Author Topic: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report  (Read 5108 times)

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Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #30 on: January 15, 2010, 09:57:43 AM »
ANOTHER UPDATE:

I don't know if I mentioned this in my last posts but the last time I sent the gun off for further "fixing", I mentioned to the store manager about the scratches and gouge on the grips.  To tell you the truth, it's been so long now, I can't even remember when it was that I had it sent back for the second time.  It was probably about a week or two before Christmas.  In any case, I received a call from the store in which I had purchased the pistol right before or after Christmas.  I was told that the grip had been replaced (hurray!) but the barrel was left as is....that is, reamed off-center and egg-shaped.  The repair shop (Ahlman's) said that they were out of extra barrels and that the distributor would send one to me when they had them in stock.  (somehow I had some doubt in that)  Well, I decided that I'd just leave the gun at the store until I had a chance to talk to the store manager about it.  

The manager was away for the holiday and when she returned I spoke with her about the gun.  What she told me was enlightening.  Apparently, she had been at some of the manufacturer's shows and she went to see the people at Metroarms or their distributor and she told one of the reps about my pistol.  (In my mind, that was pretty nice of her considering this is only a $380.00 gun)  Anyway, she got some positive feedback from the rep and was given some info on who to call in order to straighten things out with my gun.

Today I received a call from her and she told me that if I can wait about 30 days until the distributor has a new supply of the American Classics delivered, I would get one of the first of the lot in replacement of my 45.  

So, in a nutshell, it's getting replaced!  
It seems to me that the real problem was Ahlman's (however you spell their name???).  If the barrel would have been replaced in the first place and not reamed, the gun may have worked properly and all of this could have been avoided.....barrel problem, scratches, extra time and shipping charges wasted, etc.  I guess Metroarms or the distributor of them had no problem replacing it after all of this....righfully so if you ask me.  The hero of this story is the manager of the gun shop.  I think she did a good thing for me and I really appreciate her persistence in the repair/replacement of an inexpensive gun.  I think a lot of other stores would have let it go in favor of taking care of customers that buy higher priced items.  My thanks to the store manager!!

On a side note:
She (the manager) told me that while at the trade show she saw some really nice stuff that's to be coming from Metroarms soon, including a stainless steel model of the American Classic.

I'll let you all know how my new gun works out...in about a month, when it comes in.

Offline Savage

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #31 on: January 15, 2010, 12:04:18 PM »
Great news! Hope it all works out for you.
Savage
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last,

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #32 on: January 16, 2010, 02:46:22 AM »
Good luck, glad to here you are making progress.  Any manufacturer can have a bad one get out, it's how they fix the problem that counts. 8)  Maybe you will have a Happy New Year yet. ;D
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline BGRooster1

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #33 on: January 22, 2010, 05:22:41 PM »
I hear a drum roll.......................................................and the answer is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Anticipation

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #34 on: February 11, 2010, 04:03:21 AM »
Well, I got the call yesterday.  I guess my new pistol is in and I'm going to get it today.  Unfortunately, I've gotta sign another yellow sheet and wait three days.   ::) 
When I actually get the thing in my hands, I'll give a range report.

On a side note, I was getting a little worried that I lost my old pistol and would never see a new one.  The old Metro Arms website went down about three weeks ago and I never could find anything about them again.  I was beginning to think that they went under....along with my returned pistol.  This morning I did a search again for the American Classic and came up with this page:

http://www.americanclassic1911.com/

I guess they're selling these things under a new name...not Metro Arms Corp but just plain old "American Classic".  Who would have thought??

Offline 1911crazy

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #35 on: February 13, 2010, 04:20:07 AM »
I'm glad you made out ok.

Don't get upset your not alone,  i've had three new 1911's that didn't function properly right out of the box.  I got rid of the two colts. When remington had there aniversary sale on there 1100 shot guns i purchased it for $159 at the time.  The store had a box car load of them.  When i got home i found that the bolt wouldn't open.  I took it back and the store clerk thought I was joking.  Then the next new one wouldn't open in the store with him doing it.  Finally we found one that cycled.  I took it to the field and ran the snots out of it but can i trust this shotgun in blackbear country while bird hunting?  I would put two slugs up front followed by bird shot.  I took the brand new 1100 and pawned it mainly because i can't trust it.

My luck is very bad with new guns, i'm a magnet for attracting bad guns and if i say i got a good one you can bet its a good quality gun.

Life before the internet and the information highway really sucked.

Offline gray-wolf

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #36 on: February 18, 2010, 04:19:20 AM »
good luck?????????????????

