I dunno, I bailed after three years.  I did however get an email from ARES asking if I wanted back in, I declined.

I was an original depositor. Sent my $1k check in the first two months when they began talking deposits. I forget when that was -- maybe 2002?

Back in the late '90s, when Geoff Herring first started talking about his intent to build a belt-fed upper prototype, I loudly and strongly encouraged him on subguns.com and the now-gone Vollmer board. So as soon as he said he was taking orders, I was there.

I stuck with him for many years, but in 2009 I sent in a letter requesting a refund. (Long story.) Two days later, Geoff himself called me and asked if I was sure I wanted to bail, and noted that if I later wanted one, I'd have to pay the full then-current price. I stuck with my decision, and two days later, I received a check returning my deposit.

In 2012, I received notice (a letter or email? can''t remember which) saying that I, and some other original depositors who had bailed, were being offered a Shrike at the original price anyway. I bought one and a bunch of accessories, for $3.5k (the Shrike itself was $2,495). I later bought a second one.

It's my only belt-fed, and has been extremely reliable, though I only fire factory-linked USGI Lake City. No issues so far.

Your Mileage May Vary, and it certainly has for many other folks.

Umm... not exactly. ARES has refused to fulfill orders from original depositors in New York and, possibly, some other states where ARES' legal staff believes Shrikes violate state laws against high-capacity feeding devices.