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Post by bradshaw on Apr 26, 2020 9:24:41 GMT -5
Lots of you guys have probably seen, but for those who haven't : www.hausofarms.com/SSK-50-FRAMES_p_2661.html***** Curious how, before listing specifications and compatibilities, a call for prepaid orders is posted in bold block letters. I remember Bill Ruger saying he set aside the checks he received for his revolutionary .22 LR Standard Auto. Says he refused to cash a check without shipping a pistol. Bill Ruger did not have money to play with. Alexander Sturm had huge faith in Ruger and made it possible for Bill Ruger to manufacture his pistol. A billboard of red letters calling for subscribers before a gun reaches reality reminds me of the inside cover ad (Guns & Ammo) for Auto Mag: photo of a row of frames----no complete pistols! Not sure how that worked out. When the name became TDE, I bought one, the standard .44 Auto Mag cartridge, a wildcat made on .308 brass. I tried like hell to make that gun reliable, sold it before handgun silhouette came along. There is another name where it seems a few buyers got burned, the Dornaus & Dixon 10mm Auto. Seems folk sent money after them, too, without getting a gun... or, receiving a gun without a magazine! I’d keep my mouth shut, were it not for the blurb: “...made of stronger materials and to more consistent specifications.” That’s always a good way to pique interest. However, with defense industry money behind the product, why solicit pre-payment on a gun not in the pipeline? The IHMSA Production category was fairly defined by the: Thompson/Center Contender* Versatile. * Accurate. * Excellent trigger. * Affordable. Doubt anyone can count the times Warren Center’s Contender was shot into the winners circle, from local matches to world championships. The ill-proportioned Encore came along to house potent rifle cartridges, but without the Contender’s great trigger. Must be a reason a new manufacturer selected the Contender. David Bradshaw |
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,162
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Post by edk on Apr 26, 2020 10:42:41 GMT -5
Curious how, before listing specifications and compatibilities, a call for prepaid orders is posted in bold block letters. Just to be clear here (and not a suggestion in any way Bradshaw is being misleading), but the party collecting advance funds is Haus of Arms, a reseller, correct? To the best of my knowledge Lehigh Defense/SSK Firearms is not soliciting funds in advance are they? Anyone please correct me if I am mistaken and it is SSK that has your money... |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 26, 2020 10:59:53 GMT -5
Curious how, before listing specifications and compatibilities, a call for prepaid orders is posted in bold block letters. Just to be clear here (and not a suggestion in any way Bradshaw is being misleading), but the party collecting advance funds is Haus of Arms, a reseller, correct? To the best of my knowledge Lehigh Defense/SSK Firearms is not soliciting funds in advance are they? Anyone please correct me if I am mistaken and it is SSK that has your money... As far as I know, that is correct... |
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,749
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Post by jeffh on Apr 26, 2020 15:16:45 GMT -5
Just to be clear here (and not a suggestion in any way Bradshaw is being misleading), but the party collecting advance funds is Haus of Arms, a reseller, correct? To the best of my knowledge Lehigh Defense/SSK Firearms is not soliciting funds in advance are they? Anyone please correct me if I am mistaken and it is SSK that has your money... As far as I know, that is correct... Exactly what I am seeing. I think optimistic energy overcame the anxiety of keeping it more under wraps until promises could definitely be kept. I don't see the money collected from customers making much of a dent in the overall scheme of things.
Since I didn't put any money up, it is technically no more than an "illusory promise" which leaves me no leg to stand on in terms of holding someone to it. I really do want to see this classic, which died too young, come back, but I think that realistically, it could be a lot longer than we were first told. And, I hate to say - if ever. After reading the blog, I'm seeing classic early-on foibles which makes me feel this is way more premature than I first imagined.
Does anyone else remember a small photo in one of the gun magazines in the early eighties showing a modern, classy looking break-top 44 Special revolver? It was a teaser pic of a prototype with very little verbiage, but someone was thinking about producing it. No more was ever said of it that I know of. Now, THAT would have been cool!
I don't mean to be cynical about this project. I want to see it succeed. I simply now have a whole new picture of just where it seems to be on the line between a great idea and one pinned to my 30-30 barrel.
