Those more privy than myself, please correct me.
There are reports that a material change occurred somewhere around S/N 3000.
Zermatt has said a geometry change addresses the issue. Does that mean the material change will stay? Why would a material change necessitate altered geometry? I haven’t followed as closely as I would like.
Some have gotten new bolts; among that group, some had no issues, while others still experienced galling.
Who knows?
I placed an order a couple weeks ago and was quoted 18 weeks. That’s fine with me. Quality over expediency.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chrs_28
Those more privy than myself, please correct me.
There are reports that a material change occurred somewhere around S/N 3000.
Zermatt has said a geometry change addresses the issue. Does that mean the material change will stay? Why would a material change necessitate altered geometry? I haven’t followed as closely as I would like.
Some have gotten new bolts; among that group, some had no issues, while others still experienced galling.
Who knows?
I placed an order a couple weeks ago and was quoted 18 weeks. That’s fine with me. Quality over expediency.
Per Ray, "..we've changed the geometry on the leading edge of the affected area to drastically increase the amount of surface area that will interact with the receiver at the initial contact point." Increasing surface area in contact during the high stress bolt close distributes the force over more material, reducing the wear on the bolt during operation. It sounds like the material & state originally used for the bolt did not have issues with the peak forces experienced, but the new bolt had issues with gouging when experiencing the same forces during operation. There are lots of reasons to change materials, from cost of production to raw material sourcing, so if changing the geometry of the bolt fixes the gouging issue, that's a better change than going back to the other material for Zermatt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CC13 and buckleboy
The whole thing was handled very poorly by the manufacturer. The cover up is always worse than the crime.
I agree, why would you make a change to a solid product and secondly, if you have created a problem why would you not go back to the original? I have the non problem edition, but would not buy another until I was convinced that they have not down graded the material, And it sounds like they are trying to still use the softer metal.
 
I agree, why would you make a change to a solid product and secondly, if you have created a problem why would you not go back to the original? I have the non problem edition, but would not buy another until I was convinced that they have not down graded the material, And it sounds like they are trying to still use the softer metal.
Not sure if it’s true but I heard they could no longer source the original material….
 
I still have not received my replacement. My flats on the lugs are nearly gone. Ray informed me they’re still working thru issues, and have halted sending out replacements.
I’m bummed.. not sure how much longer this bolt will go before losing closed tolerances. Nonetheless, it shoots amazing, and will continue to wait for the end all solution.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lilsnoop
I still have not received my replacement. My flats on the lugs are nearly gone. Ray informed me they’re still working thru issues, and have halted sending out replacements.
I’m bummed.. not sure how much longer this bolt will go before losing closed tolerances. Nonetheless, it shoots amazing, and will continue to wait for the end all solution.
Man, that sucks. May I ask if your serial number is 3000 or higher? How many rounds before you noticed lug galling/wear? How many round do you have on it now?
 
Man, that sucks. May I ask if your serial number is 3000 or higher? How many rounds before you noticed lug galling/wear? How many round do you have on it now?

Serial #35XX
Noticed issues at 100 rounds.
Photos below as follows:
200 rounds
600 rounds
2000 rounds
(Round counts are approximate)
The flats are at they’re end…
When it cams over and the firing pin leaves the ramp, the bolt jumps back much more than as new. Maybe I got unlucky and mine is worse than others. But like I said, it shoots and cycles great…
IMG_1148.jpeg
IMG_1191.jpeg
IMG_1352.jpeg
 
Serial #35XX
Noticed issues at 100 rounds.
Photos below as follows:
200 rounds
600 rounds
2000 rounds
(Round counts are approximate)
The flats are at they’re end…
When it cams over and the firing pin leaves the ramp, the bolt jumps back much more than as new. Maybe I got unlucky and mine is worse than others. But like I said, it shoots and cycles great…
View attachment 8658052View attachment 8658053View attachment 8658054
Thanks for the info and feedback. Glad you had documented the progression over round count.

