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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NDS current wait time? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/22/2014 5:37:07 PM EDT
| Out of curiosity, does anyone know how far the backlog at NDS is running these days? I'm finally going to just replace the damned lower I drove the trigger guard tab off of, but I'm wondering how long a wait I'm in for. The thing has been mocking me for about a year now and it doesn't look like I'm ever going to run into anyone local who does this type of tig welding. A lesson learned. Painfully, PERMANENTLY learned. Sick of it staring at me from the work bench; it is going in a deep, dark box. |
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I have a 601 that I sent off to M60joe with the same problem. I would have thought about replacing it but I already had all the Ident Mark engraving, so I was kinda committed to it. I will post a follow-up with an idea of how much it will cost to repair as it would probably be a quicker option than NDS lead time. I would suggest ordering one from them now and then looking at getting your current one repaired to cover the spread and if it all works out you'll have two builds. |
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i've never broken an ear using a punch, hammer and piece of scrap wood to support the ear but this tool is a no brainer.
i'm not usually a guy to buy gimmicky tools etc but when i had to remove from trigger guards, it paid for itself that day. http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/rpp.html 
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Quoted:
i've never broken an ear using a punch, hammer and piece of scrap wood to support the ear but this tool is a no brainer. i'm not usually a guy to buy gimmicky tools etc but when i had to remove from trigger guards, it paid for itself that day. http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/rpp.html  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6G2ZfhYNkk
Wouldn't a small c-clamp do the same thing a lot cheaper? Hell of an idea. |
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I just use a pair of large channel locks with taped jaws to put pins 99% of the way in and then a couple taps with a hammer andpunch finishes them
ETA: I've only removed one trigger guard but I did it by drilling a hole through the bottom jaw of my channel locks and used pretty much the same process as installing it. |
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Wouldn't a small c-clamp do the same thing a lot cheaper? Hell of an idea. Quoted:
Quoted:
i've never broken an ear using a punch, hammer and piece of scrap wood to support the ear but this tool is a no brainer. i'm not usually a guy to buy gimmicky tools etc but when i had to remove from trigger guards, it paid for itself that day. http://www.littlecrowgunworks.com/rpp.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6G2ZfhYNkk
Wouldn't a small c-clamp do the same thing a lot cheaper? Hell of an idea. yeah that's essentially what this one is but it has one end to start the roll pin and one to drive it home, also one to remove the roll pin. don't think you can get a c clamp to do a removal. like i said, never had a problem with a hammer and punch but this tool does make it a lot easier and no stress about breaking an ear. especially if you've spent the money to have a custom one made or engraved to where it's not easily replaced. |
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I sent around for quotes after I did it. M60Joe was the only one to get back to me. From March 29th:
"Pictures attached of the repair I offer. I don't weld.... Repair with refinishing the whole receiver (you send a completely stripped receiver) $386.00 Shipping USPS with signature required $18.00 Add more if you want insurance. I'll need 2-3 weeks" So....that's out. I guess I'm waiting. Hell, if I'd just ordered one when I did it I guess I'd be getting it now. I sent NDS a request for the 601 waiting list. Figure if I'm going to be waiting it ought to be for something a little different. This is for my 605 build. Several fellows on here made contributions. Jerrell Sharp did the barrel work, John Thomas dimpled a selector for me, the chrome 601 BCG and Colt charging handle came from the EE, etc. Bought one of the last blem 605 uppers from NDS way back. Barrel is a MP C that had been refinished and had the bayonet lug removed during the ban years. So a true Retro Mutt. But its brothers are lonely (603 and 604). |
| I'm just glad to see Harlan and Mike doing so well. Obviously their receivers are in demand, which doesn't surprise me a bit. I don't think it's just retro guys buying them either. When you produce a quality product for a fair price, this is what happens. Kinda miss the days of checking their website to see how many blems they had left, but I'm happy to see them doing so well. My greatest fear when they got started was the demand for retro lowers would dry up and we'd lose them as a vendor. I'm happy to see the opposite has happened, even if it means waiting 6 months. They really are the best. |
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I'm just glad to see Harlan and Mike doing so well. Obviously their receivers are in demand, which doesn't surprise me a bit. I don't think it's just retro guys buying them either. When you produce a quality product for a fair price, this is what happens. Kinda miss the days of checking their website to see how many blems they had left, but I'm happy to see them doing so well. My greatest fear when they got started was the demand for retro lowers would dry up and we'd lose them as a vendor. I'm happy to see the opposite has happened, even if it means waiting 6 months. They really are the best. Agreed, top notch product ... but the wait for my 2 lowers is killing me! 
