Not very happy with Colt right now. Thoughts?

[Silverlode]

Another Update:

The upper will not be replaced with a new one, which I am not happy about. It does seem that this is not an option however, so it is what it is. Maybe I will end up with a better than stock product in the long run.


"We had no uppers in stock and are not making that model for a little while so we are rebuilding yours. It is being rebuilt by my custom smith, a Marine from Quanitco who was building all the national match rifles for the Marines. It will be more than perfect when it returns."

 

[Squaregrouper]

I think this will be better than a new upper. You know this guy takes pride in his work.

 

[Boom Boom]

I think this will be better than a new upper. You know this guy takes pride in his work.

Absolutely. I'll take custom work of that caliber any day versus a new upper with no such attention.

 

[Silverlode]

I think this will be better than a new upper. You know this guy takes pride in his work.

I hear what you are saying, but I am not having any custom work done per se, it is just being put back to spec. That being the case, I would rather have a new one that was never fired with out of spec parts or assembly, or both.

 

[Indiana Jones]

This is a reason Colt remains at the top. They will take care of you.

 

[Boom Boom]

It's almost a guarantee that you'll be getting back a rifle that's way better than stock. A gunsmith in Colt's custom shop is not going to put out marginal spec work. It will have a thorough going over.

Why a new unfired one? The last upper I bought was factory test fired and zeroed. That's one of the reasons I bought it. It was known good when it left the factory. "Never fired" is not a plus for a rifle you plan to use.

 

[Silverlode]

Why a new unfired one? The last upper I bought was factory test fired and zeroed. That's one of the reasons I bought it. It was known good when it left the factory. "Never fired" is not a plus for a rifle you plan to use.

I don't want never fired. I want never fired with out of spec parts or assembly. I don't know what atypical stresses might have been put on the upper itself or other parts under this condition, or what other failures/issues that may occur later because of it.

 

[gmhowell]

I'm not interested in an AR, I'm certainly not interested in one at this time. But I guarantee there are more than a few people on this board who would happily make you whole on the deal. Your experience (assuming they follow through exactly as you have reported they said they would) makes me more likely to buy Colt in the future. It's like a repair I had done by Apple on a MacBook Pro a few years ago. People can cry 'overpriced' all they like, but CS isn't cheap.

 

[dev]

I'm not interested in an AR, I'm certainly not interested in one at this time. But I guarantee there are more than a few people on this board who would happily make you whole on the deal. Your experience (assuming they follow through exactly as you have reported they said they would) makes me more likely to buy Colt in the future. It's like a repair I had done by Apple on a MacBook Pro a few years ago. People can cry 'overpriced' all they like, but CS isn't cheap.

That's good to know and I like the fact that Colt is taking care of the issue however could you point out where the other budgeted brands are falling short in CS. What if the budgeted brand were to replace the upper or whole rifle and what if they did exactly as Colt.

 

[gmhowell]

That's good to know and I like the fact that Colt is taking care of the issue however could you point out where the other budgeted brands are falling short in CS. What if the budgeted brand were to replace the upper or whole rifle and what if they did exactly as Colt.

No, I can't. I have proof of Colt's service. I do not have proof of the service of others. Do I need to prove a negative to show that Colt is better? Perhaps in an Internet slap fight/argument. As a paying customer? My money, my call. If I were in the market for a built AR, Colt just erased some of the perceived value differential. If you don't think it's worth it, fine. Buy what you want. IDC.

 

[dev]

There was never a need for an internet slap argument of who has the best CS.
I think any company willing to rectify the problem is good enough CS. I don't think there is a distinction between one over the other unless there are truly certain brands that the manufacture has given the customer a hard time.

The way I see it, it would be cheaper for Colt to fix the problem though an employee then to issue a new upper. I still don't think it's a good or bad thing as long as it's fixed however it's not a bonus as some make it out to be unless there is a problem with Colts quality control to begin with.

 

[Silverlode]

Just to be clear, I don't think I am receiving "normal" service. I got lucky and was able to get in touch with the manager or Colt's custom shop, and he has gone above and beyond thus far. The customer service person I talked to on the phone previously gave me the impression that this was not going to be a quick process.

Also, just looking through my mail and I got a letter from Colt. I open it up and it is a product service repair order. It says they received my 09080 Officer's ACP MKIV, 3.5" 45ACP. I'm guessing whoever actually owns this gun is going to be less than pleased when they fix it and then ship it to me.

 

[byf43]

The upper will not be replaced with a new one, which I am not happy about. It does seem that this is not an option however, so it is what it is. Maybe I will end up with a better than stock product in the long run.


"We had no uppers in stock and are not making that model for a little while so we are rebuilding yours. It is being rebuilt by my custom smith, a Marine from Quanitco who was building all the national match rifles for the Marines. It will be more than perfect when it returns."

I think you'll be more than pleased with the results.

IF you're not. . . . give me a call. I'll take it off your hands.
(I'll start the bidding process, now.) $10.00!

 

[lockandload]

colt aint colt anymore

 

[Silverlode]

Latest Update

From manager of custom shop -

Diagnosis:

The barrel was improperly installed with the gas tube out of line. This bent the gas tube and had an interference fit with the gas key. We replace the gas key due to some marks from the gas tube fit. I think someone did not pay attention to alignment in the first place and caused the issue. I have reported it back to Defense and they are researching to find which employee it was so they can retrain them.


What was done:

The rifle was disassembled and all parts inspected for spec. The gas tube was replaced. The gas key was replaced the staked in place. The barrel was reinstalled and properly torque and aligned. All other functional and safety checks pass and gun meets all specs. It was function tested with 60 rounds for function, all functioned as it should. Tomorrow I will witness an additional function test and measure the 100 yd group to insure it passes my inspection.

 

[BUFF7MM]

Glad to see they got it straightened out for you.

 

[hodgepodge]

This sounds like a very good result.

 

[Name Taken]

You still get what you pay for...even when it doesnt work.

Hopefully it's sorted for you.

 

[Boom Boom]

You returned a coaster. You're probably getting back a dialed-in tack driver.

I'll up byf43's bid to $500. No point in beating around the bush.

 

[Silverlode]

Seeing that someone had posted on this thread reminded me that my wife had texted me earlier in the day to tell me a long box had been delivered for me and she had put it in the dining room. That can only be one thing right? I run down stairs to inspect my newly remanufactured rifle and much to my dismay, it was a Hot Wheels race track I ordered for my 4 year old for Christmas.