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Bartlein Barrels Update

I was told 4-6months when I ordered mine back in December. Wonder if that has changed or if I got lucky and got in before all the craziness spurred on by the insurrection lol.
Back when you ordered it that's about what we we're telling customers. Maybe add a month to that time frame. So we should be good on your order.

December and Jan. and Feb. (yes we just started Feb.) we have just been slammed.
 
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The other thing with expanding the business.....

People/workers. Thanks to pandemic and the Gov't extending unemployment benefits and increasing how much they can get isn't helping anything either at times. Please don't take it wrong as I do know of people that truly need the help!

Here is what we are seeing as well as other manufacturers. Why should a person who is laid off and getting an increase in money as well as extending how long they can get the money....if they are basically getting they're paycheck what incentive is it for them to go out and look for a job.

Our daughters boyfriend (whom we have serious issues with) is a classic example. Got fired/laid (don't thing we are getting the whole story) off last November. We've been all over him to go get a job. I even offered a job to him here at work. All he kept saying was I'll be getting unemployment and they are passing another stimulus package. I'm good! So he actually did get a job (worked exactly 1 day and quit) because the next day he got his first unemployment check for $4k and is now getting what was equivalent to his paycheck. Supposedly the unemployment person at the agency told him not to go back to work and he should go back to school!

Not getting people back to work is messing up the whole manufacturing and any place that needs workers. Letting people get a free ride that are able to work and truly don't need the help is hurting everyone!

Every where around here and other parts of the country I see help wanted signs up. Everyone is struggling to hire people. I hear the same thing from other companies regardless of the company/type of industry they are in.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
We had it where I work also, Frank. We furloughed over 900 people from March 17th to June 18th. Over 700 were getting more in unemployment & stimulus than they were in paychecks (PA is one of, if not the, highest unemployment payscales in the US). Add to it that my company paid their medical premiums until 9/1 (phased opening/rehires) and when we opened back up last June, there were 150 of the 450 we called back that refused. We tried to deny their unemployment claims, but the state granted them anyway. How screwed up is that? I am fortunate that the guys in my department like to work and have "old school" work ethics. I had nobody refuse the call-back, but I had 1 guy find another job for more $$ (more power to him) and another 2 who retired. 1 of those actually came back as a part-timer 2 days a week.
 
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Thank you @Frank Green and the team at Bartlein Barrels. I'm a local WI shooter (live about 30min from the shop), and can vouch that they support local shooters just as much as everyone else across the country and the world. Busy is busy, backlog is what it is, I hope your future days are filled with understanding customers rather that entitled asshats.

I'm having a couple new 400 MODBB barrels being chambered right now; I'm hoping/planning that the 6mm will last 2 seasons for how many rounds I shoot, but I just might order a spare sooner than later to account for the current lead time.
 
Gonna post this here because the bolt gun forum gets the most views. Dear Forum Moderator, If you need to move this post to another forum that is more appropriate please do so.

I/We post on SH quite a bit. So I figured I should make a post about this.

Just want to be up front and honest with everyone here. We are telling customers the same thing on the phone.

Depending on what you are ordering and when you order it....lead times can be as long as 10-12 months right now.

Some guys (not necessarily anyone from the Hide) when we've told them this they have gone off on us on the phone about it. So we are taking a beating at times but I want everyone to understand that we are all in this boat together. Ammunition and bullet makers etc...are backed up, gun manufacturers are backed up, action makers, stock makers and scope manufacturers.

I won't name the ammo maker but we have had some ammo on order since May of 2020 and I cannot get a delivery date/time frame. We're not mad at them....it is what it is.

We've been helping out individual customers to manufacturers to ammo makers etc...when they/you have an emergency that won't change. We do what we can / when we can.

I know of other barrel makers lead times are out pretty far as well. So it's not just us.

I'm also asking and I will use this as an example...a guy wins a barrel gift certificate at a match. Calls in to redeem the certificate and order the barrel. He was told 10 months. He went off on my office guy about it and demanded the barrel should be done next month. So don't put anyone in front of the firing squad for this. Free or not....we are doing what we can to take care of everyone in a timely fashion.

I don't care what you are buying and from whom....barrels, scopes, ammo etc....guys please do your best to plan ahead and plan for the worst case scenario. If you burn up 4 barrels a year in matches and only have one brand new spare left....get it on order. Regardless of where you get it from. If your planning on building a new rifle right now and already have the stock and action and barrel on order and will need a scope for it.... don't wait...get the scope on order as well.

I don't for see things getting any better anytime soon for any of us. Like I said, "We're all in the same boat!"

