Hey guys, just wanted to confer with the group before losing my mind. I put in an order for a barreled action with straight jacket armory November 29 2021. Impact 787/proof 338 blank to be spun up and ends cerekoted. I was originally quoted 12-16 weeks. Since that time, I’ve only received updates when I’ve called and asked, and usually end up waiting a while for a response. This last time, I’ve waited over two months for a response. Has Covid fucked things so bad that this is the norm from overwork and understaff? If so, no beef. But I recently had a buddy get an Altus build back in 6 weeks. This month will be month 8 and I’m feeling like I should ask the hide. Thanks guys
-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
Gunsmithing Barreled Action Wait Time Concern
- Thread starter BeckOlu
- Start date
Bummer. Was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt because I know lots of places have been busy and behind. But this seemed a little excessive.
I was in your shoes not too long ago. Except I waited 1.5 years thinking that it was just a hard time to get a barrel.
Then I went to Southern Precision Rifles and got a barrel so fast my head spun. It took them maybe about a month, month and a half.
I highly recommend giving Greg and Russ a call at Southern Precision.
The folks at Straight Jacket were nice and generous with their info/opinions. But if you want a barrel, I'm not sure that's the tree to bark up.
Then I went to Southern Precision Rifles and got a barrel so fast my head spun. It took them maybe about a month, month and a half.
I highly recommend giving Greg and Russ a call at Southern Precision.
The folks at Straight Jacket were nice and generous with their info/opinions. But if you want a barrel, I'm not sure that's the tree to bark up.
Personally, if you paid for and own the parts, I'd pull them and send them elsewhere.
I did have a BA done by Altus...they said 8 weeks, it was more like 12 weeks, but still reasonable. 8 months....no.
I bought the action and barrel through straight jacket since the original time frame quote seemed very reasonable. They then said later in an update that they only order parts right before they plan to build ‘just so they don’t have tons of stuff laying around the shop’. Three or so months ago they said they got my action in, and are now waiting on the barrel. I have experience with LRI and Altus and just wanted to give these guys a shot since I’ve heard good things about their work.
I bought a proof barrel, and an archimedes action shipped it off to Fischer t&c that posts on here and had my BA back in a hair over 2 weeks
If your flexible on the barrel brand and contour and the type of actions you can get stuff done. If you have something specific in mind you have to be willing to wait. Unfortunately it’s the times we are in right now.
If your flexible on the barrel brand and contour and the type of actions you can get stuff done. If you have something specific in mind you have to be willing to wait. Unfortunately it’s the times we are in right now.
Yeah I was hoping for the impact 787 and the proof sendero contour. Just really surprised the timeframe with how common they are.
My gunsmith has my barrels ready for me in ~2 weeks or less.
I don't think COVID is a factor.
I don't think COVID is a factor.
The 787 may be a contributing cause. Unless he has a bunch already in the shop, you may be waiting a bit longer because I don’t think Impact has any more planned on the production schedule this year. Too many 737 orders to keep up.
What's the story on the barrel they're supposedly waiting on? Is it a prefit, or just a blank and they'll do the chambering? What are the specs on what you ordered?
I appreciate the good reviews from @Red343 and @Baron85 ; it's always a pleasure to do work for serious shooters.
That being said, I reached out to several companies a couple years ago when I went out on my own. I offered my chambering and threading services if they had any work they wanted to contract out to help their lead times.
Straight Jacket was the only one who responded; they said they appreciated the offer but they were having trouble getting enough barrels to keep their own spindles going. They may be so backed up from shortages the light is dwindling at the end of the tunnel.
I know GreTan Rifles has not accepted work for over a year because of back log, which I believe is a smart move if you can pull it off.
I can't speak to what's going on at Straight Jacket other than what they told me almost 2 years ago.
That being said, I reached out to several companies a couple years ago when I went out on my own. I offered my chambering and threading services if they had any work they wanted to contract out to help their lead times.
Straight Jacket was the only one who responded; they said they appreciated the offer but they were having trouble getting enough barrels to keep their own spindles going. They may be so backed up from shortages the light is dwindling at the end of the tunnel.
I know GreTan Rifles has not accepted work for over a year because of back log, which I believe is a smart move if you can pull it off.
I can't speak to what's going on at Straight Jacket other than what they told me almost 2 years ago.
They’ve got the 787 on deck, have been waiting on a 24” 338 carbon proof blank 1/9.4. Was told that was the hang up today and that a 26” could be here in a week if I wanted. Just wish I had that info sooner.
Blank 338 carbon proof 24” that they’re chambering. Heard today a 26” was MUCH easier to get and that they’ll have it in a week.
Sounds like they’ve been backed up. Had a long conversation with Nick today and it seems they’re at their wits end keeping up with orders. Good for business, bad for us who have patience problems haha
It’s too bad you want a shorter barrel:
www.snipershide.com
SOLD - Bartlein CF 338 M24 blank
I have a Bartlein CF Blank, #14 contour, 400 MOD BB, 28" Finish length, 9.35 twist, 5r, 1.25" breech, that I purchased a year ago from Bartlein for $986. Plans have changed and this item needs to go to someone who can use it. Asking $825 shipped
www.snipershide.com
Tbac 338 going on it, won’t fit in the truck with a 28It’s too bad you want a shorter barrel:
SOLD - Bartlein CF 338 M24 blank
I have a Bartlein CF Blank, #14 contour, 400 MOD BB, 28" Finish length, 9.35 twist, 5r, 1.25" breech, that I purchased a year ago from Bartlein for $986. Plans have changed and this item needs to go to someone who can use it. Asking $825 shipped
you did not even mention if the government does not pass a bill making all gun related items illegal before you get your gun thought Id add one more thing for you to think about night after night while waiting to get your purchase . I am sure legal or not the post office will get you your package sometime before you turn 80 .
Can't speak to SJA, but I've had excellent experiences with @Deep South Tactical. Fast turnaround times, and they've gone way out of their way to work with me on a few oddball requests.
Wait...you bought and PAID for the action and barrel right at the start....did they show them as being in stock and then used them elsewhere?
I ask because I bought an action and trigger from Altus, they put it in a bin waiting for my blank to ship to them, then the clock started on the gunsmithing job.
When I placed the order the items said in stock. From what I understand, once you place an order, you’re added to the list of projects. However, it is not until your project gets close to occurring (once they’ve chipped away at their list) that your components are then ordered in for the project. This is my vague understanding of their process. I’m gonna treat this whole situation like buying a can and try and forget it ever happened or it’ll just be a continual exercise in frustration. Fuckin eh
Not sure if you can get a refund. But in my experience, LRI can knock a barreled action in no time.
Not without a major restocking fee. Really like LRI, just wanted to share the love and see how the other shops ran their show.
Gotta give LRI credit and a shout out to Eric and Caleb. They did mine with my supplied parts within the week while I was out there on vacation. Took it out with me and picked it up on return home. Saved me shipping and worry of courier loss/damage.
They did some action truing for me and their turnaround was great and the price was good also. Now I just need to figure what to build on the 700 LA magnum bolt face, I bought the bare receiver for $100, when Remington was in bankruptcy so it does nt owe me anything. I got a PTG bolt for it. It will be for hunting and I am leaning towards a Nosler 28, as I have a couple of Bartlein 7mm blanks on the shelf.
The restocking fee can be waived by them, and they should do so for the good will it would create.
Personally, I’d find someone who uses a different “process”.
Now, understand that when I chose the action and trigger that was on stock w Altus, I paid for them then. I owned them, they were just getting their rest in an Altus bin.
When the BA was done (remember, my blank I sent them), I was then billed for gunsmithing and incidental like muzzle thread protector.
Yeah, that process doesn’t sound like much of a process to me.
Personally, I think the 7lrm is a better answer. It isn't fire-breathing like the nosler, but offers increased performance over the rem mag, use cip mags and you can seat the heavies out.
I haven't built one yet, but I've been itching to. They finally have good brass, but it is spendy.
I was finally told my barrel arrived, and Monday(ish) would be tossed on the lathe. If there’s another story I’ll get money back.
Not as expensive as the lost business they would see if this issue became common knowledge.
This is true. I’ll give it a week, if there’s no further development I’ll nix it. Thank you guys for letting me know this isn’t the norm, and promoting the shops doing good work. This is handy info.
What I mean is, in your shoes I’d be having conversations about BBB complaints and making sure this got real public, unless they waived the restocking fee. I’d honestly have also told them to pound sand when I first found out that “in stock” means no such thing.
This is deceptive business practice, and it would make me mad enough to roll up my sleeves haha
Yeah I’d love to not escalate this through bbb complaints, but you’re absolutely right it’s in no way a SOP any shop should go with. I’m hoping forums like this will gain enough traction to shape buyers awareness and shop choice.
Ouch. Chargeback on your credit card would probably go in your favor for the restocking fee though. It’s a shitty thing to have to do, but excessive restocking fees (for things you didn’t stock of anyway) are a garbage business practice.
