rifle shoppe kits ?

What are some of the more popular rifle shoppe kits or locks that people can't get? Thanks.

Interesting question. The problem is not which ones "that people can't get", I think that the problem is people in the modern "world of instant gratification" not having patience.

And too many people expect to snap everything together using only a screwdriver and go out shooting after a couple of hours of simple work.

Va.Manuf.06 said:

And too many people expect to snap everything together using only a screwdriver and go out shooting after a couple of hours of simple work.

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People forget that prior to the invention of "mass production", EVERYTHING was made by hand, one piece at a time. A factory of that era had more resemblance to a traditional blacksmith's or woodwright's shop than it did to even Henry Ford's first model T plant.

Those are both true points. But do not detract from the fact that if you call and by some miracle reach someone you will be told you'll have your parts in a matter of weeks only to have to actually wait months or years.

My experience was neither unique or uncommon.

Supercracker said:

Those are both true points. But do not detract from the fact that if you call and by some miracle reach someone you will be told you'll have your parts in a matter of weeks only to have to actually wait months or years.

My experience was neither unique or uncommon.

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I'm sure that you are right, but all of my orders for parts for building have taken no more than 2 weeks to 1 month. Maybe I am just lucky but I made sure that what I wanted was in stock first.

That being said, restoration parts from TRS for an original gun can take a while, true, but we used to wait for as long as several years when we had to search through our list of parts sellers and call or write to them and hope for a positive reply. If they didn't have what you needed, they would put it on a list and start doing the same thing you were doing - look for them.... You or they often, even usually, ended up cannibalizing an original gun for the parts you needed then. Then you had what was left to use on projects later. :wink:

Compared to that process, TRS operates at lightening speed and, they do damned fine work.

TRS?

perrybucsdad said:

TRS?

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As the OP said, The Rifle Shoppe:
http://www.therifleshoppe.com/

Their Online Catalog is near the bottom of the page. Here is another thing to consider when ordering parts that are out of stock and parts sets:
http://www.therifleshoppe.com/general_product_information.htm

When I ordered my castings I had reservations and was assured they were going to the foundry to be cast the following week and I would have them shortly thereafter.

That was in April...............of 2011

Dysons OTOH answered their phone, promptly returned e mails and had the same lock castings going to the foundry "in a week, and I'd have them in three" and I actually got the castings in a bit over 2 weeks. And that includes the trip from England.

My experience is consistent with what other people has said online. If you call them up and find out that they have something in stock, you can usually expect to get it within 2 weeks.

If it isn't in stock, then you'd better hope that you're fairly young.

I've had good luck dealing with E.J. Blackley and Son in England, but you have to wait until there's a favorable exchange rate.

My experience with The Rifle Shoppe is that you usually need to factor in a wait of months to get a parts kit from them. I do this and I am willing to wait, because, for my purposes, their parts are superior and worth waiting for. In 2010, I ordered a 1795 Springfield parts set with barrel, assembled lock,and stock from them and waited about 18 months to receive it. When I ordered a bayonet for it, I was told it would be about 90 days-- I received it in less than 30 days. I ordered a 1756 Brown Bess parts set from them this past June and have not yet received it. All that being said, I have been very happy with their products and will continue to order from them... and figure on waiting.

I ordered a Baker rifle parts set from them almost 2 years ago, and I'm still waiting for parts. At this rate, I'll have something to do in the old age home They sell really good quality stuff,but don't seem to keep any kind of stock on hand.

So if a guy wanted to build one of their projects, would you suggest calling them to ask what's in stock and then make your decision? I like pretty much all their stuff, but don't want to wait for the next ice age to get it.

Absolutely. :thumbsup:

I was told when I made my order that everything was in stock. That was not the case. According to them, I'll get in two weeks(and so on,and on,and on). In my opinion kits from Chambers, Davis, Jim Klein, ect. are much more customer friendly.

That may be true but you are not going to get the unique guns and parts from them that you get from TRS. I have a 1743 French Marine musket and a 1660 French Fusil Ordinaire which you wont get anywhere else.And they are exact copies of the originals.

I agree, John. They have things you cannot get elsewhere. My beef with them is not the product, just getting what you paid for delivered.

And that is why I say you should factor in a delay of a year or two to get your parts. If you need them or expect them sooner, you are going to be disappointed and frustrated. When they arrive, I am sure you will be happy with the parts because I think they are the best, but you will not be happy if you expect their parts sooner. Now if they arrive sooner than one or two years-- well, all the better!

Heres the deal, I've been approached by some people who've said if I could reproduce 5 or 6 of the most popular offerings of TRS, I would have all the buisness I could stand. I have stuff from TRS. Wheellock, snaphaunce, miqulet, snaplock, & matchlock. All pieces would be scratch built. Machined locks using tool steel, no castings. I haven't decided to proceed or not. I'm fairly busy with other projects.

A friend who was following this thread emailed me and said that the reason I wait so long for TRS parts sets is that I order the sets with an assembled lock and that is a "big hold-up ". Maybe so-- I ordered my 1795 Springfield and 1756 Brown Bess with assembled locks. The 1795 took about 1 1/2 years to receive, while the Bess was ordered last June and I'm still waiting on it. I ordered the Bess with a European walnut stock-- I suppose that could delay things as well. I am still happy with their products and will continue to order... And wait.