Pretty much the whole shop here is working 55 to 60+ hours a week. This next pay period....just between 3 guys in the shop they have a 153 hours of overtime alone! That's in a two week period and that isn't a typo!

I've also been asked and will put it out here as well..."Are we o.k. on steel?" The answer is yes! No steel shortages. We have orders scheduled into 2022 already. Nothing is holding us up from making barrels. Just not enough hours in the week!

Any questions please feel free to call. If you post a question here I'll answer it the best I can and as quick as I can but keep in mind...I don't log in everyday.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Thanks frank. I have a few on order and I hope when people act like assholes you refund their money and send them elsewhere. Businesses can cancel too. I’ll patiently wait for the 400 mod barrels.
 
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The other thing with expanding the business.....

People/workers. Thanks to pandemic and the Gov't extending unemployment benefits and increasing how much they can get isn't helping anything either at times. Please don't take it wrong as I do know of people that truly need the help!

Here is what we are seeing as well as other manufacturers. Why should a person who is laid off and getting an increase in money as well as extending how long they can get the money....if they are basically getting they're paycheck what incentive is it for them to go out and look for a job.

Our daughters boyfriend (whom we have serious issues with) is a classic example. Got fired/laid (don't thing we are getting the whole story) off last November. We've been all over him to go get a job. I even offered a job to him here at work. All he kept saying was I'll be getting unemployment and they are passing another stimulus package. I'm good! So he actually did get a job (worked exactly 1 day and quit) because the next day he got his first unemployment check for $4k and is now getting what was equivalent to his paycheck. Supposedly the unemployment person at the agency told him not to go back to work and he should go back to school!

Not getting people back to work is messing up the whole manufacturing and any place that needs workers. Letting people get a free ride that are able to work and truly don't need the help is hurting everyone!

Every where around here and other parts of the country I see help wanted signs up. Everyone is struggling to hire people. I hear the same thing from other companies regardless of the company/type of industry they are in.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
this Is all facts. I’ve seen it all over. It’s part of the plan.
 
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Gross, for sure. Just a few questions; rhetorical, of course.

1. Do you know how long it takes to build a rifling machine from scratch? Because currently we are running them at full capacity:
"Pretty much the whole shop here is working 55 to 60+ hours a week."
2. Any idea how much it costs to buy a new machine, install it, and then how long it takes to set it up and get it running correctly so we can put another man on it? A lathe, a few months, a rifling machine.... Drills - hah!
3. Some of the machines are running 24 hrs a day, 5-6 days a week. Where are we supposed to put the guys we hire?
4. Do you have anything ACTUALLY constructive to add?

Currently, I personally have been on the phones 8-9 hrs a day and then I go run a machine in the evenings. Can't get as much done as one of the guys running the machine for 9-12 hrs, but I'm helping open the spigot a little bit. I talk to AWESOME people every day, and I am so happy to help them -- all of you! But we are doing everything we can.

Thanks to @NukeMMC for saying it nicer than I did:

- It takes a few weeks to train them
- you don't have the machines to put them on and it takes YEARS to get a rifling machine ordered, made and installed
- Good machinists aren't waiting on the corner for the next job to come up - (YEAH THEY'RE ALL BUSY TOO!! HAHAHA)


Joe Biden and John Kerry are gonna help you guys out by with one whip of the pen making 1000 pipe fitters available to retrain as lathe operators.

Be patient as they are going to coding and solar school first before you get your shot with them.

Course by then we will be refining cutting oil to heat our homes with.

Production will slow considerably when we are buying Mazola from our resident Chinese farmers to use as ersatz cutting oil.

.308 may get windy but buy them in bulk and at 10K rds per barrel you will have a lifetime of options other than 6mm smooth bore breech fed musket.
 
The other thing with expanding the business.....

People/workers. Thanks to pandemic and the Gov't extending unemployment benefits and increasing how much they can get isn't helping anything either at times. Please don't take it wrong as I do know of people that truly need the help!

Here is what we are seeing as well as other manufacturers. Why should a person who is laid off and getting an increase in money as well as extending how long they can get the money....if they are basically getting they're paycheck what incentive is it for them to go out and look for a job.

Our daughters boyfriend (whom we have serious issues with) is a classic example. Got fired/laid (don't thing we are getting the whole story) off last November. We've been all over him to go get a job. I even offered a job to him here at work. All he kept saying was I'll be getting unemployment and they are passing another stimulus package. I'm good! So he actually did get a job (worked exactly 1 day and quit) because the next day he got his first unemployment check for $4k and is now getting what was equivalent to his paycheck. Supposedly the unemployment person at the agency told him not to go back to work and he should go back to school!

