Archived Posts » 59,821,464
Has Anyone Sent A Weapon Back To Colt For Repair?
2/1/2011 10:33:52 PM
I have a mid 1970s Colt Cobra that needs some work.
I called up and talked to someone and they gave me the address to ship it, and stated just send it in with your name and phone number.
Does anyone have any advice, or experience, in regards to shipping firearms to Colt?
I called up and talked to someone and they gave me the address to ship it, and stated just send it in with your name and phone number.
Does anyone have any advice, or experience, in regards to shipping firearms to Colt?
2/1/2011 10:38:12 PM
I have shipped to them several times. A few warranty repairs and a 2nd gen SAA for a restoration. The custom shop guys do great work and not too expensive either.
2/2/2011 7:18:25 AM
I've sent a couple revolvers in for work. They do great work but one word of caution.... be patient. They are good but definitely are not fast.
2/2/2011 3:54:27 PM
One they replaced.
One they refunded.
One they repaired and refinished TWICE since they failed on both counts. Wait was long and my conclusion ( based on my experience) is "hit or miss".
One they refunded.
One they repaired and refinished TWICE since they failed on both counts. Wait was long and my conclusion ( based on my experience) is "hit or miss".
2/2/2011 5:52:46 PM
Pack it well in something other than the original box.
Don't send custom grips or other non-factory original items.
Write a SHORT letter with your name and address etc. and put it in the box with the gun so it can't be missed in the packing.
The letter should include the serial number of the gun and a SHORT explanation of what's wrong or what you want done.
If you want more than one thing done or looked at, number them so they aren't missed.
Keep it short, they don't have time to read all about how you bought it or how well it shoots etc.
You have to ship it via either UPS to Fed-Ex and THEY require shipping by the fastest method, which costs.
DON'T LIE. The shipper requires that you tell them what's in the box, and signing the form establishes a legal contract with them. Lie and tell them it's a tool or something, and they won't give you a dime if it's stolen or lost.
Only a FFL Dealer can ship via US Postal. It's a CRIME for a non-FFL to ship a pistol in the US mail.
On the label, use some initials for the addressee, NOT the word Colt.
Once Colt gets the gun, they'll look it over and send you a invoice listing the work to be done, the charges, and an estimate of how long it'll take. As soon as you pay, they start. You can pay by credit card over the phone.
Note that if it's an aluminum framed gun, Colt no longer refinishes them because of the danger of cracking the frame.
Last I heard, Ford's will refinish an aluminum revolver.
Don't send custom grips or other non-factory original items.
Write a SHORT letter with your name and address etc. and put it in the box with the gun so it can't be missed in the packing.
The letter should include the serial number of the gun and a SHORT explanation of what's wrong or what you want done.
If you want more than one thing done or looked at, number them so they aren't missed.
Keep it short, they don't have time to read all about how you bought it or how well it shoots etc.
You have to ship it via either UPS to Fed-Ex and THEY require shipping by the fastest method, which costs.
DON'T LIE. The shipper requires that you tell them what's in the box, and signing the form establishes a legal contract with them. Lie and tell them it's a tool or something, and they won't give you a dime if it's stolen or lost.
Only a FFL Dealer can ship via US Postal. It's a CRIME for a non-FFL to ship a pistol in the US mail.
On the label, use some initials for the addressee, NOT the word Colt.
Once Colt gets the gun, they'll look it over and send you a invoice listing the work to be done, the charges, and an estimate of how long it'll take. As soon as you pay, they start. You can pay by credit card over the phone.
Note that if it's an aluminum framed gun, Colt no longer refinishes them because of the danger of cracking the frame.
Last I heard, Ford's will refinish an aluminum revolver.
2/3/2011 7:45:16 AM
Originally Posted By dfariswheel:
...On the label, use some initials for the addressee, NOT the word Colt.
...On the label, use some initials for the addressee, NOT the word Colt.
Colt recommends using C.M.C.
2/3/2011 9:12:02 AM
Keep all tracking numbers and records for everything.
2/3/2011 9:28:24 AM
Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I call Colt. Colt explains to me that the revolver was cleaned, repaired, test fired and returned to us with the fouling present from the test firing. I explain that to the man and had to clean the gun to make him half way happy.
It was a great experience for me. 
2/3/2011 4:22:39 PM
Originally Posted By Hanz:
Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I believe Colt (and possibly) others leave them dirty to show that they actually test fired it. At least, that is what I have been told. Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I call Colt. Colt explains to me that the revolver was cleaned, repaired, test fired and returned to us with the fouling present from the test firing. I explain that to the man and had to clean the gun to make him half way happy.
It was a great experience for me.
2/3/2011 7:17:14 PM
Originally Posted By JETWC:
I've sent a couple revolvers in for work. They do great work but one word of caution.... be patient. They are good but definitely are not fast.
I've sent a couple revolvers in for work. They do great work but one word of caution.... be patient. They are good but definitely are not fast.
This is the gospel. I have sent in a SAA and my Delta Elite, both for custom shop work.
They were true to there word and reasonably priced.
2/3/2011 10:40:23 PM
Originally Posted By wetidlerjr:
I understand that. It wasn't pleasant trying to explain that to the guy that I'm attempting to collect money from to recover what we already had paid Colt for their services. In his mind he was paying for a repaired and cleaned revolver and wasn't getting it.
Originally Posted By Hanz:
Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I believe Colt (and possibly) others leave them dirty to show that they actually test fired it. At least, that is what I have been told. Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I call Colt. Colt explains to me that the revolver was cleaned, repaired, test fired and returned to us with the fouling present from the test firing. I explain that to the man and had to clean the gun to make him half way happy.
