Cimarron- A Breached Breech

[TheLasGoodFight]

The following shotgun developed the depicted crack in the breach after a very light session of skeet shooting. It was purchased brand new in 2016 and took the crack in 2017. When I called Cimarron Customer service and they asked for the serial number, I was told the warranty had expired in 2014. This seemed odd that a firearm's warranty can expire before the date of purchase.
After a significant but civil argument, they finally agreed to have a look at it. They had it for over a moth before I finally got in touch and asked about an update. Then everything happened very rapidly. Upon examination and testing, Cimarron's team advised me to continue using the shotgun as I normally would, as their test showed no added damage, and the crack seemed to be on the surface and not inside. I objected to this, and asked them to reconsider returning me a damaged shotgun. Senior Sales Associate Chip K. had been dealing with me over email up to this point and he offered to sell me a new shotgun for a certain percentage off. The price was still significant, and I asked to be put in touch with their legal team, or whoever they outsourced their legal action to. Only after significant back and forth did they put me in touch with Steve S., Director of Strategic Partnerships. His solution was to offer to sell me one of their premium grade shotguns for what he called the "generous price" of $521. Normal price is $721. I declined the offer and again asked to be put in touch with their legal team. This was last Tuesday, and I've not heard anything since.

I hate to think of this as normal Cimarron Customer service behavior. Perhaps I am being overly cautious, but I would think shooting ANY firearm with ANY crack borders on negligence. This being my first customer service experience with Cimarron I have to ask; is this normal for them?

 

[Fox Mike]

Cause and effect. Cracks don't just 'happen', there is a reason why. Stay on their backs till it is taken care of to your satisfaction.

 

[kmoore]

It took a crack in 2017 and you just sent it in? Ok. Seems weird any firearms maker would allow a cracked metal part on any part of a gun out the door. Just so we know, were on the breach (receiver?) is the crack and how big (long).
I don't know how many lawyers you have contacted and settled anything, but they normally talk to your lawyer not you. Once lawyers get involved time nearly stops, a simple thing is not so simple any longer, days become years.

 

[TheLasGoodFight]

It took a crack in 2017 and you just sent it in? Ok. Seems weird any firearms maker would allow a cracked metal part on any part of a gun out the door. Just so we know, were on the breach (receiver?) is the crack and how big (long).
I don't know how many lawyers you have contacted and settled anything, but they normally talk to your lawyer not you. Once lawyers get involved time nearly stops, a simple thing is not so simple any longer, days become years.

Please see pictures above.

Please also note that they only recently agreed to have look due to the claimed expired warranty, thus the fairly recent sending of the damaged firearm.

 

[powder smoke]

You may be dealing with the wrong folks here! Cimmaron Shotguns are made
by Uberty an Italian company. Either way Buy American Give Your neighbor a job.
Next time you won't be in a pickle. Sorry for the hard truth! I do wish you good
luck and hope for the best possible outcome! ps

 

[TheLasGoodFight]

You may be dealing with the wrong folks here! Cimmaron Shotguns are made
by Uberty an Italian company. Either way Buy American Give Your neighbor a job.
Next time you won't be in a pickle. Sorry for the hard truth! I do wish you good
luck and hope for the best possible outcome! ps

Quite right. No reason to be sorry.

This particular gun was not made in Italy; to talk to the manufacturer I would have to call China. A hard lesson, but a lesson it was.

 

[arfmel]

The guys at Cimarron are taking a stupid and short sighted approach to this, IMO. The gun is clearly defective and dangerous. The smart way to deal with it would be to replace it before:

1. It bursts and injures someone and they get sued, or
2. Word gets out about their henhouse “customer service” and warranty.

They charge a premium price for their products but don’t want to offer premium grade items, warranty, or service.

 

[TRanger]

They’re not going to put you in touch with their legal representative. You’re going to have to engage your own attorney and have him contact the company. They’re betting you won’t be inclined to spend the necessary money to do that.

 

[powder smoke]

Most firearm companies take care of there customers! Cimarron does not!
I can guarantee you I will never ever purchase anything from them! ps

 

[contender]

I may be blind,, but I can't find the crack. But that is not important. You can & they can.

I'd be as polite as possible,, record as much as possible,, (emails are great here,) and keep pushing for a top tier management person to discuss it all with. Asking for legal,, as noted,, once the lawyers get involved,, it can take years to settle.
Use the legal route as the last resort.
Be polite,, but firm in requesting a replacement or the return of the original shotgun. If they refuse either one,, then demand the return of the shotgun. if they refuse to return it,, then call the ATF,, asking them what to do if a manufacturer refuses to return your firearm. A call from the ATF can often get good results.
After that,, then sadly,, you will have to look into the legal route,, and that costs money. Your lawyer can file a civil suit,, and you have to pay him for expenses,, until they settle.

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks for the warning.... I won't buy from Cimarron until I hear that you were handled in a manner that we all would consider fairly.......
J

 

[powder smoke]

I may be blind,, but I can't find the crack.

If you look closely the barrel on the right side maybe an inch or two up from
the breech face. There is a divot on the top of the barrel looks like steel is flaking
which may create a hole. Hope this helps. I did not see at first either. ps

 

[Mus408]

Surprised they won't replace the gun since if it blows while you are shooting it then it will cost them big bucks
in law suit!!!

