Blerk's Progress

[Gambo]

Fank you Blerkster.


A factory visit ehh......go for it dood.

I did that at Logun once.....and spent the afternoon being shown around the place, chatted to various staff members and then had my rifle fettled and serviced while I watched on. A very memorable experience.

[IceBlerk]

Well, I bit the pellet on Saturday morning and drove up to Redbeck's.

I thought I'd give them a crack at my rifle rather than go direct to the factory (45 minutes each way rather than 90 was an influencing factor).

I've not been to Redbeck's before (having bought my gun from their stand at the South Yorkshire Shooting Show) and I was impressed by their set up. They've got a decent, little shop (plenty of things to browse and a decent selection of guns) and their outdoor range is good for such a business.

When I got my gun at the show I liked the manner and service of the guy who served me and the young lady who served me on Saturday was equally pleasant and helpful.

I explained my problem (appalling groups when using a silencer) so she took me and my gun out to the range to do some testing.

Without a silencer she shot a group of JSBs and a group AAFs and then she put a Hugget silencer on the dangerous end and shot another group.

Without the silencer her groups were about 10p piece size and with the silencer they were dinner plate size.

"There's definitely a problem," she says. "I'd expect to get groups about the size of a 5p piece so I reckon there's an issue even without the silencer."

She then shot it through their chronograph to make sure that the power was consistent.

It was.

This leads me to conclude that:

• There's a problem with the gun and
• I might be a better shot than I thought.

The lady also thought that the magazine was a little "tricky" to index a couple of times when she was loading it.

Soooooo........... The Bantam has been sent back to Brocock with requests to address the accuracy and magazine ishoos.

It could be in gun hospital for a few weeks (which is disappointing and distressing) but Squaddie has gone back to Catterick and has returned my Terrus and Hatsan so I can still shoot while I wait for the Bantam's return.

I'll keep y'all posted on how things progress.

[Gambo]

Am I correct in recalling that Brocock are owned by Air Arms?

[IceBlerk]

They're owned by Marocchi who are owned by Dianna.

Daystate and MTC are also in the group.

[Gambo]

So they are in the Daystate stable then, not Air Arms.

I knew they'd been taken over by a major British airgun manufacturer, but couldn't recall who.....so that for the reminder.

[IceBlerk]

***** Incoming Message ........ ***** Bantam Update ........
I emailed Brocock on Monday 15th January to find out if they'd received my Bantam, advise on any issues found and if they could give me an expected return date.

20 minutes later I got an email back to say it had been received and repaired and was leaving the factory that day for delivery back to Redbeck the following day.

Great!

I called Redbeck on Thursday 18th to see if they'd received it. I had Friday off work so I was hoping to pop up to collect it.

They said they hadn't received it and would chase up for me and let me know. No return call.

I called Redbeck on Monday 22nd to see what the score was. I had Monday off work so I was hoping to pop up to collect it.

They said they hadn't received it and would chase up for me and let me know. No return call.

I emailled Brocock on Tuesday 23rd to get a tracking number. I have had no response.

I called Redbeck later on 23rd for an update. I had Tuesday off work so I was hoping to pop up to collect it. (Spot the theme.)

I was passed on to an apologetic chap called Anthony. My gun HAD been received. It had a note attached saying that the issue with the magazine had been resolved but no problem could be found with the accuracy. Anthony had called Brocock. Brocock's tests had produced thumbnail-sized groups at 40 yards. Anthony suggested that this was not 100% correct. My results (skills permitting) did not demonstrate that level of accuracy. Redbeck's own tests (over two different days) did not demonstrate that level of accuracy. Redbeck had sent the gun BACK to Brocock suggesting that their tests were NOT reliable and that the gun should be re-barreled or something to rectify the issue. And I do not believe that Brocock's tests included the use of a moderator (although they said they did) as you'd be lucky to get a thumbnail-sized group at 40 inches if one was fitted.

So I am still without the Bantam and waiting for Redbeck and Brocock to sort things out.

It's all been a bit frustrating...............

[IceBlerk]

Breaking news!!!!!!

I've just had an email reply from Brocock!

My rifle was delivered to Redbeck on 18th January.

Hmmmm....................

[Gambo]

What did I say before about gun dealers not being interested in getting warranty work sorted out for you!?!?

They've already made their profit out of the gun......any more involvement with it is just unprofitable/unpaid hassle for them.

Take my advice, cut out the uninterested middleman, and go direct to the manufacturer or importer yourself.......you'll get your gun back much quicker if there is one less set of hands it has to go through.


I already know accuracy tests are done without a silencer....I've fallen foul of that one before too.

[IceBlerk]

I like the idea that the folks at Redbeck tested the rifle and sent it back to Brocock, I'd rather it was returned fettled than just returned fast.

But their communication has been a bit poor.

And the email responses I have received from Brocock have not been great.

I suppose that the lesson I have learned is "try before you buy", but that would be difficult as my local dealer doesn't carry Brocock rifles.

[Baggawind]

What you are experiencing is, I can assure you, far from unique. At one time I was tempted into buying a Bantam ( for the high shot count ) but after the lousy service I had after buying a Compatto I changed my mind. A case of  " once bitten " .  There,s a huge thread on another forum concerning aftersales service at Brocock. That also involved a Bantam. Something to do with low power and leaking IIRC. I,ve heard  tales of Brocock/ Daystate sending test sheets back for different rifles that are all identical. Sounds like yours is well down on power at only 10fpe. And it sounds like the accuracy problem is most likely to be the threaded insert in the end of the shroud. I don,t know if they are threaded in or pressed in but either way it sounds like something,s not square with the bore. Lets hope they get it sorted soon.