Allen builds-- Anyone order one recently?

[MOA]

Has anyone recently had rifles built and/or shipped by Kirby recently? Has anyone needed to order brass from him, or any components for that matter? Were there Any problems obtaining brass, dies, etc?

Much of the talk and people who posted pics and reviews of his work have praised him and I just want to be Sure none of this has changed before I send off a 3k deposit.

I'm looking to order a XHS in 338 Allen and just need some reassurance as I have heard he runs a first class operation, I just haven't found anything posted in the last couple years, as it seems the talk on his rigs has fallen off.

Any good, or bad feedback would be appreciated.

 

[TH]

Kirby still does great work.... I'm guessing he is buried in it.... Last I heard lead times are a year....he might not be looking for any more work right now

 

[wyomingblizzard]

I have one if Kirbys 338A M one order. He originally told me 12-15 months, its been 13 now. I got an email from him the other day, he is haveing problems getting actions from BAT. He has sevral that have been ordered from BAT for over a year that they havent sent him yet. I quess I dont have a choise except to be patient.

 

[MMERSS]

At times it is what it is. I ordered a 338 AM the last month of 2011. There were some setbacks encountered along the way, currently waiting to hear from Kirby on the status of the build. I'm confident the lag time is due to building the best possible product for the customer in light of setbacks.

 

[TheFishBox]

You are not going to here from him right now. Every year around tax time he gets swamped and people freak out about him not responding but give him a little bit and he will. I know this because I was in that boat last year but I still sent him money for another gun.

 

[royinidaho]

I have 2 of his rifles. The fastest delivery was in 2006 when he was just getting going. Sweet rig!!!

Second one, couple of years ago, was a bit longer. Again a sweet rig. In fact a bit more than sweet!!!

Kirby is a one man operation and does take some time to hunt. A fella has gotta keep the mind straight.

It'll take whatever time it takes but you can rest assured that you will get what you paid for AND it will shoot. If it don't shoot he won't ship.

I am confident that when he is done with it will be of meticulous fit and finish and will shoot!

The 338 AM is most probably the most reasonable heavy duty LR rig in existence. I have the 375 AM and it is not noticeably more than the 338 but it is more. Only 50 grains more bullet.gun)

 

[ccsykes]

I got my 338 Allen last fall. It had some issues with the magazine he caught before it left his shop and issue with the stiller action that he caught. Great guy, he actually posted a review of my gun and the Bertram brass last fall on here. It's the desert camo gun he was shooting over a mile. These rifles are worth the wait. I talked to Kirby the other day and he is busy right now so communication may be a little slow at the moment.

 

[MOA]

Thanks for the feedback guys. My check is going out this week for a 338 AM only if I can get a few questions answered.

For those who have them... What is you barrel length and do you wish you went longer? Can you reach 3500 with a 34" tube and the 300g SMK?

How is the availability of the formed brass for Kirby? I have heard Chey Tac is going out of business and Worry about availability of brass. I have not asked Kirby many questions as I know he is busy, and he actually replied to the first email I sent him last week within 72 hours. He still seems to be running a first class operation but didn't answer all my question on brass as I had about 10 questions and he gave me a Very detailed reply on the rifle I am getting, but didn't comment on the brass.

Before I send Kirby a second email, as I know he is Very busy, I would appreciate feedback from anyone who knows the following.

--How obtainable is the 338 AM brass?

--I suppose the 375 CT brass has to be necked, trimmed, then fire formed unless it is obtained from Kirby--are there any other sources of brass or am I wrong with respect to Kirby being The only supplier of 338 AM brass? This is a Major concern as I want my barrel to be shot out from hunting, not fire forming.

--I read a post from Kirby back in 2013 stating that he had a "lightweight" version of the 408 based action (Stiller repeater, or possibly the BAT single shot?) in development. Does anyone know if this materialized?

If anyone can answer my above questions I would Sincerely appreciate it, especially FiftyDriver

 

[ccsykes]

I am using a 34" barrel and pushing as hard as I care to the 300 OTM 3450 fps.

Brass-Bertram 375 CT fire formed by Kirby. I got 200 brass, as brass life, from what he's seeing, should coincide with barrel life.

I did find someone with the old Jamison "338 Allen" head stamp that I bought, but now Bertram 375 cheytac is going to be the go-to to be fire formed. And interesting question may be if the 338 snipetac brass would fit and could be fired.

Have not heard anything on a Allen Mag receiver.

 

[MOA]

I am Very interested to hear from those who have recently taken delivery of a rifle.

What is the Actual turn around time. This long turn around time speaks for his Excellent work, however Im Not willing to wait 2 years for a rifle.

 

[MMERSS]

I am Very interested to hear from those who have recently taken delivery of a rifle.

What is the Actual turn around time. This long turn around time speaks for his Excellent work, however Im Not willing to wait 2 years for a rifle.

A deposit was sent in December of 2011. A stock problem was encountered during the spring of 2013. Still no word from Kirby as of today on the status of the 338 AM.

Things can happen. Kirby conducts an accuracy potential test before a rifle ships. It is possible you could miss several hunting seasons before an accuracy tested rifle is approved for shipment. Case in point with my rifle heading toward that direction so plan accordingly.

 

[MOA]

2011? Holy Cow! I think Im going to look for another builder. I'm considering a 375 built BT desert tactical as they have rifles ready to ship. I do wish they would chamber in 338 Chey tac. Any opinions on other gunsmiths who do 338 Chey tacs would be appreciated.

 

[barnesuser28]

I think Nathan Dagley at Straight Shot Gunsmithing has built a few before, i think his complete build times are around a year the last ive heard.

 

[MMERSS]

2011? Holy Cow! I think Im going to look for another builder. I'm considering a 375 built BT desert tactical as they have rifles ready to ship. I do wish they would chamber in 338 Chey tac. Any opinions on other gunsmiths who do 338 Chey tacs would be appreciated.

You can always contact Kirby and ask him what his anticipated build time is for your needs. His times on returns may be related to availability of parts along with no problems encountered during the build. However as mentioned, have another plan in the event the completion times change.