My New Fusion 1911 and Experience

[Olympus]

I just wanted to take some time and share some photos of my new Fusion 1911 and provide my experience. This is basically just to provide any potential buyers or future buyers with an actual account from someone who had a full custom Fusion built.

I ordered my Fusion in early May of last year. That's when I sent my deposit, along with the specs for how I wanted my gun built. I was told that the build would take 6 months. I received my gun yesterday. Actual time from when I sent my deposit was about 10 1/2 months. I did NOT make any design changes during the course of production that would have lengthened the overall timeframe.

I had concerns from the beginning. About 3 or 4 months after placing my order, I emailed Bob to make a small change on the gun. I wanted to switch the fiber optic front sight color from green to red. I emailed and Bob sent an updated invoice with the corrected front sight color. When I looked at the invoice, it was for a completely different customer's gun. I immediately called and explained that Bob made the correction to someone else's gun invoice. He said he corrected the mistake.

About at the 6 month mark, I emailed Bob again and asked how the progress was for my gun. He emailed back and said it was almost done and asked that I send a copy of my FFL. So I send the copy and reply back asking to see if he can send me photos. He then replies asking which gun was mine again. I was like, ***? How did you just tell me my gun was almost ready and then immediately ask me which gun was mine again? So I reply back and tell him about my gun. His response was essentially, sorry, I got your gun mixed up with another customer's gun (again) and that mine wasn't nearly ready. So I went back to waiting.

More time went by and I'd send an email asking how it was going. I would not get a response. I'd one wait one more week then send another email, followed by a phone call.

Finally, I got email on a Saturday saying that my gun was done and the email included the photos I'm posting here. FINALLY, I thought. So I call Bob promptly on the following Monday morning and give him my credit card info to pay for the remaining balance. He said that he'll get the gun boxed up and shipped out to me. So I'm pumped! I'm watching for the UPS/FedEx man to show up all week. Surprise, surprise...nothing shows up all week long. So I wait until the next Monday, a week after I gave my credit card info, and try to call Bob first thing that morning about what's taking so long. No answer and I leave a message. I get an email reply about 4pm that day saying that it was being packaged and would be shipping out the next day (What the heck has it been doing the whole week before?). So I'm expecting 2nd day air like most handguns are shipped. I'm thinking it should be here by Thursday. Nope, nothing on Thursday. Ok, no big deal. It will be here by Friday for sure. Friday comes and goes and nothing arrives either. Then on Saturday, my regular mail carrier comes to the door with a package for me. My Fusion gun shipped regular USPS Priority Mail in a flat rate box. Looking at my gun invoice, I was charged $48 for shipping and the flat rate shipping box was $13 and some change.

After inspecting my pistol, I was moderately pleased. One pretty large thing was not done like I had requested. I requested the slide to have a flat top and I wanted the fine serrations with reveal. Then gun has the fine serrations with reveal, but top of the slide is not a flat top, it's rounded.

So I guess the moral of the story is that my experience was not ideal. It was not exactly pleasant, it was not exactly easy. Bob Serva at Fusion did not make me feel like my satisfaction was his goal. At best, his attitude to me seemed very lackadaisical and indifferent. The gun took a lot longer than I was originally told. Communication was sporadic and borderline poor. The finished product, while it appears to be a fine piece of craftsmanship, was not exactly 100% like I had ordered. It is what is. I can certainly say that I won't be going out of my way to recommend Fusion to any of my friends. While I'm not 100% thrilled with my purchase, I'm not angry either. I'm just kind of resigned I guess. I still got a great gun that was almost exactly like I wanted. It took longer than I expected, but it's here now and I'll be shooting it and enjoying it. I wont' be going out of my way to tell others not to do business with Fusion, but I also won't be recommending them to friends. I'm basically neutral in my feelings. My purpose in this thread is not to vent, not start an argument, not to cry about being treated poorly, or anything negative at all. I just wanted to provide the absolute facts about my experience with my build so that a potential buyer can get more information other than sunshine and rainbow reviews. I understand that my situation may be uncommon and I understand that there are a lot of happy Fusion owners as well. So my experience should not be the sole basis for someone deciding one way or another.

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-2_zps13f5cdd9.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-2_zps13f5cdd9.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-7_zpsd80a05af.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-7_zpsd80a05af.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-9_zps1495ae6e.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-9_zps1495ae6e.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-10_zps36c75a2a.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-10_zps36c75a2a.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-13_zps392e3035.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-13_zps392e3035.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-18_zps1de0640b.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-18_zps1de0640b.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-17_zps3fb7bb77.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-17_zps3fb7bb77.jpg.html)

http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy151/brownscustomgrips/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-16_zps0f7559e3.jpg (http://s787.photobucket.com/user/brownscustomgrips/media/Fusion%2010mm/AdamBPro-S2-toneEliteXL-16_zps0f7559e3.jpg.html)

[milkmanjoe]

Thanks for the input. I had read only good things about them. Which can be a problem cause alot of people don't post like you did when things go awry.
I remember when I was in business and had tooooooo much work. I was working 100 hours a week trying to keep up and make $$$. Finally I picked and chose my jobs......less stress for me, better quality for customer.

