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.
