Bummer...new SKY M39 damaged in shipping

[Deputy]

Along with the last remaining hoard of M39's and other Finn rifles Pat's husbands old company also scored a supply of spare parts that she has been selling on GB for years. M39 stocks do crack, it happens in the normal course of use and the Finns themselves would use older stocks they had in storage to repair rifles, or even when they built new rifles. The stock is cracked, it's either offer you another stock or refund you money, I once bought a "48" marked M39 from Pat and she forgot to even mention it had an early wartime straight grip stock on it that she could easily have swapped onto an early SAKO and I would have been none the wiser and her $200 richer. It wasn't done. I have known of at least three times when they made good on a damaged stock with a brand new stock, I guess they are out of them if they are now offering issued stocks as replacments. Pats husband bought out the remaining invantory of the Finnish government Mosins, they had some FFL trouble, the company shut down, and Pat and her son were allowed to sell off the stock as private citizens, that's why she always states that she is not a FFL holder.

Thanks for that info JYD! At this point, I don't care if it's a new or replacement stock. I have an M39 rifle sitting in my bedroom that is nothing more than a $487 paperweight. And as someone else has mentioned, I AM being held hostage by the situation with Burns and UPS. The latest e-mail from them has verified that. No stock until they get their settlement. That is really bad news as I have heard of UPS taking a LONG time on some claims.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Just glue it with crazy glue ( for wood), the real critical areas are around the wrist, that's the point that takes the recoil, at least that way you can shoot it now , and change the stock out later when the issue is resolved.

[mosinjunkie]

Just glue it with crazy glue ( for wood), the real critical areas are around the wrist, that's the point that takes the recoil, at least that way you can shoot it now , and change the stock out later when the issue is resolved.

Agreed. Only I would recommend Gorilla Glue. And clamp it GOOD.

[Junk Yard Dog]

That's the stuff I was trying to rememmber

[Darryl]

Dolk, please feel free to delete my post about switching stocks. Obviously I have no proof and I certainly don't want to disparage Pat Burns or her company. I am VERY happy with the two other M39s I purchased from her.

HOWEVER

The broken stock rifle I have IS going to have a switched stock and they don't seem to be reluctant to do it at all. They could have offered a refund or exchange for another SKY just as easily (and both options would have been more than acceptable to me). That doesn't help support the position that they don't switch stocks.

Dep

Just because UPS destroyed the stock and they offered a replacement stock (they have to because UPS will not pay for the entire rifle) does not mean they switch stock. This is a single problem, not an on going event (unless someone can show proof).

If you go to Burns (call them and get off email), I'll bet they will refund your money (I know, they have done just that for me once). I had a problem and they took care of it. As far as packaging goes, this is only the second one I have ever heard of that was damaged in shipping. Considering how many M39's they ship, I'd say their packaging is sufficient. Just because someone at UPS screwed it up doesn't mean they package poorly. Return it and get your money back and buy a different one.

We have enough rumors and false information being spread around about these rifle, we don't need any more. If it is true, so be it and Burns should pay the price for that. I think I know where this rumor may have originated from. Before the incident cited above, they were a premium seller in everyone's eyes. And after, the stories started. This is a different forum and if that forum wants to spread those stories, that OK ....there. But here if you have information that proves that story, then post it.

Dolk

[Deputy]

JYD: I don't think that's a good idea. Burns wants the whole stock back and I don't want to mess with it. I want them to see EXACTLY what it looks like when I recived it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Oh well.

[Aircooled]

So sorry for your misfortune. Isn't that a hell of a statement, though? This rifle survived WW II, but not UPS. Maybe they should print that on their trucks? lol

[Darryl]

I wouldn't accept a replacement stock myself. But many people are not collectors and are shooting these rifles only. They could care less. But me, I'd send it back and either get a replacement rifle (complete) or my money back.

Call them (no email) and talk to them. If they refuse to do that, bring it back here and we will help you take care of it. But I'll bet they replace it or refund your money if you ask.

I also know a stock guy that could make that crack disappear. We tell everyone his daddy was a gunsmith and his momma was a termite. He knows wood stocks. I have seen his work on stocks and there is no way to tell he ever touched them. He is that good. But I'd hate to pay what he wants to fix a $300 to $400 rifle.


I'd send it back and let Burns deal with UPS. They sell barreled actions every so often on their site. I suspect that could be from a few damaged rifles they have sent.

Dolk

[Deputy]

So sorry for your misfortune. Isn't that a hell of a statement, though? This rifle survived WW II, but not UPS. Maybe they should print that on their trucks? lol

LOL...didn't think of it that way, but it is pretty ironic.

[Deputy]

I wouldn't accept a replacement stock myself. But many people are not collectors and are shooting these rifles only. They could care less. But me, I'd send it back and either get a replacement rifle (complete) or my money back.

Call them (no email) and talk to them. If they refuse to do that, bring it back here and we will help you take care of it. But I'll bet they replace it or refund your money if you ask.

