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24 Posts
that bites! sorry to hear about your probs
ELK RIVER TOOL AND DIE
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17 Posts
I own Elk River
I am not very happy with what has been said about me and my company. I have been very honest with every one who I/we deal with.
We charged accordingly for assembling and finishing a virgin kit.
There was damage to the carrier and the cover, not the bolt that I saw when it came back and I was very pissed off!!! We paid for shipping both ways, replaced everything that was asked to be replaced and more. There wasn't a problem with the head space, I checked it and test fired it before any work was redone.
jmon1490, I can understand being upset I was under the impression that you were happy with your pistol but if there is an ongoing problem it needs to be addressed in order for it to be resolved. I stand behind every job that goes out the door regardless of the circumstance! I would even replace the pistol if that was what would reconcile the problem because that's who I am, I stand behind all work performed.
Hightower, you know me. The reason why you went to Andre is because he was less expensive. I can't blame you for that.
I would never allow anyone to go away unhappy as I was with Gucci-cono to the tune of $6K. I had over $15K there before I retrieved most of my things back that were mostly unsalvagable. I KNOW HOW IT IS TO GET TAKEN!!!
I also lost a complete Romanian 7.62x39 PSL barreled action and parts to Mike Prewitt at MSC before Gucci-cono. This is why I have a full lifetime warranty that follows the rifle, if you are not happy for what ever reason it will be resolved.
Jimmy Streetman and Ron Yates DO NOT WORK FOR ELK RIVER TOOL AND DIE THEY NEVER HAVE OR WILL!!!!
When I purchased the assets of Armory USA not Global Trades, I kept the employees that were here. I was very shocked with the quality of work they were putting out and had to have a complete review of the assembly process even to the point of classes. I ended up firing some and some quit because they didn't want to change from the old Armory ways. I even repaired rifles for free that I never even had a thing to do with because this is who I am and what I stand for....does anyone else?
It has been a "hard row to hoe" since I left Montana (please forgive me God) to come here, everything from stamping presses, cnc machines, spot welders, bad heat treating, employees, wife, exwife etc., etc. yet I have never fogotten why I do this. It isn't for the money, I make half of what I made in Montana doing the same thing. It's for the love of the rifle and the desire to see as many people have a quality receiver and rifle that they can depend on, as possible.
Every week I deal with my wife, ex-wife, 4 living children 3 who live in Canada, my son who died 3 years ago and only lived for 1 and a half hours, 13 employees, the 6 lines of phone ringing, questions are answered no matter how stupid they may seem, walk in custumers are taken care of, atleast 30-40 rifles are returned to their owners, receivers are finished and sold, 200 rifles are refinished for distributers, this is every week.
If anyone has a problem with a rifle that has been assembled here they need to let us know so it can be taken care of, again this is how I do business.
I've run off 3 other genius gunsmiths. In January I hired Cody Baker-15 year AK gunsmith, Santiago Perez-13 year AK gunsmith and Jack Ryan- 6 years AK gunsmith from RPG who all used to work for Arsenal USA. Along with Keith we have the most knowledge and qualifications than any other shop, period!
I challenge anyone who wants to stand in my shoes and tell me how it's done to come try! Then you can tell me how bad a shop I run and for all the very many other great customers, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL BUSINESS!!!
I am a Marine, this ship is MY ship. IT WILL NOT SINK!!
Semper Fi
Hector E Bennett
President
Elk River Tool and Die, Inc.
I am not very happy with what has been said about me and my company. I have been very honest with every one who I/we deal with.
We charged accordingly for assembling and finishing a virgin kit.
There was damage to the carrier and the cover, not the bolt that I saw when it came back and I was very pissed off!!! We paid for shipping both ways, replaced everything that was asked to be replaced and more. There wasn't a problem with the head space, I checked it and test fired it before any work was redone.
jmon1490, I can understand being upset I was under the impression that you were happy with your pistol but if there is an ongoing problem it needs to be addressed in order for it to be resolved. I stand behind every job that goes out the door regardless of the circumstance! I would even replace the pistol if that was what would reconcile the problem because that's who I am, I stand behind all work performed.
Hightower, you know me. The reason why you went to Andre is because he was less expensive. I can't blame you for that.
