I'm posting this here in hopes of finding someone with a similar experience. If not, perhaps just shed some light on the situation.

Almost six months ago I purchased a new Winchester 101 O/U. After a couple weeks I noticed a small spot in the finish, which appeared to be lacking the protective coat that the rest of the firearm had. I called Winchester and they had suggested a couple things. None of it had worked, quite possibly making it worse than what it had been.

Fast forward another couple weeks. I call Winchester and they suggest mailing the firearm in to be looked at. No big deal. I paid the $50 to ship it to MO in hopes of a resolution. They quoted it around $200 plus shipping to be repaired. I reluctantly agreed, stuck between a rock and a hard place ($30 quote plus shipping if I denied repair). I paid and they said it would be done within 30 days.

They had the firearm for four months. I called three times to finally get through to a rep that could confirm where the firearm was. He stated that it was left in the curing booth for over three months, although it was supposed to be three days. Again, I was mad, but not much I could do about it. At least it would be worth the wait. Or so I thought.

I signed for the package this Wednesday. Upon opening the box, I was extremely disappointed to find many defects that were not there prior to the repair. Heavy marks in the receiver, chips in the forend, stock was still swirly (they use an automotive type clear coat), and there was rust on some parts of the barrel and receiver. Mind you, this was a brand new gun when it was sent in. No damage other than what was disclosed. Round count hadn't even gotten to 200.

I've tried calling Winchester but their business hours make it very difficult. Has anybody had a similar experience? I will be contacting them again tomorrow in hopes of a resolution. I don't know what leverage I have, if any, from a legal standpoint. Any advice is appreciated. First pic is the day I sent it in.

Ouch! Did you take before pictures?

Unacceptable firearms service is a common theme. If the firearm is one you can't live without, you might have more aggravation in your future.

Assuming you paid for the gun and its "repair" with a credit card, you might have recourse to dispute both the faulty repair and the original purchase charges. The time for the initial report of this type of dispute is limited, and can take time to resolve, but might provide monetary satisfaction eventually.

Good luck.

I did take before pictures but none of them were detailed. Figured that a firearm company as large as Winchester/Browning would know how to take care of their customers and products. Live and learn.

As far as disputing the repairs, that's a good point. I paid for the repair with a CC so I should be good there. Paid cash for the shotgun itself so that will be a little more difficult. I'm about to give them a call and see what's going on.


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How familiar. Your experience reminds of a good majority of mine...it seems that no matter what I buy these days there's virtually always something wrong; whether with quality, craftsmanship, operability, a recall, etc. Doesn't matter if it's a firearm or a vehicle, too often it has to go back for some reason or another, and it's ultimately a gamble as to whether the issue itself is resolved, as well as the condition it will return in. If the manufacturer doesn't damage it, the chances of the shipping "gorillas" doing it is always a major concern. It's really sad.

I "feel your pain" and wish you the very best. And I'd be VERY persistent that they make it right.

Just got off the phone with them. Of course they denied all damages and offered to "take a look" if I send it back! 8 weeks minimum, looks like it's going back to the factory and I'm disputing the charges.


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I would simply tell them there word means nothing to you. The fact you were told 30 and it took four months shows they don't care. They stored it for four months and it was damaged, simple as that. Do they have proof of how it was stored and where in those four months?

My experience with such matters is that you need to be persistent, but you have to get in touch with the right people. General customer service won't likely be of much help. You are probably going to need to talk with someone in upper management or an executive.

I bought a new Colt SAA about 10 years back. The front sight was attached with a big glob of solder, pretty poorly done.
I sent it back, they remedied the front sight issue but must have dropped the gun off a cliff, there was a big dent in the topstrap.
I sent it back again, they replaced the gun.
**** happens

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Sure you did

"Almost six months ago I purchased a new Winchester 101 O/U. After a couple weeks I noticed a small spot in the finish, which appeared to be lacking the protective coat that the rest of the firearm had."


