My AC back from ruger?

[ateamrob]

Ok I need some help here.

I sent my AC556K out to Ruger a week and a half ago for a checkup and told them to replace anything that needed it.

I got a confirmation that they received the gun about 4 days ago. Then I get home today from work and see that UPS tried to deliver a package from Sturm an Ruger today that required a 21 year old (minimum) signature and that they would be back tomorrow for a 2nd attempt. I guess I better take tommorrow off unless I want UPS to have my gun through the Thanksgiving holiday. This has to be my gun but I dont understand 2 things......

Its only been a week and a half and I never got a bill..... Even if they did not find anything wrong with it wouldnt they charge me a fee of some kind? I did not get a bill or anything.. Just the letter 4 days ago stating they had it and now its only been a week and a half and they are sending it back to me.... I dont get how this is free??? Good customer service???
I guess I am stoaked that my gun is done but this was fast and for no charge? I am a little floored here.

any thoughts on this?

Rob

[piratesover40]

From what I've seen on here and heard at other sites they do all the service free. Isn't it a Rurger policy that is lifetime for free. I know Taurus is that way.

[JasonAC556]

Unless they had to replace major components they don't charge. If you requested an overhaul where they make it like factory new again, then they would have charged you a nominal fee for refinish work to the wood and metal.

Yes, this is another example of Ruger's good customer service.

[Vegas SMG]

Simple. Your receiver is cracked and unrepairable. They are out of transferable receivers, so no work was done, and hence no charge. ;) Seriously, I've heard Ruger will often perform a quick check up and replace needed small parts at no charge.

What would really concern me is UPS does not ship machineguns. If you manage to ship and insure one, and it get's damaged or lost, they will flat out refuse to pay the claim based on their company policy of not shipping machine guns. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, use UPS to ship title 2 firearms.

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/ship/packaging/guidelines/firearms.html?srch_pos=2&srch_phr=machine+guns
UPS accepts packages containing firearms, as defined by Title 18, Chapter 44, and Title 26, Chapter 53 of the United States Code, for transportation from and between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors, as defined in Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code, law enforcement agencies of the United States (or of any department or agency of the United States) and law enforcement agencies of any state or department agency (or political subdivision of any state), and from and between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law and when such shipment complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws applicable to the shipper, recipient and package.


Handguns, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 921,will be accepted for transportation only via UPS Next Day Air® Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, or UPS Next Day Air Saver® services. (Note: UPS Express CriticalSM Service is not available for firearms).
UPS accepts firearm parts for shipment, provided the part is not a "firearm" as defined under federal law; the contents of the package cannot be assembled to form a firearm; and the package otherwise complies with federal, state, and local law. (Note: Receivers or frames of a firearm, firearm mufflers and silencers are considered "firearms" and are accepted for transportation only if shipped in accordance with UPS's requirements for shipping firearms.)
UPS does not accept automatic weapons, including machine guns, for shipment.
Firearms, including handguns, and firearm parts are not accepted for shipment internationally.
Ammunition may be accepted for shipment internationally provided it is shipped in accordance with the UPS Guide for Shipping International Goods.
UPS ReturnsSM Services are not available for packages containing firearms.

_______________
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

[ateamrob]

What would really concern me is UPS does not ship machineguns. If you manage to ship and insure one, and it get's damaged or lost, they will flat out refuse to pay the claim based on their company policy of not shipping machine guns. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, use UPS to ship title 2 firearms.

I didnt..... I shipped it to them through the post office.
Ruger sent it UPS back to me. Not much I can do about that. So in that case if something happens to the gun Ruger is responsible seeing as thats how they shipped it. Right? This no machine gun policy with UPS does not add up. I am not saying your wrong I just dont get how they get away with it time after time after time. Ruger always ships their guns UPS so this no ship machine guns policy must only be for private citizens shipping machine guns ups because Ruger always has and continues to ship their AC556 guns UPS. You will not find one instance when anyone has received their AC back from Ruger with any service other than UPS. I have actually asked Ruger about this before and they knew nothing about it. My guess is that they dont tell UPS they are shipping machine guns and UPS does not ask. "dont ask and dont tell" type deal I am sure. As far as UPS is concerned they are shipping a regular rifle. There is nothing else it could be because like I said, thats how they always ship the ACs back. According to the note left on my doorstep today, myself included.

However I do appreciate your help and feedback on this you guys. All of you. I was pretty surprised to see the note when I got home from work today. I asked them to go all through the gun and replace anything that was worn or needed replacement incuding the barrel. I guess I expected for a 1981 era gun that has been fired lots and lots through the years it maybe would need a new barrel and some more work. I sent the darn thing out only a week and a half ago. Now its back? For no charge? Thats GREAT service for sure.....

Rob

[smg-45]

As long as your AC-556 is not modified in any way Ruger will service it. The firing pin broke in mine 6 years ago, Ruger charged me $65 for parts, labor, and shipping. 1 week after I got it back, it broke again. When I called Ruger, and asked WTF, they asked what ammo I was using. When I replied Wolf, they said that Russian primers were too hard, and causing firing pin failure. They fixed it again for free, and advised me to only use Boxer primed ammo.

