Super Blackhawk Customer Service

[Bladerunner714]

I’m confused. Ruger has a reputation for good customer service but my current experience seems otherwise. I have a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, Model S45N. The gun is thirty years old but has probably less than 5,000 rounds fired. It’s never been abused, had no eccentric ammunition through it and has always been well maintained. Recently I noticed a crack/split in the forcing cone, called Ruger and, per their instructions, returned the gun to them for service. Today I received a voicemail indicating that they want $345 for a new barrel. Since I haven’t abused the gun or fired it enough to ‘wear it out’, I don’t understand why I should pay to repair what I can only believe must have resulted from a defect. I haven’t returned their call yet to discuss the matter. My question is, should I reasonably expect that Ruger would repair the gun at their expense and, if so, how should I approach the matter when I call them back?

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum.
What should the warranty be on a 30 year old firearm?
MSRP on a new one is in the $1100.00 range.

 

[s4s4u]

How do we know there was a defect? How do they know you weren't shooting a steady diet of Buff Bore through it. Round counts are not admissible evidence because they cannot be proven.

Metal fatigue can be a thing, over time. Forcing cones are known to develop cracks at times, especially with heavy loads.

You can always request the return of the gun, as is. There are take-off barrels out there. Not sure if a 'smith could swap one for less $$$ tho.

 

[Bladerunner714]

Welcome to the forum.
What should the warranty be on a 30 year old firearm?
MSRP on a new one is in the $1100.00 range.

Thanks. IMHO warranty against defects should be perpetual.

 

[Bladerunner714]

How do we know there was a defect? How do they know you weren't shooting a steady diet of Buff Bore through it. Round counts are not admissible evidence because they cannot be proven.

Metal fatigue can be a thing, over time. Forcing cones are known to develop cracks at times, especially with heavy loads.

You can always request the return of the gun, as is. There are take-off barrels out there. Not sure if a 'smith could swap one for less $$$ tho.

Thanks. Using your reasoning I say there is a defect; Let Ruger prove there isn’t

 

[s4s4u]

Thanks. Using your reasoning I say there is a defect; Let Ruger prove there isn’t

Ruger doesn't have to "prove" anything. Nor can you "prove" that you didn't hot rod it. If the folks at Ruger felt that there was in fact a defect, I expect that they would have fixed it on their dime. Their experts must be idiots...

 

[s4s4u]

Thanks. IMHO warranty against defects should be perpetual.

There is no "warranty", per se.

 

[Bladerunner714]

I’m confused. Ruger has a reputation for good customer service but my current experience seems otherwise. I have a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, Model S45N. The gun is thirty years old but has probably less than 5,000 rounds fired. It’s never been abused, had no eccentric ammunition through it and has always been well maintained. Recently I noticed a crack/split in the forcing cone, called Ruger and, per their instructions, returned the gun to them for

Thanks for the critiques so far - any advice about how I can convince Ruger to fix the Gun at no charge?

 

[s4s4u]

 

[hittman]

Thanks. IMHO warranty against defects should be perpetual.

:oops:

 

[Bladerunner714]

Thanks actually I was thinking of something along those lines

 

[hittman]

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/blackhawk.pdf

See page 44 about warranty.

 

[Bladerunner714]

:oops:

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/blackhawk.pdf

See page 44 about warranty.

Thanks

 

[gnappi]

I'd scrap it for parts or sell it with the barrel problem detailed then get a good used one.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I doubt you could buy a barrel and have it installed for $345.
I know you can't buy a decent Blackhawk for that.

If Ruger repairs it , you will know it was done right , and I am sure they will make sure everything else in the gun is right.

 

[contender]

As mentioned above,, Ruger hasn't had a "written" warranty in decades. But in general,, they have been quite good about fixing stuff, and often w/o charging the owner.
BUT,,,,,, as noted,, a 30 year old gun, without any real proof of how it was used,, what it was shot with, etc,, they shouldn't be held liable for repairs.

Besides,, there are many of their models that are no longer in production. As such,, no parts, or repairs are available through them. Do you feel they should fix any & all firearms they ever built?

I know you may feel it's their fault. But if they haven't had a fair number of the same guns fail, in the same manner or whatever,, it's doubtful they would feel it's their fault.

Overall, the firearm industry does bend over backwards to take care of people. MUCH, MUCH better than just about any other industry.

If it were my gun,, I'd let them repair it,, and pay the fee. As noted,, they will go through the gun & double check things like nobody else would for that amount. Besides,, if they find other issues,, they are very likely to fix whatever at no additional charge to you.

Decades ago,, I had a S&W that only saw light match ammo in .38 Spl, even thought it was a Model 27 in .357 Mag. I sold it to a buddy of mine,, and he never shot it. I asked him to bring it over for some reason or another. He did,, and upon seeing it,, I found that there was a crack between chambers. I tried HARD to convince him to sell it back to me,, because I never wanted to sell a defective gun to him. He refused. So I paid to send it back to S&W & had them replace the cylinder. I paid for that work w/o question.
Point being,, "stuff happens" and sometime we just pay the price because it's the right thing to do.

 

[Bladerunner714]

I'd scrap it for parts or sell it with the barrel problem detailed then get a good used one.

