USFA Customer Service

[Virginia Gentleman]

  I have read on another board that one guy pruchased two new blued and cc USFAs.  One of them was perfect and the other was clearly from the picture, defective from improper case color polishing and there was rust on the hammer.  He was complaining that USFA was making him pay for shipping both ways and that they didn't seem too eager to help him.  If any USFA representative is reading this, I strongly urge you all to help him, even if it means eating the shipping. The bad rap that COLT has gotten stems not just from the problems with their SAA in fit and finish, but the lack of customer service to fix the guns.  I would hate to see USFA start to get that reputation.  I don't know the whole story, but if I was sent a gun that looked like that I'd be calling USFA to demand that it be made right and not at my expense.

[Doc Sunrise]

I find this amazing since any service I have required from USFA, they were very cooperative and helpful.  I have seen bloopers once and a while, but when brought to their attention they have always been outstanding.

[Arcey]

Doc, can ya give us a particular instance?  A good customer service experience ya've had with 'em.

Like ta think revolvers as expensive a USFA wouldn't be delivered with any problems or flaws at all.  Guess anyone can have a Monday mornin' though.

[Banjoman]

VG,
Give me a hint where to find that post. 
Banjoman

[SAAJim]

Hi Gary,
Still lovin' my Rodeo's. Here's a link to that post over on the Sixgunner forum - http://forums.sixgunner.com/USFA_vs_Colt_3rd_Gen%25/m_77673/tm.htm. It's near the bottom. Mike454 was the guy with the problem.

Jim

[Doc Sunrise]

Arcey

I purchased a premium SAA from an FFL's showroom that had one of the screws with tooling marks that I wasn't happy with, an after a call to USFA, a bag of screws was sent to me. 

I had 2 revolvers that were recalled for what everyone believed was frame issues.  They were picked up, shipped, frames replaced, and shipped back at absolutely no expense to me.

After buying a gunslinger, the box it had come in had a tear in it, and I wasn't totally satisfied with the hand compared to what I do expect from USFA, after my call to USFA, a new box was sent at no cost, and USFA requested that I send the gun back at their cost so that the hand could be replaced.  I decided to hold onto it after I was able to clean up the hand myself.  USFA offered that if I wasn't satisfied, to send it back at their cost.

Finally, a Rodeo I ordered did not come with a case colored hammer, and USFA offered the choice of sending me a hammer, or have me send the Rodeo back at their cost.  I elected to install the hammer myself.

I would say after purchasing 15 USFA guns, that is a pretty good record since I am one of the pickiest people on earth when it comes to SAA's.  USFA has always returned phone calls within a day to any of my inquiries about service.  They have always taken care of my concerns, and have always offered choices when possible.  Banjoman and USFA are absolutely held in the highest regards from me.

I have noticed over the last couple of years that their product's quality has increased.  Internal polishing and fitting has definitely improved, and their grip maker/fitter is at the high of his game.  My 15 USFA guns have either one piece walnut, two piece walnut, ivory, aged Tru ivory, or hard rubber grips, and all are absolutely perfect.  When your hand feels like it is melting into the curves of a woman, you know the grips are well fitted.   

USFA's apparent commitment to quality and care in the manufacturing of truly American guns will always keep me a loyal and supportive customer.  My experience after 15 guns and 8 more on order allows me to say I find it amazing that someone has a problem that USFA is not willing to address.

[Arcey]

Sure sounds as if they're treatin' ya right, Doc.

Thankee for passin' that along.

[Banjoman]

I've been on both sides of the counter so here are some comments about customer service.

1. If you receive a gun that doesn't meet your order specs, (4 3/4" barrel instead of a 5 1/2", 2-piece walnut instead of 1 piece walnut, etc.) don't go out and shoot the gun then decide since it wasn't what you ordered  ask for a replacement.   Any gun that doesn't meet your order specs gets a Fed Ex tag at our expense. 

2.  If you still buy a new gun at a dealer that has rings around the cylinder, don't just assume it's a timiing problem.   This recently happened and our research showed the gun had been at the dealer for over 2 years.   The timing was fine so we can all speculate how the rings got there.

3.  If you get a gun that you feel has a cosmetic flaw deal with the problem immediately.  Don't let it ride to see if you can live with it or see if it will go away.  In some cases it's easier and cheaper to replace a blem gun then it is to re-finish.  If you shoot it, or take an excessive amount of time to get it back, you've taken away some options. 

[Arcey]

That's interestin', Banjo.

I'm curious.  What's done with the blems? I'm a shooter, not a collector. Function means more to me than looks. Over the years mine have been beaten all ta heck 'n they show it.  That includes a clone once belonging to a friend who passed a couple years ago.  Hate to use it because I know it's gonna get the same treatment when the clock starts but I don't think he'd want me to leave it in the safe while I lug others to the games either.  Shot it last Saturday.

Are the cosmetic blems offered for resale at a reasonable price?  Most us old folks have seen Used Cars go to 'Previously Owned' 'n I just heard a commercial describin' them as 'Previously Loved'.  I don't buy used cars, only new.  A perfectly functionin' clone with a mark or two on it someone else shot first wouldn't bother me any if the deal was good.  Different matter than a car or truck.

[Doc Sunrise]

Just for clarification I do shoot, and I also enjoy collecting.  I do enjoy tucking away a few that are left completely pristine for my family's collection, but I also love shooting.  Almost every two weeks my Rodeo .45 Colt, Sig 220 .45 ACP, Freedom Arms .41 Mag., and my Browning Over/Under Sweet 16 gets a work out.  I know I do not put my Rodeo through the kind of shooting that a gun goes through in a CAS shoot, but I know it will when I get around to it.  I have had weekends where up to 600 rounds went through my Rodeo without a hitch.  I am convinced.  Just like my Sig, it has gone through several tactical shoots where I shot as high as 1200 rounds in three days, without one hiccup.  In several thousand rounds so far, it has never had a hiccup.  The darn thing shoots everything from cheap to expensive and everything in between.  That is why I sleep very comfortably at night. 

I am also very proud of my collection which has only a few really interesting peices, and I will be the first one to say I have a few USFA SAA's that are so beautiful, I cannot bring myself to shoot them, but I also know they are built to and could.  Just for clarification! 

[Arcey]

For clarification, I shoot cowboy for recreation 'n to be around folks I don't get ta see but a couple three times a month.  I shoot Glocks for real.  Just finished a hundred rounds to be shot at the indoor range tomorrow like I do almost every week.  An hour is about all we get then us old retired folks walk down to the deli for lunch.  Makes for a nice mornin'.  All I have to do now is decide which one to shoot.

I don't own anything I won't play with.  Ain't it a fun hobby?

[Doc Sunrise]

Arcey,

It's a good hobby either way.

Hey, what's the story about this Black Creek you mentioned?  I want to check out the CAS thing but I have no idea where to start.  I am hoping to finally have enough time I can leave town without major issues from work because there is nothing up my area.

 

[Arcey]

We've gotten way off topic, Doc.  I'll send ya a PM.