Warranty on Handguns
- Thread starter dxkj21
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SouthpawShootr
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I doubt it. Just about all of these are conditional warranties. Read the warranty for any manufacturer and it'll say that they warrant the firearm to be free from defects in material and workmanship. Anything else that happens is fair game for denial of coverage. Normal use doesn't count (simply wearing a gun out during the warranty period won't get a free replacement). Abuse the gun and the manufacturer could tell you that you are out of luck. Same thing with ammo blowups. Trash a gun with reloads and you could be out in the cold. If you blowup a gun with factory loaded ammo, most times the ammunition manufacturer will take care of you. I think you should have a minimum of a one year warranty. That way you get a chance to thoroughly wring out the gun and any problems will likely show up then. Have problems later and, so long as they are material or workmanship problems, most manufacturers will fix it. Some go the extra distance and fix things that aren't covered under warranty. Good PR. Satisfied customer recounts to a few of his buddies. They may gain a few customers. Dissatisfied customer tells everybody everywhere. They certainly lose a few, maybe more.
Here's something I've noticed though: some manufacturers go the extra distance for their customers even when the customer is at fault. I've read plenty of accounts where manufacturers replaced worn parts free charge or fixed abused guns at no charge. Doesn't happen everytime and I think your initial attitude will go a long way towards getting extra consideration from the manufacturer.
Here's something I've noticed though: some manufacturers go the extra distance for their customers even when the customer is at fault. I've read plenty of accounts where manufacturers replaced worn parts free charge or fixed abused guns at no charge. Doesn't happen everytime and I think your initial attitude will go a long way towards getting extra consideration from the manufacturer.
For the most part, if you wear out a gun part, they will generally fix it or send you parts for free. This is out of good will because they know how mistreatment can spread like wildfire throughout the internet gun boards and loss of future customer wont' be worth the little parts here and there. Also it's a liability concern as if they didn't, and you kept shooting the gun with worn out parts, and if soemthing blows up, even if the mfg aren't liable, they'd have potential to be named in a lawsuit and it's just not worth it. it's better for them to establish a history of care toward worn parts if and when a lawsuit comes up.
Also, it'll take many many years to truly wear out a gun that's not abused or neglected. You'd expend far more money into bullets than gun itself so in the long run, it does not really matter. Unless you got a lemon of course.
Also, it'll take many many years to truly wear out a gun that's not abused or neglected. You'd expend far more money into bullets than gun itself so in the long run, it does not really matter. Unless you got a lemon of course.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Most say, "Limited Lifetime Warranty"
VG
Member
No. As a practical matter most will fix manufacturing defects for life. Availability of holsters, sights and other accessories has proven more important for me.
I don't think much of my CZ 85 Combat compared to U.S. or German manufactured pistols (yes, I know CZ's are the darling of the Internet Set). But when the ambidextrous safety broke - a common problem that resulted in a redesign sometime in the last few years - CZ-USA repaired it in less than three weeks at no charge other than shipping. It was 7 or 8 years old.
Sigarms and Smith & Wesson both have terrific customer service. SIGs are generally more expensive, but some of the plain jane S&W pistols are not any more expensive and still have that great support.
I don't think much of my CZ 85 Combat compared to U.S. or German manufactured pistols (yes, I know CZ's are the darling of the Internet Set). But when the ambidextrous safety broke - a common problem that resulted in a redesign sometime in the last few years - CZ-USA repaired it in less than three weeks at no charge other than shipping. It was 7 or 8 years old.
Sigarms and Smith & Wesson both have terrific customer service. SIGs are generally more expensive, but some of the plain jane S&W pistols are not any more expensive and still have that great support.
SouthpawShootr
Member
Seems to me that precious few have lifetime warranties of any sort. I know S&W does. H&K does. Taurus does. Ruger has no warranty whatsoever (but I will concede that they're really good about fixing problems). I know that Glock does not. Sig does not. Kimber does not. Kahr used to, but word I've been getting is that they've gotten away from that lately. I'd like to compile some sort of database on this. Hmmm, sounds like a good wet weather Sunday project.
Humble Texan
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The only warranty work I needed was on my early generation PT-145.
The good news, Taurus responded well in their efforts to fix the pistol. Even replace the sights as I had removed them prior to shipping the pistol.
The bad news, I've had to send it back twice since 2002.
To answer your question "Is it important to get a handgun that has a long warranty?" I guess not, but if any Taurus needs work 10 years down the road, I believe they will be there. I like that.
The good news, Taurus responded well in their efforts to fix the pistol. Even replace the sights as I had removed them prior to shipping the pistol.
The bad news, I've had to send it back twice since 2002.
