Author Topic: TC Custom shop/EABCO issue (Read 2805 times)

16guns · « **on:** July 06, 2009, 11:57:34 AM »

In March of 09 I ordered a custom barrel through E.Aurthur Brown and was told July11-15 for shipping. I called TC on July 2nd and verified they were set to ship it on 11 July. Today 6 July E. Aurthur Brown called and said I would not get my barrel until September at the earliest! Now since we are military and will be moving to another state in Sept( we know how the USPS is) I stand an excellent chance of not getting my barrel! EABCO will not refund my deposit and TC says too bad ...so sad...wait until Sept! Has anyone else had these issues? I guess Bullberry will get my future business! EABCO said that the barrel was started in March but verified today! I said Wow you build them before the order is verified? And how slow is TC's milling machine that it takes 3 months from the start to get half way done? I could use a blank and a jewelers file and get it faster!

Ladobe · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2009, 12:23:03 PM »

I'm not going to defend TC's so called custom shop as I think its a lot of whooey to call their barrels custom in the first place. I also won't defend EABCO's CS. They never proved themselves to me the couple of times I dealt with them. Bullberry and SSK got my business for over 25 years for "real" custom barrels. Never saw a reason to fix what wasn't broke.

buckey · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2009, 01:15:27 PM »

MGM Will always get my business first, tried TC Custom, Boys can't chamber worth crap. Have a.357 Max from MGM that's pure death on deer, their work is FIRST CLASS

snowbelt45 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2009, 02:50:04 PM »

I ordered a fluted 14" .357 Max from MGM at the Tulsa gun show in March. Received it last week, and after a trip to the range, am getting 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards with Hornady 180 Gr. SSPB. Their work and craftsmanship is suburb! I also have 2 other of their barrels, a 22 K-hornet and a 204 ruger. Both are ultimate prairie dog killers! I prefer MGM barrels over TC custom shop any day.

JON8777 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:05:31 PM »

I talked to EABCO about the same time you placed your order... the lady laughed at me and said 18-20 weeks and thats if your lucky...

Sorry about you luck there....

df06 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2009, 04:41:39 PM »

I ordered a MGM 357 max on April 14, and received it today.

skb2706 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2009, 07:16:33 AM »

Just an FYI...last barrel I ordered from Bullberry took exactly 9 months and two days. A blind child with a nail file in a cave could have made a barrel quicker.
I manage a machine shop and repair facility and have often wondered why it takes months to take a pre-rifled barrel blank, cut to length, face it, crown it, weld a lug on it and run a chamber reamer in it. This is not complicated mechanical engineering and its a good thing it really only involves a hand full of parts.

16guns · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2009, 07:49:53 AM »

Talked with EABCO today. TC has already"started" on my barrel so I am unable to get my deposit back and now I will have to wait until mid August-mid Sept to get it. No more Tc for me...I'll check out MGM. Thanks

skb2706 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2009, 03:33:14 AM »

MGM is my first choice in customs.

David D. · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2009, 02:54:31 PM »

MGM will always be my first choice for a new custom barrel. I have several now. All are top rate quality and shoot better than I can shoot them. That being said I do have 3 F.R.O. barrels. I will not enter the debate weather they are custom or not. All three were received in a timely manner, quality is good, shoot well, and for the money, I'm satisfied with them. One in particular, my Encore 26" tapered 280Rem. is a absolute tack driver.

Dave

stubshaft · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:36:49 PM »

+1 - What TCDave said. I went to sight in my MGM .357 Max. barrel today and was getting 3/4" 3 shot groups at 100 yds with 180gr Remington bulk bullets!

buckey · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2009, 02:26:13 PM »

Called the great people at MGM today about a .357 Max rifle barrel for a Encore and was told it would be a 4 week wait.What's not to LIKE ABOUT these people.......................................................buckey

Preacherman · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2009, 04:29:42 PM »

I vote for MGM I have a 12" 6.8 SPC that shoots way better than me.Had it a couple years.Took seven weeks thats when they had a GB sale 14" and under for 200.00 it was cheaper than a regular TC barrel.
Preacherman

gman628 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:40:55 AM »

Since you can't back out of this, wouldn't it be an easy solution to call EABCO and have them change the ship to, maybe to a relative that you're close to or a friend? Then when you get settled where you'll be stationed, they could just ship it to you. That's what I did when I was in the Navy.

Gary

Graybeard · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:49:27 AM »

Perhaps this should serve as a lesson to folks regarding EABCO. I sure learned a lesson about them back when they were a paid advertiser here. That's why they are no longer adverterisers on this site and never again will be.