I would never allow anyone to go away unhappy as I was with Gucci-cono to the tune of $6K. I had over $15K there before I retrieved most of my things back that were mostly unsalvagable. I KNOW HOW IT IS TO GET TAKEN!!!
I also lost a complete Romanian 7.62x39 PSL barreled action and parts to Mike Prewitt at MSC before Gucci-cono. This is why I have a full lifetime warranty that follows the rifle, if you are not happy for what ever reason it will be resolved.
Jimmy Streetman and Ron Yates DO NOT WORK FOR ELK RIVER TOOL AND DIE THEY NEVER HAVE OR WILL!!!!
When I purchased the assets of Armory USA not Global Trades, I kept the employees that were here. I was very shocked with the quality of work they were putting out and had to have a complete review of the assembly process even to the point of classes. I ended up firing some and some quit because they didn't want to change from the old Armory ways. I even repaired rifles for free that I never even had a thing to do with because this is who I am and what I stand for....does anyone else?
It has been a "hard row to hoe" since I left Montana (please forgive me God) to come here, everything from stamping presses, cnc machines, spot welders, bad heat treating, employees, wife, exwife etc., etc. yet I have never fogotten why I do this. It isn't for the money, I make half of what I made in Montana doing the same thing. It's for the love of the rifle and the desire to see as many people have a quality receiver and rifle that they can depend on, as possible.
Every week I deal with my wife, ex-wife, 4 living children 3 who live in Canada, my son who died 3 years ago and only lived for 1 and a half hours, 13 employees, the 6 lines of phone ringing, questions are answered no matter how stupid they may seem, walk in custumers are taken care of, atleast 30-40 rifles are returned to their owners, receivers are finished and sold, 200 rifles are refinished for distributers, this is every week.
If anyone has a problem with a rifle that has been assembled here they need to let us know so it can be taken care of, again this is how I do business.
I've run off 3 other genius gunsmiths. In January I hired Cody Baker-15 year AK gunsmith, Santiago Perez-13 year AK gunsmith and Jack Ryan- 6 years AK gunsmith from RPG who all used to work for Arsenal USA. Along with Keith we have the most knowledge and qualifications than any other shop, period!
I challenge anyone who wants to stand in my shoes and tell me how it's done to come try! Then you can tell me how bad a shop I run and for all the very many other great customers, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUAL BUSINESS!!!
I am a Marine, this ship is MY ship. IT WILL NOT SINK!!
Semper Fi
Hector E Bennett
President
Elk River Tool and Die, Inc.
Joined
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3,241 Posts
Excellent response :thumbup1:
and a belated welcome to Houston.
P.S. All my exes do live in Texas
and a belated welcome to Houston.
P.S. All my exes do live in Texas
Joined
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15,189 Posts
THANKS FOR THE PERSONAL RESPONSE AND YOUR SIDE OF THINGS. IMOO IS RIGHT FOR YOU TO DO IT THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO THINGS. . I HOPE YOU STICK AROUND THIS SITE AND FROM TIME TO TIME HANG OUT AND PROVIDE YOUR INPUT ON WHAT EVER YOU FEEL. IM SURE YOUR BUSY BUT HEARING FROM ONE OF THE PLAYERS IN THIS INDUSTRY IS A GOOD THING. IM SURE THERE ARE MEMBERS HERE WHO HAVE MANY QUESTIONS. IM SURE YOUR ADVICE WOULD BE WELL TAKEN ESPECIALY ON THE INS AND OUT OF MANUFACTURING AND BUILDING AS WELL AS SOME OF THE LEGAL ASPECTS. WELCOME
Joined
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13,927 Posts
Elk River Tool & Die
I have been working with Elk River for over a year. Hector has been great...we discussed the assembly of six Tabuk Plus rifles...I supplied the parts and they, that is Keith, put them together just as we agreed...F I N E workmanship...excellent rifles...Each and every thing we discussed was done to my complete satisfaction...
I have been working with Elk River for over a year. Hector has been great...we discussed the assembly of six Tabuk Plus rifles...I supplied the parts and they, that is Keith, put them together just as we agreed...F I N E workmanship...excellent rifles...Each and every thing we discussed was done to my complete satisfaction...
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673 Posts
is that suppose to be a tabuk plus rifle?
that looks like a yugo with a tabuk muzzle brake on the end of the barrel and an ar-15 stock set on the other end. i never saw a tabuk rifle like that before.
er! thanks for the picture and i am real glad you got what you asked for and are happy about it.
it is hard to see the rest of the rifle in the picture to see what was else was done.......