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #37 on: February 18, 2010, 04:34:13 AM »
This is totally ridiculous,
If you bought the pistol--fired it in the store--and it didn't work--
It should have been replaced for you on the spot or your money refunded,  No ifs ands or butts.
Let the store owner mess with the company, and don't let them B/S you that it can't be done.
 It is done, has been done, and continues to be done. Don't go for the crap that it is a used gun.
I had a piece of crap Taurus 1911 that went back to Taurus 3 times.  I showed the gun store all the paper work and told them UPS thinks I am a gun dealer with all this back and forth stuff.
  You got my money--have my money , and I have nothing but a paper weight.
I gave him $200.00 and walked out with a new Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded and never looked back.
  Do you think that worked on beat up pistol will ever be good? plinker only?  Well what if something happens and that plinker is the only thing 2 feet away from you?
  I can't believe you were in the store and shot it right after getting it, and the store owner didn't just give you another pistol or your money back.
  I can't believe all the junk pistols that are being sold today.
500 round break in? 600 to a $1,000 for a new gun and I have to spend another 200 for ammo to break it in?
  I would be camped out in that store until I got my money or a new pistol.
I think that you will find that being a pain in the butt (I could choose stronger words here but I wont) will get you nowhere these days.  A store owner has NO responsibility or obligation to anything if they chose not to when one has bought a new item with a warrantee.  If the gun is purchased with a warrantee (which most are) the store owner can tell you (if you choose to be a pain in the butt or some other form or part of a butt) to take a flying you know what and send it in yourself for the warrantee work.  That's what I would surely do if I had a customer that was some sort of an orifice of the rear end. 

On the other had, if you choose to be patient and use a little finesse, you will get what you want in the end, which, by the way, I did.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #38 on: February 18, 2010, 05:01:00 AM »
Metroarms American Classic II Latest and Last report:

At last, I made it to the range/store two nights ago and picked up and fired my new pistol.  The new pistol came in a nice plastic case (not the cardboard one that the other one came in) and it actually has nice looking checkered real WOODEN grips, not the ugly painted polymer type that the other one had.  This right here has saved me at least $40.00 since my original intention when I bought the pistol was to change the ugly grips...now I don't need to do so!   ;D  Another change from the original one is that the bumper on the bottom of the magazine isn't quite as large, yet another plus.  I really hated the look of that huge clunky thing on the bottom.  The bumper on the bottom of this mag is about half the size of the original....THANKFULLY!  I might add that the pistol came with an extra bottle of oil too....he he he....ALL OVER IT!!  I have NEVER seen a pistol so drenched in oil!  The inside liner/bag had puddles of oil in it so you can imagine how oiled this gun was.  Unfortunately, I took a little oil bath upon the first 10 rounds fired from it. 

So, how did it work?  Fantastic!  I fired 150 rounds through it and it operated flawlessly.....the way any pistol SHOULD operate, really.  The only hang-ups I had with it had to do with my re-loads.  I had 25 rounds of Hornaday XTP hollow points that I didn't seat fully and the ogive of the bullet was jamming into the lands of the barrel....my fault and no fault of the pistol.  Everything else worked without any problem.  Trigger is nice, accuracy is more than acceptable, even the finish is nice for the price.  No complaints here (anymore)!!

I realize that gray-wolf had changed his/her story while I wrote my last comment but I must say, patients and finesse will get you what you want.  I think that if I had been pushy and a back-side orifice about this, I probably would be looking for a new barrel for the original pistol I bought, aside from looking for new grips and more. 

Secondly, I commend the store manager and the employees of the store.  They have been nothing more than kind and courteous to me all the way through, offering patients, good contact about the situation, understanding and a few freebies to boot.  I've always enjoyed buying guns from this store and will continue to do so because they DO work with you if you work with them.  They have good deals and I typically recommend anyone that I know to go to this store when they're in search of a new gun or gun stuff.  I'd say the name of the store here if I could but I'm not sure if the store owner would want that or not so out of respect for them, the store will remain nameless.

Thanks to the rest of you guys who offered help and commentary.  It's been much appreciated.  I'll leave this parting comment for you if you are ever in search of a cheap 1911:  Had I not had the original problem with my American Classic II, I'd be telling everyone to get one.  However, one must keep in mind that the manufacturer/distributor DID get me a NEW pistol and didn't refer me to a warrantee over and over.  There is a lot to be said there, not to mention that the pistol I have has a lot of nice options on it that the other low priced 1911's don't have, it works great and cost me less than $400.00.  You can't beat that!

