Will I get holiday visitation with my new Commander

[MajO]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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................

[Dave Waits]

Originally Posted by MajO

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.

Joe, I would Bills'(Bill Laughridge, Cylinder&Slide) work over that of the Colt Custom-Shop anyday!

[Sheepdog]

I would send it to Dave Severns, his hard hat finnish is indestructible and he has the best gold dot sight I have found. I would not put Creacoat on an outhouse.IMHO

[MajO]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

I would send it to Dave Severns, his hard hat finnish is indestructible and he has the best gold dot sight I have found. I would not put Creacoat on an outhouse.IMHO

I don't see me having any work done at Colt in the future. If (when) the cerakote wears, I will have it refinished elsewhere. (My Fusion Longslide is at Robar right now.) Colt swore by Cerakote. We'll see how it looks and lasts.

BTW, many years ago, I lived out in the country and had one of the oldest outhouses around. I think it was stained with Olympia Redwood stain. Cerakote would certainly be a bad choice.

Best wishes.

[MajO]

Originally Posted by Dave Waits

Joe, I would Bills'(Bill Laughridge, Cylinder&Slide) work over that of the Colt Custom-Shop anyday!

Me too. I have never sent anything to Cylinder & Slide, but I have spoken with Mr. Laughridge twice and he was very helpful. It seems that he has also focused on training other gunsmiths as he has reduced the turn around time for work 50%, or 2-3 months. It appears that C & S has more than one master gunsmith, and they are not even the factory. Go figure.

If the IRS doesn't sodomize me in April, I might be talking to Dave Severns about some work in May (birthday).