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We had hundreds of orders placed in Dec 2012, Jan, Feb, and March of 2013.
We are into February on the NDS-16A1's And July on the NDS-XM16E1's The 601's are fairly caught up. We are a very small company, and I do ALL of the parts processing for anodizing myself. These forgings require a lot of care in the prep to get the gray color to work. Please be patient. On the A1's: we are on an "indeterminate length" backorder for all new orders. DO NOT press us for a delivery date, we have NO idea right now. |
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Harlan contacted me some months ago on prototype parts, and I was expecting to get a request for a credit card shortly thereafter…. I just checked and it was September. Since then, nothing.
Just dropped them an email. I hate to bug them with where-izzit-now emails but when Harlan left it "I'll be calling you soon for Cc number" 120-some days ago, it's time. Great guys. Great products. The economist in me says they should raise their prices! |
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Does this mean I need a 601 lower?
Oh GOD It's a sickness! I will NOT build a 601! I will NOT! (But I could build ANYTHING on a 601 lower and call it an AF Model!) Quoted:
Quoted:
The 601's are fairly caught up. Does this mean I need a 601 lower?
Oh GOD It's a sickness! I will NOT build a 601! I will NOT! (But I could build ANYTHING on a 601 lower and call it an AF Model!) Maybe you'll enjoy this photo I took when I was in the Air Force 
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Maybe you'll enjoy this photo I took when I was in the Air Force
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc475/shinn47/1319322252.jpg Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The 601's are fairly caught up. Does this mean I need a 601 lower?
Oh GOD It's a sickness! I will NOT build a 601! I will NOT! (But I could build ANYTHING on a 601 lower and call it an AF Model!) Maybe you'll enjoy this photo I took when I was in the Air Force
http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc475/shinn47/1319322252.jpg You are another enabler aren't you? How does that new style pivot pin NOT fall out all the time? Or do you just keep extras in your BDU pockets? 
ETA And I am correct that the ugly "tic" is saying Rock and Roll? 
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Defender92, that is a great photo. I have spent a lot of time looking at it. Thank you for posting it to the internet.
Do you recall about what year it was taken ? That is such an unusual build. Having put several non-rebated front lug uppers on slab side lowers, I believe that some upper/lower combinations fit tight enough not to need the little divot ball on the pin to stay in place. But, I would think a lot of use would or sustained fire would knock out that front pin if unsecured. By the way, that port door looks like an a2, but it also kind of looks flat enough to be a very early port door. Wouldn't that be a true mixmaster ! |
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I just use a pair of large channel locks with taped jaws to put pins 99% of the way in and then a couple taps with a hammer andpunch finishes them ETA: I've only removed one trigger guard but I did it by drilling a hole through the bottom jaw of my channel locks and used pretty much the same process as installing it. I've had better luck with these... http://www.irwin.com/tools/clamps/one-handed-mini-bar-clamps |
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Quoted: Maybe you'll enjoy this photo I took when I was in the Air Force http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc475/shinn47/1319322252.jpg Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: The 601's are fairly caught up. Does this mean I need a 601 lower? Oh GOD It's a sickness! I will NOT build a 601! I will NOT! (But I could build ANYTHING on a 601 lower and call it an AF Model!) Maybe you'll enjoy this photo I took when I was in the Air Force http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc475/shinn47/1319322252.jpg |
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Quoted: Defender92, that is a great photo. I have spent a lot of time looking at it. Thank you for posting it to the internet. Do you recall about what year it was taken ? That is such an unusual build. Having put several non-rebated front lug uppers on slab side lowers, I believe that some upper/lower combinations fit tight enough not to need the little divot ball on the pin to stay in place. But, I would think a lot of use would or sustained fire would knock out that front pin if unsecured. By the way, that port door looks like an a2, but it also kind of looks flat enough to be a very early port door. Wouldn't that be a true mixmaster ! |
