The UPS guy was yelling from the truck, "I got yer rifle here!" As I find out in conversation he also is a Handiholic. Small world.
Exactly 14 days
from my front door to back again. After reading Petmi's quick turnaround for his 357mag barrel, I figured that now was the time. I packaged up the frame and stock set after confirming with Brian56 (a thousand thanks for Brian) that the 35 Whelen barrels were still in stock and added a request for a 357 Mag barrel also. 3 working days later I received an email from Remington that the firearm had arrived. Two days later another email that the firearm was being repapired, three days later notified that it was shipped and arrived yesterday, exactly 14 days from start to finish.
I was sweating bullets, after reading of the misfortunes of other members due to H&Rs packing/shipping dept. Immediate inspection of the carton and contents and I could breathe a sigh or relief. The 357 barrel was attached to the receiver and the 35 Whelen barrel packed in a separate tube in the box. No wear or tear on either or the frame/stock.
Next step was to check barrel/frame fit. Both fit superb! Not even any side to side wiggle with the forend removed. Very nice tight lockup with perfect latch/shelf engagement.
Now to test the 35 Whelen barrel. I was prepared with 10 full length sized and primed cases. No FTF with any, reguarless of orietation (tilted to side, muzzle up/down) even tried upside down. Now to load for the range and get the glass mounted.
Saturday is range day (but also the Memsahib's birthday). If I tell her that the 357 is for her do you suppose I can get her to the range on Saturday? I'd have to buy ammo (yikes! no 357 ammo...but member Handi243 is helping with that by sending some brass....ya gotta love the guys here
)
Now to get a PM off to Quick and get put on the list for the Maxi reamer.
Once again salutations to Brian 56 for his help, the folks at H&R for a pleasurable experience, (especially the guy in shipping, who must be missing large portions of his gluteous maximus, thus learning from his mistakes how to ship my gun properly).
And the only surprise on the invoice was 23 dollars of state/county/city tax. I'll concede that.
RJ