Author Topic: FREEDOM ARMS BLUES (Read 1668 times)

blacktail 8541 · « **on:** January 27, 2006, 05:54:16 PM »

Ordered my freedom arms model 97 about 7 weeks ago, A 41 mag with the rounded grip frame, micarta grips and a 5in. barrel with express sights. Went down to my dealer to see if any word yet. He tells me FA called to get payment so they could send my gun. So he starts verifying my order for shipment and they state the caliber as a 44 special! He told them not to ship it because he knows that I am a diehard 41 fan. So they tell him they will expidite the order for the correct gun. I was there when he ordered it originaly so I know the caliber was stated correctly several times! Now the wait begins again and I am not very happy about it as I have spent a lot of money on new brass and molds ectra. THANKS FOR LISTNEN, I NEEDED TO VENT.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:31:05 AM »

Something just doesn't ring true about the dealer's story. Most often when I'm familiar with such orders the gun is in the dealers hands in less than a week from date ordered. Maybe he's being straight but I have to wonder. Seen too many ordered and shipped almost immediately to not wonder.

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2006, 05:23:46 AM »

I've been with this dealer for many years, and as I stated I was there; acuatley standing in the office with him. I have purchaced FA's in the past and have had to wait six weeks for a SA to show up before. They were sold out of the barrel length I wanted. This 41 had a non standard barrel lenght of 5 in. not 5.5 in. It also had the rounded grip frame option as well. I was not disapointed with the original wait time, as that is very fast for a non stock item. It is the mistake on FA's end that irritated me. I do relize that every body is human and mistakes do happen. But that does nothing for the anticipation and wait that I have to start over.

SJPrice · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2006, 11:50:40 AM »

I too find this to be completely out of the norm for FA? The folks there do a fantastic job. Of course there can always be a mixup, but their customer service is top notch.

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2006, 12:03:23 PM »

I'm not knocking Freedom Arms or their customer service, If I were I would not continue on with the purchase. Just flusterated, thats all. I've owned their SA's before and will again! They admitted their mistake and are doing the best they can to get it corrected. They are putting my order at the head of productin so that my extended wait will be as brief as possible. How many other companies would do the same.

TScottO · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2006, 12:30:16 PM »

Things happen and FA is subject to things. Flawed guns have hit the market as well as having orders and sales mixed up. Thats just part of the game. When we reach the point we believe a company or someone is infallible we are being ignorant. What makes the difference in a top notch company and one that is not is the frequency of their mix mistakes and how they rectify the situation once they occur. FA will do the right thing no worries.

Regardless where the error occurred, the important thing is that you receive what you ordered. The only difference is the time frame. Im sorry for your misfortune.

Take Care,
Scott

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2006, 01:10:12 PM »

TScott0 Thanks for the reply, you are very correct, FA is very good but not infallible. they are doing right by me, the dissapointment comes just from a longer wait.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:05:46 PM »

Doo-doo occurs.

darrell8937 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2006, 01:02:24 PM »

Yes, there is nothing more frustrating than waiting for a gun such as the FA. then there is a mix up it will make you blood boil. But soon it will all be a memory and a tale at the range of how long it too to get your tack driver. Hell man,, your getting a FA. Awesome.

Questor · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2006, 11:49:14 AM »

OK, it's frustrating.

Consider this good practice for dealing with custom gunsmiths! Now that can be an exercise in frustration! In my case, I am mystified how I will always, and I do mean always, get a estimated date that is absolutely nothing like the actual delivery date. I've been told 3 weeks and six months later I'm still waiting (Clark Custom), I've been told 3 to 4 months and the gun arrives three weeks later before I've got all the money to pay for it (Rock River), I've been told one week, and two months later I stop in to inquire and they had it done on time, but never called me (the local guy). The latest was where I was told four weeks and 9 weeks later I'm still waiting (Marvel).

I really don't care so much about the time, I care about the expectation of a date range. If they were to tell me it would be six months and it actually is 5 to 7 months, I wouldn't care a bit. It just irks me when people who know what their production pipeline looks like can't give me a reasonably accurate date.

It's endemic to custom gunsmithing.

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2006, 03:59:06 PM »

I know all to well what custom gun smiths can be like. I've had several custom rifles built. The waiting is not to bad untill you are told it will be a certain date and that date has come and gone and still do not have any ideal when you will get what you ordered.

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2006, 04:11:22 PM »

Brother, you have suffered enough in life.

Anyway, by all accounts that FA will be worth the wait and you'll soon be absorbed in enjoying this hierloom quality gun. (My own opinion on the hierloom concept, however, is that you should do you level best to wear it out during your lifetime, and to heck with your hiers. They'll have their own toys in life.)

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2006, 04:18:26 PM »

The freedom arms 41 showed up 11 days ago and I picked it up yesterday. All of my custom projects are now complete for the first time in 9 years! I don't think I will be starting any more for a while. To much of a drain on nerves and pocket book. Any way I will be getting to shoot it in the very near future and have a lot of fun for a change. It so far is every thing I thought it would be.

Questor · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2006, 08:41:53 PM »

Awesome! Send it to me for an exhaustive analysis :wink: :wink: :wink:

I thought I was the only one that got a little exasperated with custom gun work. I just got one of my guns back from a rather exotic but simple repair and I felt a great deal of relief when it arrived safe and sound.

blacktail 8541 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2006, 05:42:49 AM »

I think I will hold off for a while before I send it to you for exhaustive annalisysis. HaHaHa. And no you are not the only one to get irritated. But I think you already knew that. Have some fun with your recently returned child. LOL