Knight and Sportsmens Warehouse - poor quality, poor customer service

[gunnarnewt]

     Go down to Sportsman's and tell them you're not leaving without a new gun, They'll get all pissy, but in the end they'll do it. And then don't ever buy a gun from them again! That's what I did. I bought a shotgun, went out to use it the next morning, it was defective, they gave me the same song and dance.... "You'll have to take this up with Bennelli", I told them I needed a cot, because I wasn't leaving without a new gun. Guess what? 10 minutes later I had a new gun...... Along with a whole lot of attitude. But who cares, they replaced the POS. I probably bought 10 or 11 guns from them throughout the years, but never again because of that one episode. 

[Bob33]

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

Novel concept.

Glad to hear you're making some headway.

I asked why they didn't before. He said some customers complained about receiving a dirty gun. I've purchased lots and lots of centerfires, and to the best of my knowledge every one was actually tested fired - not just primers but real bullets down the barrel. It never bothered med. Muzzleloader guys must be weird.

[whacker1]

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

Novel concept.

Glad to hear you're making some headway.

I asked why they didn't before. He said some customers complained about receiving a dirty gun. I've purchased lots and lots of centerfires, and to the best of my knowledge every one was actually tested fired - not just primers but real bullets down the barrel. It never bothered med. Muzzleloader guys must be weird.

not wierd, muzzleloaders are very hard to get clean in comparison to a rifle.  Most muzzleloader manufacturers don't like to clean them after test firing as they have added time and cost with each weapon.  It is much more cumbersome than cleaning a centerfire rifle.  Also muzzleloader powder(s) are much more corrosive than smokeless powder if they don't do a good job cleaining them.  I am not saying the test policy isn't flawed, but I would bet that Traditions and CVA don't test fire all their weapons either.  Should they "yes", but I don't think they do.

[Bob33]

He said that Knight just started actually test firing their muzzleloaders to ensure they work before shipping.

Novel concept.

Glad to hear you're making some headway.

I asked why they didn't before. He said some customers complained about receiving a dirty gun. I've purchased lots and lots of centerfires, and to the best of my knowledge every one was actually tested fired - not just primers but real bullets down the barrel. It never bothered med. Muzzleloader guys must be weird.

not wierd, muzzleloaders are very hard to get clean in comparison to a rifle.  Most muzzleloader manufacturers don't like to clean them after test firing as they have added time and cost with each weapon.  It is much more cumbersome than cleaning a centerfire rifle.  Also muzzleloader powder(s) are much more corrosive than smokeless powder if they don't do a good job cleaining them.  I am not saying the test policy isn't flawed, but I would bet that Traditions and CVA don't test fire all their weapons either.  Should they "yes", but I don't think they do.

Just to fire a cap?

[Sabotloader]

Bob,

I did get mine setup and ready to shoot - now I just need the weather to cooperate and cool off - 90's is just to hot...







One reason they do not fire them might be the barrels are treated with Bore Coat before shipping.  It requires a drying time then shooting time to cure the chemicals.  Cleaning them prematurely 'could' effect the effects of the bore coat.

I know they use to shoot every #?? number of rifles that they assembled. I do not know if they still do that or not...

Personally and this is just me... I do not want a pre-fired ML - I want to do my thing before the rifle is fired or even elect to not fire it all so that it qualifies as a NIB - never fired - muzzle loader - they command a but much better price than a fired muzzleloader in the resale market.  Very few people trust others cleaning abilities when it come to black powder and black powder substitutes.

[Bob33]

If they had put a cap on the nipple and pulled the trigger, it would have saved me three lost weeks and a big black eye for Knight. Does that really require cleaning?

[Sabotloader]

If they had put a cap on the nipple and pulled the trigger, it would have saved me three lost weeks and a big black eye for Knight. Does that really require cleaning?

I totally agree... but you would not believe the mess one cap can make with the bore coat in the barrel. Of course the bore coat is non-corrosive.  Just out of curiosity have you ran a patch down the bore? You might be surprised yourself right now if you were to run a damp patch down the bore. It will come out looking something terrible - then add the carbon from a cap and it gets worse.  That is why the companies and almost everyone says to thoroughly clean a ML before shooting.  The preservatives that companies put to protect the new bore can sometimes be really thick.

