Warranty work ?

C

C7AR15

New member
What has been your experience been with the firearms manufacturers when it comes to warranty work being required ??
Remington, Ruger , Savage, Browning, Marlin, Winchester to name a few.

Also Handguns - Smith and Wesson, CZ,HK, Berretta, Ruger.....

What been your best experience -- Your worst???

Please give some details about the problem and what the fix was (or not)
 
Best - S&W - fixed revolver issue and returned it within 10 days total and paid shipping both ways.

In the middle - Browning - they fixed my gun, but took a while and made me pay for the repairs and shipping both ways

Worst - Ruger with their Red Label 28 gauge - three trips back, problem never fixed, gun was sold for a loss; have never bought another Ruger product since (and won't)
 
The only Ruger I've ever had to send back wasn't because it was defective - it was because it was worn out.
Even with 20 years of hard use under its belt, Ruger completely rebuilt, repolished, and refinished the entire revolver. I sent them a well-worn revolver with a detailed request for a repair quote, and they sent back a brand new revolver built on my frame(s). (New barrel, new cylinder, new hammer, all new screws/pins/springs, new sights, new ejector shroud, new base pin, photos of the accuracy verification/sight-in, and more.)
...and all I had to pay for was shipping to the repair center ($18 through an FFL, including the FFL's cut).


Worst experience?
"Taurus" should need no explanation.
 
S&W was by far the worst experience I've had with one of the early Sigma's. This was just about the time they introduced a new, improved verson 1998-1999. I had one of the originals that broke at about 20 rounds. Sent it back, paying for shipping. They returned it and it broke again after about 15 rounds. I paid for a 2nd return and demanded my money back, or a new gun, one of the current production guns that was supposed to be better.

They agreed to send me a new gun, but it was not the new version when it came in. I called to complain and they told me to return for a 3rd time and promised a new verson with night sights for my trouble. Once again I paid for shipping to return another gun. After 5 months, with only 35 rounds downrange I got a new production Sigma, but no night sights. I called to complain again, but it did no good.

I took the new, unfired gun back to the original shop where I purchased it. The shop owner allowed me the full price I paid 5 months earlier on the gun on trade for a Glock. Been happily Glocking ever since.

I've had to return several Rugers for issues. That concerns me a bit, but every single time it was quick, painless and the problem was corrected with no out of pocket expense from me. I did have to pay shipping to Ruger once, but they sent a check a few weeks later to reimburse me.
 
c7, 9/23/13

Worst-

1. EAA- I bought two of their Wonder finished .45's new. By a three thousand round count both had broken frames and slides with standard pressure ammo. EAA had me pay for shipping both ways and returned the pistols unfixed claiming that the hard-chroming I had done invalidated their "lifetime warranty." Never again will I buy anything EAA.

Good and terrible-

1. Smith and Wesson- I had a SW 6906 magazine base plate break and I ordered a new one. They replaced it without charge despite my trying to pay for it.

2 Smith Wesson- had a SW 5906 stainless steel frame break in two places after 7000 rounds of standard pressure ammo. I contacted them and asked if they could look at it and I would pay for the welding job. After two years of emails and over one year with my 5906 at SW I can get no info despite ten emails, one call and one fax. It's still somewhere at SW.

Average-

1. Taurus- locking block on PT-99 broke at a three thousand round count. They offered to replace it if I would send it to them at my expense (which I did). Three months later no replacement. After repeated calls to them where no one would answer the phone I got hold of a tech who said they had mailed it to the wrong state. He mailed out a new one and it works fine.

Any manufacturer can have problems. The key to being highly regarded is how you fix those problems.

best wishes- oldandslow
 
Ruger and Springfield Armory customer service is beyond reproach in my book!! Only had to use each once but was very quick and excellence service!:D
 
I've only had to send one gun back for any repairs. A Ruger #1 in 7x57 Mauser. The chamber has a 2.5" long throat which is well out of SAAMI specs. Problem was determented by chamber cast. Sent the rifle back to Ruger with a copy of my gunsmith's report. Seven months later I finally got the rifle back with a new barrel and the stock was completely refinished. My only complaint was it took seven months for me to get the gun back. With the new barrel the rifle is now very accurate. :D:cool:
Paul B.
 
STI, the gold standard in customer service. They offer a lifetime warranty on their pistols and typically go above and beyond on service issues. I own a dozen of their 1911/2011s and, while I've rarely needed to call on them, when I have the experience has been superb. Great people that are proud of their pistols and a focus on keeping customers happy and committed to the brand. (It's worked on me!) Stories of outstanding service are common among STI owners.
 
Ruger was my best experience.

I had a recall on my Ruger LCP. Long story short, got the gun back after the updates and a very beat up slide and filthy barrel had been put on my frame. Called Ruger and explained they returned my frame with someone's beat up upper. The CS rep said they could reblue the slide if I send it back. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he said while the techs were supposed to only work on one gun at a time to prevent such issues, they would gladly replace the entire upper with a new slide and barrel. They sent an over night label, replaced the upper and returned it the next day.

Taurus was my worst experience. Had an M85 that froze up solid after 250 rounds. I found their CS rude and uninterested in helping. They also refused to pay for shipping to send it back. Once it returned, I off loaded it because I couldn't trust it.

That was my first and last Taurus.

I bought some parts from Springfield and I found them very nice and easy to deal with.

I've never had to deal with S&W, Glock or Walther.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top