I placed my order on the 17th of March, and was told that it would be a 90 day build. That should have put the delivery out to mid-June. Well, yesterday my FFL called and left a message that I had a box there from USFA. I couldn't believe my ears, it has only been about seven week or so. Anyways, I went down a picked her up. This is the first USFA that I have had the opportunity to inspect up close. The revolver is everything that the hype has made them out to be.
The fit and finish is better than any 3rd generation Colt that I have handled, not that I have handled that many, but I have owned one for 13 years. I have read that they were in the league of a Freedom Arms in terms of fit and finish, I own one, and yes that is an accurate analogy. Where the grip frame meets the frame, and where the trigger guard meets the frame is perfect. If you run your finger across the junction, it feels like one piece of polished steel. The roll-marks are beautifully done, no piled up metal around the lettering, not that this is a problem on my Colt, it is also done very well. Another thing of note is that square edges/corners are still square, nicely done! The edges on the front sight blade are still square, on my Colt they are rounded/polished off, not sure if this is better, just something that I noticed.
The polish and bluing are AMAZING. Charcoal/Armory Blue is much more attractive to me than modern hot salts blue. I have several old pre-war firearms with original finish, I am going to compare them and see if the Armory blue is similar, it is much more blue/grey than my 3rd gen. Colt, which is more black.
When cocking the USFA, the clicks are much crisper/louder than my Colt, which is softer in comparison. Anyways, if Rolex made single actions, this would be it.
Even the box/packaging is cool. VERY well done USFA!!
Only one negative thing to mention, the OWA cartouche is slightly crooked, it's not a huge deal, and normal I imagine as these are hand stamped.
One last thing, I notice on where the front sight blade is attached to the barrel, there is gold showing, is this normal?
Jared
The cartouche is hand stamped . Being a little "crooked" ads some authenticity to the piece. I believe the gold around the sight is really silver soder (sp?). The armory blue is done in an oven with charcoal, oils and other stuff. The silver turns a gold color. If you own a Dome Blue USFA, the silver is still silver.
Nobody else reply to this thread until we see some PICTURES!!!! ;D
I'm sorry, but after what jphendren said about the comparison he made between his new USFA and 3rd gen Colt, I have to respond and whole heartedly agree. I have a 4 3/4" USFA in .44-40 that is as beautiful a handgun as any near mint 1st gen Colt you could ever find. In my opinion, Colt can't come close the the fit, finish or accuracy that I've found on my USFA. I would never consider trading this gun for a 3rd gen Colt. Maybe I'm a traitor because I've collected 1st generation Colt SA,s for 40 years. Having said that, I certainly know a great gun when I see it and shoot it and the USFA is a good as they get.
"Nobody else reply to this thread until we see some PICTURES!!!! "
Charlie, I'll try and get some images up tomorrow morning. My house is in the shade in the afternoon, so not much light to work with this time of day.
I'm not bashing 3rd gen. Colt's in any way, I've owned one for 13 years, and it has been a very good revolver. I am just VERY impressed with this USFA as far as fit/finish and appearance/features go, I have not shot it yet. My Colt was built back in the mid-90's, I've heard that the newer Colt's are better in the fit/finish department. I've also never handled a 1st gen., so I cannot say if this gun is as good, but it would be tough to improve on this O.W. Ainsworth, and I'm sure that the steel in the USFA is superior to what was used in the 1870's.
This USFA is so nice, I'm already considering ordering another LOL. I sure wish that they still offered the Lightning rifle, one of those in .45 Colt would make a nice companion to my Ainsworth.
Jared
Bad news. This morning I was looking at my new USFA in the sunlight, and noticed a few things I had not before. The back of the trigger guard has quite a bit of file marks, and the top strap has a thumbprint in the color case hardening. :-\
I don't think I can live with that for nearly $1,600. Would you return the gun? Do you think that USFA can repair those problems? If so, should I notify the dealer and let him handle it, as the gun is one day old.
Jared
Quote from: jphendren on May 07, 2010, 10:18:01 AM
Bad news. This morning I was looking at my new USFA in the sunlight, and noticed a few things I had not before. The back of the trigger guard has quite a bit of file marks, and the top strap has a thumbprint in the color case hardening. :-\
I don't think I can live with that for nearly $1,600. Would you return the gun? Do you think that USFA can repair those problems? If so, should I notify the dealer and let him handle it, as the gun is one day old.
Jared
Most likely not, but I would have to see a picture concerning the two defects to give a 100% answer.
"Most likely not"
So, you would not return the gun and have it refinished? Or, you don't think USFA will refinish it? I called my FFL, he told me to call USFA and ask them, which I did. I left a message on Gary's answering machine, but have yet to hear from him, I assume that they are closed on the weekends, so I imagine that it will be next week at the earliest before I hear something.
Here is an image of the fingerprint on the frame that I mentioned. I does not wipe off, it is underneath the finish. My assumption is that the frame was not clean when it went into the oven, but I cannot say for sure.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/s0zkf4.jpg)
Here is an image of the file marks on the rear of the trigger guard.
(http://i42.tinypic.com/adi0pi.jpg)
Jared
I would expect that USFA will correct the problems. They are normally excellent about these types of things. The fingerprint in the color case hardening would be the responsibility of Doug Turnbull, as he does the work on that.
