Gents,
It has taken a winding road, but my 44 mag barrel has finally arrived. I ordered it back in the 1st week of February when the order form still showed it available with front and rear sights, which is the way I wanted it. In early April Customer Service told me it would be ready shortly but only with scope rails; sights were not an option. About a week later I was told that the arrival of the barrels was uncertain, but that I could order front and rear sights installed for $65, which I asked for. Two weeks later I was told that 44 mag barrels had been discontinued and that I needed to select a different caliber or they would send back my receiver. A couple of days later I was told that the barrel had been shipped.
The barrel arrived with scope rails. There was also a large chip knocked out of the stock I had sent in with the receiver, but a new stock was included along with it (the chip was mainly cosmetic damage, but I had customized the stock by making it a straight grip). I called customer service and reminded them I had ordered the installation of sights for the extra $65. They sent me a call slip and I sent the barrel back. I received it yesterday with front and rear sights installed, at no cost.
Remington’s Customer Service came through in the end, even if they were obviously going through some “adjustments” along the way. 20-minute waits on the phone in April gave way to almost immediate human contact by June. All of the personnel were pleasant, if not always seemingly well informed. I treated them the way I wished to be treated, and was persistent.
I still have work to do on this project, mainly install a WGRS aperture sight, do some stock modification, and a minor tweak to fit the barrel to a different receiver. I had originally intended to just swap the barrel out with a 30-30 handi that I have, and ordered it fitted to that receiver, but decided I would be better off with a whole new rifle (who wouldn’t?). Now if I could just find some ammuntion. No one in the area has any, and I have some back-ordered with Cabela’s. But I expect all to be well in time for Louisiana’s primitive weapon season this fall, which is what the rifle is intended for.
Best wishes to all.