Not getting people back to work is messing up the whole manufacturing and any place that needs workers. Letting people get a free ride that are able to work and truly don't need the help is hurting everyone!

Every where around here and other parts of the country I see help wanted signs up. Everyone is struggling to hire people. I hear the same thing from other companies regardless of the company/type of industry they are in.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

Im pretty sure you are fully aware this was not an oversight on the part of the govt.

I apologize for turning a rare and great PSA from a manufacturer into a political thread but we are where we are because of politicians intentional malice?

6 years ago it was shocking to think Chris fat fuck Christie would shut down a bridge to innocent commuters just to make a political Point.

This is that writ large.

Our politicians are whizzing on us not caring one bit, nor concerned we may do something about it.
 
The least we will do is a straight cylinder blank. 1.250 is most common.

Lead times are still the same. It's not about the contouring. It's about the other thousands and thousands of orders in front of you vs. the amount of time it takes to make one.

It's 10-12 months. Or, as I have been saying: "Sometime in 2022 - I am not sure when."

Honestly, we are doing everything we can, we are not trying to push anyone off! If you REALLY need something, check out our stocking dealers. They are listed on our LINKS page on our website: www.bartleinbarrels.com/links/

Best of luck, and call with anything you need.

A downsides of being one of the best in the business I suppose.
The red box on that linked page says 4-6 months. It may be worth updating that to help get the word out.
 
Thanks to Franks and everyone at Bartlein Barrels. As an employer I hear what you are saying, I would hire more people tomorrow if I could, only people we see looking for a job are the lowest of the low. You guys set the standard so best of luck. Being too busy isn't the worst problem to have as a business, the opposite is much worse. People will wait for your barrels, nothing else is any industry is moving smoothly right now.
 
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Well I have two bartleins. I’ll be adding another once AI decides to give the people what they want, a short action 223 bolt 🤓
 
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The other thing with expanding the business.....

People/workers. Thanks to pandemic and the Gov't extending unemployment benefits and increasing how much they can get isn't helping anything either at times. Please don't take it wrong as I do know of people that truly need the help!

Here is what we are seeing as well as other manufacturers. Why should a person who is laid off and getting an increase in money as well as extending how long they can get the money....if they are basically getting they're paycheck what incentive is it for them to go out and look for a job.

Our daughters boyfriend (whom we have serious issues with) is a classic example. Got fired/laid (don't thing we are getting the whole story) off last November. We've been all over him to go get a job. I even offered a job to him here at work. All he kept saying was I'll be getting unemployment and they are passing another stimulus package. I'm good! So he actually did get a job (worked exactly 1 day and quit) because the next day he got his first unemployment check for $4k and is now getting what was equivalent to his paycheck. Supposedly the unemployment person at the agency told him not to go back to work and he should go back to school!

Not getting people back to work is messing up the whole manufacturing and any place that needs workers. Letting people get a free ride that are able to work and truly don't need the help is hurting everyone!

Every where around here and other parts of the country I see help wanted signs up. Everyone is struggling to hire people. I hear the same thing from other companies regardless of the company/type of industry they are in.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

I also thank you for giving use the inside scoop. I have 4 of your barrels on my GAP builds, that are hammers. Your participation in this community solidifies me as your customer. I am looking forward to my in the works 375 hunting build, whenever it show up.

Seems that is what is the new administration is bringing to America. By getting people used to government handouts until the dependency wins out over capitalism.

I wish you the best of luck in dealing with those less understanding. Thank you for all you do for our community.
 
Thank you Frank. I just ordered two more barrels from one of your vendors that had them in stock. The time has come to start thinking ahead and get ordered what you will need in the years to come. Have a good day sir.
 
I’m pissed I didn’t get any free money to buy more Bartlein barrels 😂...
 
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Thanks for the post, Frank. Two Bartlein barrels arrived last week from Southern Precision, and two more will arrive tomorrow. I’m glad to have them!
 
Just ordered a damned kydex holster and the lead time is 14-16 weeks.... EVERYTHING is backed up; and I seriously doubt that there is going to be any return to “normalcy” for a long, long time.
 
I would especially like to thank Mark at Bartlien for all the help he gave me when ordering my barrels. I sure am glad I got them ordered when I did! They are all working extremely well in my DTA SRS A1, great groups, can't wait to get out in warm weather and have some fun with them.
Thanks to the Bartlien crew for producing the very best high tech precision rifle barrels in the world!
 