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
They call me…Andrew
Posts: 2,757
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Post by awp101 on Apr 26, 2020 17:16:07 GMT -5
Why is S&W even involved?0 Unless it's changed recently, S&W owns T/C. IIRC it's been within the past 10-12 years when all the big names were buying the smaller ones and just before the big names got bought by the investment groups who've been working to bleed the whole industry dry ever since. |
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banger
.30 Stingray
Just a shooter have over 50 years of it love to shoot .
Posts: 124
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Post by banger on Apr 30, 2020 19:54:23 GMT -5
In about 1980 I had gotten hurt very bad spent a year or two getting over it . I felt ok but could not walk very well so I shot setting down . I bought a Contender 10 inch barrel se. number 666 with open sights in 44 mag . I shot seven days a week rain or snow 240gr lead and Win 231 .
I shot out two barrels in a year shooting lead and Thompson sent me new barrels the head gun smith was a great guy and we talked a bunch . The next year more problems with the Contender that was over my pay grade so sent it back to Thompson . Thompson Center sent a new Contender i thank them for that but i lost number 666 for ever . (It was all that got me over it all )
Just so you know the barrel was fine but the chambers were shot out .
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Post by tangocharlie on May 4, 2020 18:23:12 GMT -5
I have been watching this with a jaundiced eye for a while. When I first saw mention of a flat side offering with SSK involved, I was enthusiastic. But - I am an old cynic. I can recall all too clearly the Bren Ten; the multiple marketing blunders and fumbles tied to AutoMag...way too many pay now and wait schemes that never materialized. I will wait. And watch.
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,454
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Post by JM on May 5, 2020 9:19:28 GMT -5
I ordered & paid for a flat side at the first offering. I can understand a delay or two. I have sent two e-mail requests for updates. Both have been unanswered.
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Post by gemihur on Aug 10, 2020 20:49:07 GMT -5
TC contender w/SSK 14" Bbl in 444 Marlin
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rvolvr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 298 
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Post by rvolvr on Aug 13, 2020 18:47:10 GMT -5
Received today, the latest update from Marty at Haus of Arms:
SSK-50 FRAME UPDATE
Although we were looking forward to approval of the casting inspection samples a month ago, that hurdle has finally been cleared with approval given for production of the castings. Keep in mind that when production units reach Lehigh Defense they still must be machined, heat treated, assembled, engraved and test fired before shipping. We currently have 90+ names on the call-back list and nearly 400 orders in place.
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rvolvr
.30 Stingray
Posts: 298
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Post by rvolvr on Aug 13, 2020 18:49:06 GMT -5
Also received from Marty:
SSK FIREARMS IS EXPANDING!
"SSK Firearms will be moving into an 8,500 sq ft facility in Ohio, very close to the original location of SSK Industries, in September to better serve our customer base and continue our growth." This statement was provided by Mike Cyrus of Lehigh Defense. This is great news of continued support by Lehigh Defense/SSK for the single shot community.
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Post by gemihur on Sept 14, 2020 14:36:55 GMT -5
Advanced payment is a ticklish matter when a ship date cannot be assured. I've got the frames that I need but a new-to-me barrel is always a strong consideration. But that will be cash-on-the-barrelhead only. Here's one that recently wandered in from WVA. A 14" SSK in 6x223 that someone did a little lathe work on. I can't imagine why. It shoots like nobody's business, tho. Really likes an 87 gr. an IMR 8208 XBR needed some furniture to hide her boniness   |
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Post by Encore64 on Oct 8, 2020 12:15:03 GMT -5
Well fellows, as predicted more delays.
I'm requesting my money back and moving on.
Enough of anything is enough...
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JM
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,454
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Post by JM on Oct 8, 2020 14:27:38 GMT -5
Well fellows, as predicted more delays. I'm requesting my money back and moving on. Enough of anything is enough... SAME. |
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,749
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Post by jeffh on Oct 12, 2020 18:08:31 GMT -5
I didn't pay up front, so I'm simply leaving my name on the list, but have begun a search for another EZ-Open frame. It was fun while it lasted - you know hoping and all. 
If they're on their third foundry, this project is still not even proven to be viable. If the first two couldn't do it, then I'm not confident the third can.
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