New Winchester Super Grade Not So "Super"

[Geno]

Nope. That was me being an admitted an:

A) idiot
B) hypocrite
C) idiotic-hypocrite
D) rational
E) A little of all of the above

Kimber's rifles have excellent. It's their 1911A1s that burned me. And no, I won't touch their 1911s ever. I had 5 "Custom Shop" Kimbers, and... Well, you can search the threads. I purchased the Kimber M84 at 21.5 percent off, which is a great financial deal. Thus far, it too seems to be an excellent rifle, as my other Kimber rifles were. So, from my point, purchasing the Kimber M84 was rational, because my former Kimber rifles were excellent. If I ever purchase another Kimber 1911A1, check me into a psych-ward!!

I was too vague in my post. Apologies. I do acknowledge that have a tendency to get too serious at times. For the sake of all due clarity of the matter, and I won't pull my punches: Kimber ain't the problem! Dennis (in their "Custom" Shop) is their problem, and they should have fired his backside. Kimber's Vice-president called me personally about Dennis' misconduct, and misrepresentations. That's how serious it was taken. Carry on. It's just me...bein' me.

Geno

 

[Geneseo1911]

10-4. I suspected that was the case.

Keep us updated on the Winny

 

[Maverick223]

Nope. That was me being an admitted an...idiotic-hypocrite.

I see, didn't realize that you had that much of an issue with them...but then again I don't frequent the handgun forum too much because I am a rifleman in the truest sense. I like handguns and shotguns okay (and own both), but there is just something magical about a *good* rifle. I tend to be a little opinionated about hand/shotguns, despite not having a ton of experience with either, so I think it is best to let others argue about those matters.

 

[Geno]

Browning has a nice on-line search feature to check on the repair's status. Here is what is posted to date on my "Super" Grade. I thought the "Jobs: MINOR REPAIRS" was comical. I know, they haven't seen it yet. <<Smirk>> I'd hate to see a major repair.

Geno

On-line Service Tracking Results:

Service Number : 123456
Customer Name : ****** ******
Address : 1234 Any Street, Your Town, MI 12345-6789
Firearm Type : MODEL 70, 30/06
Serial Number : ABCD1234
Received on : 19 Feb 2010
Est. Completion Date :15 Mar 2010*

STATUS : Shop Backlog. Waiting Assignment To Gunsmith

Jobs: MINOR REPAIRS
Status: JOB NOT STARTED

Service Tracking results last updated on : 02-Mar-2010, 5:01 AM * Estimated completion dates are based upon repair volume and the type of firearm. Completion dates may vary and are subject to change. Please allow an additional 3 to 5 business days for shipping.

 

[Maverick223]

I'd hate to see a major repair.

That would be something like a bur in the bbl...or a misaligned/misshapened stock...or a wobbly hinged floorplate. It's a good thing yours doesn't have any of those problems...it would take them a month or so just to look it over. See ya in a few months.

 

[Geno]

Well, it is waiting for final check. Now when I get it back, I can inspect it, fire it and take photos. Ya know, given that they started and completed it today, I can only imagine that they A) replaced the whole durned rifle, or B) did nothing. I hope it comes back with as-pretty of wood-as the original.

Geno

On-line Service Tracking Results:

Service Number : 123456
Customer Name : ****** ******
Address : 1234 Any Street, Your Town, MI 12345-6789
Firearm Type : MODEL 70, 30/06
Serial Number : ABCD1234
Received on : 19 Feb 2010
Est. Completion Date :15 Mar 2010*

STATUS : Firearm Is Ready To Be Inspected After Work Has Been Completed

Jobs: MINOR REPAIRS
Status: JOB COMPLETED

Service Tracking results last updated on : 04-Mar-2010, 5:01 AM

* Estimated completion dates are based upon repair volume and the type of firearm. Completion dates may vary and are subject to change. Please allow an additional 3 to 5 business days for shipping.

 

[Maverick223]

Good luck...curious to know what they did, and more importantly, what it looks and shoots like.

 

[Geno]

Well, today I logged-in and found this up-date. I wondered how they were going to handle it. Now we know.

Geno

STATUS : Waiting For Replacement To Be Processed For Customer: We have determined your firearm is in need of replacement. The Browning/Winchester Service Center is processing an order for a replacement firearm.

