Ruger gripe

[Dolomite_supafly]

My wife has carried a PF-9 for a while and really liked it. Then she seen a nickel plated and engraved Ruger LC-9. It is a very nice looking pistol. And although we could have gotten a standard LC-9 for a lot less my wife decided to splurge and buy something nice.

So we get it home and I give it a good cleaning before the first shot. We took it out and within 25 factory rounds the mickel finish was coming off the muzzle.

So I take detailed pictures and contact Ruger. I send them the pictures. They sent a shipping label for the pistol to be returned for repair then they said it would be repaired and back in our hands in 10-14 days. I called back with a few more questions regarding the finish and they said they do not nickel guns. They went on to say that is was something the distributor must have done. The person said they were not sure why we were sending it abck because they would not repair a finish they did not do. So I did not ship it back and this was about 3 weeks ago now.

After speaking with Ruger I contacted the shop I bought it at and explained the problem. They said they would contact their distributor as well as Ruger to see what needed to be done to repair the firearm. He called me back a few days later and said a new nickel plated slide was coming in the mail. I agreed to wait.

Step forward to about a week ago and I contacted Ruger regarding another repair. While I was on the phone I checked on the status of the slide. The tech said they would NEVER ship just a slide and on top of that they had never heard of the dealer. So I called the dealer nd he swore they promised to send just a slide to minimize time without the gun. The dealer called a few days ago and said to bring the gun in so he can send it back to Ruger.

I talked to my wife and we decided to just deal with the finish coming off. I can assure you this will be my last Ruger that has a "special" finish. It will likely be the last one ever unless I come into a great deal.

Througn all of this Ruger couldn't decided whther they did or did not make the special edition gun. One top of that the repair was going to take 10-14 business days or 3-5 weeks. And when I questioned the difference in timeframes the tech said they were the same amount of time. They also said that they would just inspect the gun for safety issues then return it as is. And if there was an issue they would replace the nickel slide with a standard slide to make sure the gun was safe.

Dolomite

[TrickyNicky]

Seems to be about right for Ruger. On the one hand it stinks that they automatically rip out any after market parts and slap in factory ones when ever a gun is sent in.

On the other hand it is my understanding that you can remove said parts, send in the gun and have them send you some new factory parts in their place.

Don't know but it sounds like a distributor upgrade. Maybe the distributer could help shed some light for you?

Hopefully you get this worked out to your satisfaction, maybe you try your hand at electro plateing?

[TnShooter83]

I pretty sure they made the pistol. But whether or not they did the nickel plating is another thing.

I think TALO had some Ruger LC-9 at one time. I'm not sure if they buy the guns that way or they do the "special editon" to them themselves. If Ruger did the nickel, then I hope they would make it right. But it some other company did the nickel they be the ones to contact. At the very least Ruger should know if they pistol was shipped with a Nickel finish or not.

[Dolomite_supafly]

She is going to shoot and enjoy it. It is still a relaible pistol but I wish I hadn't paid extra for her disappointment.

Dolomite

[hornett22]

I do not recall ever seeing a nickle plated Ruger. I would say it's the distributors baby if you decide to have it repaired.

[TNWNGR]

Dang if this isn't a strange story, wouldn't the distrubutor be required to disclose in print the after market nature of such a "Special Edition"? I like the Ruger product's that I own but would be pretty ticked off to have something represented to me as having been done by Ruger sold to me.

[MacGyver]

This really surprises me out of one of the Talo models, though this isn't the first report I've heard of the flaking.

Seems like they would make good on it, though. Since their whole business is built around their customizations, it doesn't serve them well to have substandard parts out there.

[DaveTN]

I don’t think some of these so called “Techs†know which end of the barrel the bullet comes out, that’s why they are answering phones and emails instead of fixing guns.

I think if Ruger sent me a shipping label, I would pack it up and send it to them. I doubt they would send it back and tell you that you are out of luck; but you never know.

[graycrait]

I'm pretty sure that the engraved "silver" slides were TALO Exclusive. Does/did it look like this?

http://www.slickguns.com/product/ruger-lc9-talo-edition-laser-etched-nickel-w24-carat-gold-inlay-44999-1199-shipping-44999

[SonnyCrockett]

Ruger does not even know if they plated the gun or not? are they serious ? Sometimes you need to speak to a hire up

on the CSR chain........

[Dolomite_supafly]

Ruger does not even know if they plated the gun or not? are they serious ? Sometimes you need to speak to a hire up

on the CSR chain........

I spoke to a front line tech long enough to get an email for the repair manager. I sent him detailed pictures of the problems before we spoke so he could see exactly what was going on. Then I spoke to the head in charge of repairs and returns, J. Renteria, about the LC-9's finish. He was appologetic and sent a shipping label that day on 4/18. When I called back and spoke to him again he said that the nickel finish wasn't their doing and wasn't sure why I wanted to send it in to Ruger for repair. He is the one that did say they would inspect the gun for safety. This was all on the same day when all of this took place.

The LC-9 is a Talo gun. And after the dealer got involved Ruger wanted the entire gun rather than send just a slide. I understand why they do not want to send just a slide but no one can figure out who is going to do the repair. Yes Ruger wants it but they say it is the distributor's finish. And on top of this no one can figure out how long the repair is going to take. I was also told that the new nickel finish would be applied over the engraving and that will not work because the engraving gives it a nice contrast.