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Quoted: I sent around for quotes after I did it. M60Joe was the only one to get back to me. From March 29th: "Pictures attached of the repair I offer. I don't weld.... Repair with refinishing the whole receiver (you send a completely stripped receiver) $386.00 Shipping USPS with signature required $18.00 Add more if you want insurance. I'll need 2-3 weeks" So....that's out. I guess I'm waiting. Hell, if I'd just ordered one when I did it I guess I'd be getting it now. I sent NDS a request for the 601 waiting list. Figure if I'm going to be waiting it ought to be for something a little different. This is for my 605 build. Several fellows on here made contributions. Jerrell Sharp did the barrel work, John Thomas dimpled a selector for me, the chrome 601 BCG and Colt charging handle came from the EE, etc. Bought one of the last blem 605 uppers from NDS way back. Barrel is a MP C that had been refinished and had the bayonet lug removed during the ban years. So a true Retro Mutt. But its brothers are lonely (603 and 604). |
| Saving up for a couple of lowers, itching to do a 604 build...hoping NDS will again resume production of slick-side uppers...hopefully the demand will help finding a supplier to step up and start manufacturing for them. Love to find a 605 upper as well, should've gotten one when they were in stock...'shoulda coulda woulda'. |
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We had hundreds of orders placed in Dec 2012, Jan, Feb, and March of 2013. We are into February on the NDS-16A1's And July on the NDS-XM16E1's The 601's are fairly caught up. We are a very small company, and I do ALL of the parts processing for anodizing myself. These forgings require a lot of care in the prep to get the gray color to work. Please be patient. On the A1's: we are on an "indeterminate length" backorder for all new orders. DO NOT press us for a delivery date, we have NO idea right now. I ordered my full fence almost a year ago and it finally arrive yesterday in XM Gray! The problem is it's finish is rearsenal black "charcoal gray". Why did you change the anodize XM gray that would have matched my original upper? 12 months of waiting and now I'm looking at returning it but I'm talking with Harlan about a solution. However, it perfectly matches a non-project arsenal refinish that I have so anyone looking for a match to a refinish, this is it. Too bad none of my original project Colt uppers blend with this shade. Will you change back any time soon, offer it as an option or is it going to stay that color? |
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I ordered my full fence almost a year ago and it finally arrive yesterday in XM Gray! The problem is it's finish is rearsenal black "charcoal gray". Why did you change the anodize XM gray that would have matched my original upper? 12 months of waiting and now I'm looking at returning it but I'm talking with Harlan about a solution. However, it perfectly matches a non-project arsenal refinish that I have so anyone looking for a match to a refinish, this is it. Too bad none of my original project Colt uppers blend with this shade. Will you change back any time soon, offer it as an option or is it going to stay that color? Quoted:
Quoted:
We had hundreds of orders placed in Dec 2012, Jan, Feb, and March of 2013. We are into February on the NDS-16A1's And July on the NDS-XM16E1's The 601's are fairly caught up. We are a very small company, and I do ALL of the parts processing for anodizing myself. These forgings require a lot of care in the prep to get the gray color to work. Please be patient. On the A1's: we are on an "indeterminate length" backorder for all new orders. DO NOT press us for a delivery date, we have NO idea right now. I ordered my full fence almost a year ago and it finally arrive yesterday in XM Gray! The problem is it's finish is rearsenal black "charcoal gray". Why did you change the anodize XM gray that would have matched my original upper? 12 months of waiting and now I'm looking at returning it but I'm talking with Harlan about a solution. However, it perfectly matches a non-project arsenal refinish that I have so anyone looking for a match to a refinish, this is it. Too bad none of my original project Colt uppers blend with this shade. Will you change back any time soon, offer it as an option or is it going to stay that color? HUH? you're saying it is "not" XM gray or it is? |
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Curious too... I ordered (2) A1 lowers for projects. One is for the lower to go with a NDS 604 upper, worried lower won't match the XM gray on the older upper. Thanks, BC I'm picking up a partial fence today. Years ago they used to be a nice olive gray color, but I've have got them from very dark to very light and everything in between. |
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We have had to darken the color over the last 2 years to better match the current surplus kits on the market.
