....

ARES,

The mud slinging and negativity have all come about for a reason, and rightfully so, because quite obviously your business model is not very popular for a reason; you're providing invoices and uppers out of sequence and bypassing your own corporate priority by offering the latest and greatest uppers through a third pary for more $$ to anyone off the street while pre-orders remain unfilled. Do you have any idea of how very insulting this is to us as long time depositors here and elsewhere? Perhaps too much time has elapsed since you received my hard earned $1,000 in 2002-03 dollars and you've forgotten those who helped you jump start the Shrike? Is there any resemblance of humanity left in you, or have you lost it all on this venture?

I cannot begin to present the full level of my disappointment in both ARES and yes even Ruben since the previously unavailable optioned Shrikes were made available through a "Master Distributor." Mr. Mendiola may indeed have had a sparkling reputation but if you have read around that may be changing...

So please, enough of the excuses and sideways explanations, it's very insulting to my intelligence and to those of us here and elsewhere who are still waiting for our INVOICES and UPPERS. Please fulfill your commitment to us.

=8^)

I paid in full around the first week of Aug. 2011 and upgraded the first week of Dec. 2011.

When I upgraded in December, I asked about upgrading to the co-witnessed forerail and was told it wasn't ready for sale yet.  My upper wasn't shipped out until early February and I think the 4th Gen co-witnessed rail was ready by then, too bad they couldn't have emailed me giving me the option to upgrade to that 4th Gen rail before they shipped!

I emailed this question to Ares and was told they would find out the answer for me but never got back to me?  So again I ask!  Ares since my upper is configured as semi auto and a portion of the bottom of the bolt carrier has been shaved off (even though anyone can legally own a F/A M16 bolt carrier in my state as long as the purpose is not to purposely turn a semi AR15 into a F/A M16) does that mean that if I add the " Slidefire " (BATFE approved) stock to the Shrike, that it will blow up in my face because of the semi auto bolt carrier??

Ares please let me know!

Sig, I don't believe the Gen. 4 co-planar handguard was available when your upper shipped.

I believe the operator's manual that was supplied with your Shrike covers the manufacturer's intended installation and proper operation of the product. I've heard of the stock by name only but we have no direct experience with it.

So, what is it? What does it do that other stocks don't do? Why do you have concerns that it could cause your gun to blow up? Have other guns blown up when used in conjunction with the stock? If so, why would you ever consider using one? Have you asked the stock manufacturer your question and if so, what was their response?

If my paid in full upper hasn't shipped can I get the co-witness rail instead of the previous rail?

Yep I'm in the same boat.  Mine is paid and ready to ship, but hasn't yet.  Ares stated in this forum, that there might be an admin fee to change to co-planar rails for units not yet shipped, and so I'm waiting to get a formal answer from Ares.  I'd like the co-planar over the older rail.

We should hear something soonest, I'm guessing.

Ares,

This is direct from the SlideFire Solutions website:

Slide Fire Solutions' ground breaking "Slide Stock" technology and ergonomic design provide the ability to Slide Fire safely, offering a new element of entertainment for recreational shooters everywhere!

Applying principles that have been used for over 40 years to bump fire, the SSAR-15™'s radical design enables the shooter to fire an AR-15 as quickly as desired without compromising their own safety or the safety of others around them. Unlike traditional bump firing, the SSAR-15™ allows the shooter to properly hold their firearm and maintain complete control at all times. In addition, as a result of the forward movement required to discharge each round, the shooter naturally corrects their point-of-aim for each shot and prevents recoil from pushing the firearm's muzzle upward in an unsafe direction.

In principal the SSAR-15™ functions similar to the Gatlin system. When operating a Gatlin system; the shooter operates a crank in a circular motion to activate the firing mechanism. Every 1/5 rotation of the crank will discharge a round. The shooter will then continue forward another 1/5 of a rotation to fire the next round, and so on. With the SSAR-15™ the shooter activates the firing mechanism by moving the upper assembly forward to discharge a round. To discharge the next round the operator must again move the upper assembly forward. As with the Gatlin system, an AR-15 equipped with the SSAR-15™ will never fire automatically.

MADE IN THE USA
- Available in Right and Left Hand Models
- Constructed of Premium Reinforced High Strength Polymer
- Compatible with Mil-Spec and Commercial Buffer Tubes
- Some Sling Plates may not be compatible

So essentially it allows you to fire any AR15 full auto but legally according to BATFE!  They have tested it with the Valkyrie Firearms belt fed AR15 but since the Shrike is or was only available in a limited capacity, they have not been able to test their stock on your Shrike!  

