Will I get holiday visitation with my new Commander

MajO · #1 10-13-2011, 11:00 AM

I just got off the phone with a nice customer service representative at Colt. After being given a 4 month turn around time, I sent my new Night Commander in on May 25. I call monthly to check progress. (yes, I can be that much a pain in the a___) I have been told that the wait now is 6 months. For the last 2 months I have been told that the gun is "with the gunsmith." There is only "one" master gunsmith and I am told that he does his work in batches. i.e. all the mainspring housing in one week. How can a major firearm manuafacturer only have one master gunsmith? This does not speak well for Colt's commitment to customer service, after the sale. With a 6 month wait time, one would assume that there is enough work to keep two master gunsmith's employed.

I am having the collet bushing replaced and a gold dot installed in the front sight of my Colt Gold Cup (1986 mfg). (other work as discovered) Due to his fine reputation and my experience with the Custom Shop, I am sending it to Jim Garthwaite. It will go out on Monday.

I have been considering a 10 mm for my next firearm project. I like the Colt Delta and the Dan Wesson Razorback. I am leaning toward the Dan Wesson, after my experience with Colt's Custom Shop.

Best wishes to all.

Riverpigusmc · #2 10-13-2011, 08:04 PM

For that kinda wait you could have sent it to Wilson Combat instead of Colt..with better customer service to boot. I'd be unhappy.

MajO · #3 10-13-2011, 10:37 PM

I am less than pleased. The customer service rep pointed out that the military/law enforcement side of the business was larger; as if that was some sort of excuse for only having one "master" gunsmith. Cylinder & Slide is now promising 2-3 month turn arounds on the same sort of work. Apparently, they have more than one master gunsmith. It is a shame, but the message I take away is that Colt (for civilians) is all about sales, and not so much follow up customer service. I anxiously await the return of my pistol, but I doubt that I will use them again.

NAMVET72 · #4 10-28-2011, 01:18 AM

Joe, I waited almost a year Before my Springer was completed by Dave Severns. Be patient my Friend Good things come to people that wait........

MajO · #5 10-28-2011, 01:49 AM

My first "custom" gun was back in the 1990's. I ordered "one of a hundred" (Number 11) special Browning High Power Packages from Novak. $2500 worth of work on my pistol. It took 15 months, and I had to remind them that they had the pistol. Incredible gun that I have passed on to my son, but I won't ever do that (wait 15 months) again.

I expect honesty. If I am told the wait will be a year, that is fine. (A PIA, but fine). What I am angry at COLT for is that (1) before I sent the gun to them, they said the wait was 4 months. That changed to 6 months a week later when I called them to make sure they received the gun. Six months will be up in two weeks, and now (yesterday) (2) Brent tells me that the Gunsmith is just starting the metalwork and the wait will be 7 months (total)-maybe longer. This is the manufacturer and it is unacceptable.

NAMVET72 · #6 10-28-2011, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajO

My first "custom" gun was back in the 1990's. I ordered "one of a hundred" (Number 11) special Browning High Power Packages from Novak. $2500 worth of work on my pistol. It took 15 months, and I had to remind them that they had the pistol. Incredible gun that I have passed on to my son, but I won't ever do that (wait 15 months) again.

I expect honesty. If I am told the wait will be a year, that is fine. (A PIA, but fine). What I am angry at COLT for is that (1) before I sent the gun to them, they said the wait was 4 months. That changed to 6 months a week later when I called them to make sure they received the gun. Six months will be up in two weeks, and now (yesterday) (2) Brent tells me that the Gunsmith is just starting the metalwork and the wait will be 7 months-maybe longer. This is the manufacturer and it is unacceptable.

I agree with you Joe, that is a Gig Crock of Crap, they should give you a discount on the work. Call them and talk to the Supervisor, and tell him about it................

MajO · #7 03-01-2012, 05:22 PM

Brent told me that I would have my Night Commander by Friday; and I just got a notification call from FedEx, cowboycowboy that it will be delivered tomorrow. It will be exactly ten months since I sent it to Colt for, what I was initially told, would be a 4-6 month turn around. A month or so ago, I was told by Mr. Kelly (Colt CS) that I will be very pleased with how it looks. As it was out being Cerakoted at the time, I'm not sure how he knew...Maybe, it was faith. Anyway, next week, I'll post some pictures, if it comes tomorrow.

Oh, I am getting a $100 rebate for the delay.

Best wishes to all.

DaFadda · #8 03-01-2012, 05:43 PM

... I believe Brent IS the Custom Shop manager up here in Hartford. MajO.... hope the work is all you expect it to be!
Dafadda

Daedalus · #9 03-01-2012, 06:00 PM

I had a flat tire on my Volkswagen Passat last week and decided it was time to get four new tires. I can't wait until next year comes until I can get my car back!

Four months - six months, TEN months? That is insane. It is not as if they had to mine the ore to get the job done. I could almost understand a extended wait for a complete new custom pistol, not for a collet bushing and a front sight. They should be ashamed of themselves. Instead, they remain arrogant

MajO · #10 03-01-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFadda

... I believe Brent IS the Custom Shop manager up here in Hartford. MajO.... hope the work is all you expect it to be!
Dafadda

I know Brent. I have been "pm"ing him for months at the 1911 Forum. If it wasn't for Brent, I would have had no accurate information as to what and where my gun was at. Mr. Kelly told me that he was a manager, and I have no reason to doubt him.

Everybody I spoke with at Colt seemed very nice; however, apologetic and full of excuses for Colt's lousy service. I did not get a reply to the letter that I sent MG Keys.

Reason's for the delay included:

1. Colt only has one Master Gunsmith. (Whose fault is that?)
2. Colt only has 200 employees. (Whose fault is that?)
3. Christmas Holidays and people were on vacation. (I was supposed to have the gun back in early September, then November.)
4. Had to send gun out for cerakoting. (and?)
5. Last week, the range was broken.

All the above might be the case, however, tell customers that the wait will be 10 months, so they can make an informed decision to go elsewhere. I have been a staunch Colt supporter, but, I will no longer recommend them. I probably will keep my Gold Cup, Night Commander, Python, Diamondback and Detective Special though. Best wishes.