Jobs Status
MINOR REPAIRS JOB COMPLETED
MANAGER GUN JOB COMPLETED
REPLACE GUN JOB STARTED

Service Tracking results last updated on : 06-Mar-2010, 5:01 AM

* Estimated completion dates are based upon repair volume and the type of firearm. Completion dates may vary and are subject to change. Please allow an additional 3 to 5 business days for shipping.

 

[Maverick223]

Great news, hopefully this one will have wood as nice, and properly constructed.

 

[NVMM]

Very good news! Excellent customer service. Not to bad of a wait either.
Geno, pics please of the new rifle when you receive it.
Hope you get a hand picked great one.

 

[ElToro]

i have a clasic super grade 25.06 from a few years ago. the trigger is kinda gritty. also it has a slightly buggered screw on the pistol grip cap. wasnt pleased about that. gun went back 2 times to fix the fact it wouldnt feed from the magazine. they never did address the trigger. and they added teh custom buggered screw

i also have a kimber 1911 that i finally traded off. for the money they want, at least it better work right for a while before it breaks.

so do they ship you a new rifle with the same serial ? or do you have to DROS a new rifle again at your dealer ? hopefully a red tag will follow this one through the shop and some extra attention will be paid to it.

 

[Geno]

I'm not sure what they will do for replacement, I imagine the entire rifle, and a new serial number. I'll post pictures of what they send.

Geno

 

[Geno]

Contacted Browning today, and was advised that they will be taking care of the paperwork for giving me a new rifle (new serial number too).

As a side note, this is the first call I have made since submitting the rifle for repair, so I haven't been pestering. Rudy was just about as rude and sarcastic as an employee can be! Bad day, Rudy?! The customer is always right, especially in 2010's economy, Sir!

Geno

 

[Geno]

Well, an update is in order, even though it is a Sunday and Browning/Winchester certainly would not be calling me on a Sunday. Regardless, here we are on March 21, 2010 and I still do not have my Super Grade back.

It's bad enough I had to go through the replacement process for a brand new rifle, let alone a "Super" Grade. It's bad enough that during the 1 week of spring vacation that I had from the college (I am a Graduate professor), I missed being able to take this new rifle boar hunting. I bought this rifle specifically to be able to take it boar hunting. Now, I have to wait until goodness knows when to finally receive it back?

It's just beginning to wear a bit thin. I expect better than this.

Geno

STATUS : Firearm Is Being Inspected After Work Has Been Completed
Your firearm has passed all inspections and a shipping ticket has been requested to return your firearm to you.

Jobs Status
MINOR REPAIRS JOB COMPLETED
MANAGER GUN JOB COMPLETED
REPLACE GUN JOB COMPLETED
RMA CREATION JOB COMPLETED

Service Tracking results last updated on : 20-Mar-2010, 5:01 AM

 

[Geno]

Well this will be an easy enough update. I just got off the phone with Browning/Winchester: the Super Grades are back-ordered through May.

Geno

 

[Maverick223]

Why would they want to get you one quick, they already have your money.

 

[Geno]

Agreed. I let them know I am not happy. I missed out on going hunting during my spring break, and that was the rifle's purchase intent, and now I have to wait until May?! It makes me ponder very deeply if I will or will not purchase one of the Winchester Stealth rifles when they finally hit the market. It this point, I seriously doubt that I will. Too, given the fact that they never communicated these facts to me, renders me very disappointed with their customer relations. I only called to assure that that the rifle had not errantly been shipped to someone else by accident. There was no compassion, no "we understand". No "We're sorry you missed your hunt"...nothing, nada, zip, zilch.

Score for Browning/Winchester as of 2010-March-23:

1) Product quality: Negative
2) Customer treatment: Negative
3) Follow-up Communication: Negative
4) Timely repair/replacement: Negative
5) Prospect of future purchase: Improbable

Geno

 

[natman]

Agreed. I let them know I am not happy. I missed out on going hunting during my spring break, and that was the rifle's purchase intent, and now I have to wait until May?! It makes me ponder very deeply if I will or will not purchase one of the Winchester Stealth rifles when they finally hit the market. It this point, I seriously doubt that I will. Too, given the fact that they never communicated these facts to me, renders me very disappointed with their customer relations. I only called to assure that that the rifle had not errantly been shipped to someone else by accident. There was no compassion, no "we understand". No "We're sorry you missed your hunt"...nothing, nada, zip, zilch.

