I.O. ripped me off.

[doc2rn]

^stickhauler has a point

I would have gotten one from a reputable company also. I wouldnt buy from Ruger for the longest time, but hey my first was a Ruger standard so I gave them a chance after Billie Boy died. Much better IMO! Wouldnt hesitate to do business with them now. Plus they make my fav rifle the 77/22 in an all weather. I would have to agree you get what you pay for. I would take the $$ and go get an LCP.

 

[lonegunman]

As soon as they sent me an email or called and said send it back for a full refund, I'd have FEDEX'd that junker down the road with a letter stating the particulars of the deal.


You get what you pay for in the gun world. Cheap guns are cheap. As far as I/O, their customer service has always been total crap. They have yet to actually respond to an email inquiry from me. Since they are uninterested in answering questions, I buy elsewhere from people less inclined to be that way.

I/O is owned by a couple of Germans, I'm guessing they are humorless and under the impression their junk is HK marked from the attitude.

 

[lokpyrite]

Keep the faith Palmtop, even if his kin aint involved with the company the fact that folks like you and I refuse to buy stuff from that company might just slow down the next quisling.

 

[Girodin]

I also had a VERY negative experience with IO inc. They are on a very small list of gun related companies I will never even consider doing business with again.

 

[stickhauler]

I'd agree with others here that Ruger has changed from back in Bill's day. I have a LCP as well as a SR-9 C, and love them both. My dear wife uses my old Service Six as her defense pistol as well. With as many people and groups that stated they were boycotting Arizona over the border issues they're facing, I felt it was a positive to support them as well buying their products.

Why is it too many folks in shooting sports hold life-long grudges against a certain firearm maker? The people who made the decisions that angered gun owners are long dead and buried.

 

[palmettopatriot]

CMAT - Who is being a jerk? I think it is you because you are making judgments about what I do with my time. Did you read the entire post, or did you just pick something out to be a schmuck about? If you did read the whole post, you would see why I am upset. it could have hurt my brother. Besides, it is just a matter of cutting and pasting. So what I am getting at here is perhaps you should apply a famous three word quote from former vice president Cheney to Senator Leahy. By the way, you misused facetious - which is defined as making sarcastic or satirical humor of something inappropriate, and everything I said in my initial post was meant to be taken literally; nothing I said was intended to be taken in humor.

TO ALL:

I understand what a lot of you are saying about Ruger. I understand that it is a publicly traded company. But this is a free market economy and I have the right to like, dislike, buy, or not buy any product I choose for even the most absurd reasons I can fathom. Is somebody on here that is a Ford fan gonna come on here andtry to convert me over for being a Mopar fan? Why don't we just make it about religion while we are at it? Aren't we all supposed to be here because we love freedom and the constitution? I don't like Ruger, and absolutely nothing is wrong with people who do. 'Nuff said.

Levi

 

[palmettopatriot]

As soon as they sent me an email or called and said send it back for a full refund, I'd have FEDEX'd that junker down the road with a letter stating the particulars of the deal.


You get what you pay for in the gun world. Cheap guns are cheap. As far as I/O, their customer service has always been total crap. They have yet to actually respond to an email inquiry from me. Since they are uninterested in answering questions, I buy elsewhere from people less inclined to be that way.

I/O is owned by a couple of Germans, I'm guessing they are humorless and under the impression their junk is HK marked from the attitude.

Nice quote about HK, Lonegunman.

 

[palmettopatriot]

I also had a VERY negative experience with IO inc. They are on a very small list of gun related companies I will never even consider doing business with again.

Girodin: I have held a Ruger SR9 and I was very impressed with it. It was very well balanced, pointed well, and felt very good in my hand. My brother also owns a Mini-14 that I have fired. It is a good rifle.

My brother once told me that I was being ridiculous about Ruger. He used the analogy of how AMF (I think, he knows more about cycles than I do) owned Harley for a while and made really bad bikes and when they switched ownership again they got their fan base back.

Would I be open to ever changing my mind about Ruger? Yes, actually. If I was convinced that they are a good company, that they support gun ownership, they they have backed away from Ruger's actions, and that they contribute money to 2nd amendment rights organizations - I would be willing to buy one one day if I saw one that met my needs. Unfortunately, to be honest, I just don't know anything about the company today because I have not been following them. However, In a magazine article written in 1973 Ruger said that he was not going to release the Mini-14 for sale to civilians. He did not want us to have sporting rifles even then. Further, if Ruger is so pro-gun, why can only law enforcement officers by so called 'high capacity' rifle magazines from them? I think they are still talking out of both sides of their mouth today, just my view.

Levi

 

[WeedWacker]

Further, if Ruger is so pro-gun, why can only law enforcement officers by so called 'high capacity' rifle magazines from them?

