My Super Bad Experience with GUNWERKS So Far

well, in my opinion, i wouldn't want to go to on an african hunt with a gun that wasn't working right. and I also know a lot of local guys who shoot and I am fairly sure i wouldn't feel right asking to borrow a high end gun to go to africa from someone, for a variety of reasons. i have borrowed a gun for a in state elk hunt but africa is a hell of alot different kind of story,,I mean, i am sure some folks have that luxury but I think it is incorrect to think that everyone has a buddy you can borrow that kind of gun from. in addition, to a lot of people, an african hunt is a once in a lifetime situation and, like this guy, built a gun solely for that purpose, and that is their "dream gun" and dream trip. they go hand in hand. has to be in the picture with you. does't seem right to take that part of the trip away. from the story so far, it sure seems like brianc is getting f***ed over. you know, it seems like the shops and businesses never take responsibility for stuff anymore. if they sell an action that has their name on it, they should stand behind it, right?

i mean, the facts sure seem to indicate that
1. a company sold their name-branded action
2. they admitted the action is faulty
3. they admitted they should have handled it sooner
4. they still have not fixed the problem.

seems like a no brainer, if the bolt is the problem, get the guy a dang bolt asap! over night that sucker. what's the big deal? it's just a bolt?

but it does seem like the smith would have discovered it

I've never had issues with gunwerks fixing any problems they usual go above and beyond to fix any problem I've had in a short amount of time contact Chris ashworth and I guarantee he will get you sorted out immediately I'm sure they'll want the rifle there in Cody for evaluation honestly I've never had Travis call me back!

Troutslayer2 said:

I saved my whole life for a safari but I realized at the airport that I forgot my Chapstick so I cancelled the whole trip.

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I could say something dumb like, real men don't wear chapstick but it looks like you already covered that in your post. Why attack him for no reason.

Troutslayer2 said:

I saved my whole life for a safari but I realized at the airport that I forgot my Chapstick so I cancelled the whole trip.

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No need to kick someone already down
Or make jokes about someone looking for support i know that Aaron or mike will make it right good luck

Jjeffhunter.
I asked Travis if they needed my rifle to evaluate it. He said no!!
That he already knew what the problem was. That he had some serial numbers of these actions that they already had known the bolts and other stuff was wrong. That why they had sent a new bolt months earlier. He stated it was Gunwerks bad on not notifying me on the bad action or that they had a new bolt sent out to me. Both bolts had gone to wrong addresses aswell in other city's. Per Travis. The tracking # on the 1st bolt , it never even got delivered and is lost in the UPS system. The second got delivered. But the new occupants are on vacation in Ireland per there neighbor till the 27th.

It really suck. I think they are wanting me to go back over to my old house and see if the people have my bolt on the 27th.

Thanks guys. I am really not knowing what to do. They just keep on telling me that they can't do anything at this time due to no authority. The thing is. What if the new bolt has over headspace? Beanland lapped the lugs in. What if the lugs don't fit aswell or have the needed contact for a full custom action?


I guess Travis is the Customer Relations liaison. He has been the only real guy I have talked and texted with. I did talk with Garett. He wanted to sell me some rifles. That was it.

Is the action compatible (without modification) for the intended cartridge?
When I order an action from BAT, I either specify all build matters of ejection, or at least identify the cartridge and it's COAL for the action maker (Bruce Thom). Sometimes a spec action works, sometimes a little design tweaking is in order (ejection type, timing, angle, port area/length beginning to end locations).

My serious question....
Who takes only one rifle on any hunting trip??? Especially to another continent??? Heck, I take two for a day of varmint calling. And 3 on any big game hunt I go on.

Lancetkenyon.
I learned that you are only allowed to take 3 weapons all together into South Africa. This included bows, rifles, and shotguns. You also have baggage limits and weights from what I understand. And only certain airlines allow weapons in and out of South Africa. You must fill out all permits perfectly or the South African government confiscates the weapons. The paperwork is stupid ridiculous. Thus why I hired the Afton house to help with the permit 6 weeks in advance of my trip. I have found out going to South Africa takes way more planning then (hey I guess I will go in 4 months). The permit requires followed documents of a agreement letter from the outfitter, passport #and info, invitation letter from PH, weapons info with matching serial numbers, matching ammo with correct headstamp of rifle clambering, flight itinerary, and all kinds of Supporting info of who you are and where your coming from and going to. That's what the Afton House helps with.

Have found that going to hunt in South Africa is not even close to going hunting in the USA or your own state. Super complicated logistics!!!

My brother set up trips for guys into Russia.....with company contacts in Russia....
never a problem getting any weapon into country....but after some of the local guides saw how good the rifles shot it was hard getting it back out of their grips......

It sucks no doubt. Not specific to this thread, but those buying, or building a rifle for a trip on short notice, should watch Ghost in the darkness. That awful click when expecting a boom is loud, regardless of the game.

Like I said been to Africa 4 times. 1 rifle is what I needed/used. The paperwork is not terrible. Just watch the details like getting serial number correct. Its interesting that your buddy shot his animals at 400-700 yds. There are a couple of companies that are starting to do long range in Africa. Most want you as close as possible. My PH on one hunt pulled me off of a 3oo yd shot at a bushbuck to get closer. I later took a cull Impala (bad leg) at 400 yds and he freaked out when he found out it was that far. The majority of african animals are taken at less than 200 yds unless you are with a company that specializes in long range hunting. Even those companies will find a way to get closer if needed.
Bruce

Gillettehunter.
This was going to be my one and only. It happed so quick. Robert said does any one want to go. I said hell ya, at basically at 90% of the hunt.
Started this rifle build in February and found out about the hunt in April. I had to do a lot of selling and getting ready in just under 4 month till travel day. Had to sell stuff already build. Nobody wants a build in process. Robert took his 7STW McWhorter. I think he only had 30 or 40 rounds total. Robert comes back tomorrow. I'm sure he will be posting a lot about the hunt including pics. He has been texting me with pics and stuff since he landed in Johannesburg on the 10th.

I have been to SA three times, and one can fill out the permit papers at the SA airport in ten minutes to get your firearm permit. The SA police are very helpful with the paperwork. Every PH also has loaner rifles to rent. In fact, many people do this to eliminate the hassle of traveling with a firearm. Too bad you didn't post on here before you canceled your trip.