Offline Savage

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #39 on: February 18, 2010, 11:44:08 AM »
Great to hear that you are happy with your new pistol!  I hope it serves you well for a lifetime. Now, change the oil in that thing and get out and shoot it!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)
Savage
An appeaser is one who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last,

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #40 on: February 18, 2010, 01:03:34 PM »
Glad to hear you got a good one.  What's a little oil amoung friends.  I have known guys that oiled their guns to that extent on purpose but do not believe it required myself.  Ruger techs recommend using automotive bearing greace on the rails.  It will not melt a temps up to 300 degrees.  I have had the lithium greece melt and run down a gun with a 100 degree day (here in Az).  Good shooting 8)
NRA Life Member, Retired Air Force, Grandfather:   RIA 38 Super, , Vaquaro .357, Golden Boy 39A .22,  54cal GPR, 54 cal Lyman plains pistol, 45 cal Kentucky Rifle perc, 50 cal traditions Hawken Woodsman

Offline gray-wolf

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #41 on: February 19, 2010, 07:47:09 AM »
Quote
This is totally ridiculous,
If you bought the pistol--fired it in the store--and it didn't work--
It should have been replaced for you on the spot or your money refunded,  No ifs ands or butts.
Let the store owner mess with the company, and don't let them B/S you that it can't be done.
 It is done, has been done, and continues to be done. Don't go for the crap that it is a used gun.
I had a piece of crap Taurus 1911 that went back to Taurus 3 times.  I showed the gun store all the paper work and told them UPS thinks I am a gun dealer with all this back and forth stuff.
  You got my money--have my money , and I have nothing but a paper weight.
I gave him $200.00 and walked out with a new Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded and never looked back.
  Do you think that worked on beat up pistol will ever be good? plinker only?  Well what if something happens and that plinker is the only thing 2 feet away from you?
  I can't believe you were in the store and shot it right after getting it, and the store owner didn't just give you another pistol or your money back.
  I can't believe all the junk pistols that are being sold today.
500 round break in? 600 to a $1,000 for a new gun and I have to spend another 200 for ammo to break it in?
  I would be camped out in that store until I got my money or a new pistol.

No one ever said to be an ass about things, The store owner could have given you a new pistol, and sent the other one back. Then he could play the back and forth game.
  He chose not to and you chose to go the way he suggested. That was his choice and yours.
The bottom line is that you are happy, and it worked out for you. I am glad it did.

Let me add that I can't find that post by me. all I can find is the one I said good luck.
note that was edited. I re read my words and found them to be a little harsh.  Perhaps you read just after I typed.

GW
 

 

Offline BGRooster1

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #42 on: February 21, 2010, 06:36:35 PM »
Blackhawker,Man I am real happy things have turned out so well for you.As far as the oil dripping off the pistol.I know just what you are talking about .Mine had the puddles also.My thought was,how much good does oil do if it's not on the gun?
 These are good pistols.Mine I open carry with,seeing as Wisconsin is Wisconsin and we don't have a choice.Not that I don't like open carry,but I wish I could make a choice.Some days CC would be a better choice.Anyway.Fellow OCers do notice the nice 1911 on my hip.

Offline BGRooster1

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #43 on: February 21, 2010, 06:43:58 PM »
Oh ya!I wanted to say also that .Most ads I saw even before never mentioned Metro Arms.Even have heard of discussions wondering if it was the same gun.Which it was and is.All you have to do is look at the hammer with the MA insert.Which I may replace.
You know how a 1911 is like a harley.Now that you got a keeper,it's time to modify............or maybe not

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #44 on: February 22, 2010, 03:46:16 AM »
Blackhawker,Man I am real happy things have turned out so well for you.As far as the oil dripping off the pistol.I know just what you are talking about .Mine had the puddles also.My thought was,how much good does oil do if it's not on the gun?
 These are good pistols.Mine I open carry with,seeing as Wisconsin is Wisconsin and we don't have a choice.Not that I don't like open carry,but I wish I could make a choice.Some days CC would be a better choice.Anyway.Fellow OCers do notice the nice 1911 on my hip.

Oh ya!I wanted to say also that .Most ads I saw even before never mentioned Metro Arms.Even have heard of discussions wondering if it was the same gun.Which it was and is.All you have to do is look at the hammer with the MA insert.Which I may replace.
You know how a 1911 is like a harley.Now that you got a keeper,it's time to modify............or maybe not

Hey thanks BGRooster1.  (Rawhidekid and Savage....thanks for your good wishes too!) 
So Rooster, you have one of these American Classics as well?  As for the oil, even though there were puddles in the bag, there were puddles within as well.  I can't tell you how many times I wiped it off and it just oozed oil...which isn't a bad thing.  Despite the oil, I still used some grease on the slide rails before I fired it.

Are you a police officer in WI?  As for open carry, I take it that means you can carry it in plain sight, correct?  If a police officer, does that even apply to you?

Ya know, I keep looking at that hammer and never could make sense out of the design in it.  I always thought it was kind of a unique design and now you tell me what it is....OF COURSE!!, THAT'S IT!!  It's an M over an A.  I can't believe I didn't see that.   :-[

I'll probably leave mind stock for a while and then when I get bored with it I'm sure I'll change some things. 