 

[kmoore]

I guess I was not the only person not seeing a crack in the photo. Sounds like it's on the barrel not receiver.
The Last good Fight, Any reason you will not describe the crack as to exactly were in is it the photo?
In the end it does not matter but, you brought it up. It would be nice if we understood what your talking about.
My opinion, if they will not take care of the problem the way you want, your in for a lengthy and costly battle. If it had blown up and someone was hurt, lawyers would be sending you letters to help you. Now your fighting over a gun that is worth what? several hundred bucks. In this state that is 1 hour attorney costs. You legal battle will be thousands. I would work on a value of the cracked shotgun and get a check, forget the company and any other of their products. Move on, there are many good shotguns on the market and companies who stand behind their products. You talking to their legal team is a dead end. If your unbelieving in my opinion. Make an appointment with a lawyer.
Edit: I found the circled area on the barrel. Sure looks like a crack, if its more than just the blueing being cracked. I would not feel it safe to shoot.

 

[redhawker]

I guess I was not the only person not seeing a crack in the photo. Sounds like it's on the barrel not receiver.
The Last good Fight, Any reason you will not describe the crack as to exactly were in is it the photo?
In the end it does not matter but, you brought it up. It would be nice if we understood what your talking about.
My opinion, if they will not take care of the problem the way you want, your in for a lengthy and costly battle. If it had blown up and someone was hurt, lawyers would be sending you letters to help you. Now your fighting over a gun that is worth what? several hundred bucks. In this state that is 1 hour attorney costs. You legal battle will be thousands. I would work on a value of the cracked shotgun and get a check, forget the company and any other of their products. Move on, there are many good shotguns on the market and companies who stand behind their products. You talking to their legal team is a dead end. If your unbelieving in my opinion. Make an appointment with a lawyer.

What he said ^^^ . (except for the crack, I see it in the first photo, but that's besides the point) . Yeah, getting a lawyer involved for one hour will cost more than this shotgun is worth. If I were you once you're satisfied that you've gone as far as you can with the company, (assuming they don't sep up and take care of the problem), I'd give it up and maybe find a gunsmith that would buy it for parts of something like that. Or, disable it and make it a wall hanger for decoration or something. Or take it out to sea and video it going over the side "accidentally" so you have some documentation of where all your other guns went when they come knocking on your door looking for them. And, finally, I'd never buy anything from this company again.

 

[EVILDOCTOR235]

If it were mine I would put it up for sale with all the details including the name of the company who made it and it is being sold as is because the company who made it are not willing to fix the problem.

Unknown.

 

[BearBio]

Has anyone brought a new barrel into the question? Something seems fishy!

 

[coach]

It might make a nice over the fireplace hanger. Especially if the crack is in the metal and not just a cosmetic defect in the finish.
I can’t see how getting a lawyer involved would be worth it. Probably time to cut your losses if the company won’t step up.

 

[contender]

Duhh! I saw the circled area,, and didn't realize that was the crack area. Plain as day now!

 

[TheLasGoodFight]

I guess I was not the only person not seeing a crack in the photo. Sounds like it's on the barrel not receiver.
The Last good Fight, Any reason you will not describe the crack as to exactly were in is it the photo?
In the end it does not matter but, you brought it up. It would be nice if we understood what your talking about.
My opinion, if they will not take care of the problem the way you want, your in for a lengthy and costly battle. If it had blown up and someone was hurt, lawyers would be sending you letters to help you. Now your fighting over a gun that is worth what? several hundred bucks. In this state that is 1 hour attorney costs. You legal battle will be thousands. I would work on a value of the cracked shotgun and get a check, forget the company and any other of their products. Move on, there are many good shotguns on the market and companies who stand behind their products. You talking to their legal team is a dead end. If your unbelieving in my opinion. Make an appointment with a lawyer.
Edit: I found the circled area on the barrel. Sure looks like a crack, if its more than just the blueing being cracked. I would not feel it safe to shoot.

You are right about the attorneys, or course. In my mind I had distinguished between simply chatting with their legal department and actual litigation, but once again, my naivete.
Perhaps I should have specified about the crack being at the base of the barrel instead of the breech. Pardon my error. I would note that the circled area is actually a heat ring, and not a highlight at all, which makes the area all the more concerning.

 

[TheLasGoodFight]

Has anyone brought a new barrel into the question? Something seems fishy!

I had requested a new barrel. I was told that this model is no longer manufactured, and spare parts cannot be rounded up to replace the affected area. But, they were very clear that if they had an extra barrel available, they would surely have replaced it for me.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Has anyone brought a new barrel into the question? Something seems fishy!

I had requested a new barrel. I was told that this model is no longer manufactured, and spare parts cannot be rounded up to replace the affected area. But, they were very clear that if they had an extra barrel available, they would surely have replaced it for me.

If that model is no longer available, ask them to replace it with a like model, or a firearm of comparable value of your choice. There are also other options short of legal action. Contact the state attorney general's office in their state; their local Better Business Bureau. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

[RSIno1]

Small claims court. You may have to start with the dealer (unless Cimmaron is in your state) who sold you the gun. Problem is he will just say not my fault the company I represent inspected the gun and said there is no problem.

 

[powder smoke]

Lesson to be learned here is Buy American made products.
Made in China does nothing for me! They couldn't care less.
As far as Cimarron goes they are on my Never Buy List now! ps