TVM Woes! :(

[hanshi]

I've had dealings with TVM/Matt going back nearly 20 years and own more than one of his guns. I've had reason to call many times for information and to make sure no problems cropped up; Toni Avance encouraged me to always do this. I've never failed to get satisfaction when I called and talked to Matt or Toni.

I recommend calling and talking directly to Matt - a great guy, by the way - and telling him exactly how sub par that rifle truly is. Lemons DO get by any builder and the likelihood is that he'll take care of the situation. Call first, explain and THEN return the rifle.

 

[EC121]

I got curious about this so I looked.
FYI:
This is copied from the customer agreement on their website:

9.Warranty: TVM reserves the right to repair or replace any muzzleloader purchased from our company. The situation will determine the cost to repair or replace. TVM will not refund or warrant any part/all of a muzzleloader or kit that has been altered or worked on by any one other than TVM.
10.Returns: Merchandise which is free of damage and/or mistakes responsible by TVM may be returned for a restock fee of 20%. Customer is responsible for shipping charges. Orders with personalized engraving may not be returned.

 

[jdw276]

I was very confused at friendship this last first weekend. I had heard tvm was at the event and asked. One booth replied "which one." He was serious. Jack garner was there as well as the TVM, matt avance family was there. We seem to be assuming matt in this message string but jack garner's ,business is still out there, tn valley manufacturing and we don't talk about them much on this site if i recall.

I may have missed where it was indicated which one built the rifle so i will continue to be confused until someone can clear it up for me. Thanks.

 

[hanshi]

Matt Avance apprenticed under Jack Garner and later bought TVM from him. Jack's TVM is focused more on parts & kits.

TVM will often go the extra mile for customers as they have for me on more than one occasion. Talk with Matt, is my advice.

 

[azmntman]

Always talk with the owner first. Still, if I were the owner I would be personally inspecting each piece as it was packed. Compared to the "build sheet" it would likely have not went out. I still looking at Kiblers for my "custom" when I get ahead again

 

[Kansas Kid]

Probably twenty or so years ago I got a 36 TVM flint that was horrible and returned it. At that time it was a Jack gun, a few months later I received the new one signed by Matt. The new one was pretty decent and he did make it right.

 

[jdw276]

Always talk with the owner first. Still, if I were the owner I would be personally inspecting each piece as it was packed. Compared to the "build sheet" it would likely have not went out. I still looking at Kiblers for my "custom" when I get ahead again

THat is why i asked if matt signed the barrel. Quality control, don't sign if not to standard.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Hi,
Tennessee Valley Manufacturing is owned by Jack Garner and Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading by Matt Avance. The first is in Corinth, MS, the second is in Natchez, MS. They are different companies.

dave

They used to be one company. IIRC Matt Avance bought the rights to produce ready made muzzle loaders from Jack Garner who was then getting out of the business.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Yes, the barrel is signed M. Avance.

 

[jdw276]

Yes, the barrel is signed M. Avance.

Thank you for clarifying that. Good luck with getting it taken care of and now you have another wait time. That may be in my mind the worst part of this disappointment.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Thank you for clarifying that. Good luck with getting it taken care of and now you have another wait time. That may be in my mind the worst part of this disappointment.

Indeed. I was unable to ring TVM today due to work, but they called me and left a voicemail, said there must have been a mixup with barrels. Well, that’s not the only mix up I guess. It is what it is. I’m saddened to say the least.

 

[fleener]

Satisfaction of the customer is always important.

We as humans make mistakes. Some make more then others.

Give them a chance to take care of it before going all over the internet with it.

I know you did not trash them, but give them some common courtesy.

If you want to post your story, post it, but after you get it figured out.

Fleener

 

[Yewbender]

Thats a real bummer, sorry to hear this.

As others have stated you should have talked to Matt before you posted this. I understand your frustration with the build. Heck, you paid alot of $$$ to have it built. Now if you talked to him and he didn’t make it right...then post it.

I have 2 TVM’s by Matt. One is a .36 Southern Poorboy with curly maple. The fit and finish is great! The other is a .62 Fowler with SP++ curly maple. The fit and finish is also great on that gun. I get alot of people who handle,lookover,and shoot them. They praise the workmen ship and beauty of the guns and ask who built them...I tell them TVM Matt Avance.

Now i have to say their was an issue with the Fowler. It’s different then your’s. I ordered it through the BP shop as i did with the .36 cal that worked out great. Long story short, the owner thought he called TVM and ordered it, he didn’t. After back and forth calls with the BP shop and TVM...Matt went above and beyond the call which he didn’t have to do. I’ll leave it at that! Now the Fowler is my favorite to shoot! I also still go to the BP shop when i’m in the area during hunting season to B.S. and pick up some things.

I shoot with 5 or 6 others who have guns built by Matt and they are all well build...fit and finish. As for me i couldn’t be any happier with my 2 flinters!

I hope everything works out for you and TVM makes good on it!

 

[Huntschool]

Always talk with the owner first. Still, if I were the owner I would be personally inspecting each piece as it was packed. Compared to the "build sheet" it would likely have not went out. I still looking at Kiblers for my "custom" when I get ahead again

azmntman:

Your choice of kits is up to you and your budget. I, from what I have seen, like the Kiebler kits. Hope your budget $$$$ come to fruition...…

You have a PM

 

[F_Thomas]

I had a TVM (Matt) flint that was beautiful. I live overseas now, but thought about ordering another for my grandson and one for me when I get back. I pray this is resolved to the OP's satisfaction. Look forward to a positive outcome.

 

[Tom Compton]

I spent 40+ years as a buyer and purchasing manager. The FIRST step in problem resolution is to contact the vendor, explain the issue(s) and discuss equitable resolution.

Look at it like you are working for me and make a mistake (admittedly this is a serious one) and instead of talking with you about it first I start bad mouthing you all over the shop, plant and town.

So quit whining and email a polite letter with pictures to TVM and then let the rest of us know how it turned out.
TC

 

[NorthFork]

From the pictures you shared, my opinion is that the rifle's condition as delivered is unacceptable for the price paid.

 

[Gene L]

After reading the OP, I checked both my TVM rifles. Neither had the problems mentioned in the OP; the fit was good and the front sight flush fit the barrel. I checked with a magnifying glass, too.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
I sympathize with you Smokey. Several of us tried to steer you away from them because their "southern mountain rifle" looks just like their other offerings but with steel hardware. I recently repaired a TVM fowler signed "Matt Avance". The wrist was broken because the soft maple stock was very weak. Moreover the barrel was incredibly heavy and unbalanced and the stock was the most boring generic Lancaster styling that really did not fit any historical example very well. The workmanship was mediocre at best. I also recently fixed a fowler by the other TVM maker. It was stocked in ash and the balance was horrendous. The Siler lock was not tuned and the fit of the frizzen between the bridle and lock plate was so sloppy that it would not seal over the pan reliably. The trigger had so much space below the sear that it rattled in all lock positions and you had to pull it back 1/4" before it engaged the sear. The problem got worse over time because there was no tang bolt anchoring the front of the trigger plate. The barrel tang had a wood screw, and the front of the trigger plate was only supported poorly by the trigger guard. As a result, it dropped down allowing the trigger to flop forward more increasing the gap between the trigger bar and the sear. I retrofitted a screw to hold up the front of the trigger plate and also made a leaf spring to press on the trigger holding it up against the sear. That solved problems that should never have existed and I hope that is not where Avance learned his trade.

dave

 

[Sidney Smith]

When I built my TVM Lancaster kit, Jack Garners TVM of long ago, the kit came with some half assed instructions and they mentioned using a wood screw in place of a tang bolt. Not knowing any better thats how I assembled the gun. Wish I'd have known better, I would have installed a through bolt into the trigger plate as I did on my two later builds.