Haveing had endless trouble with my .500 double ( a Butch Searcy PH model ) I went to see Mr. Searcy in his booth at the DSC convention - explained to him that the dbl had AD'd on me just prior to hunting a 75 pound bull with a client , it had refused to eject and open after backing up a elephant hunt on 2 occassions , and the badly finished trigger gaurd which was as sharp as a knife had pierced right through my index finger on a recoil back up shot. You would think given the fact I conduct over 20 big game dangerous hunts per year myself and employ 4 PH's who conduct as many hunts each per year in my company Mr. Searcy would be concerned with all the bad publicity. Well he never even got out of his chair to talk to me about the problems, his only comment was send the gun to me and I will look at it. When I told him that it was impossible as Africa did not allow the posting of firearms - he simply shrugged and said then there is nothing he can do - ignored me and cointinued speaking to some young lady in his booth.
So be warned - if he cant be bothered with an active PH with hundreds of referrals imagine the service you will get.
Fortunately and explained to him a lot of the action was caught on video and witnessed by hunters who having witnessed first hand the problems can assure you to make your purchase elewhere.

How would you expect him to fix the problems if he can't have the gun shipped to him?

Seriously, what were your plans on getting the rifle fixed?

Safari:

Butch Searcy has the BEST warranty in the business. Ask ANYONE who has ever had a problem with their Searcy rifle and they will tell you the same thing.

You accusing him of not wanting to fix your problem is utter bull shit. Like Rusty said, how do expect the man to fix the rifle if you don't want to get it to him.

It sounds to me like you want the rifle fixed, but do not want to make any effort to get the rifle to Butch.

In your own post, Butch said to send the rifle to him and he will look at it.

If you knew anything about Butch and his loyalty to his rifles, his statement means that when you send the rifle back to him he'll fix it.

But no, you have to come here and make this bull shit post without doing what Butch said.

I think you should delete this message and, after you sent Butch your rifle, like he said, and IF he fails to meet your expectations, than you should post something here.

Also, why post this message eight months after DSC?

How 'bout posting your real name. Alternatively, the name of you safari company?

I don't own a Searcy, and have no dog in this fight, but those who do own Searcy rifles report excellent reliability and excellent service from Butch if something does go amiss.

If your rifle won't open after shooting I need to ask if you are using factory ammo, and if so what brand, or if you are using handloaded, and if so what is your load.

How you are cutting your index finger on a trigger gaurd is a mystery.

JPK

A good friend of mine had some initial trouble this his, Butch made it good.

Butch is an upright guy, who, if there's an issue, he'll fix.

He can't fix a gun without it in his hands.

jeffe

I am ignorant here but, there has to be a way to send a rifle to the U.S.A. from Botswana.

Let Searcy have a chance with it, and YOU SBB detail to us here all the loads used in the rifle and has anyone unauthorized tinkered with it?

A suggestion: Don't bring up your problem at his booth at the biggest public exhibition any of these custom guys have while he's got somebody in the booth. He's got a great reputation for service, so maybe you could approach him in private and give him a chance to make good. He's naturally going to avoid having a lengthy conversation about one rifle's failure while he's trying to interest people in his rifles.

And yes, he'll probably need to be able to touch the rifle in order to fix it. If you have some other possible resolution to the problem, maybe you could present it to him.

Hope this is helpful.

Steve

Well it is obvious that since SBB couldn't send the rifle to Butch, Butch should have jumped on the frist flight to Botswana with all the necessary tools to fix the rifle. Shame on Butch for not treating his customer better!

465H&H

Also have to ask whether he bought the rifle directly from Butch or got it on resale somewhere. Now, Butch will even fix resold rifles, but there is no telling what was done to a previously owned rifle. And finding problems while elephant hunting and not before seems strange - why?

There is a way to get the rifle back to the US -just need to find someone with the proper import/export licenses. And since it is obviously not going back into the field, why not follow up on getting it to Butch?

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
How 'bout posting your real name. Alternatively, the name of you safari company?
JPK

He's posting under the name of his safari company. If you need to know his real name, it's in some of his earlier threads.

SBB, I don't doubt that you're frustrated with your rifle. You need to get it back to Searcy though. With the benefit of hindsight, I'd say you should have brought the gun with you when you went to SCI. You're obviously pissed-off right now, but you've got to help Searcy help you.

