Knight and Sportsmens Warehouse - poor quality, poor customer service

[Bob33]

I drew a quality muzzleloader elk permit this year for muzzleloader. Being a rifle hunter primarily, I made a decision to get a new muzzleloader rifle. After doing some research I purchased a new Knight Ultra-Lite in .50 caliber. I found one in stock at the Sportsmen’s Warehouse in Federal Way, and along with some accessories spent a bit over $1000.

Two weeks later, I am still without a functional muzzleloader. A few days after purchasing the rifle, I blocked out an afternoon to begin load development at a local range. I invited an experienced muzzleloader shooter to accompany me. He blocked out his afternoon. After getting targets and equipment set up, I put a cap on to ensure the gun would fire. It would not. We tried different caps of various types with different nipples. Nothing ignited. A wasted afternoon.

I called Sportsmen’s Warehouse to see if I could exchange or return the rifle. The manager told that their policy does not allow a firearm to be returned under any circumstances. I told him it was defective and had never been fired. “Too bad – deal with Knight.”

I called Knight the following Monday morning. The recorded message said “This is our off-season. We will be back in the fall. Please leave a message.”  Off season, three months before the start of hunting seasons? What’s up with that, Knight?

I left a voice message. About three days later I finally got an email from a Knight representative. I replied and explained what the issues were. I didn’t get a reply for more than 24 hours so I emailed him again. I finally got a reply that told me to back out the breech plug and try again. After backing out the breech plug a full ½ turn, I was able to ignite a primer. I’m not an expert, but the thought of hunting with a breech plug that isn’t fully engaged all the way and is free to move doesn’t seem like an appropriate solution for a new gun. The Knight rep agreed to send me a new breech plug. That was last week. I’ve yet to receive one.

In addition, the bolt on this rifle is so tight that it nearly takes two hands to lift and cock. I’ve been told by another member on here (he can chime in if he wishes) that he’s seen this symptom on some other new Knight rifles as well, and considers it to be a quality issue.

My conclusions: as for Knight - the company that “inspects and tests” their rifles before shipping but still sells rifles that won't ignite a primer, the company which has an “off season” when hunters are getting ready for the fall? Their quality and customer service do not match their rhetoric. I’d be hard pressed to buy another Knight product, or to recommend it to friends.

Sportsmen’s Warehouse - I will never buy another firearm from them unless they have a change in policy. Any company that sells defective merchandise and won’t take care of its customers does not deserve my business.

[Bean Counter]

That's horrible,  Bob! Sorry to hear about the headaches.   Your complaints sound fair and reasoned.  I have a scathing review about Apple to write myself.  Please keep us posted and best luck with resolution. 

[jackelope]

Wow...that's unfortunate from all angles.

Maybe Sabotloader has a contact at Knight Rifles he can reach out to.
 

[MountainDevil54]

not good at all. 1/2 a turn tells me that the firing pin is either to short or the shaft of the nipple is to short.

[carpsniperg2]

That sucks! Sorry to hear it bob. Don't let it get you down for your hunt.

[Mfowl]

That's too bad! Especially considering the $$$ you paid. I purchased my first ML from Sportsmens in Fed Way, it was a Knight Bighorn. I had trouble with that gun and contacted Sportsmens about it and they said all they can do is return it to the Knight factory for me. I have also had similar experiences with the Knight CS staff as well. Atleast they contacted you back. I was told one of their gunsmiths would contact me within 48hrs and no one ever did. I also got the "offseason" voicemail another time. I can't believe they would do that when all of their customers are shooting their guns and preparing for fall hunts, totally lame, IMO! I have since moved on to a Traditions Vortek NW Magnum and won't go back to Knight! Next gun I purchase will likely be a CVA Accura NW edition.

P.S. I would not feel comfortable shooting with my breech plug backed out at all! Hope this all works out for you!

[bobcat]

This really surprises me after all the sterling reviews of Knight rifles that I've read on here. I'd be tempted to ask Knight for a full refund of the purchase price and buy a different rifle.

I just recently became aware of some of the rifles CVA is producing that are legal here in Washington. I was never interested in CVA before but they've got my attention now.

If you can get refunded on that Knight, try this one:  http://www.cva.com/CVA-Store-View.php?id=628

The cost is less than half of what you paid for the Knight. 

[carpsniperg2]

  The new accura is on my list. I have been shooting cva for many years now and they have always done great for me.

[MarkyMark]

A work buddy of mine tried ordering a new barrel from Knight last week and got the same lame message about "off season".

[sirmissalot]

A friend of mine had really similar problems with his knight ultralite. He was told it was a common problem. I think it's fixed now, I'll have to send him a note.

The off season thing is absolute BS.

[MountainDevil54]

off season? Theres an off season to stop selling?! 

[billythekidrock]

I had a hell of a time dealing with Knight a year and a half ago while trying to purchase a ml through them. I called all times of the day for several days and could not get anyone on the phone. Eventually I did, made a purchase and then it took a lot longer to ship than they told me. Before it showed up I received a message from their customer service that said the stock style I ordered was no longer available but that they were shipping me another style. Then when it showed up, it was the model I ordered.

[bobcat]

Man, I always had in my mind that my next muzzleloader would be a Knight, but not so sure now. How can they have an "off season?"   

[The100Road]

id for sure see if sabotloader can help in any way. pretty sure he has some knight contacts. he helped me a ton.

[grundy53]

Off season??? That's ridiculous.

sent from my typewriter