S&W Ibolt opinions

[S&W1006]

I would like your opinions on the Ibolt rifle. I have hunted for years with a Remington 7400 in 30'06. I will stay with the 30'06 because I already have reloading dies. i have always wanted a bolt action rifle. I love my 7400 and it always get the job done it is just not very accurate. It is a great brush gun but I want to add abolt gun to the family. I have been pleased with S&W quality and customer support and I would like to try the Ibolt if you guys think they are worth the money.

 

[glypnir]

Reply



smith-wessonforum.com Main Page Smith & Wesson LONG Guns S&W Ibolt opinions

Well, there you have it, massive apathy.

That's the general reaction I get calling around to folks. There are a few people who've shot them and like it on other forums.

And a few people who have not shot them and are bad-mouthing them.

I haven't seen anyone who has shot one and is bad-mouthing it, which I guess is something.

I haven't shot one, or even handled one, but it's tempting to buy one, mainly because it's a Smith & Wesson. And with a Thompson barrel.

 

[Titan]

I'm under the impression that there was some sort of problem with them and they were 'pulled back' by S&W to resolve problems.

Is that true? Could S&W be preparing to back away from the market segment since they also offer the TC Icon (a similar, but more expensive gun)?

.

 

[glypnir]

I'm under the impression that there was some sort of problem with them and they were 'pulled back' by S&W to resolve problems.

Is that true? Could S&W be preparing to back away from the market segment since they also offer the TC Icon (a similar, but more expensive gun)?

.

I hadn't heard anything about that, do you have any more information?

 

[Titan]

I hadn't heard anything about that, do you have any more information?

No. I don't even recall where I heard/read it.

I just know that I've had 'one eye open' for an I-bolt and even posted in another thread some time back asking about future caliber options.


I never got a response, believe I heard/read that they had a problem, and I know that FS in Woburn has been reporting 'temporarily out of stock' for a very long time.

If I heard incorrectly, I hope someone here will correct the record.


I saw on your other thread that you recently ordered and got a new I-bolt. I guess that debunks the availabity issue, but the fact that you're having trouble with it, suggests their MAY be problems with the firearm, in general.

I look forward to hearing more re your experiences with it.
.

.

 

[BruceM]

Less than 600 early production I-Bolts manufactured in 2007 were recalled. This information can be found at Smith & Wesson's website or by Googling "Smith & Wesson I-Bolt recall". Under a very narrow range of conditions, the gun could go bang when it shouldn't and for that reason, the recall was issued.

Personally, I like the TC Icon better but the I-Bolt is nice for the price.

Bruce

 

[Titan]

Less than 600 early production I-Bolts manufactured in 2007 were recalled. This information can be found at Smith & Wesson's website or by Googling "Smith & Wesson I-Bolt recall". Under a very narrow range of conditions, the gun could go bang when it shouldn't and for that reason, the recall was issued.

Personally, I like the TC Icon better but the I-Bolt is nice for the price.

Bruce

Thanks. That does sound like the 'poop' I had heard, now that you mention it.


It just seems that since the 'recall' they don't appear in stock like I thought they would.

The Bass Pro Shops, Dicks, and other stores near me simply don't stock them and don't seem to have much knowledge about why they don't.


It got me to wondering if S&W was beginning to view the gun as an 'experiment' that hasn't worked very well. In this market, you would think we'd be hearing tons of stories about folks reactions to their newly purchase I-bolts, and I just don't hear/see that.

It makes me think supply is drying up, and not because of high demand.
.

 

[BruceM]

With Smith's ownership of T/C, I don't know how much sense it makes to market both the Icon and I-Bolt and have them compete against each other.

B.

 

[Titan]

With Smith's ownership of T/C, I don't know how much sense it makes to market both the Icon and I-Bolt and have them compete against each other.

B.

That's sort of my thinking as well. The only reason to do so, would be to maintain two different price points in the market, but if the guns are similar in capability, one or the other would eventually suffer.

 

[DRB]

There are a few on gunbroker all the time if you really want one buy one off of there. I have not shot one but from all the reviews I have read they seem like an okay rifle. The hunting rifle market is depressed right now as everyone is spending all thier money on ammo and semi autos. Would be a good time to buy. A slightly used one just sold for $272 on GB.

