Wind River Rifle Company

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:06 pm

Just ran across the name of this company. They make barrels and stocks for Winchester and Marlin levers to name just a couple of their specialties. Go to Google and type in "Wind River Rifle Barrels" to get to their site. (I don't know it off the top of my head). Has anyone dealt with them before or have experience with their work? Just wondering 'cause I'm planning on doing a couple of projects with a Browning and a Marlin. Thanks!

arjunky · Post by **arjunky** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:16 am

Wait until you hear from a couple people here.
Check around a few more sites also.
Don't think they are very timely.
I could be thinking of the wrong place too.

Byron

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:21 am

+1, pretty sure that's the outfit with lots of horror stories, search this site or the old site before proceeeding...

Mich Hunter · Post by **Mich Hunter** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 6:04 am

I was one of those horror stories. I sent a 1876 winchester in that I wanted restored. After finding them and looking at their site, I called and arranged to have my rifle done. I was quoted at 10-12 week turn around. I was just having the metal done with a CCH frame and new round barrel to replace the original round barrel. This was May 2005. After the 12 weeks had past I sent email after email asking for an update. I was told they were looking for a new hammer and it would be done. I found a original hammer on fleabay and sent it to them. Dec 2005 rolls around and I again asked what the status was. I was told it just had to be put together and it would be done. June 2006 I called repeatedly but nobody would answer or return a call. Finally in July, I got an email back saying yet again that they had a busy summer and it just needed to be put back together. Finally in November 2007 ( I was deployed quite a bit that year)I emailed them and demanded that the rifle be returnd along with my money. Again, no asnwer via email or phone. Another member here was having the same problems with a Marlin that he sent in. This member also researched the local police chief and DA. I hac to litterly threaten them to get the rifle back.

When I finally received the rifle I about blew my lid. I requested the following,

New round barrel to replace the old round barrel
New Ladder rear sight
CCH frame, lever, hammer and internals

Here is what I got was

Octagon barrel
Buckhorn rear sight
Blued frame with CCH hammer and lever

After 2 years and allot of hard earned money later, all I got was disappointment. I called several times along with several emails and never heard a word. I filed a BBB report and will bad mouth them until I get my money back.

Bottom line is that I would forget about them and continue to shop around. There are a few people on this site that do restorations (stunning I may say!!) or can point you in the right direction.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:25 pm

I had a horror story, with Wind River Rifle, also. I was just happy to finally get the rifle back. It was very good, but not what I expected for the amount spent. There wasn't a great attention to detail and it definitely wasn't retored to original factory condition.

I would avoid them like the plague.

I should be getting a special order Marlin 92 back from Earle Bubar shortly. I have heard nothing, but praise for his work. He only does restoration work in the winter. He runs a guide service from around May until the end of November. I'll post it when it arrives.
http://www.doublegunshop.com/earle0.htm

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:33 pm

Yikes! Doesn't sound very good so far!!! Any other barrel makers you can think of that you'd recommend? Thanks in advance.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:47 pm

So far???

How many do you need?

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:36 am

For what it's worth, I just downloaded the double gun site, I have a warning color on the PC concerning virus problems . Red being trouble possible . Well BIG RED it showed. I'm not very knowledgeable on PC's but the warning signal comes from the McAfee that I use........................Mutt

Mike Hunter · Post by **Mike Hunter** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:58 am

What kind of barrels do you need?

Mike Hunter
Hunter Restorations
www.Hunterrestorations.com

kaschi · Post by **kaschi** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:14 pm

When I say "so far", I'm referring to the number of negative reports given by other forum members(four "so far"), which is bad enough for me to say that Wind River ain't gettin' my business! So, thanks to fellow member arjunky, sobenk, Mich hunter and jdad for the heads up on that outfit!
To Mike Hunter: I'm looking for two barrels total: one for a (new)Marlin 94 and the other to fit a Browning 53. Calibers will either be both 32-20 or one 32-20 and one
25-20. I'd like 24" lengths and I haven't decided on octagon, round or half round/half octagon. What sources could you possibly recommend for those?
Thanks again gentlemen.

Mike Hunter · Post by **Mike Hunter** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:31 pm

Kaschi

I make repo barrels for the old Winchester's, w/ correct roll marks. Unfortunately I do not have the correct markings for the new Marlins or brownings.

If you want a "generic" bbl (unmarked except for cal) for your Marlin, thats fairly easy to do.

Mike Hunter
www.hunterrestorations.com