an email, or a PM on Snipers Hide.)

There is more, and I'm sure many of you can tell your own versions...

What caused this Friday night rant... I called PT&G this afternoon about a bolt I ordered in April. I think they quoted 9 weeks when I ordered it, two weeks ago they told me it would be shipped on July 11, today they told me three more weeks.

I think like most of us I've just come to expect it. I don't think most of the businesses out there give any thought whatsoever of actually making good on their commitments, and even when they are you have to plan everything for next yr cause you are getting nada in a timely manner.


The flip side is that all of this made me realize how really nice it is to have a local business here that does good work, in a timely manner, and meets their commitments. I really have learned to appreciate my local smith that does all my work. (logo on my sig tag) In the last three yrs I've taken my rifles to them lord knows how many times for re-chambering, barrel shortening, lug lapping after I've had them start to gall, re-crowning, this, that and the other thing. In three yrs they have never kept anything longer than three weeks, usually they tell me two, and call me after a week to tell me it's ready. At least someone in this crazy business will get back to you within one cycle of the moon.

Oh yea, I just remembered, Steve Baldwin returns emails and gets things to you when you ask for them too.

I'm going to go have a bourbon and think about loading bullets for the match on Sunday (I have to go to a pig roast tomorrow and I won't make the one tomorrow) [/rant]


[edit]In the interest of full disclosure with PT&G, I ordered a complete one piece 223 bolt with firing pin, shroud, extractor et. al. and a 223 reamer. Everything else was delivered on time. I got the reamer in June, but it's not a lot of good to me w/o the bolt.

 

[Johnboy]

I hope this helps you out a little.

I've been wanting to build a rifle now for some time ( 3 years ) but since my wife had to go back to school and get educated all over again its put a large mud hole in my path. Now the wife needs to get a job and make a home their ( I hope to catch up on some things for use ) being the only money maker has sucked for the past 2.5 years. Now I'm starting to think about my daughters education when she graduates from school ( 4 more years ) I guess what I'm hinting at or trying to say is, that you will build a rifle before I will. So take this lightly and hope it all happens for you soon.

 

[JRS]

You can always take up archery No waiting time ;D

 

[savagedasher]

Check with Bruno they have about every thing you need in stock. Larry

 

[Minesweeper3433]

I just got a call from rock creek after having had my barrel on order for 24 months. When I called 4 months back they gave me a line about how the computer program was having problems with orders and that was why they stopped. Problem I have with that is when I asked about my barrel they knew how I wanted it fluted and all the other information without me telling them. I asked them to send me an email confirming the conversation I had had with them and got nothing. 4 months later just 2 weeks ago I got a call saying my barrel is ready and they needed updated billing information. I told them I would call them back. I think in about 2 years I am going to give them a call and say I am ready to pay for it and get the barrel. As for any future business I am done with rockcreek, I don't care how good they are who they make their barrels for they are not worth the unprofessional business practices that I have encountered with them.

 

[roadkill61]

And the american bussines community wonders why we buy from china

 

[sdean]

I ordered two actions from Stiller over the last 5 years, never received one yet. Called Kelbly said 6 months, 5 months later Bingo. Called Jim Borden said 6 months, 6 months later Bingo. After a while you learn the right people to call.

 

[Damfino]

Enjoyed the well written and balanced rant. Managing expectations is difficult. Recently, my orders from Brux and McMillan were delivered in about 6 months just as promised. A number of shooting industry members/gunsmiths, like Ray Bowman/PR&T, take the difficult position to promise small and deliver big, making realistic, worst case timeframe estimates then delivering as promised, or even ahead of schedule, disappointing no one.

 

[wapiti25]

Minesweeper, I think you are doing it right. I ordered two barrels from BenchMark and they were very close to the delivery date.

 

[BradY]

Just be thankful you dont live in Australia. Because we cant get half the stuff you guys are allowed access to and what we can get we wait twice what you do....

 

[Baka]

I'm thinking about building another gun for the year 2020. Probably should start now that way it'll be done by 2025.

 

[hogpatrol]

Curious posts. In my case, in the past month, I've ordered and received two Stiller actions, one directly from Stiller and one from Southern Precision Rifles, bought a Bartlein barrel from SPR, had it sent to Bartlein for fluting and had it in less than a week, start to finish. Also bought two Pierce actions, one of which I got in a week (a SA/308bf/single shot) and a magnum bolt face long action that took a couple months. The only thing I've had trouble with availability is a Jewell trigger. Also bought a couple barrels from other vendors (not direct) and had them in a week. I assume it's low production, oddball stuff that is being put to the bottom of the list??

 

[JRS]

You're right about that hog. The 25 caliber barrels I use are a once per year run, with Bartelin.

 

[MNFinn]

interesting read. I'm in the process of parting together my first build so my smith can go to work on it. so far, the barrel was on time, the stock was 3 months later than I expected, and the action is still yet to be done......getting notified that completion expectations are pushed back is annoying....but the big problem for me, is that I start getting "smart" ideas, like getting a reamer and doing the finish work on the stock myself, etc.....LOL, for me, more time just means more thinking, good thing I don't get annoyed at things, my actions is at least 3 months past the estimate, and may end up being a full year wait...oh well, it'll all be worth it when I finally get to shoot the rifle next summer.....hopefully

 

[stool]

unless lester and company have changed their software..they list items but nowhere does it say IN STOCK..for their normal inventory...been bit by them too. ordered on friday, and a call on monday that it was not available....so all the stuff i had ordered on sat to go with the item, from other vendors..was useless.....

generically this all just a result of the person that was elected president...major strain on the firearms industry.

Check with Bruno they have about every thing you need in stock. Larry

 

[Phil]

I ALWAYS call and check stock with Bruno`s AND others especially in the current climate.....

 

[XTR]

I assume it's low production, oddball stuff that is being put to the bottom of the list??

Try to find a 30" 6.5 or 7 twist 224 barrel in a heavy palma, or any contour for that matter, or a 30" 1:10 308 heavy Palma barrel (I don't need one, I keep a spare, but I know how long it takes when I do go looking), or heaven forbid a 32" 1:10 308 heavy Palma . You're lucky, you are doing a build with parts that are stocked.

 

[hogpatrol]

I assume it's low production, oddball stuff that is being put to the bottom of the list??

Try to find a 30" 6.5 or 7 twist 224 barrel in a heavy palma, or any contour for that matter, or a 30" 1:10 308 heavy Palma barrel (I don't need one, I keep a spare, but I know how long it takes when I do go looking), or heaven forbid a 32" 1:10 308 heavy Palma . You're lucky, you are doing a build with parts that are stocked.

Yep, they're oddball.

 

[thefitter]

I feel your frustration...surprised you did not bring up gunsmiths. :

FWIW JGS has hit their commitments to me each and every time.

 

[butchlambert]

unless lester and company have changed their software..they list items but nowhere does it say IN STOCK..for their normal inventory...been bit by them too. ordered on friday, and a call on monday that it was not available....so all the stuff i had ordered on sat to go with the item, from other vendors..was useless.....

generically this all just a result of the person that was elected president...major strain on the firearms industry.

Check with Bruno they have about every thing you need in stock. Larry

I have checked all your post on several forums. If you ordered from me I would be honest and say I wouldn't ship you anything. The others drag you on to humor you as they know you.