some companies go awry

boatdoc

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I have to wonder what has happened within some companies. Why change a good company with great CS into a downwardly spiraling mess?
I bought a SACS 9m m professional in mid July. From day 1, I had some light strikes(FTF). Different brands of ammunition reacted differently; ie more light strikes with winchester than federal,blazer... Anyway I had enough and after talking with our own Steve Owens, I decided to contact SA and ask for:

1 replacement firing pin-ss
1 firing pin spring
1 main spring

Any of these could fix the problem. Together they would definitely fix the issue.(now that I can detail strip a 1911-- whoopee for me :) I am empowered to try simple fixes too.)

They refused. They want the gun back. They will not ship or sell parts to anyone . Their claim is that all parts and spring weight s are proprietary. really ? on a 1911? what are you thinking?

1911s and glock live off the afte r market parts available. To make a gun only use proprietary parts and require returns for such small issues as a recoil spring is NUTS>

what are they thinking.

now I have to risk shipping back an expensive gun for a minor issue( spring change and firing pins are minor in my book).
I am beside myself ..so is Steve

rant over
 

WWB

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I would just drop it off at fedex the label should have insurance on it. Most manufacturers won't just send replacement parts. As they have no way of knowing if you are competent of installing them. For legal reasons I'm sure they just assume bring the gun back in as there is a known issue that are now documented.
 

Fred_G

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I can see both sides in this. SA probably wants to diagnose the gun themselves, and install parts to their 'standards'. Think of it this way: your car won' t start. You decide it is the fuel pump, get a fuel pump, and get it towed to a shop. They put your fuel pump on, and the car still does not start. Did the mechanic damage the car, does the new fuel pump work, and was the fuel pump even the problem to start with?

I hope they get you fixed up. I know a few things 'slip through the cracks' at all places, but disappointing to see guns going out (especially not super cheap ones) with issues. Of course, springs are cheap, why not just buy the springs and fix it yourself?
 

boatdoc

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That's how their customer service has always worked. They send you a label, you box the gun up, drop it off at fedex or your FFL and they handle the rest.
they claim this is a new way and they claim i t is becaus e the gun is a new model.

I hate shipping guns. this is one i really like. I just hope it arrives there and home ok
 

boatdoc

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I would just drop it off at fedex the label should have insurance on it. Most manufacturers won't just send replacement parts. As they have no way of knowing if you are competent of installing them. For legal reasons I'm sure they just assume bring the gun back in as there is a known issue that are now documented.

the only reason I am sending it back is -- they promised me that the gun is insured for replacement value(by a commercial insurance not fedex). I was supposed to ship a different gun to another company for a minor fix recently( bad extraction) but decided not to becaus e they do NOT insure the expensive gun for full replacement.

Steve Owens and @ZoidMeister have both told stories recently of lost packages... not willing to lose a gun and have to deal with that. so I will do as SA says but I am far from happy about it
 

boatdoc

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I can see both sides in this. SA probably wants to diagnose the gun themselves, and install parts to their 'standards'. Think of it this way: your car won' t start. You decide it is the fuel pump, get a fuel pump, and get it towed to a shop. They put your fuel pump on, and the car still does not start. Did the mechanic damage the car, does the new fuel pump work, and was the fuel pump even the problem to start with?

I hope they get you fixed up. I know a few things 'slip through the cracks' at all places, but disappointing to see guns going out (especially not super cheap ones) with issues. Of course, springs are cheap, why not just buy the springs and fix it yourself?


I see the point. BUT in this case the fix is obvious and easy. this proprietary parts nonsense is just that. Seriously .. 2 springs and a firing pin and this deal would be done. now let their "expert" gunsmiths do the deed. FWIW I offered to buy the 3 parts and they refused. so if you need a recoil spring after 2000 rounds, you must send the gun in. That is EXACTLY what they told me. if I ha d know this I would have just bought another WC,NHC or other sweet shooting 9mm
 

Blackbeard

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I actually would rather them do it, as it's not my core competency. Especially if I'm going to trust my life with it, I'd rather someone that has the range etc to test afterwards. I've seen what a malfunction in the hand looks like...I'll pass.
 

Bender

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Meh.........
they claim this is a new way and they claim i t is becaus e the gun is a new model.

I hate shipping guns. this is one i really like. I just hope it arrives there and home ok


Thats a BS line from them. Theyve been building 9mm models for years. They arent reinventing the wheel.
 

gun_fan111

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I actually would rather them do it, as it's not my core competency. Especially if I'm going to trust my life with it, I'd rather someone that has the range etc to test afterwards. I've seen what a malfunction in the hand looks like...I'll pass.

Ditto. If ones competency ends at replacing a spring, send it in and enjoy the gun when it comes back fixed. Besides the springs and FP, this could also be something else like burrs in MSH channel or firing pin channel. Or even head-spacing issues...

Boatdoc, if shipping the gun gives you such anxiety maybe spending $30 on the parts from Brownell's or Midway and trying those out is worth the investment? With extensive range testing after.
 

boatdoc

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gun _fan111

this time I will send them the gun as they have assured me it is insured t up to replacement cost.

anything other than springs being replaced I would let a gunsmith perform. BUT as I stated shipping a gun that costs 3 grand and up and NOT getting replacement cost insurance( not offered by ups or fedex as far as I know) and you lose big time if the gun doe s not get there. if this was a plstic gun or low cost gun, I would not even post this info. less than a grand.. I can take a risk. a semi-custom 1911( especially a special edition) and I am a very nervous gun owner+ I NEVER tell fedex or ups what I am shipping . It just calls needless attention to my package. quite a catch 22 this is
 

gun_fan111

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I hear you there. When I shipped a LB slide to Dawson for a new front sight I insured it for $1500 as that is what Baer will charge for a complete new slide/barrel to be fitted to a frame. FedEx made me show them what is in the package that it is so valuable and manager had to approve it [emoji849]. What was I going to do, break into a FedEx facility to steal the package and collect the insurance???
 

Fred_G

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That sounds crazy to send a gun in for a recoil spring... The economics of sending a gun in for a recoil spring vs selling the damn spring like everyone else does is just crazy. Note to self: Stay away from SACS guns.

I do kinda get it for a gun not functioning properly, but just for a recoil spring? I wonder if "the weed" is legal where Springfield is... :p
 

boatdoc

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That sounds crazy to send a gun in for a recoil spring... The economics of sending a gun in for a recoil spring vs selling the damn spring like everyone else does is just crazy. Note to self: Stay away from SACS guns.

I do kinda get it for a gun not functioning properly, but just for a recoil spring? I wonder if "the weed" is legal where Springfield is... :p
exactly..
 
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