 

[flyah64d]

I purchased an I-Bolt last year in 25-06 and it is one of the best shooting rifles I have ever shot. I have been hunting and shooting for better than 20 years and have fired over 100 different rifles. The only thing I can say negative about the rifle is the action is a little on the tight side. Out of the box with Federal Fusion 120 grain I was overlapping bullets at 150 yards.

 

[SleazyRider]

Initially, I was very impressed with my .30-06 i-bolt but I am now having second thoughts. It seems to only fire ammunition reliably if it has sensitive primers like Federal, but will not shoot Core-Lokt with and degree of reliability. Methinks it's because of the 60-degree bolt lift, that is, the firing pin spring is necessarily lighter because of the steep cam. It cost me a nice whitetail buck last year. I switched to Federal ammunition, but don't feel I should have to. The gun should be able to fire Remington without fail.
The primer strikes are shallow and somewhat off-center.

 

[Dirtman]

T/C Venture

Last year I toyed with the idea of buying a I bolt but S & W quit making them before I got around to it. Last week my wife and I were at Bass Pro Shop and they had a couple of Sakos on sale (270 & 243) for $499.99. She bought the Sako 243 and had a Nikon 2.5X10-50mm ($479.99) Monarch mounted on it.
Naturally I played with it during the week.....dry firing, sighting through the scope, and fondling, etc. I fell in love with the Nikon! Saturday I went back to B.P.S. and bought a Thompson Center Venture in 30-06 ($479.99) with the same scope. I really like the Venture so far (hope I still like it after shooting it) but the real reasons I settled on the Venture is the lifetime, no BS warranty backed by S & W, T/C quality, and MOA.
I own many S & W pistols and seldom had any issues but on the rare occasion I did, S & W promptly repaired them at no cost to me.
I'm also happy with the deal at B.P.S.! I got $100.00 off just for taking out a B. P. S. credit card (which I will promptly pay off with no interest) and a gift card for $100.00.
Can't wait to go to the range and dial in those scopes!!

 

[coilysammy]

I recently bought an Ibolt in 25-06 with the ap camo stock. I actually really like it and on factory corelokt ammo it shoots sub moa. I haven't been able to work up handloads yet because I have to send the bolt in to have the recall work done to it. The only complaints I have about the rifle so far are the molded in sling mounts and the feeding from the magazine. The slings mounts can be very slightly filed and work just fine and hopefully the magazine will not be a problem when they send it back. I called S&W and asked them if I could throw the magazine in the box with the bolt and have them look at it when they do the recall work and they said that was no problem. The rifle may have a couple issues but S&W seems to have awesome customer service. So far they haven't given me any trouble and are more than willing to take care of any problems so I have to say, it makes me want to buy more of their weapons in the future. Also, I actually am pretty impressed with the fit and finish of the rifle. Everyone kind of dogs on them because they are inexpensive but for the price I paid for it I am really happy. I had to pull the stock to get the trigger adjusted how I like it. There is an external adjustment for pull weight but the trigger had horrible creep from the factory. There is a allen screw on the back of the trigger group and a small adjustment was all that was needed to eliminate the creep issue. Factory setting for overtravel was perfect. I would recommend this rifle to anyone who likes to tinker a little bit. If you just want to open the box and shoot and expect excellent quality then you will have pay quite a bit more.

 

[Dirtman]

I recently bought an Ibolt in 25-06 with the ap camo stock. .

I thought S & W quit making the I bolt. I went to Bud's Gun Shop on line and saw that they do indeed have one model, the 25-06 in blue steel and camo, but that was the only one in stock.
No mention of the I bolt on the S & W site. Did you buy it at Bud's?

 

[coilysammy]

I thought S & W quit making the I bolt. I went to Bud's Gun Shop on line and saw that they do indeed have one model, the 25-06 in blue steel and camo, but that was the only one in stock.
No mention of the I bolt on the S & W site. Did you buy it at Bud's?

No I bought it from my grandpa. He bought it from GI Joe's a few years ago when they were going out of business. He never shot it because he already had a steyr in 25-06 so I finally talked him out of it.

 

[Dirtman]

No I bought it from my grandpa. He bought it from GI Joe's a few years ago when they were going out of business. He never shot it because he already had a steyr in 25-06 so I finally talked him out of it.

Bet you got a good price and you still have the lifetime warranty.