Probably the same reason they stamp a warning on the slide: lawyers.

They could be making the incorrect assumption that police officers are professionals and are trained and qualified in the use of high capacity .40 S&W caliber magazines.

 

[Snowdog]

180 is an about-face, 360 is a complete circle.

"You get what you pay for" is usually an accurate rule of thumb, including in the realm of firearms. An exception is "used" commercial or surplus military firearms, typically where outstanding deals are commonly found.

Those who screw me get screwed back...harder

Yeah... don't do that. Such statements will only cost you support in virtually every conceivable way.
The reaction you seek by making such a statement is best realized through silent and consistent actions, not words. Go that route.


However, I absolutely empathize with you in your current predicament. I had a similarly frustrating thing happen to me with an EAA Witness years ago.
Public opinion can be a powerful asset or liability for any company in the free market. It appears I.O. is now reaping their whirlwind. Let's just hope they still care, now that their name is Mudd.
I hope you come out on top!

 

[russ69]

Levi,

If you want top shelf products and service buy a top shelf gun. You are putting way too much energy into a 200 buck purchase. You should have simply returned the gun for repair, then sold it when you got it back and moved on. Life is too short to be aggravated by a material possession. If it is causing this much of a problem for you, you should get rid of it and not dig a deeper ditch and think you'll be satisfied with a new and different product from the same manufacturer, it just won't happen and you'll be in a big old tangled mess. It's time to cut your loses son.

Thanx, Russ

 

[palmettopatriot]

And I'm sure you not spending your lunch money on one of his guns just tore him up.



That's pretty funny. Sounds like somebody desperately craving attention.

Actually, I don't crave attention from anyone. I don't care what me buying or not buying does to the companies I choose not to do business with, because I make those actions for my own reasons. Somehow I am getting the impression that I insulted yours and cmat's sacred cow.

Levi

 

[EdPDX]

Levi,

Too bad you can't get satisfaction in a hurry from these guys. It sucks whenever you get ripped-off. For $200 or $2.00.

I am guessing that the .380 auto was for back-up or throw-down, cause no one would buy a $175 gun for target shooting. Nor would anyone put any stock in such a bargain being a reliable Concealed Carry gun.

I have bought guns in the past based on what I knew about value, quality and reliability, as appropriate- I mean, a cosmetic nightmare that is reliable could still be a great buy. One that has jamming issues as well, as long as it is for plinking and not a carry gun. You wanna drop the dough on a bargain and find out it's not a Colt, or Kimber; you're setting yourself up. To each his own; but I don't think you should expect top anything when you make a purchase like that.

I buy tools at Harbor Freight, they generally suck, I expect it. It serves the purpose for a while if I am lucky; but I'm not firing off letters to Mr. Woo telling him I'm shocked and demanding he fix it with all haste. Not gonna happen.

 

[palmettopatriot]

Hi Russ, Thanks for your words. I did send it back. They sent me one that went kaboom. What I am angry about is not that, even though I should be, but by the fact that they kept the second gun I sent back and the money and ignored my correspondence for almost 3 months. Basically, that is theft, breach of trust, or whatever you want to call it.

Snowdog, Thank you also. You are correct about my harsh words. At the same time, Uli Wiegand went into a rude and unprofessional rant on me that was not even intended for me because this pistol he was ranting about was a nickel plated pistol, and I have a blued one. But you are correct. I should have taken The High Road - all puns intended. As for my gun purchases, I usually do not buy cheap guns. This time I took a gamble because I like supporting small companies. Sometimes it gets me burned and other times it is a rewarding experience to be part of a great small company. I don't just post negative reviews. I also post positive ones when I am happy with a service in any industry, just not on this site yet because my last two purchases were kind of negative. it is an unfortunate thing about lawyers and the anti 2nd amendment effort by those who would snuff out our freedom. I have read that many of the firms involved in the tobacco ridiculousness of the 1990's are involved in these efforts. This is why everyone should be a member of at least one 2nd Amendment activist organization.

Levi

 

[Davek1977]

To each his own; but I don't think you should expect top anything when you make a purchase like that.

Whehter I pay $2 or $2000, I expect a purchase to actually do what it was advertised to do. I don't CARE that it was $200 gun.....one should expect to be able to fire a new firearm without it becoming a grenade in one's hand. AS for the assumption

"I am guessing that the .380 auto was for back-up or throw-down, cause no one would buy a $175 gun for target shooting. Nor would anyone put any stock in such a bargain being a reliable Concealed Carry gun"

well, I blieve that is a bit presumptious. Not everyone desiring protection has $500 for a new Glock. Some people make do with what they can afford. Last I knew, the bad guys didn't care if the .45 slug came from a kimber or a hipoint....both fill the needs of a certain segement of the population....one mazy not look as good as the other doing it, but both generally do the same thing...put lead downrange. In all fairness to hi-point though..... I've heard of FEWER issues with hi-points out of the biox than the brand i compared them to.....a definite sign you don't always get exactly what you paid for, even when spending big money. Long story short, if I bought a cheap car, i wouldn't expect Ferrarri performance....but neither would i expect it to blow up when I turned the ignition the 4th or 5th time I drocve it.