I have two USFAs with fingerprints. I went and checked them after I looked at your pics. I would definitely have them fix hat trigger guard though. ??? She still is a beaut!
I am surpised to see the file marks.With the way they mill those out, I would have expected very little filing on them.
Is the fingerprint in the laquer finish they put over the color case hardening? If so, that could be "polished" out.
It is a beauty even with the defects, which I am sure USFA will make right. ;)
I posted some images of the revolver in the photo thread, it seemed the correct place to put them.
I left a message on Gary's voicemail yesterday regarding the above mentioned problems, and he returned my call, but I was at the movies. Anyways, in his voicemail to me it seemed as though USFA would fix the issues. I need to shoot him an e-mail if I can find his e-mail address.
Jared
As I understand it, Turnbull puts the lacquer on the frame after it comes out of the oven and is still a little warm. Looks like someone touched it before it was completely dry (cool?). I'm sure it's an easy fix as is the other problem. You might want to shoot it and see if you have any other issues with it.
Quote from: jphendren on May 07, 2010, 10:18:01 AM
Bad news. This morning I was looking at my new USFA in the sunlight, and noticed a few things I had not before. The back of the trigger guard has quite a bit of file marks, and the top strap has a thumbprint in the color case hardening. :-\
I don't think I can live with that for nearly $1,600. Would you return the gun? Do you think that USFA can repair those problems? If so, should I notify the dealer and let him handle it, as the gun is one day old.
Jared
For wat that gun cost, and the quality everyone touts about them, you should send it back. Doug Turnbull does the case color, but you bought it from USFA, therefore it is USFA's problem.
Send it back!!!
-Ed
"Send it back!!!"
I am working on that as we speak. Does USFA pay for shipping when returning a new gun for warranty work? In my e-mail correspondence with Gary, it has not been mention by him that USFA would cover the shipping. I do not feel that I should be liable for shipping, as the gun is new, and came with these problems from the factory. The revolver still has not been fired.
I also have a question regarding the hammer checkering; should the checkering be complete? Mine is missing some inside the bordered area, again, not the kind of quality I expected from USFA. So far, I am sort of mixed on opinion of USFA. Some things are better than Colt, and others not as good. I don't think I would buy another sight unseen.
Should I shoot the revolver before I send it back in? To make sure it shoots to POA, and also to make sure that it is mechanically sound.
Jared
Update:
I just got off of the phone with Gary, VERY nice gentleman. He is going to send me a FedEx label; USFA will fix all issues. New hammer, refinish the frame, and triggerguard scratches. Gary asked the guys in the finishing department how the "file marks" could have happened; they don't know, they do not file on the tirggerguard according to Gary. Anyways, with any luck my Ainsworth will end up being the USFA perfection that I was hoping it would be.
jphendren,
Have you got it back yet? Wondering how good their customer service is and if you are now satisfied.
Deadeye Dick
Hello Deadeye Dick,
No, I have not yet received it back yet. I shipped the revolver back shortly after posting about it here. They have had the revolver for a few days shy of a month now, and I have yet to hear anything from USFA; do repairs normally take this long? I contacted Gary via e-mail and telephone (left a message) yesterday, requesting an update, but have yet to hear from him.
Jared
With the problems yours had, I would not think the elapsed time thus far is unusual. You'll hear from Gary, and when you get your gun back, I'd be willing to bet you'll be very pleased.
I received word yesterday that Doug decided to build me new gun. I am curious if the new gun will have a new serial number, or if they will use the same serial number. If new, can they send the gun directly back to me? I am thinking it would require an FFL. I am also curious what will happen to the old gun.
Jared
Jared,
A couple of years ago I had a problem with a nickle plated gun - poor polishing job prior to plating. I returned it and they sent me a new gun with the same serial number.
I would imagine that federal laws regulating the firearms industry would dictate that the first gun be destroyed in order to prohibit duplicate serial numbers.
CJF
It's amazing what a little skin oil will do to a surface prepped for finishing. Sounds like Doug needs to be buying cases of those cheap disposable cotton gloves for his boys. Mine don't have any finger prints and a Ruger #1 I had Turnbull do a couple of years ago puts them to shame in the depth of the color. It looks like you're looking in to a very deep pool.
If it's only cosmetic, it will probably be sold as a blem. I bought one awhile back from USFA that without a magnifying glass, I couldn't see the issue. My dealer knew what the issues were and was sent out on approval.
Well, I picked up the replacement OW Ainsworth revolver this morning at my local FFL. USFA built me an entirely new revolver; this one is what I had hoped for the first time around. Even the sticker/label on the box is perfectly straight and centered (it was crooked on the first one). No fingerprints that I can see anywhere, the checkering on the hammer is perfect, the cartouche is nice and straight this time (crooked on the 1st revolver), and the ejector works perfectly smooth. I am not sure why, but this one came with fire blue screws and trigger, it looks very nice, and sets the revolver apart. It took quite a while, from initial order, but USFA came through in the end. Thanks USFA! The first revolver was 6,781, and the new one is 6,784, they must not build too many of these. My guess is that this is the only USFA OW Ainsworth with fire blue appointments in existence, at least I have never seen/heard of another.
Jared
Looking forward to pics!