Score for Browning/Winchester as of 2010-March-23:

1) Product quality: Negative
2) Customer treatment: Negative
3) Follow-up Communication: Negative
4) Timely repair/replacement: Negative
5) Prospect of future purchase: Improbable

Geno

It's a bummer that your new rifle had problems and an even bigger bummer that you'll have to wait longer to get a new one. This sort of thing is a risk you run when you buy a new gun in its first year of production from a brand new factory. Nobody can get a new Super Grade right now, it's not just you.

Just to put it in perspective, Winchester has acknowledged the problem and offered to replace the gun the first trip into the shop. It could have been FAR worse. I hope that the new gun is just as nice looking as the old one and completely satisfactory when it does come.

Best of luck.

 

[Geno]

Thanks natman. Your position is appreciated.

Geno

 

[WoofersInc]

Well, an update is in order, even though it is a Sunday and Browning/Winchester certainly would not be calling me on a Sunday. Regardless, here we are on March 21, 2010 and I still do not have my Super Grade back.

It's bad enough I had to go through the replacement process for a brand new rifle, let alone a "Super" Grade. It's bad enough that during the 1 week of spring vacation that I had from the college (I am a Graduate professor), I missed being able to take this new rifle boar hunting. I bought this rifle specifically to be able to take it boar hunting. Now, I have to wait until goodness knows when to finally receive it back?

It's just beginning to wear a bit thin. I expect better than this.

Geno

Quote:
STATUS : Firearm Is Being Inspected After Work Has Been Completed
Your firearm has passed all inspections and a shipping ticket has been requested to return your firearm to you.

Jobs Status
MINOR REPAIRS JOB COMPLETED
MANAGER GUN JOB COMPLETED
REPLACE GUN JOB COMPLETED
RMA CREATION JOB COMPLETED

Service Tracking results last updated on : 20-Mar-2010, 5:01 AM

If I read the order process form correctly it says firearm is being inspected. It also shows "replace gun job completed." So how are they inspecting a rifle that has a 2 month backorder? I would be asking questions on that one..

 

[Maverick223]

Hmmm, that is a good question. I think I know the answer, but I'd darn sure ask anyway...if only to make them look like idiots.

 

[Badlander]

Hope it works out well for you.

 

[Geno]

Yes, and it also states that a shipping ticket has been requested to return the firearm to me. That is why I called them. I got to thinking, who received my rifle?! Something doesn't add up.

Perhaps time to go up one level in communication for a follow-up and explanation. I won't waste my time with them the way I did with Dennis at Kimber. That went on for the better part of a year.

At the very least, they need to explain themselves. I'll follow up with customer relations as soon as I can. Too, I have been pondering putting a thread down under rate transactions, with a link to this post. I think I'll get at that tomorrow too, or ASAP.

At the very minimum, they should have communicated with me.

Geno

 

[Geno]

Just got off the phone with Rudy at Browning/Winchester. He advised that the way the rifle is listed as completed and ticket requested for shipping, is simply the way the computer presents the info. The gunsmith determined it needed to be replaced, and the simple matter is that they don't have any Super Grades in stock in .30-06.

Geno

 

[Geno]

No April Fools joking here, my replacement Winchester Super Grade .30-06 Sprg just arrived (about 20 minutes ago).

The stock's steel to wood fit is excellent. The wood's grain is very nice. It has nice straight grains and nice shadows when I angle it (effects of light and all).

The magazine floor plate is really nice and tight. It presents with perhaps 1/16" lateral play...if!

The bore is nice and clean. It looks smooth. No gouged-out steel bits.

A few added areas I checked before mounting the scope back on, the trigger is (as expected) as crisp as the first rifle.

The blued steel is as pretty as the first rifle.

So for now, I give this replacement Super Grade a 5-smiles vote. I'll hold the 6th smile for the day I break-in the barrel and check it accuracy. For now I have to content myself with cleaning it, mounting the scope and letting the LocTite dry. I can take it to the range for a break-in this weekend. Winchester does recommend a break-in, so I'll follow that. I'll post pictures as soon as I have an opportunity.

Geno