New Firearms and Me

1972RedNeck · May 1, 2025, 10:51 AM

Pretty sure I'm cursed when it comes to new firearms. More than half of the new firearms I have purchased have had problems and had to make a trip back to the manufacturer. Light primer strikes. Feeding problems. Now a loose stock.

Brand new 1895 Winchester in 30-06. Nice rifle. But the butt stock is loose. Can't tighten the screws enough to get it tight. Never dealt with Winchester support. Hopefully a positive experience as it has been with Sig, S&W, and Ruger.

Am I just cursed or do the majority of "name brand" firearms have problems right from the get go?

Kinda getting tired of it. Starting to prefer the old well worn firearms because they obviously worked well enough to become well worn...

stagpanther · May 1, 2025, 11:02 AM

I bought a new model 70 a few years ago and was disappointed in the obvious defects in manufacturing; but I had shot my hand loads through it so I didn't even bother trying to return it. They've gone through some convolutions of what is made where in recent years I believe.

pete2 · May 1, 2025, 11:47 AM

Yep, I'm more surprised if a new gun is good than if it's bad. I won't buy another S&W revolver, they all have something wrong with them. Also disappointed with Ruger, SA. Kimber, and prolly some other company.

JasonD67 · May 1, 2025, 01:38 PM

It’s not you, it’s the gun industry I believe. In the last 3 years I’ve had to return 3 brand new handguns (Ruger, Glock, and a Walther) due to reliability issues. They were all found to be defective by the manufacturer and returned to me in proper working order.

It’s like the US auto industry in the 70’s: let the consumer be responsible for the final QA.

NHSHOOTER · May 1, 2025, 09:00 PM

I have bought a few new rifles in the past ten or so years, Tikka, Browning xbolt x2, Weatherby Vanguard 243 and 7-08, Not 1 issue with any of those I am very happy to say, my most recent was a Browning xbolt in 308 and within 20 rounds it has been shooting 1/2 in 5 shot groups quite consistently.

eastbank · May 2, 2025, 05:58 AM

i will not buy any fire arms i can,t look at up close. i,v bought several on line that were dogs and even tho most were repaired or taken back, it always cost me money and time.

jetinteriorguy · May 2, 2025, 06:30 AM

I’ve only ever bought three firearms on line in the last 40 years and had an issue with one. My AK47 from Shotgun News back in the 80’s through an FFL friend, my Stoner AR47 from Midway, and an AR10 in 6.5 CM. The AR10 went back due to machine marks in the chamber marking up the brass but otherwise accurate and functioned fine. They polished the chamber and sent it back and all has been fine since.

ligonierbill · May 2, 2025, 08:19 AM

I have purchased 5 new firearms online in the last few years, 4 from Bud's and one through a local FFL. Not a single problem: Ruger, Henry, CZ (Huglu), and Savage. So I guess I've ducked the curse. But I will say probably the smoothest, best shooting, and most reliable rifle I own is a Winchester 1892 first year production. And John Moses hustled that design to complete with Marlin.

olduser · May 4, 2025, 06:29 PM

About 10 years ago I purchased a NIB Marlin Cowboy Limited in 45 Colt. I had a good supply of ammo so I just shot the gun for about 6 months until my supply of 45 Colt was getting low. When i started to size cases from the rifle it was obvious that the guns chamber was over size and egg shaped. It was almost impossible to get the cases sized. Called Marlin and their first reply asked the question "Will the gun chamber, fire and eject factory ammunition?" The answer was yes and Marlin said no warranty problem to resolve.

May 1, 2025, 11:02 AM	#2
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 12,973	I bought a new model 70 a few years ago and was disappointed in the obvious defects in manufacturing; but I had shot my hand loads through it so I didn't even bother trying to return it. They've gone through some convolutions of what is made where in recent years I believe. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

May 1, 2025, 11:47 AM	#3
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,610	Yep, I'm more surprised if a new gun is good than if it's bad. I won't buy another S&W revolver, they all have something wrong with them. Also disappointed with Ruger, SA. Kimber, and prolly some other company.

May 1, 2025, 01:38 PM	#4
JasonD67 Member Join Date: February 17, 2021 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 21	It’s not you, it’s the gun industry I believe. In the last 3 years I’ve had to return 3 brand new handguns (Ruger, Glock, and a Walther) due to reliability issues. They were all found to be defective by the manufacturer and returned to me in proper working order. It’s like the US auto industry in the 70’s: let the consumer be responsible for the final QA.

May 1, 2025, 09:00 PM	#5
NHSHOOTER Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2012 Location: Concord NH Posts: 1,027	I have bought a few new rifles in the past ten or so years, Tikka, Browning xbolt x2, Weatherby Vanguard 243 and 7-08, Not 1 issue with any of those I am very happy to say, my most recent was a Browning xbolt in 308 and within 20 rounds it has been shooting 1/2 in 5 shot groups quite consistently.

May 2, 2025, 05:58 AM	#6
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,512	i will not buy any fire arms i can,t look at up close. i,v bought several on line that were dogs and even tho most were repaired or taken back, it always cost me money and time.

May 2, 2025, 06:30 AM	#7
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,476	I’ve only ever bought three firearms on line in the last 40 years and had an issue with one. My AK47 from Shotgun News back in the 80’s through an FFL friend, my Stoner AR47 from Midway, and an AR10 in 6.5 CM. The AR10 went back due to machine marks in the chamber marking up the brass but otherwise accurate and functioned fine. They polished the chamber and sent it back and all has been fine since.

May 2, 2025, 08:19 AM	#8
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,648	I have purchased 5 new firearms online in the last few years, 4 from Bud's and one through a local FFL. Not a single problem: Ruger, Henry, CZ (Huglu), and Savage. So I guess I've ducked the curse. But I will say probably the smoothest, best shooting, and most reliable rifle I own is a Winchester 1892 first year production. And John Moses hustled that design to complete with Marlin.

May 4, 2025, 06:29 PM	#9
olduser Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2020 Posts: 115	About 10 years ago I purchased a NIB Marlin Cowboy Limited in 45 Colt. I had a good supply of ammo so I just shot the gun for about 6 months until my supply of 45 Colt was getting low. When i started to size cases from the rifle it was obvious that the guns chamber was over size and egg shaped. It was almost impossible to get the cases sized. Called Marlin and their first reply asked the question "Will the gun chamber, fire and eject factory ammunition?" The answer was yes and Marlin said no warranty problem to resolve.