The McGowan wait.

It has been a long time since I ordered a custom barrel, but it appeared to me most people were getting barrels pretty quick. Ordered the barrel on 8 January 14 a custom 300 wsm from Gunshack with an estimated 12 week delivery. Gunshack has communicated well with me, but very frustrating. I just don't get the long waits with these barrels. I now hope I can get it by hunting season. Seems like the appropriate response from manufacturers is always "it is going to gun smithing now." Same responses from Er Shaw and Shillen in the past and now McGowan. Gun smithing always seems to take another 3 months. No wonder I started buying pre-made pre-fits.

Just the way it is for a custom made barrel. I know it sucks but its always worth it in the end.

I have had a Mcgowen barrel on order since Feb 4. I get the wait for a custom barrel, but the main reason I went with Mcgowen was the advertised 12 week lead time. Going on week 19 now... Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

I'm in the same boat with Mcgowen I ordered Feb 3 for my wifes full custom barrel. She already missed one match this year because of late components more then just the barrel. She is not happy! I keep telling that's just the way it is when you do custom stuff.

I just don't know why the manufacturer will put a time of 12 weeks on it. Probably be better off if they just advertised 6-9 month waits. Sorry, for the rant. Just was wondering if there was anyone else out there overdue, and there is. Thanks.

Sucks, but another +1 toward Apache Gun Works...

The ones advertised on mcgowenoutlet, prefit savage barrels...these arent the custom ones correct? These are standard offerings right? They say 2 week delivery or so

I believe the outlet advertising is that. Mine was ordered as a custom order through Gunshack to McGowan.

Mcgowenoutlet sent my 308 in 1 week,would have been sooner Memorial day

[QUOTE=Orr89rocz;267150]The ones advertised on mcgowenoutlet, prefit savage barrels...these arent the custom ones correct? These are standard offerings right? They say 2 week delivery or so[/QUOTE

I will explain the categories,

Pre-Fits are Savage barrels ready to be shipped when ordered.

Semi-Customs were taking up to 12 weeks, but we just reorganized/changed this around May of this year. Semi-Customs should be ready in less than 2 weeks now.

"Full Customs" are the barrels that don't fall in the above 2 categories and may take several months to build.

If you have additional questions, please PM me.

Dennis

I have you all beat I ordered my Mcgowen on the 22nd of January and just recieved a email on June 12th that it has been scheduled and should be out soon. Thats 21 weeks today!!!! and I'll bet that it will still be a couple more....

Just got an email from gunshack. My barrel has shipped and is currently at the UPS facility in Helena, MT!

I have been waiting for a full custom since Feb 7th. I have contacted McGowen a couple of times and they have been great at getting back to me and letting me know where it is in the process. The wait is sure a killer but with that said once its finished I will probably be on to the next one.... lol. Mine is going to be a 22-250 heavy sporter with 6 flutes and a custom throat for the 80 grain Berger VLD's. I cant wait for that email saying that its being shipped.

I have on McGowen barrel in 260AI and its a shooter...

Ryan

Something to consider is how many barrels are on the list ahead of you. Barrels take quite awhile to make. One order can push the next orders back a month or a lot more.

~EB

Got my email that my barrel shipped yesterday!! Can't wait to try it out. A little over 20 weeks which was better than all the barrel manufactures I contacted before ordering. Most were in the 22 to 26 weeks I think one was even close to 30.

My email came on Tuesday. Barrel is in the mail!

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My email came on Tuesday. Barrel is in the mail!

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Jason, great, I am glad to hear this. It's been tough this year and it's not slowing down.

Dennis

Thanks Dennis. My barrel came today. I screwed it on and just need to bed the stock and shoot.

Got mine last week. It looks great! Working on getting it all together now.

Got mine last night looks great too.

I ordered a pre-fit for my 112v, a 22-250 Rem, about a week and a half ago. After many years of paper and pdogs accuracy was falling off and the throat was getting pretty washed out of the original barrel. Ordered a varmint weight stainless pre-fit from McGowen and I was pleased that a couple of days later, it was on the way. It arrived within a week of me placing the order so big grin on my face. Friday night I pulled the old barrel off and popped the new one on. Great, it couldn't have gone any more smoothly! Reassembled the rifle and took it out to sight in this morning. First few rounds printed maybe an inch @ 100 yds. Then it started tightening up. By the time I had 10 rounds through the barrel, it was clover-leafing. Wow, haven't even tweaked the load for this barrel yet, shooting the same stuff I was shooting through the old stock barrel, 34 gr. Varget pushing a 52 gr. Sierra HPBT match.
What I have noticed and am pleased with is that the chamber is tighter than the stock Savage chamber which should improve brass life. It shoots well already, some pdogs may not be as happy as I am. Extraction is smooth, everything looks good!