These were the first patches out of my new TC Triumph when cleaning it.  TC was using some form of copper protection...



In reality - if the person assembling the rifle had looked at the closed bolt in the fired position you would see that it would not work - same for the pressure that was need to close the bolt.  So Knight is still on the hook for the assembly of a non-functional rifle.

In my case I did fire 3 caps then started cleaning the bore - I really wish I had taken pictures of those patches.  They were a deep dark black and it took 10 or so patches to start to see the end... But one thing for sure if that rifle had set in Sportsman's Warehouse for years the bore would have been protected.

 

[brianmtsinc]

Bob,
So sorry to hear of your problems, but I THANK YOU for posting this.  I am an archery hunter that drew a muzzy tag this year and am only days away from buying a complete set up.  I was leaning towards the CVA until I started reading threads on here about how "superior" KNIGHT is.   

You have convinced me that I will not be doing any business with Knight. 

Any company that has to close down their Customer Service to save costs, is a company on it's way to closing their doors or restructuring their business.... not good.   

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. 
Brian

Hey Bri, let me know when you order that gun.  I'm really interested in the CVA also, very nice looking gun and I love the small holes in the breech!

If time allows, I will be ordering this one in the morning.  Considering that I have never even fired a muzzy before, I want to get their Customer Service on the phone first and make sure I order everything a rookie will need to kill a great White River Bull   

http://www.cva.com/CVA-Store-View.php?video=watch&id=625

[SeaRun1]

I sympathize with the OP and would be upset if I had to go through this.  I also am a little dissatisfied with their customer service.

All this being said the three Knights I have are all really accurate shooting guns.  Not condoning how Knight treated the OP just saying don't give up on them for this the guns themselves are great.

SR1

[Jburke]

I have only dealt with them once or twice.  Both times have been good.  I ordered a thumbhole stock and had a couple of questions so I called them.  The other time I had different questions and emailed them with a pretty quick turn around.  Every company has their issues.
Glad they are making an attempt to make it right for you though. 

[MountainDevil54]

bore coat takes a dry time of around 6 to 8 hours and then you shoot it with copper projectiles and shoot it as fast as you can reload and do this for 10 shots to embed the ceramic into the steel. Firing a percussion cap after that 6 to 8 hour period will not hurt the bore coat at all.

[usmc74]

My co-worked bought a Knight ultra lite in Jan.

It wouldn't fire, just like yours.  He called Knight, described the issue, and they said they would send him a new breach plug.  It was a known issue.

He had it within a week and happy ever since.

[Bob33]

My co-worked bought a Knight ultra lite in Jan.

It wouldn't fire, just like yours.  He called Knight, described the issue, and they said they would send him a new breach plug.  It was a known issue.

He had it within a week and happy ever since.

If Knight knew in January, why are they stil having the same issues six months later?

[Sabotloader]

My co-worked bought a Knight ultra lite in Jan.

It wouldn't fire, just like yours.  He called Knight, described the issue, and they said they would send him a new breach plug.  It was a known issue.

He had it within a week and happy ever since.

If Knight knew in January, why are they stil having the same issues six months later?

That is what prompted Knight to order the new breech plugs at 1.349... But the purchase order processed by the front office and they attached the old print for the original BP... I guess that verifies the old saying 'if you want something done right you have to do it yourself' not saying that is the way it is suppose to be... but...  "IN A PERFECT WORLD" things would be so much different.

[usmc74]

My co-worked bought a Knight ultra lite in Jan.

It wouldn't fire, just like yours.  He called Knight, described the issue, and they said they would send him a new breach plug.  It was a known issue.

He had it within a week and happy ever since.

If Knight knew in January, why are they stil having the same issues six months later?

He also bought his at Federal Way Sportsmans.  They probably bought a large lot (the main company) of rifles with the bad breech plugs?  Federal way got a few of them?