To answer your question "Is it important to get a handgun that has a long warranty?" I guess not, but if any Taurus needs work 10 years down the road, I believe they will be there. I like that.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Of those that do say "Limited Lifetime Warranty", they are just
saying that too C.Y.O.A.~
~
As far as SIGARMS goes, I know of one example whereas they repaired
a Trailside at NO CHARGE, and the customer was not the original
purchaser of the firearm.
saying that too C.Y.O.A.~
~As far as SIGARMS goes, I know of one example whereas they repaired
a Trailside at NO CHARGE, and the customer was not the original
purchaser of the firearm.
Pietro Beretta
Member
Hi-Point firearms have one of the best warrantys out thier. Evin if your are not the original buyer. 
briang2ad
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- Sep 3, 2005
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- 683
another thing to consider...
1) Can you take the pistol apart yourself?
2) Will they ship you a part that breaks?
3) Do they ship both ways for free?
4) Do they handle customers well?
Shipping handguns can be expensive - the maunfacturers have 'deals' that we don't have with UPS and FEDEX. You must ship overnight, so it can run $40-50. So, if it is a minor part, do you want to ship? WIl they?
1) Can you take the pistol apart yourself?
2) Will they ship you a part that breaks?
3) Do they ship both ways for free?
4) Do they handle customers well?
Shipping handguns can be expensive - the maunfacturers have 'deals' that we don't have with UPS and FEDEX. You must ship overnight, so it can run $40-50. So, if it is a minor part, do you want to ship? WIl they?
Technosavant
Member
If you break the gun in after purchasing it, no real worries. Any major problems are generally going to reveal themselves relatively quickly. I would expect 5 years to be plenty long enough, but depending on how much you can get to the range, 1 year is a bit short- my SA was sent back for service after owning it for a year. An explicitly stated lifetime warranty, for me, is mainly a tie-breaker- if I am waffling between two different guns, the one with a lifetime warranty is more likely to get the nod.
And don't forget to add Springfield Armory to the list of lifetime warranty companies.
And don't forget to add Springfield Armory to the list of lifetime warranty companies.
lee n. field
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- Dec 29, 2002
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- 4,326
"Only" 5 years? Try getting a computer with that.
You can.. but it would be pointless because most computers are semi-obsolete by then...
Moores Law? 18 months... after 6 years computers are x*2^4 in power... so 16x as powerful
IE back in 1999 I had a 200mhz pentium, in 2005, I have a 3.2ghz pentium, but with all things told the CPU clock increased 16 fold, but many of the other parts increased more or less depending on the technology
<--- geek with a gun? soon
Moores Law? 18 months... after 6 years computers are x*2^4 in power... so 16x as powerful
IE back in 1999 I had a 200mhz pentium, in 2005, I have a 3.2ghz pentium, but with all things told the CPU clock increased 16 fold, but many of the other parts increased more or less depending on the technology
<--- geek with a gun? soon
Technosavant
Member
I build my own desktop systems, and the individual parts usually carry 3 year warranties. Of course, by the time you are nearing the end of that, just purchasing an upgraded (faster) part makes more sense than hassling with a return.
However, with electronics, if an item is going to fail, it will usually do so within 90 days (usually less) of normal use. If an electronic part wasn't made right, it just won't work right, or the heat of functioning will cause it to fail in short order. Thus, long warranties on electronics are generally just peace of mind, and rarely matter much.
With guns, it is possible that there are defects in the metal castings themselves that may not become evident for some time. Instead of lasting for 50K+ rounds or more, a slide or frame may come apart after 5K rounds. If a gun is not going to function correctly, on the other hand, you are going to know that right quick- no more than 500 rounds. Metallurgy is better than it ever has been, and a reputable gunmaker should be eager to fix such problems, even if the "official" warranty is over.
When you buy something, use it, be it a gun, vehicle, or TV. That way you know if you are going to have problems sooner rather than later. Better to find that out within a month rather than wait and discover the problems 8 years later.
However, with electronics, if an item is going to fail, it will usually do so within 90 days (usually less) of normal use. If an electronic part wasn't made right, it just won't work right, or the heat of functioning will cause it to fail in short order. Thus, long warranties on electronics are generally just peace of mind, and rarely matter much.
With guns, it is possible that there are defects in the metal castings themselves that may not become evident for some time. Instead of lasting for 50K+ rounds or more, a slide or frame may come apart after 5K rounds. If a gun is not going to function correctly, on the other hand, you are going to know that right quick- no more than 500 rounds. Metallurgy is better than it ever has been, and a reputable gunmaker should be eager to fix such problems, even if the "official" warranty is over.
When you buy something, use it, be it a gun, vehicle, or TV. That way you know if you are going to have problems sooner rather than later. Better to find that out within a month rather than wait and discover the problems 8 years later.
KONY
Member
My Security-Six was made in '78 and my 686 in '85 ... so both are over 20 years old ... the Security-Six needed minor parts and the 686 a trip to the factory for recall work ... both instances, no charge! Thus, I think long-term warranties or at least committments to customer service (Ruger's case) are worth consideration. Stuff happens!
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