Does anyone have any experience with Empire Rifles? good-bad? I am interested in their guns. Any suggestions or comments?

They were discussed on AR previously, and a search will turn up the thread. It may have been on the Big Bore or Gunsmithing forums.

There was also an extensive thread on NitroExpress.com and from memory the bloke from Empire came on the thread.

Here you go

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=...&sb=&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Mike

I haven't handled an Empire rifle, but they sure look good, and I do like what I've seen on the internet.

I'd particulalry like to know who makes and supplies Empire's synthetic stock........

AD

Sorry to post twice. But my impression having handled a couple of them, is that Empire falls in between Dakota and the good ones (Breeding, Echols, Branigan, Bolliger, etc.). Fit and finish of Empire seems better than Dakota, but not on par with best quality bolt guns. Then again the price of an Empire from my observation is also in-between as well.

Can't say how they shoot or function, but I would love a chance to try one out.

Allen & Don,

I would liekt oshoot one too. I have handled the Empire rifles (both grades), talked to George on the phone, swapped emails and visited with him at SCI last January. I asked to borrow a rifle a year ago for an article, and he promised to send me one or three.

I sent him an FFL copy last October ('04), and that is where things sit.

I think they are probably pretty good rifles, but where I sit now this is sort of view graph engineering applied to rifles.

Their Legacy Mauser actions are cast in Italy and proofed in Belgium. The Granite Mountain Actions come from those good folks in Arizona, and are reported by GMA as machined from 8620 steel billets.

jim

What? No free rifles?

I would also like to see an Empire rifle so that I could decide whether or not to buy one.

I'm the guy who started the thread on Nitro Express forums that was mentioned by Mike378. I think Mike378 called the maker, and I called them as well, for more information. No answer. I also sent email to them, asking among other things if there were any gun shows in the southwestern USA where I could see any of their rifles. No answer.

I would still like to see their rifles but I have no idea where to see one.

When a thread comes up on them, as a general rule, owners don't appear with responses. I do not mean to be an ass, but I tend to like the idea of having some reports from owners before parting with a hefty chunk of cash for a custom built item.

I don't know what to think.

Richard.

Richard,

You should got to the Beinfield show in Las Vegas (in Jan or Feb) and see lots of very fine rifles (finer than Empire). There is a thread about that show on nitroexpress.com.

Your best bet is to just buy the action from GMA and have a good smith build you what you want. If you're going to spend this much money you might as well get to call all the turns.

John, I agree with that.

I found out that Empire's synthetic stock is supplied by MPI, which is incomprehensible to me. There is no junkier laid-up synthetic stock to be had. Empire is trying to build a high-class, semi-custom rifle, and yet employs that piece of crap as their stock option. Unbelieveable!

You'd think they see their way clear to offer a McMillan stock........

AD

Actually I believe Empire is using B&C stocks. they may not be in the McMillian/Echols or Borden Rimrock class aesthetically but certainly appear durable. I have a new Empire .416 Rigby in my possession and will be wringing it out this winter and if all goes well, as I suspect it will, plan on using it next spring on Brown Bear and hopefully then off to Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Richard,

You should got to the Beinfield show in Las Vegas (in Jan or Feb) and see lots of very fine rifles (finer than Empire). There is a thread about that show on nitroexpress.com.

500grains,

Thank you.

It looks like the show you mentioned is the Las Vegas Antique & Sporting Arms Show, Feb. 10-12, 2006, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. They have a site with information at http://www.antiquearmsshow.com/Events/events.html

I hope I can make it to that one.

Richard

I have an Empire Standard rifle, synthetic stock, in 300 Win. The action and barrel are SS that has been cerakoted. The stocks are the medalist series from B&C but Empire is moving to a proprietary stock. The rifle is accurate and well detailed. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

msc, so are you saying that Empire is going to make its own synthetic stock in-house, or are they going to have their pattern produced by another firm?

AD

I believe someone else is going to manufacture to their specs.

.458 Win/Phil S.,

How did you come by this rifle if I may ask? Which action is this one built around (I presume GMA)?

thanks...jim

quote:

Originally posted by msc:
I have an Empire Standard rifle, synthetic stock, in 300 Win. The action and barrel are SS that has been cerakoted. The stocks are the medalist series from B&C but Empire is moving to a proprietary stock. The rifle is accurate and well detailed. I'll be glad to answer any questions.

MSC,

If stainless and cerrakoted, is the cerrakote the ceramic finish that looks like matte blue? How durable does this finish appear to be in actual use?

Also is your rifle built on the Empire 98L or a 98S action and what is your impression of the Empire action?

Were you able to see or handle any of Empire's rifles in person before buying one? I'm still wondering where to see one in person.

Thank you,

Richard

rgp
This rifle is built on the 98S action. The finish does indeed look like a matte blue/black finish. It is not as smooth as the matte blue finishes on my other rifles. I guess this is due to the fact that it is basically a baked on finish. It appears to be very durable but time will tell. As for the action, it is smooth for a mauser type and absolutely reliable in feeding. The trigger is a Ted Blackburn that needs a touch of adjustment (I haven't had the rifle more than 60 days). The metal work is excellent.
I ordered the rifle at the 2005 SCI show so was able to talk to George Sandmann at length and look at a large sampling of his work. He delivered within 8-9mos which is not too bad for a semi custom.
I bought this rifle so I would have one abomination in my battery for those hunts that require gear that can stand getting soaked, stepped on, thrown in the bottom of a boat...you get the picture. I talked to H-S, Brown Precision, Bansner and Dakota. I tried to talk to Jarrett but the booth was too much of a zoo. Echols wanted too much for his plastic product. Hard to get too excited about any plastic/stainless rifle so I let the features of the Empire action carry the day.

I won’t be of much help on the technical stuff but my Empire Legacy 300 Win Mag functions flawlessly. I’ve never had any feeding problems and it shoots ½ to 1 inch groups with every type of factory ammunition I’ve tried so far and they all hit within ½ inch of the same point of impact. This is with premium hunting bullets. The ceramic coating isn’t as pretty as nice bluing but it has been very durable over the last year and a half and several hunts. I’m very pleased and have ordered another, but this time in a Legacy Express grade 375 H & H.

I met George Sandmann at the 2005 SCI show and handled and viewed many of his rifles. After the show I promptly ordered a 375 H&H to be built on the 98S action and fitted to a block hand picked from Paul and Sharon Dressel's stock. I have yet to receive my rifle but i expect it will match the quality I saw in Reno. If it does, I will be very happy. Pictures and accuracy comments will be posted once I receive the rifle and put it to paper.

I just took a visit to the website, and George has deleted the rilfes made on the Italian action. Apparently they will all be built on the GMA.

jim