Even though you didn't purchase the rifle from Searcy, he has a reputation for fixing problems with his rifles no matter their chain of ownership.

Good luck to you, but get the gun fixed before someone gets seriously hurt because of it.

(Full disclosure - I've never owned a Searcy rifle and never had any dealings with him other than purchasing a couple of actions from him.)

I had problems with a car I owned once. Would you believe that they actually had the nerve to tell me I had to bring the car in to them! The lazy bastards couldn't be bothered to bring a full mobile workshop to my home! Seems this mentality of giving poor service is spreading worldwide...

[/QUOTE]

SBB, I don't doubt that you're frustrated with your rifle. You need to get it back to Searcy though. With the benefit of hindsight, I'd say you should have brought the gun with you when you went to SCI. You're obviously pissed-off right now, but you've got to help Searcy help you.

Even though you didn't purchase the rifle from Searcy, he has a reputation for fixing problems with his rifles no matter their chain of ownership.

Good luck to you, but get the gun fixed before someone gets seriously hurt because of it.

[/QUOTE]

I was going to say the same thing. I don't know how that would work but it has to be better that telling him "I have this gun that's halfway around the world that's broken and you need to fix it but I can't send it to you". As long as he heard the complaint with the gun there's nothing more he can do without having the gun in his hands. Telepathy doesn't work with firearms repair. I have never had any dealings with Butch but that's just common sense. I've only ever heard one other complaint about his service. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to buy from him based on the opinions of only TWO dissatisfied customers. Give Butch a break and work WITH him.

This rifle was built for 700 nitro. He took it on his elephant hunt a couple of years ago. This was the hunt that he used the 700 I had built for him, but took the 500 also. Anyhow he ended up giving it to G.P. of SBB co. This story could be told with more details than I have by 700 Nitro.
This PH was quite pompous, which really doesn't go far with me. I explained to him that I would be happy to take care of it, but he had to get it to me, I also explained to him that I would expedite the fixing of the rifle. Not really understanding what he wanted me to do did cause me to ignore him.
Graeme, I would like to fix your rifle, but again I can't fix it if you can't get it to me.

Is the rifle in question the same one you described on 29 September of 2004 as "awesome", and that the combination of Barnes loads with it as an "awesome combination"?

If so, if it was awesome then, who else has been using the rifle?

quote:

Originally posted by Butch Searcy:
This rifle was built for 700 nitro. He took it on his elephant hunt a couple of years ago. This was the hunt that he used the 700 I had built for him, but took the 500 also. Anyhow he ended up giving it to G.P. of SBB co. This story could be told with more details than I have by 700 Nitro.
This PH was quite pompous, which really doesn't go far with me. I explained to him that I would be happy to take care of it, but he had to get it to me, I also explained to him that I would expedite the fixing of the rifle. Not really understanding what he wanted me to do did cause me to ignore him.
Graeme, I would like to fix your rifle, but again I can't fix it if you can't get it to me.

There ya go. Just like I/we said. Even after being treated with arrogance Butch is still wiling to fix it. Can't ask for more than that.

quote:

Jim Manion:
Posted 16 August 2006 21:40
Is the rifle in question the same one you described on 29 September of 2004 as "awesome", and that the combination of Barnes loads with it as an "awesome combination"?

If so, if it was awesome then, who else has been using the rifle?

I'd say that is a fair question! My question is, what loads were used in the "AWESOME"rifle between Sep 2004, and Jan 2006, to change it to a completely undesireable piece of junk? The next question is, how is Searcy to fix your rifle unless he has it in his shop?

Folks, this guy is simply a sore head, who wouldn't be pleased if Butch did fly over to Africa to fix it, IMO!
If I were Butch, I'd tell him, to either get the rifle to me, or live, or die with it, in that condition!

I guess the guys from Merkel, Chapuis or Holland would have had some other solution than sending the gun to them and fixing it??? Of course not. So let's not buy them either.