Kudos to McGowen!

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Originally Posted by Glockin' Bob

By the time I had 10 rounds through the barrel, it was clover-leafing.
Kudos to McGowen!

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It should only get better. I got a McGowen 6BR barrel back in February. The first time out just guessing at what powder and load level to use I was getting sub half inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I'm starting to get it dialed in I think. Yesterday I got my first 5 shot group ever in the twos, 5 at .296 at 100 yards, and I'm sure that is gong to shrink. Kudos to McGowen indeed.

I ordered a Savage Pre fit semi custom on 1-24-14. McGowen gave me and estimated lead time of 4-6 weeks. Called twice after the 6-wks and was told both times it was scheduled for contouring and should be completed in 2wks. Sent an email on 5-15-14 to check status of my order and the response was "your order is currently scheduled in contouring and should hit gunsmithing and be completed within the next 2 weeks". Sent another email yesterday to check status. Haven't heard anything back yet. Maybe it's taking so long because of the odd ball caliber, 260rem.

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Mine is going to be a 22-250 heavy sporter with 6 flutes and a custom throat for the 80 grain Berger VLD's.

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Any custom barrel is going to take longer like the example above. After the barrel is drilled and rifled, the rest should go smooth.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send a PM.

Dennis

I ordered a custom barrel through gun shack end of January....Ive had it a month and a half now. They forgot to thread the muzzle but I was refunded the that portion as I didn't want to send it back and not see it for a while.

I was also told that it will take much longer if they don't have a blank.

Doesnt look like Gun shack has the Custom option on their site anymore???

Its going to be worth the wait !!! My Mcgowen semi-custom 260rem barrel took 6 weeks to be delivered.. Really easy to clean and has really good accuracy.. it has shoot .20 5 shot groupings at 100yrds.. hope you get it soon.....

Today was 12 weeks I have been waiting on a semi custom, hopefully no more than 16 weeks, fingers crossed.

Ordered my barrel on March 1st, got my UPS shipping notice today. I think the barrel I ordered fell somewhere between semi and full custom. Hopefully this info is helpful to others.

Been shooting my McGowen 6BR barrel for about 2 months now. It still surprises me how well it shoots.Well worth the wait.

Just started load development today and getting good groups so far sub MoA. But it's shows signs of shooting much better with some more development.

I ordered a barrel back on 3/27 was told 12-14 weeks at time of order for a semi custom. 22 weeks later its on its way. I understand business is booming but some up front honesty at the time of order would have been nice. If I wanted to wait 6 months for a barrel I would have shopped elsewhere. The thing that makes Mcgowen the most attractive is their supposed shorter wait times.

Just a note to the many that have contacted me and for the record, we have a large backlog due to our manager experiencing a serious complicated illness.

It has our upmost attention and we will get things running smoothly as quick as possible. If you believe your order has been delayed, send me a PM and I will do my best to help you. Try to keep your PM/email as short and simple as you can, you may email me @ info@mcgowenoutlet.com

Dennis

Thanks Dennis,

I was going to call the factory again today to get an update..... After reading your post I will just let it go..... I am really in no hurry... just hard waiting for a new barrel.

Again thanks for the update.

Ryan

18 weeks and counting on a semi custom. hopefully not much longer. Past the point of no return now. I would have went a differnt route back in May if I had known it was going to go past the quoted 12-16 weeks. I don't mind waiting just give me an accurate time estimate and I will decide if that works for my situation.

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Originally Posted by Dennis

Just a note to the many that have contacted me and for the record, we have a large backlog due to our manager experiencing a serious complicated illness.

It has our upmost attention and we will get things running smoothly as quick as possible. If you believe your order has been delayed, send me a PM and I will do my best to help you. Try to keep your PM/email as short and simple as you can, you may email me @ info@mcgowenoutlet.com

Dennis

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No disrespect intended, but if the Manager illness slowed production, then, in my opinion, the manager did not have his chain of command in order.

Thanks for the response to concerns Dennis. I appreciate your customer service and willingness to address issues, good and bad, on this forum. I love my McGowan barrels.

