MRC Vs. LAW

[coderlee]

Hello everyone I am not to this forum. thought it would be a good place to get some info on two different rifles I am looking at. one is the Montana Rifle Company x2 in 300WM and the second is Legendary Arms Works in 300WM. both seem to have a love hate relationship with people. LAW was getting bad reviews when they first came out few years ago and MRC gets hammered as well. I have one MRC in 35. whelen and honestly its one of my best shooting and most comfortable rifles to shoot. I am a fan of the winchester m70 action I'm not a rem 700 person. its a ford vs. chevy argument haha.

First real question has anyone shot the X2...... thoughts?
Second same as above for the LAW.........thoughts?

I am planing on shooting 800+ with it this is all new to me in the long range world.

thank you for your time,
Cody

 

[Elkwonder]

SINCE YOU ASKED........

I will give MY PERSONAL opinion. I have dealt with both companies and currently own a LAW in 280AI. First let me say that I have not shot my LAW rifle yet, so I cannot comment on accuracy.
So let me say that I believe the fit and finish department are in two completely different worlds. Honestly for $1550 which is what i paid for my LAW, I don't think there is anything out there that will compete.
The bolt smoothness and safety operation are majorly different. My law bolt works what I would describe as NORMAL smoothness, and safety is very smooth. I recently played with three X2's that were setting on a shelf at a gunstore. All three X2 rifles had a sticky operation of the bolt, and the bolt seemed loose and sloppy when it was all the way to the rear position. My LAW feels tight when in the full rear position. I personally think the LAW has a wonderful stock, but the x2 wasn't bad. The safety was VERY stiff on the Montana, and smooth as butter on the LAW.

As for customer service???? OH BOY, here we go!!!!

I called Montana rifle company and the guys were so nice it was unbelievable. They answered all my questions and agreed to build be a 280AI with a little thicker contour barrel and muzzle break.....yada yada yada. After talking to them, I was very impressed and ordered the gun through my buddy that is a Montana dealer.
Montana rifle company told me as well as my buddy that I was looking at twelve to sixteen weeks for delivery. (this was almost two years ago ,btw) Any ways at three months I call and was told a couple more weeks. I waited a month and called back. They once again told me a couple weeks. This went on for TWO more months. SO now almost seven months in, I decided I was coming up on hunting season and wanted to just go another route. I called my buddy and told him to call Montana Rifle and cancel my order. The next day my Buddy calls back and says that Montana Rifle told him the rifle was started, but that they would cancel the order anyways. I told him, if they are actually starting on it, Im fine with keeping it as I still have time to make it work for my hunt. He said he would call them and have them go ahead with the order. Couple hours later he calls back and says "too late, they won't go back forward with the build because you canceled it, and if you want to replace the order, you will have to go back to the back of the line."
I was completely shocked and thought that was some of the worse bull crap I have ever heard of. SO needless to say, I will never own one of their rifles.

Also let it be known if Montana rifle is upset with this post...I have everything documented.

Now as for LAW customer service, Im afraid its even worse. At least when you call MONTANA RIFLE, they answer the phone, and they answer EVERY TIME!!! They are also VERY NICE to talk to and will spend time talking to you and answering your questions.

As for LAW, I have called them and left 3 Messages on the voicemails and have never gotten a response. The first time I called "During business hours" and nobody answered so I left a message on the voicemail of a guy named "WALT" . After not hearing back for two days I left another message. Two days later still no response, so I left another one. After leaving three messages as well as calling a couple more times and NOT leaving a message I gave up and tried email. When I left the e-mail there was an automatic response that said I would here back from them with an answer to my questions within 24 hours....WRONG!!! That was about three weeks ago, and I have now given up!!!
I think LAW has the worst customer service of anyone I have ever dealt with in my almost fifty years of being on this earth. HOWEVER, they make a VERY nice gun for the money!!!

I guess the way I look at it, LAW is new and they are growing, that is to be expected. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not getting back with people, but thats life. At least there rifle is very nice looking and I hope it shoots half as good as it looks. I have two more on order, so that should tell you how I feel about their value.

