Joined the Cult of Valtro today

[larryw]

I've been talking about getting a Valtro for a long time, but never got around to it. Then I heard of the 6 month wait and figured that was an itch I would scratch at my leisure. The more I hear from the owners about the gun and John Jardine, the more this itch grew. But it was <ahem> under control, mostly because of the wait involved...

So, there I was, minding my own business shortly before 6:00 this morning when an email from my good friend Ken Lunde comes wizzing past my screen: he knows a local dealer with a Valtro in stock. Blink twice. A Valtro in stock, ready for sale. No waiting. Ah maaaaan...

Now, Ken was responsible for my joining the Cult of the P7 and the Cult of the Cooper rifle and came this >< close to getting me to join the G20 club, so when he sends these "you need" mails to me, I've learned to approach them with caution. I grab another cup of tea and look at the mail again. Hmm, Ken's Valtro is real nice, and I sure like the way Sven's shot...in stock, no six-month wait? Darn you Lunde and Sven!

7:00: Nah, just bought an M1A, don't need to spend more money on guns.
7:30: The safe is full, where would I put it? Darn you Lunde and Sven!
8:00: Well, I don't shoot two of the guns in the safe, I could sell them and the proceeds would fund the Valtro...nah, better wait. Darn you Lunde and Sven!
8:30: Yeah, sell those guns, buy the Valtro, NOW. Darn you Lunde and Sven!
8:45: Too early to call...fifteen minutes...
8:47: Check watch: that was only two minutes? At this point, I'm jonesing big-time
9:00: Called dealer. No answer during business hours? Why isn't he answering the phone, is he selling MY gun??!!?? Left message.
9:15: Dealer called back, "Was on the phone with a man in Texas when you called, he bought the Valtro." My heart sank and I vowed to force feed Ken and Sven their Valtros. "But," he continued, "John Jardine's become a good friend and I just called him. He has one ready to sell that you can have, when can you get here?" Oh joy!

So, shortly after 10:00 this morning, I became the latest member of this Cult However, this being CA, I can't pick it up for 10 days...240 hours....14400 minutes...864000 seconds...moronic...depressing. If you'll excuse me, I need to go spend some quality time alone with a web site.

If you encounter Lunde or Sven in public, avoid them or they'll get you. Come to think of it, better avoid me too.

 

[Matthew_Q]

Sucks living in the PRK, huh?

Tomorrow, I'm going to go down to the local Academy after work and WALK OUT with my CZ75. None of that waiting BS.

 

[larryw]

Why would it suck living where my friends and family are?

This is my home, thank you.

 

[lunde]

 

[bountyhunter]

Why would it suck living where my friends and family are?

This is my home, thank you.

Mine too, but it still sucks living here.

 

[Rich357]

Congratulations larryw!!

I found my truck almost driving itself toward a dealer at the side of the bay. Before I knew I had joined the Valtro Cult (Club? Gang?) the other day. Thanks Ken!

Rich
ps I keep seeing the word "Cooper". I have no idea what it means. But I feel drawn to it.

 

[Kruzr]

Congratulations larry! Great guns from what I hear. I predict you will never shoot that POS SA again (if you still have it).

 

[Jeff OTMG]

Rich, Coopers are the Valtro or Rock River of the rifle world. Not cheap, but you would have to spend 4 times as much to get a rifle as good. I met the engineer to designed and made the first actions for them, before they were being CNC'd. You can get about as fancy as you want with them. In my opinion they are far better than Dakotas and cost less than a Dakota action alone.

 

[lunde]

Rich was sort of prodding me with his comment about hearing about Coopers. I have three of them, with a fourth less than a month away. I have been taunting Rich (and others) lately. My dad owns over a dozen Coopers, in assorted calibers and actions. He somehow infected me.

My first one, an M22 Montana Varminter in .308, shoots half-inch or better groups at 100 yards using hunting loads. My last range session with that rifle delivered a 5/16-inch group with those loads. I am using that rifle in less than three weeks for antelope hunting in Wyoming.

I then got an M21 Montana Varminter in .223. It shoots half-inch groups out-of-the box using 40gr V-Max loads. It has the best wood of all my Coopers.

