used premier grade

[XTP240]

 newbie here, I'm thinking of buying a used premier grade .454. How is Freedom Arms cust. service when it comes to used revolvers?

[Mike Buchholz]

Pretty crappy as far as I'm concerned.  I bought a barely used .22 Silhouette model from a friend of mine who takes excellent care of his pistols.  After shooting it at a couple of silhouette meets I became concerned about the accuracy and did a lot of testing with different ammo.  I realized that if loaded singly in the same chamber it was quite accurate, but each chamber did not shoot to the same point of aim.  I called the guy at FA and after explaining what I did to test it he said to send it in.  A couple weeks later he called and said that the cylinder was indeed out of specs and was defective.  He also said he had a new match cylinder fitted and that it would cost me $450 to get my revolver back.   

[Graybeard]

Had you gotten your buddy who bought it new to return it then it would have been repaired free most likely. The warranty on Premier's is life time but to original owner only. There is no warranty to anyone other than original owner. After that repairs are generally at owner's expense unless they feel the problem is one of materials or workmanship.

[Zeus]

I have always had excellent service from them.  check to see if the warranty card is still with the revolver you are looking at.  If so, no worries, fill it out and you will never have to worry about a thing.  However, if the warranty card was sent in under someone elses name, the charges will add up if you ever need it.  I have only ever had one problem, my grips busted in one corner near the trigger guard, mailed it in with the card(thisone was bought used) and had them install micartas rather than the wood for only about 35 dollars.  Excellent work from them alway.  GS

[XTP240]

 well that doesn't inspire much confidence in buying a used gun. I wonder why they don't stand behind their guns better than that? I've been told that they are the best around. Guess I'll have to give more thought to the used gun. I'll check to see if the warranty card is still with it.

[XTP240]

  I checked and the gun doesn't come with a warranty card. Let me ask this question, how reliable are the model 83's?  Anyone know of any problems with them?

[Dusty Miller]

Mine had to go back for a minor fix soon after I got it but they got the job done and returned in short order.  I'm wondering why your gun was not tested for accuracy before the money changed  hands. 

[Zeus]

I'd say they are VERY reliable.  I have never had a mechanical problem with any of them.  Just a cosmetic one that was no big deal.  I have personally never seen one that wouldn't shoot great.  In fact, in all the loads (read bunches) that I have tried in my 454, I have never had one that was not very accurate.  The guns are built tight and right.  I have a friend that bought a used 454 and banged it up at some point.  He was not the original owner and did not have a warranty card and I don't think they charged him any extra when he sent it back in to have refinished.  They are a great company and if its a true mechanical flaw, I don't see them not standing behind their product.  They have been around too long and have a GREAT following to be a crappy company.  I'd buy one of everything they make if I had enough money.  Take care.  GS

[Graybeard]

I don't believe there is a more reliable revolver on the market and likely not a stronger one either. The changes of having a factory defect is likely the smallest with them of any brand out there as well but that doesn't mean it can't or won't happen.

Bob and crew try really hard to work with you even on used guns but attitude on your part in dealing with them means a LOT. Try the old "you sold this piece of junk and it don't work and now I expect it to be fixed for free" line on them and you'll be paying thru the nose. Try being nice and respectful in your contact and you might be surprised what free services you get when you should have been paying.

I don't believe any company out there stands behind there guns any better than does FA. Some as well maybe but I doubt better. The warranty is quite specific in wording tho and you cannot force them legally to go beyond it so that's where being nice comes in. It will often buy you more than money. The warranty on Premier's is life time to ORIGINAL BUYER and then it ends. Field grade warranty is one year to original buyer then it ends. After that repairs cost the owner unless you're nice enough to cause them to want to help you even beyond their obigation to do so. Do not assume you can force them or anyone for that matter to do more than they are legally obligated to do. Ask them in a polite and respectful manner to help you out and most companies them included will.

[Zeus]

Well put Greybeard.  I don't hesitate buying their guns, new or used when I have the chance.  GS

[XTP240]

 Thanks for all the responses. After I posted these questions on here last night I looked around on the site and read some old posts that confirmed what you guys have said here. Guess I should have taken the time to read before posting. Maybe I will take a chance on the used gun, the owner says he has only shot one box of ammo through it.    Thanks fellas..... Joe

[Graybeard]

If he is the original owner of it and is willing to do the shipping of it for you any repairs it needs would still be free. Not exactly kosher I guess but it would work. Still if you ask nicely unless you've abused it badly I'll bet Bob will take care of it for YOU.

[MS Hitman]

My experience mirrors what Greybeard said.  Both of my .454s were bought "used"; one still in the box and the other from an estate sale.  I doubt either had a cylinder full of rounds through them between the factory and me.  I sent both back to FA for micarta grips.  While there, both revolvers went through the shop just because John (head gunsmith) wanted to make sure everything was just right.  The bill for this internal work, a big fat whoppong zero. 

I fell on my .475 and scratched it up badly.  Called FA to inquire about repairs.  The first question to me was "Are you alright?"  My revolver was repaired and the only cost to me was shipping to the factory. 

Now, if someone can top that level of service, let me know.  Those are the kind of people I want to do business with.

[Crazy Horse]

I have 2 Freedom Arms pistols and I can assure you there is no other pistol I have ever owned or looked at that even comes close to their quality!!!!

[EdK]

If a gun was abused or worn out it would seem hard to expect something for nothing...

if on the other hand a gun was defective when it left the factory (Premier or Field - original owner or not) FA's gunsmiths could tell the difference. If that were so I don't see why a truly reputable company wouldn't stand behind its' product no matter how much time had elapsed.

Sounds like FA has done well by most all posting here on GBO

[EdK]

...the cylinder was indeed out of specs and was defective.  He also said he had a new match cylinder fitted and that it would cost me $450 to get my revolver back.   

I'm a little surprised this thread died...

So Mike you actually paid $450 to remedy a problem with a revolver that was flawed from the day it was born? 

[Dusty Miller]

There's nothing quite like having a reputable gunsmith check it out and then contacting the company to ask about the repair cost.  I'm not one to send in a gun for repair and give the company carte blanche to do any work they see fit and send the bill!!  Ask for an estimate of repairs FIRST and then determine if its worth it to you. 

[Mike Buchholz]

EdK: Yep!  Didn't see that I had many options at that point. 

Dusty:  I have sent guns to Ruger and Thompson/Center with instructions to repair and send me the bill.  Both companies repaired problems with no charge.  T/C sent me a new barrel for a problem that they said was most likely caused by a bad handload in a gun I bought used and did not have a factory warranty. 

[EdK]

I see Bob Baker has not posted since last year... no idea if he still lurks at GBO but I'd sure like to hear his comments on your experience.