Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Anyone get a Nula lately?

You mean to tell me a gunsmith, a world renowned gunsmith didn't make his delivery date?!?? No way!
I think the only one that EVER delivered when he told me was Dave @ IT&D. At least you'll get something to be proud of when it does come.

I don't see anybody here saying what MF should or shouldn't do.
Its more about what any reasonable business owner could choose to do of his own fruition
without much trouble or effort.

Yet I do see some people telling RBO what to do, but which drew no comment from you.
clearly you have a personal bias.

And doing 'something right'; doesn't necessarily mean a business is doing everything right.

You mean to tell me a gunsmith, a world renowned gunsmith didn't make his delivery date?!?? No way!
I think the only one that EVER delivered when he told me was Dave @ IT&D. At least you'll get something to be proud of when it does come.

Melvin has been making Ultra Light rifles since 1985, long enough that several of his regular employees retired within the past few years--while Melvin keeps going. He's had trouble replacing those employees, like just about any gunsmith in the business, and a new employee who can't/won't do the job means more time spent on each rifle. This is because Melvin wants them done right, so ends up doing it himself.

For over 30 years he's been pretty accurate about projected deliveries. That's not just my experience, but that of a number of repeat customers. Recent delays do not mean he's like other "world renowned" gunsmiths, but that stuff happens.

I received my ML from Melvin in December, almost 2 years to the day from when I ordered it. It is a fine fine rifle and I killed a small buck with it a couple days after getting it. It was a long wait and I’m happy I stayed in line for it. I tried to order a 22lr then, but he declined my money saying that he was 80ish rifles behind and wouldn’t take any new orders until he was caught up.

Ordered one December 10, 2015 received it January 10, 2018

I think anyone who is paying someone to do a service is entitled to get an honest answer. I know things come up and sometimes deadlines are not met, that just needs to be communicated

Got to ask yourself BEFORE you order. Is the pleasure worth the pain?

If so let the man do his work.

If not find another smith. NULA ,ULA are awesome rifles but not the only answer to the lightweight question.

All due respect to Mr Forbes. If I could afford one I might just wait.

Thank you, and Scotts94 Z28!!!

TO BE CLEAR, because it seems some people can't deciefer the difference between a question and a complaint, I am asking a question, not complaining.

Like I said, I don't think Melvin likes to disappoint people or let them down so he has a hard time telling people that it's going to be a long wait, also as muledeer stated, he's gone through a change of staff over the past couple years and it's not an easy learning curve when you're building a Nula. He's taken a step to put new orders on hold because of the backlog, I'm just happy he took my order, and as a matter of fact he said my rifle was one of the last orders he took and that he only took it because I had bought one from him the year before.

As far as I'm concerned, Melvin makes the finest ultralight rifle on the planet and I have no problem waiting two years, I just don't want to keep bothering him every other month anticipating a shipment, that's why I'm asking the question on here.

I have a like new NULA model 20 in 308 Winchester for sale with no waiting.

Damn! 2 years wait for a rifle?...Wow!.....Hb

g


Thank you, and Scotts94 Z28!!!

TO BE CLEAR, because it seems some people can't deciefer the difference between a question and a complaint, I am asking a question, not complaining.

Like I said, I don't think Melvin likes to disappoint people or let them down so he has a hard time telling people that it's going to be a long wait, also as muledeer stated, he's gone through a change of staff over the past couple years and it's not an easy learning curve when you're building a Nula. He's taken a step to put new orders on hold because of the backlog, I'm just happy he took my order, and as a matter of fact he said my rifle was one of the last orders he took and that he only took it because I had bought one from him the year before.

You might have your answer based on a couple of responses ... somewhere between 2 years and 3 years!

I've only handled and shot one ULA and it was chambered in .338 G&A. The rifle and scope didn't weigh much more than 6lb and the damn thing almost knocked me out when I pulled the trigger. It went to Africa with the original owner who used it for all manner of plains game but he sold it to a coworker for half the purchase cost. I couldn't and wouldn't wait for such a rifle, or any rifle for that matter. Out of interest though, how long would it take to get a rifle from D'Arcy Echols?

What? How can telling a simple truth be unfair?

He was going through a staff change at the time I had an ULA. A few details were missed on some work I had done and I decided to sell that one and move on. Lot of lightweight options these days.

I ordered mine in Sept 2016 and received it Jan 2018.

I called him about 13-14 months in... He sounded tired, but he knew my name, what I had ordered, and informed me the barreled action was done and ready to be stocked.

Hang in there...

That's the same thing he's told me a few months back.

I have 3 NULAs on order, waiting 1+ years on each, as I expected. Staffing problems, lots of rifles to build, etc. I could have gone elsewhere, but am willingly waiting for the best. He is one of very few craftsmen who keep going after they are 70 years old. I have known Melvin since 1971 and he is a very honorable person, but his crystal ball is no clearer than someone else's. He does his best.

I asked D'Arcy about delivery times a few months ago and he said 12-14 months. That could have changed since then, but is likely pretty close.

Received a call from Mr. Forbes today that my Model 20 ordered on November 9, 2017 is complete. Balance goes in the mail tomorrow so the rifle will ship after he receives my dealer's FFL.

You should hear from him soon.

Bruce