Had you placed the order with Ed's TCs you'd likely have the barrel in hand already. I've always gotten my barrels from the TC Custom Shop thru Ed and always in less time than he said it would take. I'll agree with Ladobe that barrels from there aren't custom in the same way they are from the after market custom folks, still those I had were all fine shooters.

If you'll stick to doing business with GBO Sponsors you'll have less reason to be dissatisfied in the future. Businesses that don't treat their customers right don't stay advertisers here come renewal time. One didn't even make it until the end of his initial advertising period before I refunded his money and removed him as an advertiser and even banned him and his name from this site.

wganz · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2009, 03:49:27 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on July 24, 2009, 09:49:27 AM

Perhaps this should serve as a lesson to folks regarding EABCO. I sure learned a lesson about them back when they were a paid advertiser here. That's why they are no longer adverterisers on this site and never again will be.

Thanks for the warning before I dropped some coin on some Savage barrels.

Please post a link to MGM.

Thanks!!!

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2009, 06:22:09 PM »

www.matchgrademachine.com gets my vote as the best of the current lot. I've had several of their barrels and have been extremely pleased with each. The average turnaround from MGM has been right at 4 weeks for me. Also, they have a list of existing inventory items for which there is no waiting.

I love Bullberry quality as well but don't have the patience to deal with their customer service, though Fred's daughter has been working hard to right the ship. My BB barrels have been purchased as used items.

SSK's quality is still good -- not quite what it was during the company's heyday -- and their turnaround fairly fast as well.

As to Eabco, I know that Eben claimed to gear up to produce his own barrels a while back, but take a close look as the "Encore Accuracy barrels" and you'll see that it has TC Custom Shop written all over it -- not literally, of course.

And the TC "Custom Shop" is anything but custom. It is merely an extension of factory offerings with a few more calibers, finish and lengths offered. You CANNOT specify how you want a barrel chambered and have no say-so as to leade (you're actually lucky if you get one!), etc.

Yes, you can get some terrific shooters from there as well as with standard factory offerings, but the rate of returns at the present could be the reason the factory is running behind.

In the past few months alone, I am aware of ringed chambers, oversized chambers, unfinished chambers, a barrel with a tight spot (took a couple returns to get this one right), non-concentric crowns and a host of chambers which were not correctly aligned with the axis of the bore.

Keith L · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:49:19 PM »

Quote from: sweetwyominghome on July 25, 2009, 06:22:09 PM

Yes, you can get some terrific shooters from there as well as with standard factory offerings, but the rate of returns at the present could be the reason the factory is running behind. In the past few months alone, I am aware of ringed chambers, oversized chambers, unfinished chambers, a barrel with a tight spot (took a couple returns to get this one right), non-concentric crowns and a host of chambers which were not correctly aligned with the axis of the bore.

That is a pretty strong shot against TC. How do you come by this "awareness"?

kynardsj · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:49:05 AM »

On 2/2/09 I ordered and put a deposit on a 20 inch 357 mag barrel for my Contender from EABCO. I checked with them at 12 weeks and every two weeks after that up until 7/15/09. I always got the same answer, "your barrel is being made now but it's just a little bit behind." I told them on 7/15/09 that I had been patient enough and that I wanted my $100.00 back. They dragged around for about 5 days until I emailed them on the 20th and told them that if the money wasn't in my account by the end of business that day I would turn it over to VISA and let them retrieve my money. The money was back in my account that afternoon. I don't think that delays are EABCO's fault because they're just a middleman but my patience can only go so far.

David D. · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2009, 02:52:33 AM »

Quote from: kynardsj on July 26, 2009, 01:49:05 AM

I don't think that delays are EABCO's fault because they're just a middleman but my patience can only go so far.

I hope no one takes this question as me trying to be a wise guy. But why order threw a middleman when you can order direct yourself from the custom shop? Is this a cheaper or faster way or to go?

The three F.R.O. barrels I have were ordered direct by me. For the money paid I am satisfied with them as far as delivery time, quality and accuracy.

But if your budget will allow add a few more $ and get yourself a MGM barrel.

And if you don't want to wait 4 to 6 weeks on delivery check this out. You may just find what you want here.

http://www.matchgrademachine.com/gunshop/home.php?cat=300

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:46:38 AM »

Keith L wrote: "That is a pretty strong shot against TC. How do you come by this "awareness"? "

It is not a shot against TC. It is simply first-hand knowledge.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2009, 08:07:24 AM »

I wouldn't buy a barrel from Fred at Bullberry if he were the only man on the planet that had a clue as to how to make 'em.

He attemped to make me a .223 Contender barrel once. I got it, mounted it on my frame and it wiggled from side to side. I mounted it to my buddies Contender frame, and it did the same.