My concerns on the Shrike upper blowing up in my face, have to do with the semi-auto bolt carrier assembly that came with it.  I was told a long time ago by Bushmaster Firearms that the Colt AR15 semi-auto bolt carrier assemblies that had the bottom of the ring shaved completely off and the Bushmasters carriers that had a thin ring would work function fine under semi-auto fire but if you used those same bolt carriers in a full-auto M16, they would crack and possibly blow up the upper after 8 or so 30rnd mags under full auto fire!  

Hence the reason why I wanted the full auto carrier, so I could enjoy shooting the Shrike belt fed upper in legal full auto mode!  I have a full auto M16 bolt carrier I use in my AR15 lower and the SlideFire stock is a hoot to shoot with it but it is not the same thing as firing a 200rnd belt through a Shrike upper.  So since it is legal for me to own a full auto M16 bolt carrier, I see no reason as to why I cannot return this semi bolt carrier assembly to you in exchange for the full auto carrier?  Do you?

Please let me know!

I can't imagine the slidefire bumpfire thing will cause any problems.  You're simply bump firing.  Unless you have an out of battery round, it's just a method for people to bump fire after paying the mfg a bunch of money.

Semi fire is semi fire, even if you are bumping.  Shoot it and don't worry.

Why Does ARES continue to Ignore my posts ?????

Please don't embarrass yourself, and don't patronize us.  We didn't just now stumble onto this product.  Most of us have been following this thing for more than a decade.  We know what was and what was not offered when we put money down on it.  You may have told yourself these sales points for so long that you actually believe them, but we are not buying it.  Here is how I and probably many others like me see it:

1. Folding handle:  
I kind of like fixed handles.  I had one on my FAL that was all right.  It is nice not to have to fumble around to unfold it before working the action.  I guess you could call it an improvement, but I see it as more of a lateral move.  In fact, some might prefer and like to see the fixed handle come back even as an option or spare part.  Maybe if you had used a one finger design in stead of a two finger design the lower profile could have made the folding handle irrelevant.

2. Chrome lined barrel:
Really?  A belt fed machine gun without a chrome lined barrel?  That is a joke, right? No, it was never stated that the barrel would be chrome lined when deposits were taken.  The way I remember it, chrome lining became a standard because of the uproar created when Ares specified that the barrels were not going to be chromed.  I don't remember the dates, but I do remember the outcry.

3.  MIL-STD 1913 rail on the top cover:
That was added after we signed the contract?  Who knew?  (see brochure)  How is exactly that (now) optional sights are supposed to be attached to the top cover if the top cover doesn't have a rail?

4.  Adjustable gas system:
Internet rumor?  I wonder where that crazy idea could have started?  (see brochure, again)  If it is an internet rumor then my guess is that it started at aresdefence.com.  Oh, and if a fixed gas system was intended from the get go why doesn't the operator's manual show it or tell you how to take it apart and put it back together?  The only gas block shown at all in the manual is the adjustable one.  I recall a customer asking about that on this forum not that long ago.

5.  many other improvements to fit, finish, reliability and part interchangeability:
The key word there being reliability.  I believe this phrase applies to all the other changes that were mentioned as well.  Because Ares stands behind the product (thank you very much by the way) upgrades to reliability are a net gain for everybody.  We get a product that works better and longer and Ares doesn't have to spend valuable time doing warranty work.  The point I want to make is that you shouldn't break your arm patting yourself on the back for product improvements when Ares benefits as much as or more than we do from those upgrades. Don't get me wrong, we do appreciate the improvements, but could you at least humbly accept the fact that Ares benefits too and that the act is not 100% altruistic?

I don't want to be your enemy.  I take no joy in pointing these things out except that I feel a bit of freedom to finally get them off my chest.  We were all very excited about this product when it first came out and we wanted it to succeed.  We are just fed up with being treated like mushrooms and pawns.  You may be a smart guy, but that does not mean we are idiots. You cannot shovel BS into our faces and expect us to think it is rose pedals that we smell.  Those of us who interacted with Geoff in 2002 miss the old happy, optimistic and helpful Geoff.  This new Geoff is not the one we felt like we had come to know before, during, and shortly after we placed our orders. We would like to see still more improvements and a revitalization of some of the concepts that seem to have been dropped like the open bolt option and the compact version.  Give us back the old Geoff.

The brochure states "Optional Hard Sights".

WOW....I ordered my Shrike in 2004 and never saw that brochure before in my life.  Decided on buying after an article in SAR & Soldier of Fortune magazines.

The brochure predates the deposits in 2002. Notice it calls them out as flip sights. By the time the deposits were accepted a non-flip fixed sight was designed for standard offering with promis of optional flip sights later. Fixed sights are one of the items specifically included in the contract.

Good Morning Shrike World.............

I can tell Mouse is peeking around, perhaps looking for response to my posts of last week. Me too.

I expected, at the very least, some feedback from my fellow undelivered and uninvoiced.

At best, some indication from Ares of a willingness to work this jam out.

