Author Topic: What is going on at Virgin Valley Custom (Read 1222 times)

deere · « **on:** August 16, 2004, 08:45:25 AM »

I received my custom barrel from VVC last friday it was only 8 weeks past due, but that was ok still plenty of time until the season starts, but with the new barrel my hammer would not cock. So I tried calling VVC monday morning and they said they would be closed for 3 weeks until september the 6th. This is a problem now I am beginning to worry that my 1000 dollar hunting rifle will not be ready for the season. If anybody has heard why they are closed for 3 weeks let me know. Thanks

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2004, 06:14:52 PM »

Not really my business and for sure I've not followed their fate since they ceased to be an advertiser here but I think maybe there is trouble in that house.

It was mostly run by kin folks either by blood or marriage. Some of the folks who were there when they were an advertiser here no longer are there as I understand it. Why I have no clue.

But even when they were an advertiser here there were problems I was pointing out. Reason they aren't an advertiser I think. I bought (yeah bought with my money) two barrels from them. I was not pleased. Many quality issues and accuracy was not even as good as factory barrels I've owned. So out of courtesy to an advertiser I didn't do a product review on them. A friend of mine in PA bought two also on my recommendation. He had nothing but trouble with them and they never fixed his as they did eventually mine. He had to fix them himself even with my intervention with VVCG.

As I said I dunno what's going on up there but me thinks something is not right there.

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2004, 03:42:57 AM »

If you call their phone number they clearly state they are closed for inventory and vacations. I personally wouldn't buy a custom barrel from anybody else........excellent quality and deliveries were exactly when they said they would be from the start. I buy all my barrels with my money.........

5Redman8 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2004, 06:48:28 AM »

Yeah, what skb said...call the line.

All of my VVGC barrels and service have been AMAZINGLY GREAT!!!

I even purchased a barrel that was returned to them because of accuracy issues that will easily print .600"

My other three barrels are WELL under MOA and I would never consider another custom maker.....VVGC has been too good to me.

Kyle

Flyrod444 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2004, 08:22:49 AM »

I just received my first custom barrel last Thursday. I had read nothing but good things about VVC and went with them for that reason. My barrel arrived within a week of when Steve said it would. Mounted scope last weekend and hope to shoot a few rounds this weekend. Every thing has gone great so far. I hope the accuracy is good. The break in procedure sounds like it will take a lot of time. I guess that I will have a good excuse to shoot a lot between now and hunting season.

Jack

EdK · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2004, 04:08:27 PM »

VVCG & I have experienced a few "bumps in the road" together however they have always been more than gracious in making things right for me. I'm very pleased with my VVCG barrels and I'd definitely do business with them again...

The real question is what custom gun shop would close for 3 weeks just ahead of hunting season? :shock:

Ladobe · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2004, 03:22:40 AM »

Graybeard's comments are spot on, but they are much, much worse even than what he said. An opinion? Yep, of someone who "really" has known the inside track on these clowns - going back to their early Bullberry days.

:lol: Lucky for them the world is full of sheep. :lol:

Ladobe

skb2706 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2004, 03:42:59 AM »

"Graybeard's comments are spot on"

Spoken like a true sheep ..............

5Redman8 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2004, 04:28:23 AM »

How can they be SO BAD if they were with Bullberry to begin with......not to mention there are MANY MANY satisfied REPEAT customers.

I am not saying anything bad about bullberry as they TOO have great barrels. I have just found VVGC Easier to work with and their barrels have been flawless for me.

Kyle

rpseven · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2004, 10:13:12 AM »

Glad I went with Bullberry. I had trouble with it but fred is good to his word I sent it back and he found out the problem and made me a new barrel. I just got it back yesterday and probably will try to make the range here in the next few days.

Ladobe · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2004, 02:34:51 PM »

Quote from: skb2706

"Graybeard's comments are spot on"

Spoken like a true sheep ..............

That comment sounds like "ewe" must be a VV Nanny? :lol: So how many years have you know all of them personally, lived in the same area dropping into the shop often (both while they were at BBW and at VV), known first hand their few strengths and their many weaknesses, their business problems, their financial problems, their internal problems, and more importantly the very unsafe things they have done to TC's, not to mention the scores of TC barrels and bolt guns they have screwed up, many of which still have never been corrected by them even after multiple tries and even years? Yeah, they have turned out some work that was right the first time, maybe even more of them right than wrong, but anybody that makes enough barrels is bound to get some of them right I suppose. Doesn't change the other facts about the state of their business and that lots of customers have been (and still are being) burned by them.

Graybeard and I haven't "spoken" in months and I have no plans to be in touch with him anytime in the future either about this thread or any other. But his comments were right on about VV and I agreed with them - not to be agreeing with him, but to offer that I also know, first hand, that VV is not the first choice in after market TC barrels. Like you, we have a right to our opinions too here. But you obviously don't agree.

singleshot · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2004, 03:20:46 PM »

Just had a barrel come in after waiting 5-6months. Wouldn't lock up or close on any of may Contender or G2 frames. Also barrel lug looked like crap. (photo attached) Finally got ahold of Jeff after Steve whom I had all the conversations with told me to talk to Jeff now. I couldn't get Jeff to answer my emails and finally after several tries got him on the phone. He agreed it was probably locking lugs and the fact the barrel lug looked like crap had nothing to do with the functionality of it. I told him a $500 barrel should look good also. He agreed to issue pick-up order for return of barrel to be corrected. One week later no pick-up. I left phone messages on both Steves and Jeffs recorders. Barrel was picked up the very next day. Jeff said turn around would be 2-3 weeks. Now I wonder if that also was a BS line. If they are closed it will be a little difficult to get it corrected in that time span. I do have a number of excellent shooting VVCG barrels as well as Bullberry and SSK. I am sure this will be the last time I order a barrel from VV. Quality control is

See what you think about these.

Graybeard · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2004, 05:19:15 PM »

I know Fred at Bullberry only from a single phone conversation we had long ago. I know the VVCG crowd only from numerous phone conversations and e-mails and the dealings we had while they were advertisers here.

I do know it is highly unlikely I'd ever buy another VVCG barrel after the ones I had and my friend in PA got after I talked him into buying them. Boy what an embarrassment.

One of mine shot groups like a shotgun using a Weaver 92A base. When I discussed it with them I was told it was becuase I should have used a VVCG steel base. I've never needed to on any other barrel I've owned. But I ordered one and when it arrived the screws bottomed way before they even began to tighten. Geez, how many screw ups does it take? I cut the screws and attached it. Barrel shot OK but most of my factory Contender barrels have shot better.

I buy only SSK when I want custom or allow them to rechamber my barrels if that's what I need done. They've rechambered a bunch for me and always did a fine job. SSK Custom barrels I've owned and now own have all been super shooters.

I even recall a 6MM TCU barrel ordered by a fellow who used to post here that ended up being chambered in a .257" barrel. Did they run a .257 TCU reamer in? I doubt it. Most likely must used a .257" barrel and 6 TCU reamer. Which "should" be OK but why do they do such? I've experienced and read just too many horror stories on their products. I think they grew too big too fast and like often happens in such cases quality and customer service suffered.

Slim Chance · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2004, 07:31:19 PM »

I once had to send a BB barrel back. Fred shipped me a duplicate barrel after I had the one I ordered. I've never done business with VV, but will give anyone a chance to correct a mistake.

Catfish · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2004, 12:48:17 PM »

I`ve never had a VV or SSK barrel, but I do have 3 Bullberry barrels. They are all excellant shooters and were when I got them so I really don`t know anything about their service dept. I do know that I have been very happy with Bullberry and will probibly own more of their barrels.