As much as people bitch about some of Ruger's policies, you can't beat thier repair service.

[ateamrob]

yeah I am blown away.

I mean I hate to sound like a broken record but "a week and a half" total time free of charge? Wow.... I always heard of Rugers outstanding service but I guess you have to see it to believe it. I suppose sending it in was not needed seeing as they must not have replaced anything hence thats why its back so soon free of charge but I just thought it would be a good idea given the guns age (1981) and not knowing its whole owner history to have it looked over.

at least now I dont have to wonder if anything is worn or worth replacing. I guess there is something to be said for the old phrase "if it aint broken, dont fix it" :D

[Vegas SMG]

I completely understood what you were saying about Ruger being the shipper. Unfortunately, many companies and SOTs still haven't gotten the word that UPS stopped shipping AND insuring machine guns about three years ago, or they simply don't care.

When you think of the hundreds of thousands of Ruger handguns and rifles that are shipped via UPS each year, I'm sure their cost versus the risk is very low. I'd almost bet that if Ruger insured the AC556 for 6k and declared it a machine gun, the local UPS would probably accept it due to the huge volume of shipping they due each year. It'd probably slip by and UPS MAY actually pay Ruger's claim due to the hundreds of thousands of shipments they use UPS for each year. That's small change in the big scheme of things. Now if you're a little SOT, you're screwed.

UPS got banged pretty hard by one of their inept delivery drivers who left a '28 Thompson at a vacant gun store. Shame on the shipper for not verifying the gun store's address, (they had done business before but the recipient dealer had moved to a new location). Anyway, the driver left the adult signature required package by the door and a construction worker at that complex swiped it. After he realized what he had stolen, he allegedly threw it in a dumpster. UPS tried every way possible to wiggle out of the insurance claim and after attorneys were involved, the eventually paid the claim and promptly stopped shipping machine guns when they discovered their replacement cost.

Vector Arms also offered fantastic customer service... unfortunately, if you owned a Vctor Uzi, you probably needled their great service after the sale. My FS, FA Uzi that I purchased NIB in 2001 made repeated trips back to Utah for repairs for several years long after the warranty expired. I was never charged a dime. Each time it was returned inside of a week and always by UPS. Once, I came home from work to discover the gun had been left propped up by my front door. Adult Signature Required means nothing to some of their drivers. Vector continued to use UPS after they knew full well they wouldn't honor insurance claims against loss, theft, or damage to full auto weapons. Seemed like false economy to me. :dunno

Just letting you guys know about UPS so you don't get screwed for not knowing and following the big dealer's method of shipping. You may get a UPS clerk who's not knowledgeable and they may accept your package and insure it. If a claim must be filed later, you insurance money will be returned and you're SOL... you violated UPS policy as stated on their web site in the link I provided. USPS or Fed Ex for full auto toys only.

Keep us posted on what Ruger said about/did to your baby.

_______________
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. -P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

[ateamrob]

I hear what you are saying Vegas SMG,

it makes scene too that Ruger just has not caught up with the times and that no one has questioned them yet on it.

I tell you I refuse to ship anything fragile UPS. UPS damaged (bad) 4 of my electric guitars within the last 4 years and that is unacceptable so the fact that Ruger is shipping my baby back to me UPS makes me cringe.

My Uncle retired from UPS and he even told me that their care with packages sometimes is horrible.... I am living proof of that. 4 broken guitars in hard shell cases.

But I will keep you posted on how she looks when I get her today. I called into work and told them I will be in after UPS comes because I need to sign for it according to the slip and if I miss it today, they wont come until Monday due to the long TGD weekend.

I will post as soon as I rip her open and see how she looks. I hope they include a note stating what they did rather than not say anything... I am sure they will.

thanks again for the heads up Vegas SMG... :)

Rob

[ateamrob]

Its back!!!! :thumbs_up


WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

here is what they did FREE OF CHARGE...

pistol grip (repaired)... dont know why it seemed fine
selector link (replaced)
Gas pipe/bushing (replaced)
ejector/spring (replaced)
Extractor/spring/plunger (replaced)
firing pin/bolt lock (replaced)
rocker arm/spring (replaced)

they did all that free of charge!!!!!?????? :thumbs_up WOW!!!!

I even got a brand new Ruger shorty AC box.

RUGER IS AWESOME!!!!!

[Mike85220]

Tell me more about the proper procedure to ship an NFA firearm.
(sorry to hijack)

I am going to be shipping one here soon and I need to know whether it should be sent UPS, USPS, or Fed Ex. Also, what forms, and all else I need to cover myself for the "just in case".

Thanks!

[ateamrob]

first off.... read what Vegas SMG says about shipping automatic weapons UPS... they wont do it. They have a policy against it. Ruger ships them UPS but does not tell UPS they are MGs so as far as UPS is concerned they are just plain old rifles.

I would never ship UPS anyways.... too rough and they have broken stuff before of mine. Guitars and the list goes on and on. I shipped mine USPS.

No forms needed to ship to the factory. Just send it. Thats what I did.

[WB5MHA]

After many returns to Ruger they have never charged a dime. They may send an estimate and price list for services but they have never actually charged me.