I also know a stock guy that could make that crack disappear. We tell everyone his daddy was a gunsmith and his momma was a termite. He knows wood stocks. I have seen his work on stocks and there is no way to tell he ever touched them. He is that good. But I'd hate to pay what he wants to fix a $300 to $400 rifle.


I'd send it back and let Burns deal with UPS. They sell barreled actions every so often on their site. I suspect that could be from a few damaged rifles they have sent.

Dolk

Dolk,
The hard part is the rest of the rifle is so dang beautiful. The metal is perfect with no pits and is almost 100% bluing. The bore is bright and shiny with strong lands and grooves. And the bolt is the smoothest working one of all the Mosins I have. I can almost work it with my pinky.
Plus it is a SKY, which is one of the ones I needed for my collection of 39s. I'll wait and see what happens with Burns. But it IS driving me crazy that I can't even show it off to people with the way it is.

[Captk]

What a shame about your rifle. I live 40 miles from Burns and my rifles arrived fine, but there were holes poked into the box on an overnight delivery. I have received broken stocks, a bolt handle snapped off and a few barrels sticking out of the box over the years. These rifles survive for 60+ years and get damaged during shipment.

I would expect them to make the rifle right with a equal or better replacement stock.

BTW, I bought the SKY listed under the one you bought.

Ken

[Deputy]

What a shame about your rifle. I live 40 miles from Burns and my rifles arrived fine, but there were holes poked into the box on an overnight delivery. I have received broken stocks, a bolt handle snapped off and a few barrels sticking out of the box over the years. These rifles survive for 60+ years and get damaged during shipment.

I would expect them to make the rifle right with a equal or better replacement stock.

BTW, I bought the SKY listed under the one you bought.

Ken

WOW! I remember that one you bought. It was equally nice.

Dep

[Junk Yard Dog]

I remember not so long ago I was selling something on ebay that sold well, every time I had a pile of cash, for awhile there it was every few days, I would head over and start running down her list picking this and that, and sending her the payment by paypal ( before I had enough of paypal) Back then some M39's were still under $200 if the blue was a little worn, or a small crack someplace. Fun times, but her selection has shrunk in recent years.

[Deputy]

GOOD NEWS! I just got a UPS tracking notice from Pat Burns. It appears my replacement stock is on the way. Scheduled delivery is 1/11. I will post a pic as soon as it arrives.
I also received a note from Bill that all the paperwork has been sent to UPS, so I guess he didn't wait around for the money from UPS. Very of him.
He told me to take the stock off mine and get it ready for shipment back to them.

BTW...the Burns website is down to one Tikka rifle that is out of my price range. No idea when they will be replenishing the ones for sale.

[Deputy]

More good news. Stock delivery has been moved up a day to 1/10...tomorrow! As soon as I get it I'll post pics. Hoping it is a SKY stock, but after recent pics and discussions posted here, it could be about anything.

Dep

[zeebill]

I am sure after all the discussion on here that you will get something very acceptable to you. If they don't they would have to be fools as I am sure they at least know what goes on here and is said.

That being said I have received two rifles with broken stocks from them over the first few years I bought from them. I fixed them both and have fired them many times over the years. I used to use Gorilla glue but it flops out of the repair all over the place and I switched to the thin Super Glue used in conjuction with Acra Glass if I have too. One rifle I bought was advertised as a slightly broken stock and when it arrived the stock took three dowels two seperate glueings to fix. The other one was said to have a beautiful wartime stock which it did with a crack in the tang area. I complained and they said put a claim into UPS which UPS promptly turned down saying I wasn't the shipper. Finally I just said screw it and fixed the crack and clearanced the repair to the tang and it shoots great the bore is super with the use I have given it. I have received rifles over the years from many companies through dealers and at home that were indeed hanging out of the box and very luckily still in one piece. I have had dealers not except shipments from UPS and send them packing back to the sender which they can do if they have to guts to try. One guy in California got one back and had the gaul to ask what I had done to it! Once a Fedex truck pulled up to the door and I was out in the shop watching he threw this box out on the grass and backed out the drive at almost 40 MPH. I thought Oh crap what have I got here. It was just a stock that time and when I got to the house it was hanging out the box. I called Fedex and told them and they actually sent the delivery guy back to get it and returned it to the sender. I saw immediatly it was not the stock he said it was anyway so it solved two problems!

As far as WGA I heard the rumors that they were a great company are just that and that is my opinion too. So if you can't have an opinion and state it maybe there is room for improvement somewhere? Bill

[Junk Yard Dog]

Not really a company anymore Bill. just a couple of individuals who are not dealers selling off leftover invantory, or so they used to say in the GB add's. Not great, not bad, just a seller like any other.

[Junk Yard Dog]

More good news. Stock delivery has been moved up a day to 1/10...tomorrow! As soon as I get it I'll post pics. Hoping it is a SKY stock, but after recent pics and discussions posted here, it could be about anything.

Dep

[bunkysdad]

It sounds like you should be bragging to your friends in notime. After all that, I hope you can get yourself a shooting report up for us.