[Xbonz]

Congrats on the new pistol. Hopefully it's worth the wait and aggravation. Nonetheless, she sure is pretty..

Have you contacted Fusion with your concerns? I would recommend sending a copy of this post to them so they can get a grasp on how their business practices affect their business.

[MajO]

Congratulations on your new pistol. It's a shame you had the experience you did with Fusion.

[Sheepdog]

Congrats on the new gun. I hope she shoots as good as she looks. I have had limited experience with Fussion. Poor quality parts. To quote one of our other members. "Friends don't let friends buy Fussion's"

[Olympus]

Thanks fellas. The main 1911 forum doesn't allow posts that could be interpreted as "grievances", so I thought it best not even post this over there. And since Bob Serva can moderate his own subsection, the post might even get deleted altogether. I'm not trying to start any problems or air out any dirty laundry. I'm not dissatisfied or unhappy. I'm just less than impressed with the process and communication for the kind of money that I spent on this gun.

I had probably 6 to 8 members on the main 1911 forum send me PMs about their experiences which were very similar to mine. It seems like only good things can be mentioned on the other forum, so I know I'm not alone. But when it warms up, I'm hoping to try this gun out and hopefully it will perform well.

One thing I did notice when I did my first disassembly, was that the recoil spring would not come off the guide rod. I'm sure I can get it off if I spend a little more time with it, but a good firm pull wouldn't budge the spring from the guide rod.

[Riverpigusmc]

I'd want the difference back in shipping costs...that's nonsense.

[Olympus]

Congrats on the new gun. I hope she shoots as good as she looks. I have had limited experience with Fussion. Poor quality parts. To quote one of our other members. "Friends don't let friends buy Fussion's"

To be completely honest, quality to quality, I don't see any difference between this gun and any of the Dan Wessons I own. The only difference is that I got to design the gun from the ground up exactly as I wanted it in the caliber that I wanted. So that was worth a lot to me and that's why I originally went with Fusion.

Knowing what I know now, I might have been able to buy a DW Razorback 10mm and have Severns or another reputable gunsmith modify it to be exactly like this gun. I just don't know if that would have been more expensive and/or more time consuming.

[Olympus]

I'd want the difference back in shipping costs...that's nonsense.

Right off the bat, that immediately didn't sit well with me. But now it's more of a principle thing. The price difference in the shipping is $35. Considering the cost of the gun, that's pretty insignificant. But the sheer principle of it really left a bad taste in my mouth. Don't charge someone the cost of shipping 2nd day air when you turn around and ship USPS in a flat rate box. The $35 extra that he made from that wasn't NEARLY worth the affect it had on my opinion of Fusion.

[skosh69]

Thanks for the write up! As others have said, sorry to hear of your negative experience. I hope my experience with the Les Baer I ordered goes a whole lot smoother.

Don't take this the wrong way, but your Fusion looks similar to what my Kimber CDP used to:

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l538/skosh1/Kimber006_zps018600db.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/skosh1/media/Kimber006_zps018600db.jpg.html)

[Grouse]

I have had work done by many different gun smiths. The 2 week, 3 month, 6 month time estimates are almost always 1/2 what it ends up being, if not 1/3rd.

[Caleb]

I have never ordered a custom made gun so, I have no say with that. Allto, customer service is customer service. Were you charged for the flat top machining? If so, I would at least send an email about it. Just my $0.02

On a bright side...that is a beautiful pistol you got there!

[douglas_knott]

You mentioned the F word? Hail Caeser will be along shortly. His experience wasnt pleasant either.

[Olympus]

The reverse two-tone is the overall scheme I was looking for. Kimber, Sig, S&W, and Para all make models in that scheme. I think the CDP is an alloy frame.

[Olympus]

Well, it turns out there is more to the Fusion saga. I just received my credit card statement in the mail today, the statement that included my final payment for my gun. I typically just pay the bill and throw the statement away, but I thought I better look it over just in case there was a problem. And who would have guessed, but there was!

Judging by my credit card statement, Bob Serva overcharged me by $57.90. I just called and left him a voicemail about this. I also sent an email. We'll see what the malfunction is this time. What a PITA this process has been. Never again....

[titanse05]

You certainly aren't the only one that is less than impressed with Fusion and the purchasing process. I have a Fusion that I bought on GB for $1200 and sent it in to Fusion for some additional work. I also sent my Heritage to add some serrations to the front strap. The work was priced very fairly and both we're returned to me in a timely manner (albeit two weeks later than initially quoted). Bob responded to my emails in a timely manner as well. My experience was positive but it seems I'm in minority online.

All of that being said, you have a nice Fusion there and I like the top serrations. Beautiful pistol!


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4

[Olympus]

Well, just got an email response from Bob. He sends me a new invoice and says that this is the one they were working off last. In looking at the invoice, I found that there was a charge for $57.90 for two additional mags. The thing is that I never requested two additional mags, ever, during the course of the build. And I did not receive two additional magazines when the gun was shipped to me. So my best guess is that some other customer requested two mags and the cost got added to my build instead of someone else's.