Offline BGRooster1

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #45 on: February 22, 2010, 07:01:02 AM »
No.Not a LEO.We citizens can only legally open carry our firearms.We are one of only 2 states to not have concealed carry.It sure would be nice to have a choice,as winter sucks for open carry at times.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #46 on: February 22, 2010, 08:02:25 AM »
No.Not a LEO.We citizens can only legally open carry our firearms.We are one of only 2 states to not have concealed carry.It sure would be nice to have a choice,as winter sucks for open carry at times.
OK, so let me get this straight; as a John Doe citizen of the state of Wisconsin, you can carry a firearm on your side legally as long as it's in plain view?? 

Offline gray-wolf

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #47 on: February 22, 2010, 08:30:50 AM »
Some states have open carry unless a building is posted no weapons, Or some states say not if booze
is served. Can't load in a vehicle, must be in plain sight, states differ. Or you get a CCP/CCW
and just carry concealed.
  I carry either way in Maine, Just ain't no big deal.  Do a search on open carry states.

GW.

Offline 1911crazy

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #48 on: February 22, 2010, 02:26:48 PM »
I may go and look to see if any of my local haunts(dealers) have the american classic 1911a1 plain jane.  I'm still looking for a cheap shooter/beater.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #49 on: February 22, 2010, 07:06:51 PM »
I may go and look to see if any of my local haunts(dealers) have the american classic 1911a1 plain jane.  I'm still looking for a cheap shooter/beater.
I have a feeling that the prices may go up soon if they're now offering a "line" of these things.  You might want to act quickly.  I got mine for $380 plus tax.  I've seen a bunch of them on GunBroker for $450 and more....I wouldn't go there.  My goal was to get it under $400, just to see if I could still get a 1911 or any auto pistol for under $400 these days. 

Offline Mikey

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #50 on: February 23, 2010, 12:40:15 AM »
Blackhawker:  there was a article published recently in one of the gun magazines that showed families picnicing while openly carrying and I believe it was either in Minnesota or Wisconsin and it was no big deal - finally.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #51 on: February 24, 2010, 01:50:02 AM »
Blackhawker:  there was a article published recently in one of the gun magazines that showed families picnicing while openly carrying and I believe it was either in Minnesota or Wisconsin and it was no big deal - finally.

COOL!!!   ;D

Offline BGRooster1

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #52 on: February 24, 2010, 07:11:33 AM »
Other states have open carry and like has been said before, different laws prevail in different places.In Wisconsin,no permit is available or needed.We have the right to defense in our constitution and laws against concealed carry.So open carry is all we have at this time.
 Even Dumba$$ Gov. Doyle said,"If you want to carry a firearm in Wisconsin.Wear it on your hip." Twice he has vetoed concealed carry bills.In a way it is OK.The bills weren't that great.

Anyway.Wear that American Classic II proud.It should serve you well.
The first time I shot mine. I was so pleased with it I took pics with my cell phone to post online.Now I need to figure out how to get the pics from phone to computer.Guess I will have to go to radio shack and get a usb cable.That will be another 25.00 bucks shot.

Offline rawhidekid

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #53 on: February 24, 2010, 11:18:32 PM »
Here in AZ, we have open carry as well as CCW.  Back when it was just open carry I used to get hasselled by the people that came here from back east,(we call them snowbirds).  As an example:  my stepfather was having an out-patiant surgery at a local hospital and I stopped by to see him on the way back from the range.  There was not a no gun sign so I wore my gun into the hospital to see him.  While we were talking an elder gentilman stood in front of me, and when I looked up he asked "are you a law officer licenced by the state to carry that firearm?"  I said in Az any honest citizen can carry as long as it is in plain sight which mine was so leave me alone! The next thing I know a nurse is standing there asking the exact same thing he did.  She informed me it was hospital policy no guns allowed and that she had called security.  I took the gun to the car then went to find her boss, I wanted to know why his rights outwayed my rights.  The boss said that she had handled it wrong but they didn't want guns there as the police brought prisoners there for care.  When I got back I saw a guy go to get a drink of water that had a eight inch hunting knife on the back of his belt that no one complained about becuse it wasn't seen.  I got the first CCW class offered in my area and haven't been bothered since. 8)
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Offline olydraft

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Re: Metroarms American Classic 2 Range Report
« Reply #54 on: March 07, 2010, 08:57:48 AM »
 In Indiana we have to have a license to carry period. (at least we are a shall issue state) We can carry concealed or open, but it`s really advisable to conceal unless you want hasseled by the law everytime you turn around.   Gary
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