It was a great experience for me.
Guy's are generally real touchy about their Pythons. This was no exception.
2/4/2011 4:43:54 PM
Originally Posted By P08:
I have shipped to them several times. A few warranty repairs and a 2nd gen SAA for a restoration. The custom shop guys do great work and not too expensive either.
I have shipped to them several times. A few warranty repairs and a 2nd gen SAA for a restoration. The custom shop guys do great work and not too expensive either.
Ditto for me. This 1st month ('56) production of the 2nd Gen SAA that started out as a $300, beat up 5.5" .38 Special used heavily for 1950s quick draw. I sent it through the Colt Custom Shop and it is now a 4.75" .45 Colt (and with the 2nd cylinder; a .45 ACP too) wearing 1-piece ivories. Every internal worn part was replaced.
2/7/2011 9:06:37 PM
Doc:
dfarriswheel is absolutely correct on all points. I sent my recently acquired 70's model Det. Spec. in to Colt for a refinish job back in Oct. of 2010 and it took all of 13 weeks to get it back. I figured as much, so I just decided that I was'nt going to get to jacked up about it, and just wait till it got back. I'll say this, it came out REALLY nice. They adjusted the timing on it too. It looks , and feels like it's brand new. One thing that will hurt though, is the shipping cost. Fed-X and UPS really have us by the ass here. It cost me 68.00 bucks to ship mine from Carson City NV. to them in CT. YIKES!!!..............But, do it, I think you'll be pleased with the outcome.
dfarriswheel is absolutely correct on all points. I sent my recently acquired 70's model Det. Spec. in to Colt for a refinish job back in Oct. of 2010 and it took all of 13 weeks to get it back. I figured as much, so I just decided that I was'nt going to get to jacked up about it, and just wait till it got back. I'll say this, it came out REALLY nice. They adjusted the timing on it too. It looks , and feels like it's brand new. One thing that will hurt though, is the shipping cost. Fed-X and UPS really have us by the ass here. It cost me 68.00 bucks to ship mine from Carson City NV. to them in CT. YIKES!!!..............But, do it, I think you'll be pleased with the outcome.
2/8/2011 2:06:57 PM
Patience is definitely required here. I sent in my Commander slide because the front sight was loose back in early Jan. and received a repair order copy stating that work was "needed by 3/10/11."
2/9/2011 10:35:44 AM
Thanks guys for all your input and advice.
I don't mind waiting, especially if I know up front that there will be a wait - it is the lack of knowing what to expect that can bother someone.
I don't mind waiting, especially if I know up front that there will be a wait - it is the lack of knowing what to expect that can bother someone.
2/10/2011 12:08:26 AM
I bought a NIB 01918 that I planned to keep unfired and NIB forever for my collection. I was very displeased when I noticed the slide serrations were milled backwards. 
I sent it to Colt and they machined me a new slide and got the pistol sent back to me within a month. They did such a good job with it that you cannot tell there was anything incorrect about it to begin with. It sits in my safe, a perfect example of a 01918 NIB.
I sent it to Colt and they machined me a new slide and got the pistol sent back to me within a month. They did such a good job with it that you cannot tell there was anything incorrect about it to begin with. It sits in my safe, a perfect example of a 01918 NIB. 2/10/2011 7:05:28 AM
Originally Posted By TriggerFish:
Ditto for me. This 1st month ('56) production of the 2nd Gen SAA that started out as a $300, beat up 5.5" .38 Special used heavily for 1950s quick draw. I sent it through the Colt Custom Shop and it is now a 4.75" .45 Colt (and with the 2nd cylinder; a .45 ACP too) wearing 1-piece ivories. Every internal worn part was replaced.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c314/Z06M16A1/SAA1art.jpg
Originally Posted By P08:
I have shipped to them several times. A few warranty repairs and a 2nd gen SAA for a restoration. The custom shop guys do great work and not too expensive either.
I have shipped to them several times. A few warranty repairs and a 2nd gen SAA for a restoration. The custom shop guys do great work and not too expensive either.
Ditto for me. This 1st month ('56) production of the 2nd Gen SAA that started out as a $300, beat up 5.5" .38 Special used heavily for 1950s quick draw. I sent it through the Colt Custom Shop and it is now a 4.75" .45 Colt (and with the 2nd cylinder; a .45 ACP too) wearing 1-piece ivories. Every internal worn part was replaced.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c314/Z06M16A1/SAA1art.jpg
that is fkg beautiful
I just sent a Python in for rebarrel and tune (man does this gun need it, it's all kinds of fucked up in double action)), should get there friday.2/10/2011 7:26:39 AM
Originally Posted By Hanz:
Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
Sent a Python in for a customer for a detail clean and some timing work. Gun comes back with the timing corrected and a letter stating that heavy magnum loads had been fired through the gun. Guy starts screaming that he is the original owner of the pistol, doesn't hand load and has only fired factory ammo through it. I get him to simmer down a bit as I ask him to look over the revolver. Guy starts screaming that the gun is dirty.
I call Colt. Colt explains to me that the revolver was cleaned, repaired, test fired and returned to us with the fouling present from the test firing. I explain that to the man and had to clean the gun to make him half way happy.
It was a great experience for me.
They seem to test most everything. I'd suggest that if they want it unfired and untested, that it should be requested and the firearm tagged with the info.
Honestly, I'd rather see a firearm fired and tested rather then the shop send back A firearm that turns out not to work. Most reasonable firearm owners would agree.
