WaterfowlForum.Net

As many of you may know, I'm a little bit thrifty. So when I bought the last pistol, I bought a Hellcat, for $199. I didn't expect the world, but it performed great. Never had one fail to feed or fail to eject. Then last time we were shooting, a few days ago, it wouldn't eject. At all. This was after about 350-400 rounds, total. It didn't look like the ejector was broken/wore/chipped or anything, but that is really the only possible cause. It just wasn't grabbing the rim of the casing. So I just called iO and explained the situation. Guy says that it might be wore just a little bit, not enough to notice. Said they had used a metal which was too weak when that one was made (based on the serial number, it was a little over a year old) and had since fixed the problem. He said I could send the gun in to have it fixed, free shipping free of charge (lifetime warranty) or he would send me an extractor, free of charge. I said I'd rather do it myself, he pointed me to a video that walked you through it, and took my name and address. Said he'd send out two extractors in the mail today in case I drop/lose one when replacing because "they're small". Never asked for money, info, date purchased, nothing. Even though it's cheap, and the extractor apparently broke, shit happens. The fact that it took me a 3 minute phone call and no money to remedy the situation goes a long way in my mind. So far, I still like the gun.

He knew he wasn't going to squeeze another dime out of you.

I love companies like that. Thanks for pointing them out, all too often people only make mention when they are pissed.

Last week my brother and I put in a new (top of the line) furnace and air conditioner for a retired couple, the day after we were done she faxed over a copy of the letter to the editer she wrote about us. You don't get many customers like them.

Good to know people still answer the phone for some companies. Also good to know that they stand behind their products mistake and do what it takes to make it right.

It was pretty amazing. When I hit "2 for repairs and returns", I just knew I was going to be a while. But it only took maybe 5 seconds for someone to answer the phone. The same someone that solved the problem, no transferring calls, no "hold on one sec", no "talking to my supervisor", no grilling me about where/when/how I got it. Just basically said "we screwed up, and here are two choices for you to get it fixed". The time of 3 minutes may have actually been a little bit long. It was very pleasant and easy.

assateague wrote:It was pretty amazing. When I hit "2 for repairs and returns", I just knew I was going to be a while. But it only took maybe 5 seconds for someone to answer the phone. The same someone that solved the problem, no transferring calls, no "hold on one sec", no "talking to my supervisor", no grilling me about where/when/how I got it. Just basically said "we screwed up, and here are two choices for you to get it fixed". The time of 3 minutes may have actually been a little bit long. It was very pleasant and easy.

Make sure and post the rest of the story when you get there.
It's not over 'til it's over.

Nice rundown AT.

If they know there's a problem, and they're not issuing a recall, they'd better take damn good care of you.

Well, in their defense, I suspect they've only sold about 100 of these guns, and I've never seen anybody issue a recall for anything other than a safety issue. And Betty, you're right- it ain't over til it's over.

assateague wrote:Well, in their defense, I suspect they've only sold about 100 of these guns, and I've never seen anybody issue a recall for anything other than a safety issue. And Betty, you're right- it ain't over til it's over.

Fair enough, but I would think that the gun malfunctioning when you need it ought to be considered a safety issue, no?

I think there has to be a certain number of failures before a company is required to do a recall.

i've been considering getting one of the hellcat's just because of your posts about it, assa. if your new extractors work well, it will be a done deal for me.

Broken extractor aside, I can't believe how well it's done. I expected far less for the price, but I haven't had one single FTF or FTE. It's easy as pie to break down and clean (same as a Glock or XD), and is fairly accurate for a double action only small pocket gun. At 20 feet (about my max) I can put all 6 in a 8 inch circle in about 10 seconds. I've been very pleased, and carry it everywhere I go, no problems. The trigger pull does take some getting used to, though, as that is the only safety.

So what you are saying is, you like to spend money like a big shot on payday?

I bought that gun in November for $199. They're now $269. Ridiculous.

assateague wrote:I bought that gun in November for $199. They're now $269. Ridiculous.

OK, I will mark you down as a big spender.

Really man, you need to learn to control your spending. And by extension, be a tyrant to the old lady about her spending.

They really like it when you do that.

You should've heard the knock down drag out last night over the damn chicken coop. When I told her I'm not spending $500 on material for a damn coop, you would've thought I kicked her in the uterus. If I can't build the coop for less than $100 plus materials I already have laying around here, it ain't getting done, and they can fend for themselves like all the others in the past have done.

Exactly. I mean, after all, you did spend money on traps, not to mention your time and trouble to thin out predators. Those birds should be thankful you protected them before you take their eggs and butcher them for dinner

And I agree with using scrap materials for the coop, should be no big deal.

I don't see how it's a big deal, it's a chicken coop.

Just got here today, 2 new extractors. And he was right- they are small. I'm sold on the company, and really have no complaints about the product, especially for the price.

Actually in Monroe, NC. Thought they were in SC, but I was wrong about that.