I saw that some friends were considering using a Pierce action and felt compelled to share my experience. So much so that I decided to make it into a topic. I apologize in advance for the negativity. Below is the excerpt:
ALCON,
I just saw the reference to Pierce Engineering above and felt compelled to write and share my experience with them, as it was almost entirely negative.
BLUF: I RECOMMEND AGAINST ANYONE DEALING WITH JOHN PIERCE!
First off, when this occurred during the summer of 2012, I pondered writing about my experience with them, but decided against it because I try to abstain from bashing people online and the gunsmiths that work for him seem to be good people. Anyway, I selected the Pierce action because it seemed to be a quality hunting (vice tactical) style 700 clone. I contracted them to build my "dream" rifle in .280AI with a Krieger barrel, Williams bottom metal, Jewell trigger, and HS Precision stock. Things went well, until I received the rifle and the bottom metal was flawed. I called the company and John Pierce answered. I politely asked him to fix the flaw and he essentially told me to go to hell. He explained that if there was a problem with the barrel, talk to Krieger and for a problem with the bottom metal to talk to Williams Firearms. It's the worst customer service I've ever encountered. I explained that I had contracted to him to build the rifle, acting as not only a supplier of the action, but my gunsmith. He was as rude as they come and told me to piss off. I thought I was screwed so I actually did what he said and contacted Mr. Williams, which turned out to be a blessing. He was as polite as they come and explained that with all the flaws in the bottom metal that he didn't think it was one of his, and that if it was that he would be more than happy to replace it. I sent it to him and he confirmed that it wasn't one of his and believed it to be a PTG unit, which by the way was significantly cheaper. This changed things and put the ball back in my court. I spoke with a military lawyer on base who explained my rights as a customer. Happily, I called back Mr. Pierce and explained to him that swapping a cheaper part for a more expensive one, that I had paid for, was fraud and that I wanted my money back in full, including all the shipping I'd incurred sending bottom metal and rifles around or that I'd see him in court. Now if there's one thing I can't stand, it's a sea lawyer. That said, with the amount of money that I put into that rifle and to have it be nothing more than an eye sore/ulcer collecting dust in my safe, I felt justified. The funny thing is that I'd have been as happy as a hobo with a ham sandwich had he simply fixed the bottom metal flaw. One of his gunsmiths later called me to try to rectify the problem. He was a nice guy, and professional as well, but I explained that I'd sooner contribute to the President's re-election fund than to give John Pierce a penny from my pocket. He said that he understood, expressed remorse, and admitted a few things about his boss that were less than positive. His attempt at damage control is truly what prevented the broadcast of my experience with John Pierce. I try to look for the good that comes from things, so I'm happy to report that I'll be a customer for life of the Williams Firearms Company and that his one piece bottom metal will grace any future builds, including the upcoming pre-64 .270 Win build that is being barreled by Bartlein as we speak.
I hope you all will forgive me for slamming John Pierce on the forum, but, as I previously stated, I truly felt compelled to share my experience and warn others as well.
V/R,
Joe
***Pierce Engineering did eventually refund my money in full. Just wanted to make that part clear.***
ALCON,
I just saw the reference to Pierce Engineering above and felt compelled to write and share my experience with them, as it was almost entirely negative.
BLUF: I RECOMMEND AGAINST ANYONE DEALING WITH JOHN PIERCE!
First off, when this occurred during the summer of 2012, I pondered writing about my experience with them, but decided against it because I try to abstain from bashing people online and the gunsmiths that work for him seem to be good people. Anyway, I selected the Pierce action because it seemed to be a quality hunting (vice tactical) style 700 clone. I contracted them to build my "dream" rifle in .280AI with a Krieger barrel, Williams bottom metal, Jewell trigger, and HS Precision stock. Things went well, until I received the rifle and the bottom metal was flawed. I called the company and John Pierce answered. I politely asked him to fix the flaw and he essentially told me to go to hell. He explained that if there was a problem with the barrel, talk to Krieger and for a problem with the bottom metal to talk to Williams Firearms. It's the worst customer service I've ever encountered. I explained that I had contracted to him to build the rifle, acting as not only a supplier of the action, but my gunsmith. He was as rude as they come and told me to piss off. I thought I was screwed so I actually did what he said and contacted Mr. Williams, which turned out to be a blessing. He was as polite as they come and explained that with all the flaws in the bottom metal that he didn't think it was one of his, and that if it was that he would be more than happy to replace it. I sent it to him and he confirmed that it wasn't one of his and believed it to be a PTG unit, which by the way was significantly cheaper. This changed things and put the ball back in my court. I spoke with a military lawyer on base who explained my rights as a customer. Happily, I called back Mr. Pierce and explained to him that swapping a cheaper part for a more expensive one, that I had paid for, was fraud and that I wanted my money back in full, including all the shipping I'd incurred sending bottom metal and rifles around or that I'd see him in court. Now if there's one thing I can't stand, it's a sea lawyer. That said, with the amount of money that I put into that rifle and to have it be nothing more than an eye sore/ulcer collecting dust in my safe, I felt justified. The funny thing is that I'd have been as happy as a hobo with a ham sandwich had he simply fixed the bottom metal flaw. One of his gunsmiths later called me to try to rectify the problem. He was a nice guy, and professional as well, but I explained that I'd sooner contribute to the President's re-election fund than to give John Pierce a penny from my pocket. He said that he understood, expressed remorse, and admitted a few things about his boss that were less than positive. His attempt at damage control is truly what prevented the broadcast of my experience with John Pierce. I try to look for the good that comes from things, so I'm happy to report that I'll be a customer for life of the Williams Firearms Company and that his one piece bottom metal will grace any future builds, including the upcoming pre-64 .270 Win build that is being barreled by Bartlein as we speak.
I hope you all will forgive me for slamming John Pierce on the forum, but, as I previously stated, I truly felt compelled to share my experience and warn others as well.
V/R,
Joe
***Pierce Engineering did eventually refund my money in full. Just wanted to make that part clear.***
