Poor quality McMillan stock

[SRMohawk]

Hey Fellas,
Just wanted to cry on ya'lls shoulders over a custom rifle project I've got on the front burner. It specifically has to do with the stock I've chosen. It's a McMillan A-4 -- the stock used by the USMC for their M40A-3 sniper rifles. I ordered it last March and it was delivered this past week. I was REALLY excited upon receiving it from the UPS guy. Of course, I've ordered numerous McMillan stocks over the past ten years or so and every one has been perfect. Unfortunately, upon opening the box in which my most recent order arrived, I found a heretofore unseen product. The stock has many flaws in terms of workmanship. Most noticable was the fact that the glass fiber fill in the foreend was heavily pitted or 'rough' looking. Also, the bolt handle cut away looked as if it had been done by the hands of a young child using a Dremel drill/tool. Additionally, the appointment/rifle sling studs were drilled/screwed into the under side of the foreend and buttstock at perhaps greater than 15-degree angles (far from perpendicular to the surfaces into which they were drilled). The bolt cut away in the adjustable saddle-type cheek piece wasn't even centered over the comb of the butt stock. Consequently, it may not even accommodate the bolt when fully extracted from the receiver.

What should I do guys? Keep in mind, the people at McMillan are prideful and NEVER admit to making mistakes. They charge 15% restocking fees on all returned stocks, in fact. I don't know what they'd say to me if I told 'em they sent me a crap stock and that I want another one made to the same specs on the fly.

 

[ogree]

I would definitely call them on it for what the stocks sell for, I firmly believe that they are the best glass stocks on the market, but you should not have to settle for a sub-standard product.
That being said, they are not as precise on rifle fit as the injection molded stocks are these days, and they should be properly installed to obtain the very best performance.(bedded, etc.)

 

[fixyurgun]

Call them. At those prices it should be perfect. If they won't make it right post pics of the defects along with their response. Jest my.02 worth. Jim

 

[Jason_G]

I'd take some really good pictures of the parts of the stock that are not manufactured correctly, along with a description of what is wrong in each photo. Email them. Be as polite as possible, I'd include the fact that you own many McMillan stocks that are perfect, but that you are disappointed with the stock you have recently received. Again, be polite, but make it clear that you are not satisfied and expect them to remedy the situation. I bet they would waive the restocking fee if there are manufacturing errors in the stock. Usually restock fees are to keep wishy washy buyers from sending stuff back just because they changed their mind.

Jason

 

[4v50 Gary]

Call them and explain that you recieved a product which doesn't look like your other Macmillan stocks. Explain the defects without saying "defect" so as not to put them on the defensive. Ask them what can be done and if they offer a replacement, ask them then if there's any fees. If there are, start haggling (whining) about it.

 

[ants]

Before you call, read the warranty.
Make sure of your rights, and make sure you understand McMillan's rights and responsibilities under the warranty.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I think you should have called them before you even posted.

 

[SRMohawk]

Marshall,
All due respect, have you ever talked to those people? They're NOT reasonable! I mean, as soon as you even suggest that they've made an error of the slightest, they 'engage the warp drive' to an ultra-defensive position, apparently attempting to make the customer feel as though he's the problem. I mean, even ordering a stock from them in the first place can be such an ordeal. Unless you're calling from an office in the Pentagon, they treat you like you're nothing more than a necessary evil. Seriously, their customer service stinks!

Still, this A-4 they sent me is crap. I tell ya, if they weren't the ONLY real game in town, I'd be purchasing my stocks from someone else!

 

[Gator]

I think you should have called them before you even posted.

If they react like you are expecting you'll then have a valid complaint.

 

[Dave P]

All due respect, have you ever talked to those people?


Then just write a tasteful note, and send the stock back. Be sure you explicitly state that you want a completely new stock.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

They should make it right, including shipping BOTH ways. I'd bet they will.

 

[taliv]

srmohawk, are you saying they've screwed up other stocks you've ordered from them and you've personally had to call them to fix it? if so, did they fix it last time you called?

 

[MMCSRET]

Also, talk to your credit card co. about reversing the charge. that action seems to get peoples attention!!!!!

 

[Horsemany]

I don't blame you for posting before calling McMillan. They shouldn't ever put out products of the quality you describe. That alone is noteworthy. I'd guess you know the company better than most other posters on this thread since you've bought so much from them for so long. I'd suggest a phone call to McMillan and then a call to the C.C. company if McMillan doesn't make it right. Good luck.

 

[dirtyjim]

Keep in mind, the people at McMillan are prideful and NEVER admit to making mistakes. They charge 15% restocking fees on all returned stocks, in fact. I don't know what they'd say to me if I told 'em they sent me a crap stock and that I want another one made to the same specs on the fly.

i've heard the exact opposite & the few people i've met who weren't happy with their mcmillan stocks were put to the front of the line to get the problem fixed. the 15% restocking fee does not apply on a defective product only if you change your mind & return a good stock. because of the wait on a micmillan if someone does receive a stock & decide they would rather have a differnt model they have no problem selling it for the full purchase price.

 

[SRMohawk]

Someone above posed the question as to just exactly what kind of problems I've had with McMillan in the past. Well, for the purposes of illustration, I share with all one instance in which they've been a real thorn in my side. Last year I ordered another A-4 from them. I wanted it made with full-length glass fiber fill and painted in desert tan. But the lady taking my order starting getting all indignant, telling me I was asking for something that couldn't be done. She made me feel like I was some crazy, dumb redneck. Ultimately, I came to find out that Navy Special Ops and the USMC both order all their stocks the exact same way -- with full length glass fiber fill and painted desert tan! So after about 5 phone calls and a alot of argument, they made my stock for me. Then when it was delivered, the mag well cutaway for the M5 Badger Ordnance floorplate was off (i.e. too long by about a half-inch). This wasn't even noticed by me initially. My riflesmith caught it and brought it to my attention the day I delivered the stock to him. We called McMillan right there from his shop and they gave us so much crap, Pete (my riflesmith) ended up telling me to just hang up and he would make some compensations in the project for the deficeit. What he ended up doing was building up the stock in the area in question. The rifle came out really nice, no thanks to McMillan.

This time around, however, I'm sending this stock back with a detailed note as to why. Whether they'll manufacture a new stock for me altogether, I don't know. But I sure would love to see that.

 

[SRMohawk]

Well boys, I sent the stock back the week before last with a rather detailed note as to why. I was hoping they'd call me and offer to remedy the situation. But they didn't. Guess they're just too busy to bother with the 'little man', even if I have been a loyal customer for ten years now (I've purchased 6 or 7 stocks from them in that time). They just credited the full amount originally charged for the item back to my credit card. And seein' that they keep such good records, I'm sure there'll be a 'DO NOT SERVE' note attached to my file forever.