Freedom Arms Warranty

[w1mnk]

I was just browsing over on the Freedom Arms Web site and noticed something that I think is odd. The field grade, which sells for little less than $1600, and ... "The Field Grade is made with the same materials and machining tolerances as the Premier Grade." has a limited one year warranty to the original owner. The Premier grade, which costs around $2000 has a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner. I wonder why the difference? Many gun companies selling much less expensive guns offer lifetime warranties.

 

[hksw]

I've always wondered about it myself. My guess is that they feel that the Field grade would see much more use than the Premier and to constantly repair them would be much more costly. So, if you want the lifetime service, you have to pay up front. (Plus, of course, the slightly higher finish.)

 

[w1mnk]

Ron, that's my thought as well, but it isn't a good sales tactic. It would make me think twice about buying one. $2K is an average price for a "upper tier" gun, but $1.6K is nothing to sneeze at. And, I'm wondering how many of their guns need service? Let's face it, if they are as good as they want us to think they are, then the failure rate must be fairly low. So why not offer lifetime service on all there products? I may drop them an email to see what they have to say.

 

[tc300mag1]

Im sorry but at the cost of either i think its should have a lifetime warrenty for 1600$

 

[Majic]

There are very few items on any market that offers lifetime warranty. It's funny how some will demand a lifetime warranty on a $1600 handgun, but will settle for a 7 to 10 year warranty on a $50,000 truck.

 

[c_yeager]

The field grade, which sells for little less than $1600, and ... "The Field Grade is made with the same materials and machining tolerances as the Premier Grade." has a limited one year warranty to the original owner. The Premier grade, which costs around $2000 has a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner.

You've answered your own question. The guns are built to the same level of quality with some asthetic differences. They have to give you something for your $400. In other words the warentee difference is just one thing to make the premier grade more attractive than the field grade.

On a side note having an actualy WARANTY is a rare thing in the firearms industry. Most companies have lifetime "Repair Policies" etc. But i challenge you to find a company that has a real-life legaly binding "Lifetime Warenty" cause i dont think you'll find one. S&W, Ruger, Taurus, etc. do not offer a waranty of any kind.

 

[Jim March]

Remember that most FAs are sold in monster calibers like 454Casull and 475Linebaugh, which in turn means a lot of handloading. It's easy to get REALLY stupid under those conditions and yes, it's possible to blow up an FA.

 

[w1mnk]

Many thanks for all the comments. I agree with most of what has been stated. Majic, interesting on the comparison between a $1600 gun and a $50000 truck. By that standard, should a multi billion $ space shuttle have a lifetime warranty? They don't, because of the complexity and the wear and tear (and the 1 in 60 catastrophic failure rate ) which should be less of a factor with the truck, and even less with the gun (unless as pointed out you beat the crap out of it with over powered handloads). I would probably save up my pennies and go with the premier grade to get the lifetime warranty.

 

[VictorLouis]

Have you ever fondled and examined a FA?

The level of fit and finish(Premier) is simply astounding. The transfer bar safety on the smaller-framed Model 97 is almost Germanic in idea and execution.
I'd love to have one.

 

[c_yeager]

I just noticed that noone mentioned that FA revolvers are unlikely to NEED any kind of warranty service for the length of your life. And i bet your kids wouldnt need much either. Considering that they largely built in handloading calibers the idea of ANY warranty is i testament to the companies confidence in their product.

 

[rock jock]

It's funny how some will demand a lifetime warranty on a $1600 handgun, but will settle for a 7 to 10 year warranty on a $50,000 truck.

I don't know many handguns that are used continuously without pause for 1-2 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 7-10 years.