I have never guaranteed color match for anything in the 6.5 years we have been doing these parts due to the age and patina of the surplus uppers. We can't even guarantee color match within our own, new production parts because of the following variables: Different material of receiver batches Level of hardness on the "as forged" skin on the forgings Level of polishing on parts Freshness of the blast media Age and concentration of the dye Run time in the dye We do our best to match them for fit first, and color second when they get purchased as a set and shipped together. I have no way of doing this when they split ship. If the lower is too dark you can take some fine steel wool and lightly "brush down" the finish a bit until it matches better. |
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I filled out paperwork on my partial fence lower today, it looks great! Thanks nodak, you two are the best!
My ffl was looking at it and said "can you explain to me what the hell is so special about this that you would pay a hundred dollars more than the PSA lowers I can get for sixty bucks?!" Uhh....RBRD man. 
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I'm rotating the various models through anodizing. Quoted:
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You guys that are saying your lowers are shipped...............Which type are shipping now ?????? A1, XM, 601, ???? I'm rotating the various models through anodizing. You know what ? You guys just rock like a wall of Marshall Plexi's. The attention to detail and personal one on one customer service is what makes you guys #1. I appreciate the emails and updates fellas. |
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We have had to darken the color over the last 2 years to better match the current surplus kits on the market. I have never guaranteed color match for anything in the 6.5 years we have been doing these parts due to the age and patina of the surplus uppers. We can't even guarantee color match within our own, new production parts because of the following variables: Exact color matches are for auto body repair - not guns. Geez... |
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Exact color matches are for auto body repair - not guns. Geez... Quoted:
Quoted:
We have had to darken the color over the last 2 years to better match the current surplus kits on the market. I have never guaranteed color match for anything in the 6.5 years we have been doing these parts due to the age and patina of the surplus uppers. We can't even guarantee color match within our own, new production parts because of the following variables: Exact color matches are for auto body repair - not guns. Geez... Ive been around antique airplanes most of my life and its the same with those people in that people want their toys to be "factory original" in appearance...but what they actually want is for them to be nicer than they would have been sold new. People obsess over getting old fabric covered aircraft to have a glossy shine but in real life they were making some of those airplanes at a rate of 5 a day...they were just getting them out the door as quick as possible. Same with going to the big Oshkosh fly in and seeing all the P-51's with perfectly painted invasion stripes on them. In real life those were slapped on with brushes the night before D-day in the dark. Nothing would have looked as good as what you see at airshows....but to us they're not just tools, they're art, and we want our toy-artworks to be perfect. More perfect than there ever was at any factory. 
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Exact color matches are for auto body repair - not guns. Geez... Quoted:
Quoted:
We have had to darken the color over the last 2 years to better match the current surplus kits on the market. I have never guaranteed color match for anything in the 6.5 years we have been doing these parts due to the age and patina of the surplus uppers. We can't even guarantee color match within our own, new production parts because of the following variables: Exact color matches are for auto body repair - not guns. Geez... I like my personal weapons to match as close as possible, no harm in that. Issued weapons I could care less. Just got my XM lower, it looks fine. |
| So far, I've had the best comms with Harlan. I wish other industries followed the Nodak business model. Anyway, I'm replicating a partial fence lower with a no forge upper Colt to have a rifle that was carried by a family member in Vietnam around June '69. Cancer took him before I started this project so I'm working off of his detailed photos and notes. We only talked once about our walks through hell and right before he passed. My stroll was just 37 years later and on a different continent. The full fence 1970's build is my first so I get it right when I build his rifle. We all have our reasons for being manic, some are just more personal than others. Thanks for the help and insight Nodak. |
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So far, I've had the best comms with Harlan. I wish other industries followed the Nodak business model. Anyway, I'm replicating a partial fence lower with a no forge upper Colt to have a rifle that was carried by a family member in Vietnam around June '69. Cancer took him before I started this project so I'm working off of his detailed photos and notes. We only talked once about our walks through hell and right before he passed. My stroll was just 37 years later and on a different continent. The full fence 1970's build is my first so I get it right when I build his rifle. We all have our reasons for being manic, some are just more personal than others. Thanks for the help and insight Nodak. Good luck on your build, and let us know if we can help in any way.
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NDS current wait time? (Page 1 of 2)
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