A question For Mossberg Patriot owners

Freezer

I had been trying to get a rifle ready for my wife last season. I was working on an NEF, but could get it to shoot well. I gave up and went to the LGS and bought a Mossberg Patriot Bantam chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. I really wanted a Ruger or Savage, but none was available for months. The first problem was the scope, the name on it was "Dead Ringer". The only thing this scope is a dead ringer for it a piece of crap, it wouldn't hold zero out of the box. While doing the barrel break-in I noticed the bolt was stiff some time after firing, difficult to open. After deer season I got into an email fight with Mossberg. First, they "Don't guarantee the accuracy of their rifles", I never thought I'd hear that. Second, they said, "It is an entry level gun meant to be replaced as the shooter gets more experienced". Yea, the stock is flimsy and the scope junk, but a disposable rifle?

They said, "sent it back, and we'll look at it". My argument was that it will cost me $35 to send a gun back to the manufacturer, that I already spent $500 for new with a junk scope! They finally relented and sent me a shipping label. As I prepared the rifle for shipping I opened the bolt did something I seldom do, I dry fire it. Out of curiosity, I opened the bolt, it was stiff. I did it again, and again it was stiff. It went back to Mossberg last week. While speaking with my nephew, I learned he had won a Patriot in 6.5 Creedmoor, and was having the same problems. Now I have a question, is this normal for the Patriot or do they have a quality control issue? The Patriot is their Flagship action, how can they permit this? The Bantom is their introductory rifle, what does this say about Mossberg? One and done? Have you had the same issue with the patriot action? 

I sent it off a week ago, we'll see what the turnaround time is and what their answer is. They'll send me the same junk scope, which will be in the cheap bin at the LGS as soon as I get it. If that bolt isn't repaired, I'll have to sell that gun, but I will feel guilty about it. I have a hard time selling someone something I consider junk,

Big Al1

My rule is, never to buy a new gun. Quality control and customer service these days is non-existant!

Freezer

I was frustrated, and it was for my wife. She doesn't shoot much, and I needed a rifle good for 200 yards max. There weren't any other compact rifles available.

Dealing with Mossberg's....customer service...or lack there of was an eye-opener. Never again! Next time it will be Ruger, they know what customer support is. It will be topped with a Leupold for the same reason. I won't piss on the best part of a Burris.

Bigslug

Time was "entry level" meant you went to Sears and came home with an FN Mauser 98 sporter.

Japhy

Dismayed to hear of your experience with Mossberg. 

I recently dealt with Springfield. my experience with them was perfect. My phone call was answered on the first ring by a knowledgeable employee who listened carefully and repeated back to me each item to verify the communication was correct. Emailed my a shipping label before the phone call ended and included a direct contact email address and a reasonable schedule for the repair.  My 1911 is back now with a detailed list of all work performed. At the range 100 rds ran perfectly. 

Springfield service has been superb. 

I just wanted to make the point that not all manufacturers are the same these days. 

Wambli Ska

Bigslug said:

Time was "entry level" meant you went to Sears and came home with an FN Mauser 98 sporter.

Yep.  And I have 4 of those “entry level” guns here…. They are still amazing deals but they are rare now.

bullsi1911

Weird.  About 5 years ago, I bought the Mossberg MVP Patrol, and before I even shot it, I banged the fiber optic front sight and broke it.  

I called Mossberg, tried to buy a replacement sight and they sent me one for free.  I did not expect the service I got.  It was top notch.

sorry to hear that is no longer the case

bullsi1911

Oh, as for the scope- I recently bought a Savage Axis II for the kiddo.  It came with a Bushnell Banner scope, and I was ready to replace it ASAP.  But I am actually impressed with its clarity and low light performance.  No idea if it will last, but I am happy with it for the moment.

Jeeper44mag

bullsi1911 said:

Oh, as for the scope- I recently bought a Savage Axis II for the kiddo.  It came with a Bushnell Banner scope, and I was ready to replace it ASAP.  But I am actually impressed with its clarity and low light performance.  No idea if it will last, but I am happy with it for the moment.

Surprisingly, many of the "low tier" scopes are pretty decent these days.   Certainly better than most "low tier" scopes of the 70's or 80's.  I've got a Bushnell "Legend" I bought ~15 yrs ago for ~$150 (4.5-15x) that has *surprisingly* good optics, and has held zero on everything I've used it on (it has been my "test a gun" scope for many years now) including .308, 7mm-08, and .45-70

Luis

Freezer

Doesn't anyone have a or have experience with the Mossberg Patriot? Is the bolt supposed to be stiff? As for the scope, it retails $69. The replacement will end up on my 22 mag.

Zee

Can’t help you. Other than looking at one on a rack. 

Wambli Ska

Freezer said:

Doesn't anyone have a or have experience with the Mossberg Patriot? Is the bolt supposed to be stiff? As for the scope, it retails $69. The replacement will end up on my 22 mag.

Haven’t even held one.  Sorry.  Like has been said, the Kimber Hunter was the last new bolt rifle I bought and probably the last.  Amy bolt guns for a while and for the rest of my life will be used guns of proven genetics.  

Wambli Ska

BTW a few years back a friend challenged me to get a quality hunting rig going for under $400.  I walked out the door and came home with a Interarms Mark X in 30-06 (Basically a Mauser 98) that I picked up for $325 from the used gun rack in a local gun store and topped it off with an old surplus Bushnell Sportsview out of my “spares” box.  Had it sighted in and ready to hunt in 10 mins.  Held on to it for a while and sold it to a neighbor that was just getting into hunting.

Zee

I’ve been very pleased with my Ruger American in .223 Rem.  Surprisingly so.  Very handy and accurate. 

CHIRO1989

I have a Mossberg ATR 100 in .243 that shoots factory Federal Fusions great, no problems with it but maybe only 100 rounds through it, finish rusts if you sneeze on it, Son #2's deer rifle, he has not broken it yet. Not sure if the action and barrels are the same as the Patriot.

Diver43

I was in the process of buying a Patriot in .308 when my friend got sick and died.  I had shot it at 300 yards and it was accurate and the action was smooth without being sloppy.
George has used it out to 500 yards with good results.  

Freezer

I sent the rifle back to Mossberg 6 weeks ago, yesterday I got an email, they were sending back to me and want to know if I wanted a report on the rifle, Daaa.

I received the report this afternoon, they replaced the scope and barrel. After 80 rounds of break in, $160, I get to start all over again. The scope will go on a .22 I won't trust that "Dead Ringer" for a piece of crap. If I can get this thing to shoot, I'll replace the flimsy stock. 

When will I learn, never buy cheap it's too expensive.

Wambli Ska

Before you replace the stock PM me.  I’ve come up with a few tricks that are inexpensive and work with the inexpensive plastic stocks most folks are using nowadays.  I don’t even know if anyone makes an “upgrade” stock for that gun.  

My 700 SPS stainless is a sub .5 MOA shooter with factory ammo in the original crappy REM stock.  Some judicious bedding does the trick.

Uncle Fester

I don't know how the can sell any rifles when there are inexpensive Ruger Americans and Savage Axis II's out there which WILL SHOOT  . guaranteed for a similar price.

Zee

At least you got a new barrel. 

Freezer

Uncle Fester said:

I don't know how the can sell any rifles when there are inexpensive Ruger Americans and Savage Axis II's out there which WILL SHOOT  . guaranteed for a similar price.

Those are what I wanted, but none were available! Mossberg had the gale to email me, "we don't guarantee the accuracy of our rifles". 

Indeed!