As for Montana Rifle, that was just down right a sorry thing to do to someone and that has nothing to do with growing pains or anything else, that is just plain not caring about your customer.

Hope this helps, because it is MY HONEST opinion after dealing with BOTH of these companies.

 

[adrexco]

I have a MRC EX2. Their customer service is quite good. They are responsive and carry through on what they promise. They are easy to work with and will customize the standard offering without extra charges. I ordered a 28 Nosler with a 8.5:1 twist (non standard for them) added a muzzle break, RUM length magazine box, bolt stop, and extractor all without additional cost.

Estimated delivery was 3 months, then 6, then 9.... 13 months later they shipped my rifle. Needless to say (at least 1.5 years ago) their production scheduling does need improvement.

All in all I would buy a MRC again. Jeff Sipes is a heck of a nice guy and really wants to make customers happy with great rifles. I have to agree with the above post that the bolt isn't the smoothest operating, but it's very functional, and my EX2 shoots Berger 195gr at 3075fps sub 1/2 MOA.

Last weekend in preparation for this weeks hunting trip was a trip to the range (200yds). First 3 shot group was 3 overlapping holes, and quite the smile on my face. For $1650 I don't think I could touch such a capable long range shooter from another maker.

 

[FEENIX]

Hello everyone I am not to this forum. thought it would be a good place to get some info on two different rifles I am looking at. one is the Montana Rifle Company x2 in 300WM and the second is Legendary Arms Works in 300WM. both seem to have a love hate relationship with people. LAW was getting bad reviews when they first came out few years ago and MRC gets hammered as well. I have one MRC in 35. whelen and honestly its one of my best shooting and most comfortable rifles to shoot. I am a fan of the winchester m70 action I'm not a rem 700 person. its a ford vs. chevy argument haha.

First real question has anyone shot the X2...... thoughts?
Second same as above for the LAW.........thoughts?

I am planing on shooting 800+ with it this is all new to me in the long range world.

thank you for your time,
Cody

Cody,

A belated welcome to LRH from the Great Falls side of the Big Sky Country. Enjoy!

I have no personal experience with either one but IIWY, I'd keep it made in Montana product . gun)

You can always make a quick trip up to check up on them. Another option is get their action and have it custom built; you know we have plenty of reputable gunsmith with in an hour from us.

Cheers!

Ed

 

[JasonH]

I'll give my two cents here. I recently purchased a Montana X2 Colorado Buck edition 7mm mag. It comes with the Montana muzzle brake, cerakote finish, and a Leopold 4.5-14x40 CDS scope. It is without a doubt the most accurate rifle I own. My first trip to the range I shot a half inch three shot group with factory 160 grain Nosler partitions. The barrel isn't even broken in yet, and I am by no means an great shooter. Their muzzle brake is the MOST effective I've ever used. It's almost like the **** rifle doesn't kick at all. I would compare the recoil to a .243 Winchester. The fit and finish are good, and the bolt feels pretty **** smooth to me. The trigger breaks right at 3 pounds, and its very clean.

As for customer service, I couldn't be happier with Montana Rifle Company. I bugged the hell out of them before I bought mine. I called four times, and spoke to someone every time. They were very friendly and were willing to answer all of my questions. They seem to be a company full of shooters and hunters who want to turn out a great product. If you order a custom from them, be prepared to wait. I think they are 7-9 months out on orders right now. They said they are hiring people as fast as they can and running extra shifts to try and catch up. I would say that bodes well for their future success.

Now, I seriously considered a LAW as well. I called them twice, and spoke to someone both times. They were very honest about the early issues they had with some of their rifles. I believe it boiled down to some bedding issues that they were able to resolve. I have heard many horror stories about their customer service, but I personally can't say anything bad about them.

Hope this helps. I don't think you would go wrong with either, and I will probably own a LAW rifle at some point.

 

[adrexco]

2X Their muzzle brake is great. My 28 Nosler also feels like a .243. Don't get me wrong, the bolt isn't bad at all, just that I have other rifles that are smoother.