My serial is 32xx, I have 175 rounds with no wear signs to date. Still black coating, very little wear indication. I guess I have yet to get enough cycling through. I occasionally cycle the bolt and still smooth with no wear. Lucky or just not there yet?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeffd and Shootin25
I agree, why would you make a change to a solid product and secondly, if you have created a problem why would you not go back to the original? I have the non problem edition, but would not buy another until I was convinced that they have not down graded the material, And it sounds like they are trying to still use the softer metal.
There are a lot of non-malicious reasons to change the material and processes used in manufacturing. If the source of the old material suddenly raised prices or stopped being an option, they may have been forced with a decision between angering people by raising prices, ending the product line, or just switching to a new material they felt confident would do the job instead. It sounds to me like the new material has no performance or safety concerns except for one place that is having accelerated wear due to higher local stresses, and Zermatt is openly working on correcting this. I agree it's unfortunate for us consumers that this happened, but do we want to contribute to a culture of zero tolerance for mistakes with companies that try to innovate with 22lr? I'm glad rimfire is getting attention and interested manufacturers, and I can deal with hiccups when I see a manufacturer trying to fix things.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info and feedback. Glad you had documented the progression over round count.

My serial is 32xx, I have 175 rounds with no wear signs to date. Still black coating, very little wear indication. I guess I have yet to get enough cycling through. I occasionally cycle the bolt and still smooth with no wear. Lucky or just not there yet?

You may have gotten lucky.
According to them, there are many less experiencing the severe issues I am…
At this point, I’d be willing to pay a premium for a bolt body that lasts, that’s how much I enjoy shooting this thing.!
 
  • Like
Reactions: J_Reacher
There are a lot of non-malicious reasons to change the material and processes used in manufacturing. If the source of the old material suddenly raised prices or stopped being an option, they may have been forced with a decision between angering people by raising prices, ending the product line, or just switching to a new material they felt confident would do the job instead. It sounds to me like the new material has no performance or safety concerns except for one place that is having accelerated wear due to higher local stresses, and Zermatt is openly working on correcting this. I agree it's unfortunate for us consumers that this happened, but do we want to contribute to a culture of zero tolerance for mistakes with companies that try to innovate with 22lr? I'm glad rimfire is getting attention and interested manufacturers, and I can deal with hiccups when I see a manufacturer trying to fix things.
For most of us, a custom action, especially in 22LR, is very expensive luxury. The market is also quite small, compared to other shooting markets. When it works poorly, that has a huge negative impact on possible sales. I get the “just be patient” vibes, but once they take the $$$, it’s past a friendship situation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: J_Reacher
The RimX for the longest was the underdog. It was Vudoo or bust. When the RimX started to get “modded” recently I noticed an increase in interest from folks who otherwise would have never given the RimX a chance. Just be glad you weren’t around when they first came out and had extractor issues. You’d probably cry. Folks need to calm the fuck down. Zermatt isn’t trying to pull a fast one on anyone or trying to hide anything. Yeah it sucks and shit takes time. I don’t work for them or even begin to know why things changed with production to begin with. Just throwing my two pesos in because I’m on the shitter trying to push out a turd.
 
The RimX for the longest was the underdog. It was Vudoo or bust. When the RimX started to get “modded” recently I noticed an increase in interest from folks who otherwise would have never given the RimX a chance. Just be glad you weren’t around when they first came out and had extractor issues. You’d probably cry. Folks need to calm the fuck down. Zermatt isn’t trying to pull a fast one on anyone or trying to hide anything. Yeah it sucks and shit takes time. I don’t work for them or even begin to know why things changed with production to begin with. Just throwing my two pesos in because I’m on the shitter trying to push out a turd.

Push harder… 🤣🤣🤘🏽
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 021411
Top is #152, and below #2737, Bartlien barrels spun up by TS Customs. #152 has 18,000+ rounds fired, finishing up that 4th case. #2737, 3000+ (the ATX Anschutz 1727F has been a distraction) Never experienced the "extractor" issue. If you close the bolt with a round ahead of the bolt, you broke the extractor and you have a problem. You have to beat the bolt down over the round.........Early on jake-leg gunsmiths were causing quite a few problems, seems they could not work to the barrel print specs. Buddy of mine is getting his TS Custom Bartlien barrel next week for action #3011 he's done some dry firing with the trigger installed no visible issues. I'm confidant Zermatt will get this sorted out.
Shot #2737 at Cavalier in Virgina last weekend, bunch of RimX rifles running hard no issues. Good Shootin! See you at the range!
IMG_1207.jpeg
IMG_3163.JPG
 