Looking at this problem from another perspective. If you can't or won't take the gun back to the manufacturer, the distance being a major problem. Did you ask if there was something you might be able to trouble shoot yourself. I understand the liability aspect of this and maybe the manufacturer being skeptical and not wanting you to mess with the gun yourself, but it seems a question that should be asked.
Most guys here appear to have some minor mechanical ability, maybe taking the butt stock off and a thorough cleaning? Maybe something minor.
When all else fails send it back.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I guess the guys from Merkel, Chapuis or Holland would have had some other solution than sending the gun to them and fixing it??? Of course not. So let's not buy them either.

Are you sure Ernest? I thought they all had Lear jets standing by 24/7 to fly their gunsmiths worldwide incase someone had a complaint.

hummmmmm.....thats my rifle alright........its extreamly accurate and was my back up rifle to my 700 nitro on my 2004 hunt

i sold it to grame pollok of safaris botswana bound on the last day of my safarie.

i would still have that rifle and would still be using it if i had not sold it to him.

grame i hope you wernt using some ones hand load in that rifle.....unless the people hand loading know what load to use they could infact break your rifle if the loads are to hot.... and buy the sounds of it.....sticky extraction they were way to hot.....

ps the regualtion load was 110 grains of imr 4831 and a 570 grain WOODLEIGH bullet not a barnes

if barnes are to be used then the load must be reduced and then worked up again looking for signs of pressure.

Wonder if some of these Barnes bullets were solids.

Definite signs of excess pressure include sticking cases and primer craters. And let's not forget that what works in Canada is going to be a hotter load in Africa by virtue of the higher temperatures.

Sounds like someone may have filled the diesel tank up with unleaded gas.

butch told me to use nothing else but that load.....and i listen.......that load was pewrfect in african....in fact i blew a hole in a pop can 40 yards away off hand right next to my elephant while it was being skined.

i figure why fix what isnt broken i love woodleighs and ill stick with them when it comes to doubles.

SBB
I realize you are in Africa, and the difficulties of bringing a gun back to the US to be fixed.

Let me ask you a few questions.

EXACTLY what ammo are you shooting, case bullet, powder, number of grains, and primer?

Is different ammo than you got from Steve?
Did it do this with the ammo Steve left with you?

Is the rifle hard to close when inserting loaded ammo?

Is it hard to open after 1 shot,2 shots 3, or 4, shots, ie does it always happen or only after the gun heats up?

Does the top lever move freely and the gun will not open or is the top lever stuck too?

Does it look like the primers are extruding into the firing pin holes in the breech face?

Does the rifle refuse to open at all or does it open a little bit and then stick?

Take the barrels off the action and press in the extractor, can you press the brass fired in the right bbl back into the right bbl with out much resistance, same for the left bbl.

Again with the barrels off the reciever:
Does you loaded ammo just drop into the chambers, or do you have to force it in a little at the end, and are the rims flush with the back of the bbls.

Have the barrels been PROPERLY and FULLY cleaned?

Fouled barrels can cause high pressure.

If you will answer these questions maybe we can figure out the problem, and someone can be found to fix it "locally".

no more responces.......did you figure it out......

SBB: I can sympathize with you ...and since this is how you feel I have a question for you since you are obviously very concerned with customer service.
There is no way I can get to Africa to hunt cape buffalo, so being as you think Butch should do something about your double when you can't send it to him, would you mind to bring a cape buffalo over here and then take me hunting? That seems to be the kind of service that you expect, so I would think you would obviously would like to provide said service. Thanks in advance!

It is not impossible to get a rifle from Botswana to the U.S., but it certainly will be a pain in the neck.

I ended up with 700 nitro,s 700 searcy. I had several questions and called Butch about them. He was always extremely professional and polite. I was not buying a gun from him and yet he took all the time in the world to answer my questions about one of his guns. I think if someone makes a statement against Butch's service he needs to have his head examined. I wish everyone in the business was as helpful as Mr. Searcy, we would all be better off.

so how you likeing the 700 so far man i havnt talked to you in quite some time.......

send me a pm we should chat again

quote:

I wish everyone in the business was as helpful as Mr. Searcy, we would all be better off.

Damn Straight!

quote:

Originally posted by congomike:
SBB: I can sympathize with you ...and since this is how you feel I have a question for you since you are obviously very concerned with customer service.
There is no way I can get to Africa to hunt cape buffalo, so being as you think Butch should do something about your double when you can't send it to him, would you mind to bring a cape buffalo over here and then take me hunting? That seems to be the kind of service that you expect, so I would think you would obviously would like to provide said service. Thanks in advance!