I ordered a full custom in early March and received it in late August. I order 2 more full customs in early September and I assume it will take 5-6 months, but that's ok because those are for the 'next next' and 'next next next' projects. :) I haven't been shooting for long, but I have learned I have to plan WAY ahead. :)

Yesterday was 22 weeks and counting on a semi custom, 6 weeks past the original estimate of 12-16 weeks.

Didn't get a reply to my email two weeks ago. Sent them another email yesterday and got no response. Sent them an email this afternoon to cancel the order, got a response to that one. Looked like an automated response that they will be out of the office till next Monday.

So I guess I will see what happens Monday. Guess I will either have a barrel or a cancelled order.

If you don't have 6+ months to wait, look for other options.

Barrel shipped Monday, 23 weeks on a semi custom.

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Originally Posted by Dano5001

Yesterday was 22 weeks and counting on a semi custom, 6 weeks past the original estimate of 12-16 weeks.

Didn't get a reply to my email two weeks ago. Sent them another email yesterday and got no response. Sent them an email this afternoon to cancel the order, got a response to that one. Looked like an automated response that they will be out of the office till next Monday.

So I guess I will see what happens Monday. Guess I will either have a barrel or a cancelled order.

If you don't have 6+ months to wait, look for other options.

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The plant manager suffered a stroke I believe in June. He also required follow-up surgery just a few weeks ago.

Were doing our best to fill all orders with hundreds of emails stacking up.

We will have everything up and running smoothly again and appreciate everyone's patience.

I personally just received 3 barrels yesterday, so hope is around the corner for everyone.

Dennis;
Received my order from the outlet in almost exactly a week.
Great barrel thus far.
Thanks!

Dewey, thanks for the comment. They are doing everything they can do and I feel all will be in order shortly.

Dennis

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Originally Posted by blvedere

No disrespect intended, but if the Manager illness slowed production, then, in my opinion, the manager did not have his chain of command in order.

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belvedere, how about some empathy, mcgowan is not really like the DOD,
on the flip side, McGowan should have put something on their website informing customers of new bottlenecks or directly communicated with their clients.

My mistake, I didn't know McGowan was a one man shop.

Disappointed with false claims/lies. Ordered a pre fit standard varmint small shank .308 win barrel back in august. Pretty common barrel and was told it was in stock and would be 1-2 weeks. Bout a month later nothing, then eventually told that it was not in stock and they would have to make one, basically a custom order 6-8 weeks and it still aint done.
Why wouldnt you just say we dont have it in stock and have to go custom? And tell me the honest truth it be months? Now the build wont be done for this years huntin season.

To be honest, most serious bench rest shooters order up to 2 years in advance. My buddy does it every 8 months to make sure there isn't a delay. You fellas are getting your feet wet for the first or third time for all I know but sometimes things happen that are out of their control. Right now they are putting out fires so they can catch up. The way kreiger and others do is to wait till they have so many orders, say in .260 rem so what they do is tally the orders till they have a big order then they drill and ream and rifle at the same time, then it is off to .308's and too many to list. With the way guys are buying savage pre-fits and semi customs and full custom's , I will bet they are way behind do to the super influx of pre fits. I sympathize with you guys being told one thing and another happens. In the end Dennis is a stand -up guy through and through and so is Mcgowen. Once the ebb slows then all barrel makers will finally get caught up and the times will return to normal. Think of ot just like the bullet,powder,and primer shortages. It is hard to get back to everyone in a timely matter when you are getting thousands of emails a day with inquirys that go toan auto response kinda like writing my congressman. Hang in there and you will get the barrel. I have 3 or 4 of them and one new .308 heavy waiting for my lazy butt to put it on. It will all work out in the end and the wait will be worth every dime. If the guy had a stroke then maybe its time to temporarily get someone in there to straighten it out, just saying.

For what it's worth, I got my pre-fit barrel yesterday, one week after ordering it. That's the usual estimate for the pre-fit in-stock barrels. But I added the matte finish on my order, which was supposed to add a week, so I got it in half the promised time. They have one more happy customer here.

I ordered two barrels on 8/18/2014 and I just got an e-mail with invoice indicating that one of them (6.5 Grendel) is ready to ship. I was not anticipating getting either of these barrels until sometime early next year, but I already have an action/stock ready for the build so that's ok.

Update: I got shipping notification for the 2nd barrel today.

Less than 3 months for both full custom barrels.