WNY,
Sorry to hear of your misfortune.....!
Nowaday's companies just can't conduct business that way and expect to stay in it.
In the last ten years or so the trend has been to be more & more customer oriented. Most US companies understand that, or have learned that, but Browning apparently hasn't.
If you're still considering the Ruger Hunter, their customer service is alive and well.
Recently, on my MkII, I wanted to get the bluing on the gun's receiver redone after an adverse reaction from some chemical cold blue ruined a spot. I called Ruger in Prescott, AZ, to inquire about the possibility. While the gun was there, I asked if he could have it drilled & tapped like the newer guns being sold.
The supervisor, Mike Smisko, told me that it couldn't be done on an older model within the factory because the process is done very early during manufacturing. He said that Ruger is setting up to be able to do it on older models, but hasn't gotten there yet.
I was explaining the condition of the gun and what had happened during the cold blue incident, when I also explained that the dovetail on the rear sight had apparently been cut off center as the rear sight was always tipped.
He immediately cued in on that and said (comically), "Oh, so what you're telling me is that your gun is defective
"..........not being too quick on the uptake, I did a "HUH?"........."you're telling me that your gun is defective, right ?"
"UH, yeah, that's it.....defective !!!" I eventually got his point, and laughed.
He told me to send the gun in and they'd take care of it. I got the gun back a month or so later......
-New reciever-drilled & tapped
-Whole lower section was polished & reblued similar to the M77 rifle barrels, and rebuilt with new parts......excellent quality & far better than original. :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: VERY HAPPY!
Not to ramble on, but I've owned Ruger's since I was able to carry handguns, and their rifle's before that.......although the isolated incidents can happen here & there, I've never been disappointed by them ever, and they've always gone out of their way to keep me happy.
Which they did :wink:
Try the Browning whenever you "finally" get it back, but if it all leaves a sour taste in your mouth and the Ruger is considered, rest assured they'll take care of you.
Take er' easy,
Bob