Reminds me of the experience of going to a government agency or public utility office. You can be standing three feet from the "customer service" person, and be made to feel invisible. Like you are not even there!

You guys ever been there but haven't been there?

Stoner, no one is responding because your posts are nothing more than hyperbole built on naked speculation about Ares current financial/production status.   If you want to try and re-negotiate your contract, do it offline directly with Ares.  I have my Shrike so I barely have a dog in this fight, but I doubt anyone here wants to renegotiate contracts (via throwing money at Ares) that were executed in good faith 10 years ago.  I suspect they would simply like to have the terms of the contracts met.  

Again, I have been anything but a Shrike-whiner and, in a "big picture" context, think all the complaints have been silly.  If you don't like it, get your money back and get on with life- it's a gun part.  But sending a ton of units to a guy in Flordia for resale before fulfilling 10 year old contracts is just too much for even me to stomach.  BTW, if some of those original depositors can't pay the balance, I have no problem with bumping them to the back of the line.  But I bet a bucket of nickles those are not the majority of original depositors sitting empty-handed, waiting and now watching units being shipped to Florida for someone else to purchase.

Life is good and getting better.  I'm just sitting here watching the UPS tracker waiting for my new Shrike, with co-planar rail.  

Sweet!  I assume that pics will follow shortly after the BBT arrives?
Please...

Did you call to make sure yours was updated to the new rail?

Thanks

ARES, is this true?

From over at Sturm:

"Put an order in through a new dealer ~13 days ago. Got it Saturday. Just got in 'new stock'. Said Ares has an individual as well as a corporate (read: dealer) waiting list. They divide the outgoing shrikes 50/50."

So, it appears that ARES is doing the old "one for you [Ruben], one for me [waiting original depositors]" routine.

WHY DO WE HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE THIS FROM EVERYONE BUT ARES?????????

Again I ask, how is this fair and a good business practice as I STILL SIT HERE WITHOUT SO MUCH AS AN INVOICE?????????

Again I ask, how is it that people who sent their deposits in as late as 2004 HAVE THEIR UPPERS IN HAND AND I AS AN ORIGINAL $2,495 DEPOSITOR STILL DO NOT HAVE AN INVOICE?????????

=8^)

I hear ya Drew Bone. You and I are gonna be the last men whining. No sense to it.Hyperbole and naked speculation notwithstanding, I fail to see how my conclusion as to shipping and invoicing practices by Ares are not on the mark. Contrary thoughts are, well, naked speculation. If I was an REMF   (recently equipped............person............) I think I would be at the range enjoying my upper rather than checking the pot of misery on this thread.

I was talking about your "speculation" about their "financial/oproduction status."  You based your belief that they were in trouble on statements like "[Ares] may have made some wrong decisions" and "I truly don't think Ares planned on the Shrike taking this long to reach the market."    You used their shipping and invoicing history as a factor, but in the end it's all speculation.  At any rate, don't mean to sound too harsh, just don't like the idea that you want to come in here and try and re-negotiate 10 year old contracts by giving more money to Ares based on your belief (speculation)  that they are hurting due to "wrong deciions" and such.  

If you want to give them more money to incentivies them, go for it.  I doubt they'd take your money.  



OK, so you have a point here.  I was going to shoot this weekend but the weather sucked.  Next weekend . . . I promise.

Just took it out for the first time.  It's got the new co planar rail.  Followed the instruction book, although it's fairly intuitive, as i've got several other belt feds.

Well, all I've got to say is THIS THING IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!  It broke in nicely and just runs like a top.  

I'm very happy, this is a real quality product, as I knew for several years since I have shot Wes'  several times.

Now all I need to more ammo linked up, that and my shorty adjustable barrel so I can use the suppressor.

ARES:  I didn't see it in the book, but do you have a recommendation for how long to shoot before using a suppressor?  Break in time, etc?

Thanks!!!

Mine shipped Friday. Should be here Wednesday.

Hope it has the new rail.

Now I need to find the ammo I linked 10 years ago.


Edited to add:
Deposit sent Aug. 2002
Received the call 12/07/11
Invoice 12/29 Its dated 12/26
Sent check 1/3
Cashed 1/11
Shipped 3/9
Should be here3/14

Shrike is here. No coplanar rail that sucks ass.
Ordered mine with the adjustable 16" barrel and the hard chrome plated feed tray.
Both look good. Ill post pic when I can find my camera. Damn little cameras.

Ok here's a few pics.

D54R,

I see you got the bling-bling goin' on with that hard chrome feed tray - looks pimpin'!!

=8^)

Wow that feed tray is sharp!

I figured I waited this long might as well go all out. .
Wish it had the new rail.

DragonovR54,

'Got any more pics and reports of function, etc? I wanna see that in action!

=8^)

Nevermind.