And on Thursday 4/10 I called to inquire about another Ruger firearm that is in for repair. The clerk looked me up then said she needed to put me on hold. She came back to the phone and mentioned the problem but then said she rather frantically that she needed to call me back after she "figured things out". This was about 1:30pm our time and about 11:30 their time in Arizona. Never heard anything back. Initially when I called I was told 10-14 day turn around on the repair. I have even offered to pay for the repair on the gun as long as it wasn't in their hands too long. That gun was mailed off on 4/23 with an assurance it would be returned in a few weeks. It was a brand new gun that had issues within 200 rounds. Hard to say if the problem was caused by me or by tolerance issues but I have no problem paying for the repair if they determine it was my fault.

Dolomite

[Dolomite_supafly]

I'll post some pics soon

Edited May 13, 2012 by Dolomite_supafly

[Steelharp]

Good luck:

[SonnyCrockett]

I wish you luck...its a shame when a company is do big they cant find the front door

and thats exactly what Ruger sounds like......Like calling Comcast or UPS or Walmart

its like talking to Bozos.......

[glockster157]

I don't understand why this is a Ruger problem? Many companies, like Davidson's/Talo/Lew Horton, take guns and make "upgrades" to them in finish or configuration. If Ruger did the finish for Talo then it is a Ruger problem. If not it is a Talo problem. Neither way is it really a dealer problem as he did not make or modify the pistol. All warranties revert to the manufacturer, though most dealers are glad to assist.

[mikegideon]

I don't understand why this is a Ruger problem? Many companies, like Davidson's/Talo/Lew Horton, take guns and make "upgrades" to them in finish or configuration. If Ruger did the finish for Talo then it is a Ruger problem. If not it is a Talo problem. Neither way is it really a dealer problem as he did not make or modify the pistol. All warranties revert to the manufacturer, though most dealers are glad to assist.

Yep. Talo should replace the gun and cover the FFL fees, if any. They are the ones that basically ruined a new gun (in terms of getting it fixed under warranty).

Edited May 13, 2012 by mikegideon

[Dolomite_supafly]

And the saga continues.

I called back today to find out why I didn't get a call back last week about my 22/45 that is in for repair. Clerk said he needed to check on the repair status with the technician. After a few minutes on hold that clerk said he needed to call me back. I asked when I could expect a call and he said if not today then first thing in the morning (yeah right).

In speaking with him it seems as though the tech that is supposed to be working on my gun doesn't even have it. They looked around and said they could not find it but would need to do some more looking around to see if they could find it.

Also, their repair calendar is a Venusian. I was the gun was shipped out on the 23rd of April and they have had the gun for 16 days. I laughed and said we are already 15 days into this month and it was sent off on the 23rd. He said your right it has been 17 days ????. I chucked again and said my calendar is a little different than yours. He then said they do not count weekends or holidays unfortunately I do.

I suspect this is going to be one of the Ruger horror stories. Although they seem rare my luck lately seems to indicate it will be. And they wonder why I do not want to send in my wife's LC-9 for repair.

Dolomite

[Dolomite_supafly]

Update:

They just called back and are going to replace the gun pending department head approval. They are also allowing me to upgrade to another model if I choose and I can pay the difference or I can downgrade and receive a refund. I am going to upgrade, just need to figure out which model.

All is good and I am pretty happy with Ruger now.

Dolomite

[Garufa]

Glad that's settled. When they discuss upgrade/downgrade options are they referring to MSRP prices?

[Dolomite_supafly]

Not sure.

I will let you know. I am going to get a gun that is the same price, just with iron sights.

I considered the new Lite but the suppresor threads look aluminum. Not going to screw a steel can onto aluminum threads.

Dolomite

[bubbadavis]

So you can be bought?

Glad this is working out. Nothing is more frustrating that problems with a new gun (and then getting the run around from the manufacturer). Its good that Ruger is making things right.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Ask anyone that knows me. I can generally be bought for nothing.

I offer to help all the time without expecting anything in return, money or otherwise. I get all kinds of calls from members here and give my number out freely to anyone who wants to talk.

That is my contribution to our community here.

Dolomite

[bubbadavis]

Ask anyone that knows me. I can generally be bought for nothing.

I offer to help all the time without expecting anything in return, money or otherwise. I get all kinds of calls from members here and give my number out freely to anyone who wants to talk.

That is my contribution to our community here.

Dolomite

Oh I realize all that Gordon. I've been around here long enough to know your (well deserved) reputation! I just couldn't resist the smart-alec remark...

I am glad Ruger is coming through on this. Its good to see a company stand behind their product.

[TrickyNicky]

Glad to hear Ruger is making this right for you. It seems their reputation is well deserved, however I'm sure it's tough on them due to sheer volume sometimes.

As far as the Talo pistol goes, I am very surprised they are not jumping on the chance to make it right as has been mentioned.

[Dolomite_supafly]

They want a chance to make it right. But my wife doesn't want to loose her carry gun for a few months. That and the fact they said they would nickel over the engraving ruining the nice contrast. She is just going to shoot and enjoy it.

Dolomite