 

[scottyboy]

I'll give my two cents here. I recently purchased a Montana X2 Colorado Buck edition 7mm mag. It comes with the Montana muzzle brake, cerakote finish, and a Leopold 4.5-14x40 CDS scope. It is without a doubt the most accurate rifle I own. My first trip to the range I shot a half inch three shot group with factory 160 grain Nosler partitions. The barrel isn't even broken in yet, and I am by no means an great shooter. Their muzzle brake is the MOST effective I've ever used. It's almost like the **** rifle doesn't kick at all. I would compare the recoil to a .243 Winchester. The fit and finish are good, and the bolt feels pretty **** smooth to me. The trigger breaks right at 3 pounds, and its very clean.

As for customer service, I couldn't be happier with Montana Rifle Company. I bugged the hell out of them before I bought mine. I called four times, and spoke to someone every time. They were very friendly and were willing to answer all of my questions. They seem to be a company full of shooters and hunters who want to turn out a great product. If you order a custom from them, be prepared to wait. I think they are 7-9 months out on orders right now. They said they are hiring people as fast as they can and running extra shifts to try and catch up. I would say that bodes well for their future success.

Now, I seriously considered a LAW as well. I called them twice, and spoke to someone both times. They were very honest about the early issues they had with some of their rifles. I believe it boiled down to some bedding issues that they were able to resolve. I have heard many horror stories about their customer service, but I personally can't say anything bad about them.

Hope this helps. I don't think you would go wrong with either, and I will probably own a LAW rifle at some point.

are they still using/shipping with the VX3? my understanding (i am probably wrong) is that Leupold now states the VX3 as a "past product" and no longer current. i am going back and forth on (a) ordering a CBSE with the scope (b) without scope (c) having them build me one without all the badging of the mule deer foundation and his name on the floor plate

 

[trueblue]

Sounds like neither one of these rifle companies is worth dealing with

 

[Elkwonder]

I can say that customer service may suck, but I am in love with my LAW rifle. I would not change one single thing about it at all. Everything is exactly how I would do it if I had a custom built from scratch!!

 

[toddc]

SINCE YOU ASKED........

I will give MY PERSONAL opinion. I have dealt with both companies and currently own a LAW in 280AI. First let me say that I have not shot my LAW rifle yet, so I cannot comment on accuracy.
So let me say that I believe the fit and finish department are in two completely different worlds. Honestly for $1550 which is what i paid for my LAW, I don't think there is anything out there that will compete.
The bolt smoothness and safety operation are majorly different. My law bolt works what I would describe as NORMAL smoothness, and safety is very smooth. I recently played with three X2's that were setting on a shelf at a gunstore. All three X2 rifles had a sticky operation of the bolt, and the bolt seemed loose and sloppy when it was all the way to the rear position. My LAW feels tight when in the full rear position. I personally think the LAW has a wonderful stock, but the x2 wasn't bad. The safety was VERY stiff on the Montana, and smooth as butter on the LAW.

As for customer service???? OH BOY, here we go!!!!

I called Montana rifle company and the guys were so nice it was unbelievable. They answered all my questions and agreed to build be a 280AI with a little thicker contour barrel and muzzle break.....yada yada yada. After talking to them, I was very impressed and ordered the gun through my buddy that is a Montana dealer.
Montana rifle company told me as well as my buddy that I was looking at twelve to sixteen weeks for delivery. (this was almost two years ago ,btw) Any ways at three months I call and was told a couple more weeks. I waited a month and called back. They once again told me a couple weeks. This went on for TWO more months. SO now almost seven months in, I decided I was coming up on hunting season and wanted to just go another route. I called my buddy and told him to call Montana Rifle and cancel my order. The next day my Buddy calls back and says that Montana Rifle told him the rifle was started, but that they would cancel the order anyways. I told him, if they are actually starting on it, Im fine with keeping it as I still have time to make it work for my hunt. He said he would call them and have them go ahead with the order. Couple hours later he calls back and says "too late, they won't go back forward with the build because you canceled it, and if you want to replace the order, you will have to go back to the back of the line."
I was completely shocked and thought that was some of the worse bull crap I have ever heard of. SO needless to say, I will never own one of their rifles.

