Academy Rifle Returns?

[big_smith]

Wow-I thought arguments like this only happen during the off season. Brandon-did you get to go hunting? My son started with the Savage youth model in 223. He killed several deer with it. It was a package gun with a cheap scope, but it got the job done. Hope it works out well for you.

[CrookedArrow]

I wish you might have asked about the Rossi. A buddy of mine went through the same thing, the pin would not connect on the primer. He thought taking back to Academy would solve the problem, no dice. I don't know if you noticed but in his box Academy puts what I guess is a disclaimer. It basically says, the firearm will go to the gun maker, and in no way will Academy be held responsible ect. Now they might assist you with getting it there, but thats about it. He basically has a 250 dollar club now. Best of luck.

[marceco]

Anyone ever think it might have just been a bad batch of ammo ?

[native_texan]

Let me start from the beginning...My daughter decided she wanted a deer rifle, so after talking to several people I decided to go with the Rossi Youth combo in .243 available at Academy. Yesterday I made a special trip out of the way to pick it up since the store by my house didn't have on in stock. Today I took off work early and came home to pick my daughter up, so we could go shoot and possibly sit in the stand. We drove 3 hours round trip to the ranch and got setup to shoot, when only 2 out of 8 rounds fired. Upon inspection I noticed that the firing pin wasn't coming out enough to fire only putting a small dimple in the primer.

We finally headed home tonight and I decided to stop at an Academy on the way since the one by my house didn't have it and the store where I bought it was out of the way. Of course Academy's store policy is no returns on firearms, so I asked to speak to the store manager and he told me the same thing. He offered to send it in to get repaired at no cost to me. I informed him that this was unacceptable and that I would like to speak with his regional manager. Of course the regional manage was unavailable , but he would email him. About 15 minutes after leaving the store the store manager called me informing me that the regional manager told him that I would need to take it back to the store I bought it at. I asked if they would take it back, and he told me that I needed to call that store to find out. Needless to say it's too late tonight and I am a little worked up about it. My daughter is out of school all week and this may be the only time I am also off and able to take her hunting all year.

Does anyone have experience dealing with Academy on firearm returns? If so any advice on what I should say or do when I go to the store where I purchased it tomorrow? I hate the fact that I took off early and spent $40 in diesel and $15 in shells for no reason whatsoever, but all I want is for them to give me a rifle that will work and I can use this week.

-Brandon

Brandon, first allow me to say that I have two Rossi rifles: a .223 and a .243. Both work beyond my expectation [for an inexpensive rifle]. Both have killed a number of deer.

I must admit that I have never dealt with Academy about returns but most stores will not take a firearm as a return. They will refer you to the manufacturer's repair station.

That being said, I had an issue with the .223 Rossi where it would fire a round sometimes and sometimes it did not. I read up on .223 ammo and found that MILITARY rounds have HARD primers. A civilian rifle may not always have the firing pin strength to fire ammo consistently that has military type primers. Not knowing this will frustrate you to no end when you try to sight in.

What ammo are you using in the .243? Is it Remington, 100 Gr Core Loct or Winchester 100 Gr PSP? Some of the other manufacturers like the one who manufactures Monarch ammo may have HARD primers. The Rossi will only "dimple" the primer. The hard primer gives better ignition performance with certain powders and therefore greater velocity (as in AR-15's).

Some of the Monarch rounds will not fire in the Rossi. Monarch is made in Russia and may have HARD military type primers. Besides being made in Russia, the Monarach is not really good for pin point accuracy beyond 75 yards. Surely the Rossie is not a "tack driver" but I have expereinced really great accuracy with my .223 and .243. My shot ends up where I aimed.

Speaking of aiming. The Rossi from Academy comes with a really cheap scope. Take my advice. Take it off and throw it away. You will save alot of frustrating moments if you do. Buy a Nikon Monarch ... about $125-130. Or buy a good Bushnell. I bought a Bushnell for the .223 and a Nikon for the .243. Now my sight picture is crystal clear at almost dark in both rifles.

Hope all this helps. If you have to have it repaired, do so. The rifle is a pretty good bargain for the price and it does a really decent job. I'm happy with both of mine. Good luck brother.

[BrandonH]

Just noticed several others have replied. The ammo used was Hornady and if you google these guns this firing pin issue seems to be a very common one.

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