This past Monday, 9/24, I received a call from Ruger Customer Service (CS) informing me that my SP101, stainless steel, 38/357 Magnum handgun was damaged beyond repair (more on that below) and would be destroyed. The "consideration" for me was a new serial numbered, fresh off the assembly line (in two weeks), replacement SP101 38/357 Magnum, AT NO COST TO ME!!!
When I didn't immediately respond (I was shell-shocked and temporarily dumbfounded) she asked if anyone would consider free to not be a good deal? When I shook it off, I agreed, free is a PHENOMINAL DEAL for me considering the circumstances.
Below is the full story. You be the Judge. My remarks are my own. Your results probably won't vary...
1.) Is that "some kind" of notable warranty offered by Sturm Ruger and Company? YES!
2.) Does Sturm Ruger and Company "Go the Distance"? YES!!
3.) Does Sturm Ruger and Company foster Brand Loyalty? YOU BET THEY DO!!!
4.) You can't beat FREE REPLACEMENT...
Sturm Ruger and Company makes excellent guns, accurate guns, good looking guns, affordable guns, and I am a HAPPY CAMPER willing to TELL ALL about the WARRANTY and CUSTOMER SERVICE DEAL that I got...particularly after I acknowledged making detrimental mistakes and anticipating the replacement gun to cost not less than $317.49 as quoted by CS.
Sturm, Ruger & Company
Customer Service
411 Sunapee Street
New Port, NH 03773
September 5, 2012
RMA #: XXXXXX
RE: Model: SP101 stainless
Serial #: XXX-XXXXX
Caliber: 38 Special/357 Magnum
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The sad truth and short story is, I broke it and it needs to be repaired or replaced. The long story follows, which is a tale of judgment error on my part for not securing the handgun in the first place.
While bush hogging for the preparation of wildlife food plots in South Carolina, I “secured” my backpack containing the referenced handgun on the rear of the tractor seat. I can only guess that vibration and gravity caused the backpack to slide sufficiently low on the seat back that the rotating connection between the tractor and the bush hog tore the backpack from its “secured” position and commenced spinning the contents at 550 rpms.
The handgun was ripped from the front zipper pouch when the rotating centrifugal force caused the backpack to impact the 3-point hitch supporting arm. The handgun was either thrown forward of the tractor immediately or into the ground to be subsequently impacted by the rotating blade of the bush hog.
There isn’t much physical or visual damage on the outside of the gun to suggest that the rotating bush hog blade dissected the handgun from its Houge grip, which is also returned as a matter of interest. The grip was possibly the one significant protector of the handgun as it was ripped from the handle and thrown in a direction that was 90 degrees from the direction of the exiting gun.
Of interest is the:
1.) “ding” in the gun to the rear of the cylinder, which is in line between the trigger and hammer where a right handed forefinger rests;
2.) “ding” in the exterior of one cylinder;
3.) lesser “dings” on the right side of the barrel;
4.) inability to close the cylinder without manually depressing the front latch (KW03100);
5.) inability of the cylinder to remain locked in battery as the rear alignment pin has been sheared off (KW02700);
6.) inability to depress the Crane Latch (KW00900); and
7.) inability to cycle the hammer either manually or via the trigger.
[Note: Part Numbers are from the User’s Manual; KW/9-02 C; R12]
If this serial numbered handgun is either FUBAR or more expensive to repair than a refurbished replacement, I am interested in a refurbished replacement SST SP101 in 38 Special/357 Magnum caliber. Please advise.
Some lessons are learned late, but learned well. No more tractor work with a loose handgun.
Regretfully,
Richard E. Young
[address redacted]