I replied back to Bob, explaining this exact thing to him. I also attached a copy of the last invoice sheet that he emailed me....clearly showing the REAL remaining balance and clearly showing that there was never an extra $57.90 charge for two additional magazines. I asked that my credit card be refunded the $57.90. We'll see how this plays out.

[Riverpigusmc]

Man, this whole deal sucks purple possum pecker. Thank the Lord for Wilson Combat CS

BTW...do you know someone who can make grips for your new pistol? :p

[Lonestar grips.]

you got a very nice pistol, that being said it wasn't what you ordered, took much longer to build than he said and he charged you extra for the shipping and for two Mag's you didn't ask for or even get, if it was me i'd demand a refund and warn everyone who'll listen not to buy from Bob Serva, a mistake or two is one thing but this F**k up shouldn't even be in business.

[Olympus]

Thanks fellas. I told him I expected a refund. If not, I'll dispute the charge with my credit card company.

He replied and said they made an error and they would get me a refund. We'll see. They usually don't get in any hurry with anything.

[BadOscar]

Bob Serva era DW's were such a legendary bargain for the quality firearms they were. I would argue that for the price and quality you got there was none better at the time. It's sad really how his story has turned out.

[milkmanjoe]

I would sell the gun, hopefully for a profit. I had a similar experience with the one new car I ordered. And I sold it. Ain't what I wanted, then I don't want it. I'm not about to talk myself into liking something I didn't want.
But that's just me.

I'll give ya tree hunnert bucks for that gun tomorrow since now you hate it so badly.;)

[Olympus]

Not sure what happened to my earlier post. But my credit card was charged $57.90 extra than it should have been. Turns out I was charged for 2 extra mags that I neither requested nor received. They must have tacked someone else's mags on my bill. Supposed to be refunding the extra money. We will see how long it takes.

[semiller1911]

That is a Beautiful Piece! Congratulations!

[girphoto]

HI
Bob Server builds great guns

he has built two for me over the past 5 years
One is a 1911 Commander Slide with an Officer Lower and and extra 38 Super Barrel/Bushing.
One great carry gun with a rounded butt (hay all Butts are round...funny)

The other was a 2011 in 38 Super that started off as a Limited gun..but one that I had re-built by one of the top 2011 competition builders into a 38 Super Race Gun)

Photos to follow

Good Luck with your Fusion...The more you shoot it the better it gets


My Fusion :

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/b6e070cb.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/b6e070cb.jpg.html)


http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/f75e93da.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/f75e93da.jpg.html)

NOW THESE PHOTOS ARE DIRTY SO YOU MUST BE OF AGE


http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/FUSIONG101.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/FUSIONG101.jpg.html)

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/FUSIONG102-1.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/FUSIONG102-1.jpg.html)

THE 2011 IN THE RAW

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/PortsSlide-2.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/PortsSlide-2.jpg.html)


THE 2011 AS A LIMITED GUN

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/GaryGreenHornetXL-3x.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/GaryGreenHornetXL-3x.jpg.html)

AND THE 2011 AS THE GREEN HORNET RACE GUN (REBUILT)

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/GH1.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/GH1.jpg.html)


http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae326/girphoto/GH4.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/girphoto/media/GH4.jpg.html)


Fusion is a great builder!

GaryR

[Olympus]

I agree, he definitely does build a great gun.

However, his customer service is poor. This communication is sporadic. And his business seems very unorganized.

There are a lot of other companies who build guns that are just as good that do not have the problems that Bob has. This will definitely be my only Fusion. The experience was enough that I won't be rolling the dice again. I'll be trying somebody new for the next custom.

[girphoto]

I agree, he definitely does build a great gun.

However, his customer service is poor. This communication is sporadic. And his business seems very unorganized.

There are a lot of other companies who build guns that are just as good that do not have the problems that Bob has. This will definitely be my only Fusion. The experience was enough that I won't be rolling the dice again. I'll be trying somebody new for the next custom.


Well, In defense of Bob, sometimes he is a little slow on getting back to folks...He usually gets to his calls and e-mail in the evening.
I have gotten to know Bob over the years and he really is one of the good guys in this business.

Being in the custom Glock Business I now how hard it isa to get back to shoots right away and answer all question right there and then when they are asked..
That being said, if his accounting department (which is no different than any other accounting department) screwed up you billing than I am sure if he said it would be fixed, then it would be fixed.

You might not know but the company is thinking of moving out of New York State to a more gun friendly state with almost 2-3 time the space that he now has.

So, all I can say is that you do have a fine gun there and I would not offer you $300 for it, but might go as far as $350 (funny,funny) .Really keep smiling and keep shooting...move to a warm climate and then yo can shoot all day..

GaryR

[Olympus]

He needs to focus more on his organization. This experience was enough to keep me from ever buying another Fusion. He's not the only name in the game. I'll try somebody else for my next custom gun.

[douglas_knott]

He needs to focus more on his organization. This experience was enough to keep me from ever buying another Fusion. He's not the only name in the game. I'll try somebody else for my next custom gun.

I don't blame you.