I sent it back to Fred. 3 weeks went by and I called. Fred (never even looked at it until I called) told me he wanted my frame. I did not want to send it to him and told him I felt very uncomfortable about that. He assured me it was not a problem.

So, I send my frame. He then (of course) tells me my frame was junk. I get back my frame and it has scratches on both sides from his attempts to "squeeze" it together to keep his junk barrel from having the "wiggles".

I call him. We get into a "screaming match" over the phone. He calls me the next day and agrees to refund my money.

The guy is a fruitcake.

Dave

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #22 on:** July 26, 2009, 10:07:46 AM »

Dave-

Stories like those are why I choose not to deal directly with Bullberry. The used Bullberry barrels I have had are of outstanding quality, but my "new" barrel purchases are generally reserved for MGM.

They are good people, conscientious and willing to work to make you exactly the barrel you want.

Keith L · « **Reply #23 on:** July 26, 2009, 11:32:02 AM »

Quote from: sweetwyominghome on July 26, 2009, 06:46:38 AM

Keith L wrote: "That is a pretty strong shot against TC. How do you come by this "awareness"? "

It is not a shot against TC. It is simply first-hand knowledge.

So you are saying that all the multiple problems you revealed in you post happened to you? You must buy lots of barrels.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #24 on:** July 26, 2009, 11:49:39 AM »

My 2cents on the TC Custom Shop-

About 20 years ago, before the big TC fire, I ordered a custom Hawken BP rifle from the TC Custom Shop. Great to deal with on the phone, 2 months later, I had my rifle, and it was beautiful, a 54 cal with a fast twist for heavy Lyman Great Plains bullets. Perfect finish, XXX wood, the rifle shot like a house a fire. From what I have seen on the web reciently, it appears the shop has pretty much faded from what it was in terms of selection and real custom work. There was a time they actually hand made rifles to customers specs.

Larry

David D. · « **Reply #25 on:** July 26, 2009, 12:20:20 PM »

Quote from: sweetwyominghome on July 26, 2009, 06:46:38 AM

Keith L wrote: "That is a pretty strong shot against TC. How do you come by this "awareness"? "

It is not a shot against TC. It is simply first-hand knowledge.

Some of my first hand knowledge. Out of twelve TC factory barrels two were bad. TC did replace them but that is a 16% failure. Not good, in my opinion! I frequent a lot of forums and read about a lot of problems others are having, over size chambers, off center chambers, bad crowns, etc. Not knowing how many barrels TC makes in a year I cant give the %.

I do have several MGM, a few OTT, and one SSK, with 0% problems with them. I'm sure the last three mention have had a problem but how often do you read about one, very seldom for me. Its all about quality control and it seems to me TC is lacking on that!

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #26 on:** July 26, 2009, 12:57:02 PM »

Keith L wrote: "So you are saying that all the multiple problems you revealed in you post happened to you? You must buy lots of barrels."
---

What part do you not comprehend, Keith? Did I specifically say that every barrel was mine? I said "first-hand knowledge." Period.

Keith L has had issues with anyone stating facts regarding TC if they don't project the company in a positive light and even went as far as basically bashing a TC competitor despite having ZERO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with their current products.

He has made it crystal clear he does not like me or my posts, but I will not get into that mess here on a public forum. I'd prefer that everyone behave in a civil and professional manner, but a certain moderator doesn't seem to want to follow that path.

Keith L · « **Reply #27 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:16:55 PM »

You made a statement that TC quality was keeping it from meeting demand. You claimed awareness of a multitude of quality problems. Then you stated it was first hand knowledge. I take that to mean it happened to you. If they didn't happen to you please explain what "first hand knowledge means to you. Right now it isn't clear. I am just trying to find out how you came to have this knowledge.

If you have trouble with me asking this question, and find the question less than civil and unprofessional I guess I don't know how anyone can ask you a question without you taking offense.

sweetwyominghome · « **Reply #28 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:23:17 PM »

Some happened to me. Some happened to friends. And some happened to individuals who came to me for solutions. Several others were well-documented, including photo support, to folks I have known for years and have no reason to doubt their words. Some were even hashed over on this very board.

I won't state something if I can't substantiate it. I have told you as much before.

But what I do not understand is why every time I make a statement about TC, you question it -- multiple times on this thread alone, I might add.

Yet you, with ZERO experience on a particular subject, can bash a product -- and that is just fine, right?

Remember these comments you made regarding Bergara?

"I likely won't own one...It appears that they are made in Spain... Fact is these are not fine Spanish arms, but cheap Spanish barrels."

How can you say "fact is" when you have no experience with them???

That is a "shot" at Bergara.

Keith L · « **Reply #29 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:25:06 PM »

Thank you for your clarification.