Joined
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440 Posts
Bull dog thats a nice custom AK, It does differ considerably from any tabuk I have seen also. Still it is an interesting take on the Tabuk concept.
One man's perspective...
I've met Hector and Keith and had the tour of ERT&D. Stand up guys, both of them I'd say. Bulldog17 got exactly what he wanted from ERT&D. I have fired one of his rifles and the ammo is the limiting factor. The rifle is a quality piece of work. As soon as anyone shows up with a spec sheet for a standard Tabuk DMR, then we will all know what one really is. I have seen numerous variations photographed and from what I can tell, any style of AK/AKM is as much a Tabuk as all others. Some have PSO scopes, some have PSOP scopes, some have no scope, one even has an RPG sight cobbed on it. Some have long barrels w/slotted flash dispersers, some have what appears to be standard AK barrels and slant breaks. Front sight mounts have either round or oval lightening hole, usually. So, what makes it a Tabuk? Probably the number one factor is the trigger nut aiming it at you. About the only thing for certain is that none of us is likely to live long enough to be able to own a real one legally. We might be able to look at one through glass in a museum someday. Then, we'd know what that one looked like but we'd be no further along to having a standard definition because a Tabuk is firearms folk art from Iraq.
rr2241tx
I've met Hector and Keith and had the tour of ERT&D. Stand up guys, both of them I'd say. Bulldog17 got exactly what he wanted from ERT&D. I have fired one of his rifles and the ammo is the limiting factor. The rifle is a quality piece of work. As soon as anyone shows up with a spec sheet for a standard Tabuk DMR, then we will all know what one really is. I have seen numerous variations photographed and from what I can tell, any style of AK/AKM is as much a Tabuk as all others. Some have PSO scopes, some have PSOP scopes, some have no scope, one even has an RPG sight cobbed on it. Some have long barrels w/slotted flash dispersers, some have what appears to be standard AK barrels and slant breaks. Front sight mounts have either round or oval lightening hole, usually. So, what makes it a Tabuk? Probably the number one factor is the trigger nut aiming it at you. About the only thing for certain is that none of us is likely to live long enough to be able to own a real one legally. We might be able to look at one through glass in a museum someday. Then, we'd know what that one looked like but we'd be no further along to having a standard definition because a Tabuk is firearms folk art from Iraq.
rr2241tx
Joined
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26 Posts
I do not know anyone at this company. I have spoken with them over the phone several times and they seemed nice enough. I contracted them to build four rifles for me and out of the three that I have picked up, one will not fire a round (only a slight mark is left on the primer-incorrect headspace?), the bolt jams inside the receiver (Tantal),another rifle the bolt sticks in the open position (PMKMS) and well the third (PMKMS) I haven't even attempted to fire since I am afraid it could explode! The fourth (Tantal) was delivered to be built when the first three were picked up.
Yes they have a warranty and told us to bring them back and we will correct the problem while you wait. But my concern is how in the heck do you give the customer the finished product without a function test?
I spend a lot of time out of the country so I have not been able to go and have the rifles repaired. Although the final Tantal build is supposed to be ready and I hope to go and get everything fixed and pick up the new build.
Oh and did I mention I did not get my take off parts back when the rifles were delivered?
Hope to see you in a couple of days Elk River......do you have a drive through window for repairs?
Yes they have a warranty and told us to bring them back and we will correct the problem while you wait. But my concern is how in the heck do you give the customer the finished product without a function test?
I spend a lot of time out of the country so I have not been able to go and have the rifles repaired. Although the final Tantal build is supposed to be ready and I hope to go and get everything fixed and pick up the new build.
Oh and did I mention I did not get my take off parts back when the rifles were delivered?
Hope to see you in a couple of days Elk River......do you have a drive through window for repairs?
Joined
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673 Posts
Joined
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508 Posts
I purchased a couple of receivers from ert&d i opted for the tg install since the price was about the same as the going rate of a tg. The first receiver was the wrong caliber and the tg wasnt installed to my spec's. After emailing hector ,everything was taking care of to my satisfaction. He personally called me to apologize and to offer a resolution to the problem. He is a stand up guy in my book. When employees fail to perform properly, all an employer can do is fire them. Which i think he did. I would assume he has the same problem as a great many employers these days. Hard to find good help. I truely believe he is a man of his word and would do what it takes to make things right for his customers. Just my opinion. most young companys have growing pains Give a man a chance to make things right before you go all drama queen on the net.
