Winchester has changed warranty
Did you know that Winchester does not cover manufacturers defects in their firearms that are over five years old? If your bolt of your rifle developes a crack after five years of ownership it is not covered. Did you know that all warranties that were implied or listed when you bought with your Winchester firearm in the past are void now.
If you bought a Winchester Commemoritive as a investment and it is over five years old it is not covered. You keep it in the box the way you received it and never use it. You keep it in a heated gun safe and the gold on it starts falling off because of faultly plating. There is not any rust anywhere on the rifle except under the plating on the lever action.
Winchester still states that its Commemoritives are collector items. What collector would buy something that the manufacturer
does not have the guts to cover against its own defects?
Winchester flooded the market with Commemoritives killing the investment value of the ones they originially sold. Now they are killing all of the Commemoritives with no defect warrantly.
If you bought a Winchester Commemoritive as a investment and it is over five years old it is not covered. You keep it in the box the way you received it and never use it. You keep it in a heated gun safe and the gold on it starts falling off because of faultly plating. There is not any rust anywhere on the rifle except under the plating on the lever action.
Winchester still states that its Commemoritives are collector items. What collector would buy something that the manufacturer
does not have the guts to cover against its own defects?
Winchester flooded the market with Commemoritives killing the investment value of the ones they originially sold. Now they are killing all of the Commemoritives with no defect warrantly.
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I don't think that this policy is out of line with the rest of the industry. I've bought lots of Colts, S&Ws, & Rugers over the years, and I don't recall any of them giving a warranty other than a vague "defects" warranty. No-charge repairs have usually been at the discretion of the manufacturer, often dependent upon the availability of parts. My experience has been that Ruger has set the gold standard for no-charge repairs, often fixing problems caused by abuse or neglect.
I once ruined a Colt Lord derringer: I made the mistake of wiping it a few times with a soft cloth, and the gold "plating" actually wiped off. Colt declined to repair it; I took my lumps. Today, you can only get repairs on current Colt models done at Colt; they decided to cut costs by not maintaining parts for obsolete models.
While I am sure that Winchester's policy must be frustrating, consider their position. They probably contracted out for much of the work done on commemoratives, and have no extra parts or the ability to recreate them without a huge expense; even if they did replace parts, it would no longer be "original". One of the reason some folks like commemoratives is that they know that they are from a limited run. Unfortunately, they are also fragile since they are intended for show, not shooting, or even handling.
Neal0 -
I guess the lack accountability for poor workmanship makes the frustration even worse. In the brochure and selling points to the public about it being a collectors item is just a snowjob to sell items that were not intended to stay together or backed. What collector uses and handles a Commemorative other than to show on display or store as an investment? Winchester knows that a Commemorative is not going to be used like a normal firearm.
Winchester CHARGED good money for the extras on their Commemoratives. If the Commemorative was handled by people a couple times a month or more I could see the issue. But as a Collector seeing the plating peeling off and who did not handle it except for every couple of years with the paper that it was wrapped in it would be upsetting. This was not wiped or handled in the sense of operating it. I am sorry, but as a collector
buying a new Commemorative as a investment, I did not expect it to fall apart on its own and being quite knowledgeable about surface processes know that it is because of a manufacturing error. Winchester contractors are not acceptable as an excuse or lack of parts. A good plating shop could repair the gold plate on the lever without a new part. The issue is to the collector is the lever fix done by Winchester.0 -
what is your question??????????????/
I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.0 -
Gold is very soft--it has to be mixed with other metals in order to make wearable jewelry or for most other purposes. Plating with gold is very difficult to do well and even harder to do with any sort of durability. A soft thin layer of metal just doesn't inspire any sort of confidence--strictly for decoration and not much even for that! No matter how careful you store your firearm, atmsopheric pollution and time will conspire against your glittering treasure.
Yes, a company should stand behind their stuff, but none of us are going to look as good as we did five years ago short of a trip to a plastic surgeon, and we have a maker who does back his handiwork with a lifetime warranty.
Maybe you'll have some success if you find someone at Winchester who will take care of your gun. Don't hesitate to go up the ladder. They don't want unhappy customers. But keep in mind that this is not something that's necessarily their fault
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
Gold plating sticks very well to copper. That is why Gold watches have so many years guarantee on its plating. The surface of the item to be plated has to be prepared properly. Rinsing between each step of the preparation to insure the chemical agents used for cleaning,etching, etc are removed. From the look of the peeling it is the base under the copper or whatever contact base they used for the gold that was contaminated with an agent. We have used gold for years without it separating. My background in R&D for 23 years using Gold plated electrical contacts, Ultra High Vacuum gold plated cold fingers, and outside commerical gold plated jewelry,audio connectors, etc are testament that it can and will last.
I went up the ladder with Winchester until I was told that I did not have any other recourse. I could take them to small claims but still it would not be repaired by Winchester. It is my intention to find out how many other Winchester Commemoratives are having problems.0 -
I have a 66 centennial Winchester that the gold plating is worn, through the years from wiping it down, it seems the plating has just worn away! Must have been plated to less than 1 mil.
No rust underneath, just wear, the gun has never been fired or carried.
I realize your frustration, you would think that paying a good price for the commemorative because of the plating etc.. you may get a little more.
Just think, have it re-plated by a reputable shop and you will know it has been done right!
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun has!0 -
I'm in good shape............I haven't bought a NEW "Winchester" sense 1968........and don't intend to [xx(] 0 -
It goes to show why Pre-64 Winchesters still sell well. My father told me in 1969 the new Winchesters were not built like the old. Now we see why they have lost their reputation as well built and why they lost business. I do not even think twice about my pre-64s when I use them. They will work time and time again. When the time comes my children can enjoy them. 0 -
Archer1 is right about pre64s being the best. However when the Olin Corp. sold Winchester to US Repeating Arms in the early 80s and they closed the Winchester Custom Shop, everything went down hill fast. USRAs is trading on the old Winchester name, and it's a shame to see the junk they put out with "Winchester" on it. Would love to see some real Winchesters built again, but that will not happen. As far as a warranty 1 or 2 years on most long guns today. It also depends on the brand, if you have the money, some come with a fine warranty, best to read the warranty prior to purchase. Regards Dave 0 -
It seems that most of the U.S firearms companies followed Detroits Auto industries blunders into the 70's. They made cars that did not last with profits for them first and figured we did not have a choice. The Japanese auto makers jumped right in and and still to this day they keep Detroit honest. Winchester (Olin) saw that the firearm market was not high volume/profit and got out of the firearm manufacturing to high volume ammo. U.S. Repeating Arms never learned and that is why they have changed hands so many times, 0
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