Thanks for the idea

 

[Bladerunner714]

I doubt you could buy a barrel and have it installed for $345.
I know you can't buy a decent Blackhawk for that.

If Ruger repairs it , you will know it was done right , and I am sure they will make sure everything else in the gun is right.

Thanks - my pragmatic side knows you're right

 

[Bladerunner714]

As mentioned above,, Ruger hasn't had a "written" warranty in decades. But in general,, they have been quite good about fixing stuff, and often w/o charging the owner.
BUT,,,,,, as noted,, a 30 year old gun, without any real proof of how it was used,, what it was shot with, etc,, they shouldn't be held liable for repairs.

Besides,, there are many of their models that are no longer in production. As such,, no parts, or repairs are available through them. Do you feel they should fix any & all firearms they ever built?

Thanks for your thoughtful response. Sometimes there are no good choices and we just have to make the best of it. Your kind thoughts will certainly help to inform my decision.

 

[contender]

Bladerunner714,, we here do try hard to help folks if they truly want honest information. It may not be what they hope for but it will be the best we can offer.

Personally I wouldn't scrap it,, as I hate seeing a good gun scrapped. And to sell the frame,, you still have to use a FFL, & not enough folks need just a frame.
Replacing a barrel isn't a hard job for a good gunsmith,, but since Ruger is the expert & the original builder,, that's where I'd look to have the work done.
And if you were to choose to go to a custom gunsmith,, you may find a LONG wait time. Ruger is pretty quick in their turnaround.

 

[Bladerunner714]

Bladerunner714,, we here do try hard to help folks if they truly want honest information. It may not be what they hope for but it will be the best we can offer.

Personally I wouldn't scrap it,, as I hate seeing a good gun scrapped. And to sell the frame,, you still have to use a FFL, & not enough folks need just a frame.

Thanks again - I'm leaning Ruger's way

 

[Joey]

You won't be disappointed with Ruger's service. As contender said, they will go thru the gun, clean it and replace anything that they feel is worn, and send you back a like new firearm. No other industry that I am aware of will give you that kind of service on a 30-year-old product. I have sent several guns to them for service, and have been pleased with all of them.

 

[jules]

I doubt they replace the bbl for free on a 30 year old gun. When you call them maybe try and negotiate the cost "Be nice". Hey ya never know. I doubt you'll find a Smith that will do it for less.

 

[sparky259]

I doubt they replace the bbl for free on a 30 year old gun. When you call them maybe try and negotiate the cost "Be nice". Hey ya never know. I doubt you'll find a Smith that will do it for less.

 

[sparky259]

As far as Ruger being a great manufacturer and having great CS. I bought a new Redhawk, it didn’t shoot good, sent it back. They said that the New gun was bad. Sent me a NEW gun, received it, it looked like a pile of scrap. I sent it back and now waiting to see what happens now. I am losing faith in Ruger to build a reliable, safe firearm.

 

[Bladerunner714]

You won't be disappointed with Ruger's service. As contender said, they will go thru the gun, clean it and replace anything that they feel is worn, and send you back a like new firearm. No other industry that I am aware of will give you that kind of service on a 30-year-old product. I have sent several guns to them for service, and have been pleased with all of them.

Thanks - I have some experience with Ruger service from many years ago - hoping it's as good now as it was then

 

[Bladerunner714]

I doubt they replace the bbl for free on a 30 year old gun. When you call them maybe try and negotiate the cost "Be nice". Hey ya never know. I doubt you'll find a Smith that will do it for less.

Thanks actually that was my plan so far

 

[Bladerunner714]

As far as Ruger being a great manufacturer and having great CS. I bought a new Redhawk, it didn’t shoot good, sent it back. They said that the New gun was bad. Sent me a NEW gun, received it, it looked like a pile of scrap. I sent it back and now waiting to see what happens now. I am losing faith in Ruger to build a reliable, safe firearm.

Thanks as mentioned elsewhere you don't always have a good choice and just have to make the best of the choices you have

 

[neilin]

I’m confused. Ruger has a reputation for good customer service but my current experience seems otherwise. I have a .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk, Model S45N. The gun is thirty years old but has probably less than 5,000 rounds fired. It’s never been abused, had no eccentric ammunition through it and has always been well maintained. Recently I noticed a crack/split in the forcing cone, called Ruger and, per their instructions, returned the gun to them for service. Today I received a voicemail indicating that they want $345 for a new barrel. Since I haven’t abused the gun or fired it enough to ‘wear it out’, I don’t understand why I should pay to repair what I can only believe must have resulted from a defect. I haven’t returned their call yet to discuss the matter. My question is, should I reasonably expect that Ruger would repair the gun at their expense and, if so, how should I approach the matter when I call them back?

As I seem to recall, Ruger does not have a warranty, they just take care of their products. Being 30 years old might be why they want to charge for this repair. Someone correct me if I am wrong about the no warranty.

 

[Bladerunner714]

As I seem to recall, Ruger does not have a warranty, they just take care of their products. Being 30 years old might be why they want to charge for this repair. Someone correct me if I am wrong about the no warranty.

thanks