Joined
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26 Posts
1. I gave them my kits and when it is all over about $1900 for their services. I expect to get what I pay for. I work for a living.
2. These kits were just built a couple months ago so I suppose they have hired addition incompetent help to replace the last bunch?
3. Email. Don't expect a speedy response from them. It takes weeks sometimes. I would be glad to show "Hector" the emails and how long it took to get a response. I live over four hours from Houston and most of my work is out of the country. So email is my main communication.
4. I don't know "Hector"from "Keith" for that matter. I am sure is a real nice guy, so you say. But I don't have his email address or phone to give him a call and chat about it.
5. Telephone them. Yes they answer, sometimes. And are real sweet and friendly. So am I. You catch more flys with honey than s**t.
6. Drama queen? Facts mister. These are facts, not something I just dreamed up and decided to post here. Everyone should know both the positive and negative of having work done with any and all vendors out there.
When my issues are corrected I will be glad to return here to this forum and post that feedback too. A pat on the back is deserved....just like a swift kick.
n467us Out............
Joined
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508 Posts
n467us you can use the pm feature from this forum that is how i contacted him
Joined
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26 Posts
Tried that my friend, but until you have 15 or more posts you cannot use that feature.
Joined
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508 Posts
surf a little im sure you can find a few things to comment on. hell hollar at 4th he loves to talk and is very amusing at times.
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13,512 Posts
Yo Bro...
Yup great ride down from Conn. My sister called me a fat, lazy, self centered S.O.B., inconsiderate, drunken, moron, did I say S.O.B.
All this while the kid was wacking me over the head with a plastic bat at 80 m.p.h. on rt.95.
No Sir. Sidelines. Not my dogfight.
No way. I am watching this one from the side lines.
Yup great ride down from Conn. My sister called me a fat, lazy, self centered S.O.B., inconsiderate, drunken, moron, did I say S.O.B.
All this while the kid was wacking me over the head with a plastic bat at 80 m.p.h. on rt.95.
No Sir. Sidelines. Not my dogfight.
Joined
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508 Posts
4th i guess i wasnt clear on my post i was telling him just general conversations to get his post count up. and that you were an interesting person to converse with. i would not pull you in the middle of this.of course i stand behind what i say. its bad when a man feels he has been screwed lord knows i have had my share. thats why i became a hands on guy. i figure why pay somebody to screw your stuff up when you can do it yourself for free.No way. I am watching this one from the side lines.
Yup great ride down from Conn. My sister called me a fat, lazy, self centered S.O.B., inconsiderate, drunken, moron, did I say S.O.B.
All this while the kid was wacking me over the head with a plastic bat at 80 m.p.h. on rt.95.
No Sir. Sidelines. Not my dogfight.
that way the only person i have to deal with is my wife and i can always hide in the garage from her until supper time
Joined
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115 Posts
I have been dealing with Elk River since February when I sent them a VZ-58 to build. I received it back in June (4 months) and had to return it as it did not feed properly and the muzzle brake was not attached.
I returned the rifle at my expense after one trip to the range, having figured out the feed problem (it needed the sear adjustment that all ORF sears need). The non-welded muzzle brake could have cost me all my guns and Hector's license if it had gone un-checked (there is absolutely no excuse for this lapse). The sear bevel is a well known issue and should not take a month to fix. A quick search of the boards and a phone call to ORF found the fix instructions.
Its been over a month since I returned the rifle and Stephanie has been very nice, but still no rifle.
I was going to send them another kit, but I have decided against doing repeat business with them.
I returned the rifle at my expense after one trip to the range, having figured out the feed problem (it needed the sear adjustment that all ORF sears need). The non-welded muzzle brake could have cost me all my guns and Hector's license if it had gone un-checked (there is absolutely no excuse for this lapse). The sear bevel is a well known issue and should not take a month to fix. A quick search of the boards and a phone call to ORF found the fix instructions.
Its been over a month since I returned the rifle and Stephanie has been very nice, but still no rifle.
I was going to send them another kit, but I have decided against doing repeat business with them.
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