Geoff and the folks at Ares:

I have been having the most fun with my Shrike.  I just got the shorty barrel today this week and got to shoot it today, with and without the suppressor.  Man is this thing fun!!

Let a buddy shoot his first MG and it was my Shrike.  It's fun to bust a MG cherry.  

Anyway, I'll be watching to see what you come out with pertaining to the reduction of rate of fire, as per your posting.

Well the UPS guy showed up and tossed a big box over the gate and waved as he drove off.  The box was crunched on one end but the upper is ok. When it stops raining here I'll take it out and burn some ammo.   Hope it runs as good as it looks.

Your kidding...right?

Another ARES "Master Distributor" crops up:

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfapartsandaccys&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=4452&query=retrieval

Is this an indication that my invoice is soon to be on it's way ?

Some answers would sure be nice.

=8^)

Been very quiet here lately. I am reaching the point where I'm numb to this whole business. Much like the past nine years. Sure am glad some of you guys are getting uppers, and that those uppers meet expectations. Congratulations! I just got to believe it would be so simple, since a large (?) part of the backlog is clear, that cleaning up this mess and delivering the remaining uppers would be relatively easy and the right thing to do. But alas...... more "master distributors" is the answer we get. Sucks to be us Drew Bone.

Stonerman,

I am dangerously close to having to turn in my Man® card because of all the whining ARES is causing me to present here and elsewhere because of this damn Shrike debacle. I have been honestly trying to avoid this site but something always comes up doesn't it; this time it's another ARES Master Distributor offering the masses right here and now what amounts to my freaking upper. The fact that ARES has remained 100% quiet about any and every allegation I have made thusfar as to the reason[s] behind me not even receiving so much as in invoice speaks volumes in and of itself. It's been enough to drive the casual man insane, yet all we hear about it is; "...what a bunch of crybaby's"...or... "Why don't you stop your whining?"...or..."You could have gotten your deposit back anytime"...or..."It has always been our corporate policy to fill the back orders"...or..."We're not going to discuss production numbers"...or..."We strive to fill all pre orders by the end of February [2011]"...or..."We've decided [even though all pre orders have NOT been filled] it's about time and ok for us here at ARES to provide to our new ARES Master Distributors [what was that again about "...our corporate policy is to fill all back orders"?] so our long time pre-order deposit paying customers can get really really pissed off at us but who cares - now anyone off the street can now jump ahead of a 10 year wait-in-line and get the very latest and greatest fancy shmancy nancy Shrike with the new never before available coplanner forearm thingie that had previously never ever been heard of."

Well isn't that just grand!  Well ok, now what?? What do you do when your questions go unanswered? What do you do when you tired of being lied to? What do you do when you as a customer are treated with zero respect?

I dunno' Stonerman, we might as well just accept the fact that we are getting hosed, plain and simple. And that's really putting a damper on any kind of enthusiasm I had about a belt fed upper.

Regards,
=8^)

I agree it has taken too long.
But, I have received mine (finely) it looks very good (the machining could be better, lots of tool marks) but over all looks good.  The jury it still out until I take out and burn some ammo.
As for the UPS delivery, yes it came over the gate and landed on it's end. I thought this was funny at the time, the wife is always getting stuff delivered. But when I saw my name on it and the return address I think I set a record on opening a box. The plastic case saved the upper from any damage.

I thinkests the UPS driver needs a beat-enn!!!!!  

Hey Drewbone, don't be a crybaby and stop your whining; you could always ask to have the deposit returned!  

+1.  really

"Hey Drewbone, don't be a crybaby and stop your whining; you could always ask to have the deposit returned!"

"+1. really"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^May the fleas of a thousand camels invade each of your nutsacks^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

=8^)

+1 x 2 (Advanced Math)

That's better- man-card reinstated!

Oh happy happy

Thanks for a little comic relief Steve, I appreciate it!

=8^)

This question if for Ares.
Is there a way to tighten up the top cover? It rocks from side to side making the rear sight very unstable. I have tried different sights and scopes (even ones off my AR that work up to 100 yards) with very poor results.

Hmmm, that's a new one. It is possible that your top cover pin or bushing is worn. Have you had it long or fired it excessively? We're happy to have a look at it for you and correct any issue that we encounter.

Only fired 200 rounds through it. I have taken off the top cover and measured pin and the bushing bore size on the top cover. It seams ok and not out of round. The rear latch only catching on one side might have something to do with it. When you shoot, the top cover might be rocking to the right then whip back with recoil. This could be knocking the sights off. Were putting a high speed camera on it to see.
Other than that it shoots very well, even with links. Out of the 200 rounds only had three jams. I shoot Remington ,Federal,  Wolf(very little) and reload my own.
Thanks for the offer to look at it, and the fast reply.
I'll let you know.