Some interesting discussions going on over at the M14 Firing Line about the new Smith Receivers. Already one locked thread and a second one headed to double digits.
I won't relay the gory details, but apparently a war started when a customer received one that sounded like it was way out of spec. Followed by reports of a few others.
If you are so inclined, you can read the closed thread here: http://m14forum.com/m14/101879-smith-receiver.html
The new one here: http://m14forum.com/m14/102593-new-sei-receivers.html
SEI's comments reminds me of what happened here at the Hide back in March:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2456618&page=1
Asshattery aside, the substance the receiver discussion boiled down to a few questions and answers, which Smith stated are correct.
Here you go:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Post #159 (New SEI Receiver thread)
Q: Does SEI make the receivers?
A: No
Q: Who makes the receivers?
A: That information will not be disclosed. They are made in a 130,000 square foot facility in North Carolina.
Q: What involvement does SEI have in the production of these receivers, aside from having a machine shop manufacture them under their license?
A: The receivers are made according to SEI specifications in North Carolina. SEI does not have a permanent on-site employee. There are on-site visits to the machine shop by Smith and Bainer. (It seems Bainer spends a lot of time there, but that is an assumption) Ron Smith owns an interest in the shop producing the receivers.
Q: What is being done to keep bad receivers from being sent out to the next person who orders one.
A: A come to Jesus phone call was made concerning the current issues. If anyone has any issues with a receiver, call SEI, not RGuns.
Q: Does Mr. Bainer or other SEI employee inspect each and every receiver?
A: No
Q: If not will he be doing so in the future after this?
A: No
Q: I take it that these receivers are being machined, out of house, are they ever making it to the eyes or hands of SEI before being sent to RGUNS for sale?
A: No. The receivers are sent directly to RGuns from the manufacturing facility in North Carolina.
Q: If not, are you guys considering this seeing as there may be some QC problems coming from the machine shop? No.
Q: Not to beat a dead horse, but for $1,000 is the receiver going to get a nicer heel and overall machining cleanup compared to the photos I have seen posted?
A: Answer coming next week.
Q: How about the heel stamp?
A: Programmers are working on it, and new production should be much improved.
Q: Has RGuns been subject to a similar "come to Jesus" discussion as was had with the shop?
A: No.
Q: Will RGuns remain SEI’s distributor?
A: Yes
Q: Are these receivers 100% made in the USA, not involving anything imported? (for the conspiracy theorists)
A: You bet
</div></div>
Incidentally, it took 27 pages in two threads to get answers to those questions confirmed)
So SEI is not the manufacturer, is not on site at the manufacturer, has the finished items shipped from the unknown manufacturer directly to the distributor, has no plans to put someone on site or perform quality control in the future, and wants $950 apiece for these?
But, for that price, you get a little S&M thrown in via public humiliation and degradation, at least based on what I saw from Smith's comments and that of their house troll (H2OMan, whose posts here reminded me of Maser II).
Anyone looking to build an M1A might want to consider this a heads up and at least go into the deal with your eyes open.
I won't relay the gory details, but apparently a war started when a customer received one that sounded like it was way out of spec. Followed by reports of a few others.
If you are so inclined, you can read the closed thread here: http://m14forum.com/m14/101879-smith-receiver.html
The new one here: http://m14forum.com/m14/102593-new-sei-receivers.html
SEI's comments reminds me of what happened here at the Hide back in March:
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2456618&page=1
Asshattery aside, the substance the receiver discussion boiled down to a few questions and answers, which Smith stated are correct.
Here you go:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Post #159 (New SEI Receiver thread)
Q: Does SEI make the receivers?
A: No
Q: Who makes the receivers?
A: That information will not be disclosed. They are made in a 130,000 square foot facility in North Carolina.
Q: What involvement does SEI have in the production of these receivers, aside from having a machine shop manufacture them under their license?
A: The receivers are made according to SEI specifications in North Carolina. SEI does not have a permanent on-site employee. There are on-site visits to the machine shop by Smith and Bainer. (It seems Bainer spends a lot of time there, but that is an assumption) Ron Smith owns an interest in the shop producing the receivers.
Q: What is being done to keep bad receivers from being sent out to the next person who orders one.
A: A come to Jesus phone call was made concerning the current issues. If anyone has any issues with a receiver, call SEI, not RGuns.
Q: Does Mr. Bainer or other SEI employee inspect each and every receiver?
A: No
Q: If not will he be doing so in the future after this?
A: No
Q: I take it that these receivers are being machined, out of house, are they ever making it to the eyes or hands of SEI before being sent to RGUNS for sale?
A: No. The receivers are sent directly to RGuns from the manufacturing facility in North Carolina.
Q: If not, are you guys considering this seeing as there may be some QC problems coming from the machine shop? No.
Q: Not to beat a dead horse, but for $1,000 is the receiver going to get a nicer heel and overall machining cleanup compared to the photos I have seen posted?
A: Answer coming next week.
Q: How about the heel stamp?
A: Programmers are working on it, and new production should be much improved.
Q: Has RGuns been subject to a similar "come to Jesus" discussion as was had with the shop?
A: No.
Q: Will RGuns remain SEI’s distributor?
A: Yes
Q: Are these receivers 100% made in the USA, not involving anything imported? (for the conspiracy theorists)
A: You bet
</div></div>
Incidentally, it took 27 pages in two threads to get answers to those questions confirmed)
So SEI is not the manufacturer, is not on site at the manufacturer, has the finished items shipped from the unknown manufacturer directly to the distributor, has no plans to put someone on site or perform quality control in the future, and wants $950 apiece for these?
But, for that price, you get a little S&M thrown in via public humiliation and degradation, at least based on what I saw from Smith's comments and that of their house troll (H2OMan, whose posts here reminded me of Maser II).
Anyone looking to build an M1A might want to consider this a heads up and at least go into the deal with your eyes open.