Top is #152, and below #2737, Bartlien barrels spun up by TS Customs. #152 has 18,000+ rounds fired, finishing up that 4th case. #2737, 3000+ (the ATX Anschutz 1727F has been a distraction) Never experienced the "extractor" issue. If you close the bolt with a round ahead of the bolt, you broke the extractor and you have a problem. You have to beat the bolt down over the round.........Early on jake-leg gunsmiths were causing quite a few problems, seems they could not work to the barrel print specs. Buddy of mine is getting his TS Custom Bartlien barrel next week for action #3011 he's done some dry firing with the trigger installed no visible issues. I'm confidant Zermatt will get this sorted out.
Shot #2737 at Cavalier in Virgina last weekend, bunch of RimX rifles running hard no issues. Good Shootin! See you at the range!
View attachment 8658311View attachment 8658312
Glad to hear that your rifles are working great. That’s little benefit to the ones who bought theirs impacted , and especially after the changes were made but Zermatt decided to suppress that info.

They knew they had a problem but kept going anyways. How many dealers and customers were impacted?

It’s not that they had a problem at all, it’s how they chose to deal with it until it blew up in their faces. It’s BS.
 
  • Like
Reactions: d_dial
Top is #152, and below #2737, Bartlien barrels spun up by TS Customs. #152 has 18,000+ rounds fired, finishing up that 4th case. #2737, 3000+ (the ATX Anschutz 1727F has been a distraction) Never experienced the "extractor" issue. If you close the bolt with a round ahead of the bolt, you broke the extractor and you have a problem. You have to beat the bolt down over the round.........Early on jake-leg gunsmiths were causing quite a few problems, seems they could not work to the barrel print specs. Buddy of mine is getting his TS Custom Bartlien barrel next week for action #3011 he's done some dry firing with the trigger installed no visible issues. I'm confidant Zermatt will get this sorted out.
Shot #2737 at Cavalier in Virgina last weekend, bunch of RimX rifles running hard no issues. Good Shootin! See you at the range!
View attachment 8658311View attachment 8658312

Who makes that extended super rail?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeffd
There are a lot of non-malicious reasons to change the material and processes used in manufacturing. If the source of the old material suddenly raised prices or stopped being an option, they may have been forced with a decision between angering people by raising prices, ending the product line, or just switching to a new material they felt confident would do the job instead. It sounds to me like the new material has no performance or safety concerns except for one place that is having accelerated wear due to higher local stresses, and Zermatt is openly working on correcting this. I agree it's unfortunate for us consumers that this happened, but do we want to contribute to a culture of zero tolerance for mistakes with companies that try to innovate with 22lr? I'm glad rimfire is getting attention and interested manufacturers, and I can deal with hiccups when I see a manufacturer trying to fix things.
There are 10's of 1,000's of bolt action rifles with 10's of 1,000's of rounds thru them that don't have bolt wear like this. So if they were forced to switched materials, why not something that everyone else uses? I have 4,000+ rounds thru my PRS centerfire, no bolt lug wear. 2,000's of rounds thru my Vudoo, no bolt wear.

Is there something specific to the RimX bolt that precludes them from using a material similar to what every other manu. uses on their bolts that does not cause the lugs to gaul/wear like we are seeing?

If everyone is using material A and we use material B because we believe it is better, and material B in fact works great for 5+ year, then suddenly we can no longer get material B, why switch to unknown softer material C and not test it more thoroughly? Give the new bolt to one of your sponsored shooters and let him/her run it for a few matches? Seems like the issue would have shown up pretty quick and they could have nipped it sooner.

If it was a cost issue, then raise the prices..yeah, it sucks but the RimX action is still the same price from the OP to this thread from 5 years ago (1st page shows $1,150 which is what is listed on their website). Considering the rate of inflation the last few years, that is not much. So it's now $1,250 instead of $1,150...make an announcement online/YouTube/SnipersHide...sorry everyone, prices have gone up and we believe in providing a quality product, we have to raise price. Sure, everyone would bitch, but no one could honestly claim RimX was suddenly greedy.
 
Last edited: