Waiting and waiting anyone else?

[Joemolf]

Bill Raby is right on several counts, you need to plan a year or two ahead and eventually you’ll stop ordering precarves (at least don’t let them screw up the lock mortise!)
Bill doesn’t realize he IS ahead of most of us in line. Years ago I called TotW to see why after 8 months I still hadn’t gotten the set triggers for a Hawken kit. I was told they supplied a LOT of pro builders and had to fill their orders first. Then I was given excellent advice which I follow to the letter today “if it says Out of Stock, don’t order it!”
I did some research, called R E Davis, they said they were almost caught up and could send me a set in a week. Called TotW to cancel the triggers and lo and behold he found a set that had just come in. He sent those same day.
Last year I spent 11 months waiting for a Harpers Ferry set from the Rifle Shoppe. I ordered it in July. Got an email in September saying it should ship next the week. Heard nothing until it finally showed up the following June. Don’t bother trying to contact them, you’ll get it soon after they get all the parts. Could be 2 weeks or 2 years.
Worth the wait since nobody else has complete sets either.
I haven’t dealt with pecatonica but they have a lotta fans here so I will soon.
After spending way too much time waiting for then fixing any precarve you’ll have more fun going from a blank, like Bill Raby says, and it won’t take 6 months to carve it!!

So I contacted pecatonica and unfortunately the Two stocks that I have on back order they do not supply. Though they provided me with similar options if I provided the exact barrels length. I may just order one of there kits after Christmas. It has become apparent that other companies are suffering from the same delays as many here have pointed out. They do offer a nice bunch of kits at pecatonica and I do look forward is purchasing one from them.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Welcome to the new supply chain normal. It's like Reagan's old joke about ordering a car in the Soviet Union.

The guy orders the car, and the dealer tells him to come back in 10 years to pick it up. The guy says; "Morning or afternoon?". The dealer says; "What difference does it make?" The guy says; "Well, the plumber is coming in the morning."

 

[kb466]

I hate to say it, but you may be waiting a few months more for parts or stock from TRS. I ordered a parts set, with stock for a 1795 Springfield— took about 18 months to receive. Then I ordered a 1756 Bess parts set with English walnut stock— again about 18 months. More recently, I ordered a parts set for an 1805 Harpers Ferry pistol with stock. I’ve been waiting 13 months and no parts yet.
That has been my experience. In the end, I was very happy I waited as I was delighted with the parts (and stocks) I received. But I fear that waiting is just a fact of life when ordering from TRS. I guess you have to ask yourself if it is worth the wait or not. For me, I try to schedule out my builds to account for the wait. But I understand that some may feel differently.

 

[user 34300]

Other than barrels, there is nothing a guy can not make for himself. It takes time to learn and acquire equipment. But, it is now faster to do for yourself.

 

[Joemolf]

I hate to say it, but you may be waiting a few months more for parts or stock from TRS. I ordered a parts set, with stock for a 1795 Springfield— took about 18 months to receive. Then I ordered a 1756 Bess parts set with English walnut stock— again about 18 months. More recently, I ordered a parts set for an 1805 Harpers Ferry pistol with stock. I’ve been waiting 13 months and no parts yet.
That has been my experience. In the end, I was very happy I waited as I was delighted with the parts (and stocks) I received. But I fear that waiting is just a fact of life when ordering from TRS. I guess you have to ask yourself if it is worth the wait or not. For me, I try to schedule out my builds to account for the wait. But I understand that some may feel differently.

Comforting reply! Thanks i can wait for you seasoned guys you know the deal I had no idea. I’m pretty happy with everything I ever purchased from them I just wasn’t ready for this but have come to terms with it. Cheers!

 

[godutch]

Pecatonica cuts stocks for Track, Dixie, and If I recall correctly Cabin Creek (?), in addition to their own kits. Now, this past year 2021 their sole stock carver had a serious motorcycle accident they laid him up for something like 3 mos. he then was back to work using a crutch, then a fellow who'd done the rough sawing on the blanks retired, and then of course the china virus went through the shop just for good measure. They are 'digging out' now and have been for these past mos. . 'Nicest guys in the world so by all means I'd say cut them some slack if you talk to them. And Yeah, I'm waiting on a stock too. Cheers, Fred

 

[Joemolf]

Pecatonica cuts stocks for Track, Dixie, and If I recall correctly Cabin Creek (?), in addition to their own kits. Now, this past year 2021 their sole stock carver had a serious motorcycle accident they laid him up for something like 3 mos. he then was back to work using a crutch, then a fellow who'd done the rough sawing on the blanks retired, and then of course the china virus went through the shop just for good measure. They are 'digging out' now and have been for these past mos. . 'Nicest guys in the world so by all means I'd say cut them some slack if you talk to them. And Yeah, I'm waiting on a stock too. Cheers, Fred

They are in fact nice guys as advised I did contact them as luck would have it the stocks I’m waiting for they don’t make for track. Good guys offered to get me into something close but I’ll just wait. Still a lot of good people in this country despite all the nonsense going on.

 

[Joemolf]

Well looky here:
Paid Backorder from Invoice on 04/27/2021 BO Shipped 1 STK-IH-B-M3
stock, Isaac Haines, 38" B, M3
Paid Backorder from Invoice on 05/10/2021
BO Shipped 1 STK-IH-B-M4
Isaac Haines 38" precarved stock "B" , extra fancy maple

 

[Joemolf]

I’m happy to report I received my stock it took almost two years but it did arrive last week. I have not been checking my emails TOTW notified me the day they shipped it. So it was a pleasant surprise. Just thought I’d close the loop on this.

 

[springfield art]

I’m curious if there are others. I purchased a TOTW Kit this past April. Every thing was in stock less the stock. They anticipated a 2 or 3 month delay before they’d be available. So I made the purchase figuring I might as well get on line before the line gets longer. 8 months have come and gone and just a friendly email reminder every month or so stock still on back order. I’ve called a few times as well. Last i called a few months ago I asked where I was on the line thinking they must be getting some in they couldn’t tell me. That I just don’t bye. They didn’t offer much. In the meantime I mentioned it to someone while at a local gun shop and they told me they were probably taking care of there regular builders first. I have not called and pressed them on that, though I am this week. I did find it hard to believe they couldn’t tell me where I was online for mine. Then I read here or other they probably won’t see stocks until spring they are made in Italy? Italy there’s no one in the states that does this; I don’t know if that is true. I guess I’ll get my stock eventually but I do find it hard to believe they have no idea as to when. With regards to all that I have spent a ton of money on BP kits and supplies and even finish rifles over the last few years there. I’m just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. Last thing I want to do is send everything back and ask for a refund. So is anyone else waiting 8 months for a stock from TOTW to complete a kit they may have ordered from them.

I'm one of those guys who will only buy a completed item. Don't mind if I have to refinish something or whatever, but just personally I didn't ever order custom or have someone put parts together. That's fine if someone really needs or wants 'custom' but I'm one of the "give it to me complete" guys.

 

[Reno]

I like Pecatonica. I’ve ordered from others in the past but Pecatonica generally has better inventory on hand.
I call them and we discuss what I want. Pretty simple.

 

[Joemolf]

I saw the rifle finished simply and thought I can get it close. So I ordered the kit not realizing it would be almost two years before the stock would arrive. I started losing interest about a year ago thinking I was never going to see the stock. There’s smoke now which is a good thing. So I have some book work to do probably won’t start it until late spring unless I can’t dampen the desire to get to work on it. I’m hen pecked still after all these years but she doesn’t bother me when I’m tinkering simply because I’m in reach. At this point I don’t need another rifle I need something to spend time on. You can only shoot so much.

 

[Crow#21957]

Didn’t you know that going in? I know kung flu is paying havoc with suppliers. Two years ago we didn’t have a supply issue there may have been a higher demand due to the popularity. Specialty items like Bess locks and what you have on order I can kind see. But I think 8 months is too long. There’s a better explanation and I’m looking forward to what the manufacturer says.

Joe I talked to Tow a couple weeks ago and the guy said they have a new stock maker and barrel maker. No names were given.

 

[Joemolf]

Don’t get me wrong I’m a big Track fan. I didn’t know they lost there supplier for this particular stock. They were very good about sending me monthly status that they had not forgotten. I guess when I originally started the thread I was annoyed that they couldn’t or wouldn’t tell me where I was in the line for this stock. I figured they could have at least given me that which after all is said I guess doesn’t matter because they got me the stock and it was their attention to do so. I’m sure they worked real hard finding a new supplier. IMO Track is a very well ran business! They know they are dealing with a unique customer. Since I got into this I have taken their advice on numerous artisans for help and never been disappointed. As far as barrels i have enough projects to keep me busy and the respective Rice Barrel for all. I didn’t have a problem with getting a barrel that may have been on backorder. I’m sold on Rice Barrels and if I ever build another flinter it’s stock will carry a Rice Barrel for the great service accuracy and they seem to be less prone to corrosion. My other barrels seem to rust more. Trust me I clean them all well. Thanks for your interest and comment.
Joe

 

[Crow#21957]

I like track. Have used them for a few years. I'm just an impatiend big kid.

 

[waksupi]

Back orders are just a fact of life. Some vendors won't be upfront with you being afraid they will lose an order. I've had stocks and barrels take a year more than when they said they would be here. Most companies making parts, especially stocks, will only make a run when there is enough guns ordered to make it reasonable to set up the profiler, as many of them cut 6 or more stocks at a time. I can tell you from experience, doing the set up can be a pain in the butt. Each blank needs to be set and gauged for cutting before anything can be cut, and it is very time consuming..
One of the companies I was building guns for were giving unreasonable delivery times to new customers, being afraid they would lose the sale. My self and the other guys who were doing the actual gun building went to the company president, and told him we had looked over the orders and the guessed at delivery times, and found we were over three years out before we could start any more guns than were already in the pipeline. The president was mad, not at us, but at the sales representatives. We in the shop went through the orders again, made a reasonable delivery schedule we could meet. Then the owner had the sales people call the customers, and give them a true delivery date. We didn't lose any orders, and the customers were happy, if not pleased, to get the true delivery dates. We had a finest quality rating, and they knew that quality takes time.

 

[Norman Brooks]

Anybody have any issues with Jim Chambers kits? Wait time, parts problems? Was thinking of getting an Edward Marshal kit.

 

[Loja man]

Anybody have any issues with Jim Chambers kits? Wait time, parts problems? Was thinking of getting an Edward Marshal kit.

I don’t think I have heard anything negative about Chamber kits. I ordered a PA Fowler mid Dec. They said mostly they are behind on stocks. Their stock carver was having a hard time acquiring wood during Covid. His wood supply is meeting his needs now. But he’s just trying to catch back up with orders. They said it could be several months before a stock was available. I was trying to decide between thier plain maple or thier next step up in maple. They called back later that day and said they actually received a shipment of stocks. They had one plain maple stock available! That decided it for me! So I received my kit in about a weeks time.