Kenneth L. Walters
New member
Anyone have experience with this company. If so what do you think of them?
McMillan Rifles
- Thread starter Kenneth L. Walters
- Start date
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
An excellent, high-quality family owned/operated company.
Before his death, Gale McMillan was a regular contributor here at TFL. Check the Archives.
Regards, Art
Before his death, Gale McMillan was a regular contributor here at TFL. Check the Archives.
Regards, Art
IMHO......
Their complete rifles are a bit "overpriced". They build quality rifle, but their primary customers are government agency and they are justified to spend lots of money to get whatever they want. If you have the money and want a good quality rifle, go for it. If you are on a budget and want a "great" rifle, find a good benchrest gunsmith (go Benchrest for a start) and discuss the detail with him.
Their complete rifles are a bit "overpriced". They build quality rifle, but their primary customers are government agency and they are justified to spend lots of money to get whatever they want. If you have the money and want a good quality rifle, go for it. If you are on a budget and want a "great" rifle, find a good benchrest gunsmith (go Benchrest for a start) and discuss the detail with him.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
I totally disagree
McBros rifles are among the best in the industry.
They are worth every penny. Custom milled parts, Custom made stock... You cant get any better than that.
I just wish they made autoloaders.
They had a seriously cool bullpup version of the M-14 that I want desperately... It is not available. Gale said he might have one up in his attic he could find for me but he passes away before he could get up there.
Would rather have Gale back here though...
McBros rifles are among the best in the industry.
They are worth every penny. Custom milled parts, Custom made stock... You cant get any better than that.
I just wish they made autoloaders.
They had a seriously cool bullpup version of the M-14 that I want desperately... It is not available. Gale said he might have one up in his attic he could find for me but he passes away before he could get up there.
Would rather have Gale back here though...
George... For bolt action rifle...
I never said that Mcbros quality is bad. Just I will not buy a $3000+ rifle that I can have it built to my own spec for hundreds less. I'm more into benchrest type of shooting. If you go talk to some of those benchresters, they will all recoginize McMillan (from their stock mostly), but few have their rifle built by McBros. Every serious gunsmith can custom build parts for you with great precision (tight neck, your own wildcat, and leade angle). True, most of them order parts from "other" smithes, and then "put-togather" for you. The last time I check that McBro also uses many parts from other well-established vendors, too. (Jewell trigger, Schneider barrel etc.)
If you add up the cost of all the parts then subtract it from the cost of a McBro rifle. There is a large amount of money for labor only.
For example, I get my M700 built by Dave Tooley with Hart SS barrel, fully tuned&smoothed SS action, HD recoil lug, Timmey trigger, McMillan
A3 stock for a total cost about $2200 three years ago. The rifle shoots <1/2 MOA consistantly. I bet one from McBro can do the same, but it would cost a lot more than $2200 for the same option I got. On the other hand, a MCR model from McBro at the same time: Tuned M700 blued action, Any McMillan stock w/ butt spacer system(my is 3-way adjustable), SS barrel, tuned factory trigger&recoil lug, and Roguard finish for MSRB of $2200.
It's undeniable that McMillan makes excellent products (especially their line of stocks). For my own hard-earned money, I will find someone else to build my rifle.
I never said that Mcbros quality is bad. Just I will not buy a $3000+ rifle that I can have it built to my own spec for hundreds less. I'm more into benchrest type of shooting. If you go talk to some of those benchresters, they will all recoginize McMillan (from their stock mostly), but few have their rifle built by McBros. Every serious gunsmith can custom build parts for you with great precision (tight neck, your own wildcat, and leade angle). True, most of them order parts from "other" smithes, and then "put-togather" for you. The last time I check that McBro also uses many parts from other well-established vendors, too. (Jewell trigger, Schneider barrel etc.)
If you add up the cost of all the parts then subtract it from the cost of a McBro rifle. There is a large amount of money for labor only.
For example, I get my M700 built by Dave Tooley with Hart SS barrel, fully tuned&smoothed SS action, HD recoil lug, Timmey trigger, McMillan
A3 stock for a total cost about $2200 three years ago. The rifle shoots <1/2 MOA consistantly. I bet one from McBro can do the same, but it would cost a lot more than $2200 for the same option I got. On the other hand, a MCR model from McBro at the same time: Tuned M700 blued action, Any McMillan stock w/ butt spacer system(my is 3-way adjustable), SS barrel, tuned factory trigger&recoil lug, and Roguard finish for MSRB of $2200.It's undeniable that McMillan makes excellent products (especially their line of stocks). For my own hard-earned money, I will find someone else to build my rifle.
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
You have a point...
But a rifle like the TUBBS is seriously ONE OF A KIND.
And when I talked to Gale the price was only 1500. I'm not sure what Rock has the price at now...
When you benchrest - you resting, or railing? If resting - the Tubbs would do very well... but where it would really shine is in the high powered rifle contests where the shooter is prone. Few rifles I have ever seen could compair with the Tubbs in that regard.
But a rifle like the TUBBS is seriously ONE OF A KIND.
And when I talked to Gale the price was only 1500. I'm not sure what Rock has the price at now...
When you benchrest - you resting, or railing? If resting - the Tubbs would do very well... but where it would really shine is in the high powered rifle contests where the shooter is prone. Few rifles I have ever seen could compair with the Tubbs in that regard.
Another point to consider - the McMillians, especially Gale, were never ones to keep their knowledge to themselves. Back in the early days of rec.guns, before it became a swamp, Gale posted several times a day, freely giving away his years of knowledge and experience. I still have on file several emails he sent me directly in response to questions I had.
They are also tireless proponents of the RKBA.
And, as my father likes to say, there's a reason that a Mercedes costs more than a VW, although both will get you there.
Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
They are also tireless proponents of the RKBA.
And, as my father likes to say, there's a reason that a Mercedes costs more than a VW, although both will get you there.
Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
2650?
I knew I should have placed my order while I was talking to Gale!!!!
Note to Self:
NEVER buy a gun tomorrow that you can buy today!
I knew I should have placed my order while I was talking to Gale!!!!
Note to Self:
NEVER buy a gun tomorrow that you can buy today!