Also let it be known if Montana rifle is upset with this post...I have everything documented.

Now as for LAW customer service, Im afraid its even worse. At least when you call MONTANA RIFLE, they answer the phone, and they answer EVERY TIME!!! They are also VERY NICE to talk to and will spend time talking to you and answering your questions.

As for LAW, I have called them and left 3 Messages on the voicemails and have never gotten a response. The first time I called "During business hours" and nobody answered so I left a message on the voicemail of a guy named "WALT" . After not hearing back for two days I left another message. Two days later still no response, so I left another one. After leaving three messages as well as calling a couple more times and NOT leaving a message I gave up and tried email. When I left the e-mail there was an automatic response that said I would here back from them with an answer to my questions within 24 hours....WRONG!!! That was about three weeks ago, and I have now given up!!!
I think LAW has the worst customer service of anyone I have ever dealt with in my almost fifty years of being on this earth. HOWEVER, they make a VERY nice gun for the money!!!

I guess the way I look at it, LAW is new and they are growing, that is to be expected. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not getting back with people, but thats life. At least there rifle is very nice looking and I hope it shoots half as good as it looks. I have two more on order, so that should tell you how I feel about their value.

As for Montana Rifle, that was just down right a sorry thing to do to someone and that has nothing to do with growing pains or anything else, that is just plain not caring about your customer.

Hope this helps, because it is MY HONEST opinion after dealing with BOTH of these companies.

Stuff like this is why I am a barrel nut guy.
Decided I wanted a new rig Thanksgiving day.
Found a 7 SAUM barrel on here that day, ordered everything else I needed by Monday (3 days ago).
Everything I needed is already here and I picked up a donor action at a local pawnshop Black Friday. Went from I WANT to READY TO SHOOT in 7 days with a Mcgowen barrel. Got the bullets, tube, dies, stock and brake here on LRH. Thanks to everyone that helped BTW.
The gun industries horrible customer service is unbelievable in this day and age. If any other industry treated its customers like this, they would be on welfare.
Sad state of affairs and I won't be buying anything I can't do 100% of the work on myself until things change.

 

[toddc]

Sounds like neither one of these rifle companies is worth dealing with

In my eyes almost no one in the industry is worth dealing with. I am in the automotive industry and if we did things the way gun people do things, we would be out of business or imprisoned for fraud in many cases.

 

[kevan]

I have two LAW Professionals, a 28 Nosler and a 35 Whelen and I couldn't be happier with both.
Well put together, superbly accurate and both are comfortable to shoot.
The bolt cycles more smooth in the 28 but I think thats because it has been shot more.
As for customer service I have had no need to require anything from them and the only question I had was answered promptly.
Would I buy them again ?..... in a heartbeat !

 

[Rhunter2]

I was looking at both these rifles as well and went with the x2 in a 7 Rem mag. Sent it back to the factory for accuracy issues. Gun was returned with a note saying it passed their test. The issue wasn't that it would group under an inch but that the groups would move all over. It still does that. I spoke with a local custom builder and explained the symptoms. First thing out of his mouth was check the action screws and make sure they don't touch the pillars. Sure enough the did, both of them. When mrc had the gun for analysis I had them replace the screws with Allen heads. I would have thought they would catch that the bolts rub the pillars. I was told to send it back in but I may have to pay for the work. No thanks. I will have my own smith repair it. I also was not overly impressed with the craftsmanship. I had a kimber previously that I thought was better crafted. I would go LAW.

 

[Elkwonder]

I now have TWO LAW Professional rifles. One in 280AI, and one in 300 Win Mag. I am also waiting on two more. I will get one in 35 whelen, and I have a 6.5 creedmoor on order. Love the professional, and can't see how I can touch this quality going any other route for the 1475 to 1550 that I have been paying for the LAW rifles. Absolute steal of a gun in my opinion. Talked to a VERY nice local builder and he couldn't piece together parts for less than 2000 and then there was the labor thing...:roll eyes:
I like the idea of going custom, and am glad for anyone who can afford it, but for me, I just can't justify the cost.