Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Empire rifles...worth the $$$?

jorge, I am so sorry to hear about your experiences with Hein... I am very lucky to have gotten my money back from them. Sure hope the creep gets his due!

Yep, you were indeeed fortunate. We have a judgment against him and a Bench Warrant, but the law favors the perpetrator. jorge

I too have taken a rippin' at the hands of a talented but unscrupulous fine gunmaker. This guy went bankrupt after stalling me or over two years (this was 18 years ago); he still haunts the industry, though isn't doing stockwork anymore that I know of. I know others who are spot-on honest.

At the top of the heap, IMO, is Roger Biesen. He's word is his bond, as it is with his dad. I'd deal with him again any time; am sure there are others. The real key is to be sure you know who you are dealing with, otherwise, do as JorgeI says and buy completed guns only.

Greg Hein.... don't get me started on that POS...


A well respected and proven rifle builder for Africa and DG to not overlook is AHR (American Hunting Rifles). Ed and Wayne have always delivered in excess of my expectations.

Both Hein and Empire asked me if I wanted to test their rifles and write about my experiences, and I told them yes. I sent George an FFL copy for my local dealer, and still haven't heard anything. I think that was 2003.

jim

AHR will get my money when the time comes for me to have a big bore bolt rifle built. Not only do they do fine work, but they have an active web presence as well on the Accurate Reloading forum which makes them both accessible, and more responsive to customer concerns and requests.

Greg Hein is a THIEF and a LIAR. I have a seven thousand dollar judgment against him and a bench warrant, yet the POS cops up there won't arrest his because it's only a "civil crime". I even tried to get the ATF and DA involved as I'm clearly not the only one that got [bleep] by this POS. I'm working on taking out a full page article in his hometown newspaper to let everyone know what a crook he is. jorge

No!

Empire charged my credit card $8500 in Nov 2006 and George will deliver neither rifle nor refund.

If I would have ordered a Searcy double rifle I would have spent 2k more but I would have a gun to shoot.

Thanks for nothing George.

Guys, get a Winchester or a CZ and have a smith build it up.

did you deny the charge to the cc company gonavy?

Its been 3 1/2 years, but I think I will give them a call

Welcome to the Campfire!

You are more patient than I...jim

Funny. I would too. I never got the impression that any problems would arise from Empire when I went to visit George Sandmann at his place.

Good advice.

That's what I have done, Bob. And if I tire of it someone will get a hell of a dependable rifle with a reshaped stock all courtesy of Dennis Olson.

JS: I have seen Empire Mausers......I chose to pass. I would rather have a rifle on a M70 worked over by someone like Penrod or Simillion myself,for that kind of money.. JMHO

I don't think I'm patient enough to ever order one, but I liked the first one enough to buy another new & unfired Empire this week for half the current list price (with a brand new, unmounted Leupold VX-3 scope thrown in). If those deals keep coming up in "usable" cartridges- I have no need for 40 or 50-caliber bolt guns- I'll keep acquiring them. So maybe that means to me they're worth half the $$$?

dose any one know where to buy scope rings for a Empire rifle? Sandmann kept my scope rings, I heard the company is closing.
www.empireriflesvictims.com

Empire Rifles is closing? Who did you hear that from?

Was looking over an Empire that was recently delivered. Metal work was ok. Wood, finish & checkering were disappointing. Communications over recent months can best be described as "going down hill", to point of true surprise when the rifle was delivered. Strongly suspect that all is not well at Empire. Tread carefully.