Hey Congomike, let me know when they are bringing some cape Buff over to Colorado, I'd like to hunt four, or twenty of them, myself. Hell, I can drive to Colorado, and stay all year if need be!

Mac
Tell him to bring a hundred of them, I will go with you.

700 Nitro,
How many times did you shoot that 500 before you took it to Africa, and did you have any problems with it?

checking my records i fired the rifle about 250 rounds....

i only had the rifle for 2 monthes and had zero problems

I have a solution:

For an elephant hunt, I will go get the rifle at my expense, figure out all the paper work, bring it back to the states, deliver it to Butch, stand there while it gets fixed (if it even needs it) and.... for another elephant hunt, figure out all the (reverse) paper work and hand deliver it back to the owner.... Sounds fair to me. Maybe I could do the same for Holland, W-R, and the others, too.

Maybe I was a little sarcastic in my last post...so tell you what....I will figure a way to get the gun here to me in the states. Then I will make sure that it gets to Butch and will regularly correspond with him to make sure it is in better than new condition. After he returns it to me, I will keep it for awhile, say 20 or so years, and shoot it regularly to make sure that you will have no further problems.

Mike, please! Judge and I will be glad to do that! We'd hate to burden you so!

To get a rifle from Botswana to the States and back can only be called a nightmare. I have done something similar from South Africa to Germany. It wasn't the entire gun but just a few little parts which I had to sent to Krieghoff. It took ages and a lot of money till the parts were in my hands again. Searcy should have a branch in Southern Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunshine:
Searcy should have a branch in Southern Africa.

That would be a nice thing for his rifles that live in Africa, but Butch is basiclly a custom maker and handles all his repares himself. The fact is there are some African owned Searcy doubles in Africa, but I'd say the bulk of his producction is to people who live in the USA!
It would be a good idea, to have a waranty service station in souther Africa. However, Butch had a deal with a RSA guy to build some of his rifles for the African market, and that didn't turn out too well, with the wrok not up to standard, so it was dropped!

Even then, the rifles being regestered in several countries, in souther Africa some of the problems still will rear their ugly heads, getting them to the service!

I feel for the guy, but what does he expect Butch to do, if he can't get the rifle to him for the fix?

Buddy let me tell you, you came to the wrong forum to start bad mouthing Butch and his fine rifles. I do not have the privlage(spell check) to own one of Butches rifles being a 17 y/o kid who struggled to buy a $3000 used truck, but from what I have read about the rifles Butch makes and his support of his

Thank you for all the posts, and sorry for the brief note I should have gone into the full discussion with Butch but did not.
Just a few quick comments on the posts:
Everybody is correct how can the gun be repaired if I cant get it to Butch - but do you realy think this was not part of the discussion , trust me it was , do you realy think I did not ask Butch well what else can we do , or how can we try get the gun to him, again all part of the discussion , if he was helpfull and realy wanted to assist do you think I would be so unimpressed.
Steve you say you shot over 250 rounds and no problems but Gavin recalls that when you were stopped and talking to the neighbouring game rancher the gun ad'd when you closed it talking to them !!!All the problems were with the ammo I purchased from you with the gun , and as I know you are very jacked up about this stuff I do not think it is a load problem.
The guys wanting me to bring buffalo over - sorry would love to but the chances of me catching a cape buffalo putting him on the plane and bringing him there are about the same as me getting the gun from botswana to the USA and of me ever purchasing another searcy rifle.
The comments on the rifle being awesome were correct at the time - it is accurate, it is a awesome CALIBRE , but the firearm manufacturer back up leaves something to be desired.
Why so late posting my complaint - good question I do not know why , possibly it was while reading posts that I thought I should share one of my bad experiences with a rifle and its manufacturer.
The post asking me to post my company name ? : the post IS in my company name SAFARIS BOTSWANA BOUND , and my name is Graeme Pollock.

Butch : pompous ? - must say first time in my life I have been referred to as that - I thought you staying seated while leaving me standing in your booth ( as a client ) was very unusual.

Happy hunting
Graeme Pollock
Safaris Botswana Bound