 

[jcwit]

Quite an interesting thread.

Awful lot of anger over an inexpensive handgun.

Can't imagine what'd it would be like if it was a major purchase. WOW!

Wish you luck in changing I/O's marketing over one cheap handgun!

 

[Davek1977]

it would be one thing if it simply "didn't work". If it were me, I'd be disappointed, but theres room for error in anything humans touch. However, the fact it kaboomed on him raises the stakes a bit, IMO. I too would be upset if my $200 gun did its best to blow apart in my hand. I've bought numerous guns around the $200 price point, and none have blown up on me, not on their first trip to the range, nor their last. I guess I don't understand the mindset of "Oh it was only $200, you should have expected this sort of thing". I can't wrap my head around "If you spend less than $400 on a firearm, you deserve whatever you get, including a defective firearm that may cost you your life or significant injury"...or even "Its $200....get over it". If the company is selling a firearm at the $200 price point, asking it not to blow up beforfe the first box of ammo is empty isn't asking a whole lot. If a safe gun cannot be made at that price point (they can) then the company has no business selling firearms, IMO....either raise the price, along with your quality of workmansship, or get out of business

 

[x_wrench]

soory to hear about your bad luck. i am glad you warned the rest of us though! thank you for that. unfortunately, it sounds as if you have learned a very important, semi-expensive lesson. i hope that you can somehow get things worked out so you end up with a refund, or at least a decent pistol.

 

[danprkr]

File in small claims court for the max amount. I bet that gets their attention.

 

[JohnBT]

I have learned something new today. According to an IO employee...

"The pistol is backed by a one-year/1,000-rd. warranty. "

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=405931

 

[Hypnogator]

Well, at least you stuck with your principles and didn't let Ruger see a dime of your money!

Guess we all know now how that worked out for ya!

 

[Ric]

Wow.....just wow

I hate Ford so much that I bought a Yugo that was a POS and had all kinds of trouble with it.
Man, I hate Ford.

Free country, your money, your headache.

My opinion is worth what you paid for it.

 

[longdayjake]

Lots of anger here. As far as name calling and brand bashing I only have one thing to say. My idol and perfect example taught me to forgive 70 times 7. The older I get the more I believe that following advice like that has kept me younger and happier on the inside. Really though? Who does your anger and unforgiving attitude really hurt? As was mentioned earlier, Ruger makes good firearms and there is no current reason to hate them. Do you hate Japanese, Germans, Italians, British, and Indians, because at one time long ago they killed Americans?

Lastly, what good does it do to make fun of a guy that hates Ruger?

 

[Joe in fla]

This seems to have turned into nothing more than a Bash-the-OP thread. Not very High Road. I think it's time this thread was closed and locked.

The OP originally posted about what could have been a fatal flaw in his I.O. pistol and then an outrageous response from the manufacturer and all some of you can do is bash him about his dis-like of Ruger! Amazing! But I'm sure you can all rationalize your immature actions in your own little minds!

 

[Zundfolge]

Would I be open to ever changing my mind about Ruger? Yes, actually. If I was convinced that they are a good company, that they support gun ownership, they they have backed away from Ruger's actions, and that they contribute money to 2nd amendment rights organizations - I would be willing to buy one one day if I saw one that met my needs. Unfortunately, to be honest, I just don't know anything about the company today because I have not been following them. However, In a magazine article written in 1973 Ruger said that he was not going to release the Mini-14 for sale to civilians. He did not want us to have sporting rifles even then. Further, if Ruger is so pro-gun, why can only law enforcement officers by so called 'high capacity' rifle magazines from them? I think they are still talking out of both sides of their mouth today, just my view.

Levi

Ruger sells full capacity mags to "civilians" now.
They sponsor CCW training all over the country (and provided the guns for Spike TV's Conceal & Carry Show).
There are ZERO members of Bill's family left at the top of the company.

I was once as virulent in my disdain for Mr Ruger and his company as you and was committed to never buying their products either ... but they really have changed and become a force for good in the US Firearms market.

That said, this is irrelevant to your problems with IO and as such isn't really High Road to keep harping on you about it. Once you get your situation sorted out with IO (and if it was me I'd take one of their AK's if they offer it...you can at least get your money out of it) you may want to consider the LCP as it is one of the finest made pocket plastic .380s out there (although the KelTec is pretty doggone good too).