This is why I go over an expensive gun with great care-and a magnifying glass if necessary- before accepting it. I inevitably find tiny defects, and if I can't live with them, I don't accept it at all. Why? Your experience is typical, in that you had the gun long enough for it to be dinged up after you took it, and the company is not going to take any responsibility for it. Even worse is sending it back for a small spot I or any stock worker could easily fix (I do stock work).


You're in for a mess that will probably only get worse. Good luck--you're going to need it.

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Science plus Art

I am very reluctant about sending anything back to the factory or service center for warranty service. Forgetting the unavoidable shipping risk, it seems like they feel they need to teach you a lesson about being too picky with your new firearm. This kind of thing is the result.

Bottom line is that if I can fix something myself or have it fixed locally, I will do so. Returning a firearm to the factory or service center is too often a crapshoot.

Get as far up the food chain as possible and pester/harass/stalk.
Eventually, someone will get tired of you and tell a subordinate to fix it, unless they attended Trump U. In that case, you will be sued, the gun will be lost, and you will wind up in jail. Top management really doesn't like dealing with customers, especially customers with complaints.

I looked at the Winchester Featherweight put out by Browning at a local gun store a few months ago. The forestock was split right up at the end. I put it back on the rack and quietly walked away.

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Join the NRA today

I would dispute the charge, and cease dealing with them. You are unlikely to get satisfaction.

Write a letter recounting your experience, be polite, and tell them that you will never buy one of their guns again, nor any other product they produce or their parent company produces and you will be telling everyone you know of their wretched customer service.

Then go on with your life and enjoy shooting the gun, or sell it at a loss to get rid of it if the memory robs you of any enjoyment.

And don't ever send a gun to someone else without taking detailed pictures (and include them with the gun so they are on notice), and the presumption that they are going to damage it to an extent in exact proportion to how much you want the gun to be perfect.

IMHO, that shotgun can never be returned to "like new" by that warrantee shop. It seems to me that they owe you a replacement that is "new". You might look into getting legal representation. A 'Demand Letter' by an Attorney might do you some good. ....

Get the names and addresses of company officers and write them a short and to the point letter or email, first telling them what a wonderful company they are and how much you love their firearms and ease into how disappointed you are with this situation and then move in for the kill. Close with "is this the experience you would like me to tell my friends and neighbors about how poorly I was treated by you"
That never fails to get results.

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Back to back World War Champs.

I had a comparable experience with Browning/Winchester. I guess it was December of 2014 I purchased a Winchester SXP Trap Gun. I inspected the shotgun closely, and it was in excellent condition, as it should be. In May of '15, 4 months after the first part of a knee reconstruction, I went to the local trap range and fired one round of trap, firing 25 rounds of Winchester AAs. When I broke the shotgun down for the ride home, I discovered that the magazine cap split along one side, and 2/3s the width, and you could see daylight through the complete split.

Needless to say, I contacted Winchester/Browning the moment I got home, and they said they hadn't heard of such a problem, but promised to send a replacement magazine cap when their inventory was replenished. Six months later, I called their Customer Service, and was told that the parts were still on order; however, they offered to send me a marsh grass camo magazine from a different model SXP so I could use my shotgun, and that part arrived somewhere between my return from Camp Perry and the second part of the knee surgery. Needless to say, I never fired that beautiful shotgun again and sold it at a loss, because I didn't trust the quality control. I never notified Winchester/Browning that I was no longer the owner of the shotgun, so the replacement part should still be headed my way. The original part failure was about 21 months ago, and I am still waiting for the replacement part.

This is not the type of Customer Service that I have grown up with, and it is a poor commentary of how Browning/Winchester looks out for their customers. I will be looking at old A5s and Model 12s if I plan to purchase another shotgun, I doubt that I will even consider a new Winchester.

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Judge control not gun control!

I have followed up with my credit card company and they have yet to get a response from Winchester. I tried contacting them but no email is supplied on their website. If I end up getting a refund I will take the gun to a competent smith to buff the stock and engrave the receiver. More money than I would like to spend, but I should be better off in the end


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