My latest is an M57-M LVT in .17HMR. I put the first 20 rounds through it this morning. I was able to shoot a half-inch group at 100 yards.

I am expecting an M22 Varminter in .243 later this month. I ordered it on May 1st.

The workmanship is outstanding.

 

[Kestrel]

Do the Cooper rifles have any MIM or castings in their manufacture?

Also, what manufacture barrels do the Valtros have in them?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Pendragon]

Im not sure who makes the Valtro barrels - I kind of think Valtro makes them.

The twist the opposite way of most barrels IIRC.

I just took mine down to the local indoor range in Yba City today. Bought 200 rounds of Blazer from Wally world ($10 per box). Its pretty dirty ammo but I had fun.

The Valtro was so hot, I was almost burning my finger on the trigger guard.

I slowed down after the first 100 and got some exceptional groups although only at about 10 yards or a little less. Still - I'm getting better. I had 1 or two groups of 5 that were 1 ragged hole and several that were 4 with 1 slight flyer.

Do you know what your serial # is roughly?

I am curious what they are up to. I am thinking about asking ardine if I can get 12XX because that is my sons birthday and that would be pretty cool.

Enjoy the Valtro - and you guys watch out, the next "guy from Texas" who gets one might be me

DR

 

[lunde]

SteveW13, you wrote:

Do the Cooper rifles have any MIM or castings in their manufacture?

The following page from Cooper Arms' web site provides that info: http://www.cooperfirearms.com/our_rifles.html

Our actions and stock hardware are machined from solid bar stock steel. All our barrels are premium match grade and air gauge inspected. Our stocks are hand crafted every step of the way. They are cut, shaped, sanded, filled, checkered, and oil finished all by hand. When our stocks meet the finished barreled actions in assembly, they are hand fit to the individual rifle. This assures our famous custom wood to metal fit. The actions are glass bedded behind the recoil lug and 1" forward of the breech. The barrels are free-floated.

 

[larryw]

Pendragon, mine's in the low 800s. At the rate Valtro's going, you'd better order quick if you want the commemorative to celebrate your son's birthday.

I'll bet Mr. Jardine would set that one aside for you; you could call him or Rob Blank (see Ken Lunde's post above) and ask.

Rule of two's taken you too.

 

[Kestrel]

I'm wondering if any of the small parts are MIM, also, such as extractor, sear, etc. I guess I should call them and ask.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[BigG]

Those Coopers are real droolers. That's for sure!

 

[larryw]

Steve, based on my Cooper and others I've seen, the only reason that MIM parts would be used is if they are the absolute best that can be made or had. They are top-quality guns built with no compromises.

 

[lunde]

SteveW13, you wrote:

I'm wondering if any of the small parts are MIM, also, such as extractor, sear, etc. I guess I should call them and ask.

You can also send an email to Cooper Arms: [email protected]

Rob Behr is the one who usually replies, and he is the head of their Customer Service.

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks, Ken.

I sent him an email. By the way, your pictures of your Valtro are what moved me to order one.

Steve

 

[lunde]

Not to worry. As soon as I get my Valtro back from John Jardine I'll have more photos to share. He is doing the following for me right now: install S&A extended magwell, add night sights, replace the Ed brown ambi safety with an Ed Brown tactical ambi safety (protrudes less), hard-chrome finish, J10 black checkered double-diamond grips (look and feel like gaboon ebony, but are more durable), hex grip screws, and a stainless steel bushing.

 

[larryw]

I warned you about Ken and the Valtros, Steve, and now you're looking at a Cooper too?

(you have outstanding taste in firearms)

 

[Lt. G]

Just put my order in via fax with Mr. Jardine today, Next 6 months are gonna go by so slow. Can't wait!!!

 

[Sven]

Yeah, I'm going to be getting a Cooper in 6.5 x 284, probably for Christmas. I can't figure out if it is lunde's or larryw's fault, but they both share some blame. Converting your friends to the cult of VALUE is never anything to be ashamed of.




Sven's Valtro Pix



Congrats, Larry!