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People can pick up another hobby meanwhile. I just bought my first guitar 🎸. Spending more time with family. 👍
 
Sorry to add to the dogpile of love - but can't help myself.
Want to publicly give a shout out to @Frank Green, Mark and @BradyW over at Bartlein Barrels. Regardless of how backed up they are (like everyone else in the industry) they keep up the good fight, answer the phones (yep real people) and keep turning out barrels.
The guys over there are awesome and have answered tons of questions for me over the years from twist rates, gain twist, barrel materials... you name it. I can't highly recommend them enough - and oh by the way, the barrels shoot phenomenally (regardless of my lack of ability).

RIMX-PREFIT-BARTLEIN-001.jpg
 
I think the worst thing is when your working your tail off and some snot nosed jerkwad who feels entitled because he won a prized DONATION thinks because he is so cool he should get bumped to the front of the line and throws a hissy fit. That's when you start just getting pissed at people for being so ignorant when your trying so hard to help everyone and feel under appreciated for all the effort. Don't let the losers get to you, your efforts aren't wasted. You guys are killing it! Thank you! I appreciate your effort, and I don't even have one of your barrels...yet.... Awesome guys with an awesome company.
 
Gonna post this here because the bolt gun forum gets the most views. Dear Forum Moderator, If you need to move this post to another forum that is more appropriate please do so.

I/We post on SH quite a bit. So I figured I should make a post about this.

Just want to be up front and honest with everyone here. We are telling customers the same thing on the phone.

Depending on what you are ordering and when you order it....lead times can be as long as 10-12 months right now.

Some guys (not necessarily anyone from the Hide) when we've told them this they have gone off on us on the phone about it. So we are taking a beating at times but I want everyone to understand that we are all in this boat together. Ammunition and bullet makers etc...are backed up, gun manufacturers are backed up, action makers, stock makers and scope manufacturers.

I won't name the ammo maker but we have had some ammo on order since May of 2020 and I cannot get a delivery date/time frame. We're not mad at them....it is what it is.

We've been helping out individual customers to manufacturers to ammo makers etc...when they/you have an emergency that won't change. We do what we can / when we can.

I know of other barrel makers lead times are out pretty far as well. So it's not just us.

I'm also asking and I will use this as an example...a guy wins a barrel gift certificate at a match. Calls in to redeem the certificate and order the barrel. He was told 10 months. He went off on my office guy about it and demanded the barrel should be done next month. So don't put anyone in front of the firing squad for this. Free or not....we are doing what we can to take care of everyone in a timely fashion.

I don't care what you are buying and from whom....barrels, scopes, ammo etc....guys please do your best to plan ahead and plan for the worst case scenario. If you burn up 4 barrels a year in matches and only have one brand new spare left....get it on order. Regardless of where you get it from. If your planning on building a new rifle right now and already have the stock and action and barrel on order and will need a scope for it.... don't wait...get the scope on order as well.

I don't for see things getting any better anytime soon for any of us. Like I said, "We're all in the same boat!"

Pretty much the whole shop here is working 55 to 60+ hours a week. This next pay period....just between 3 guys in the shop they have a 153 hours of overtime alone! That's in a two week period and that isn't a typo!

I've also been asked and will put it out here as well..."Are we o.k. on steel?" The answer is yes! No steel shortages. We have orders scheduled into 2022 already. Nothing is holding us up from making barrels. Just not enough hours in the week!

Any questions please feel free to call. If you post a question here I'll answer it the best I can and as quick as I can but keep in mind...I don't log in everyday.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
Thanks Frank for heads up. Thankful for ordering extra last year.
 
The whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking "holy shit... I literally received a barrel from them last month.". May have to go buy a lottery ticket tomorrow. Also need to get my order in for the barrel I'm going to need next year. :unsure:
 
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Gonna post this here because the bolt gun forum gets the most views. Dear Forum Moderator, If you need to move this post to another forum that is more appropriate please do so.

I/We post on SH quite a bit. So I figured I should make a post about this.

Just want to be up front and honest with everyone here. We are telling customers the same thing on the phone.

Depending on what you are ordering and when you order it....lead times can be as long as 10-12 months right now.

Some guys (not necessarily anyone from the Hide) when we've told them this they have gone off on us on the phone about it. So we are taking a beating at times but I want everyone to understand that we are all in this boat together. Ammunition and bullet makers etc...are backed up, gun manufacturers are backed up, action makers, stock makers and scope manufacturers.

I won't name the ammo maker but we have had some ammo on order since May of 2020 and I cannot get a delivery date/time frame. We're not mad at them....it is what it is.

We've been helping out individual customers to manufacturers to ammo makers etc...when they/you have an emergency that won't change. We do what we can / when we can.

I know of other barrel makers lead times are out pretty far as well. So it's not just us.

I'm also asking and I will use this as an example...a guy wins a barrel gift certificate at a match. Calls in to redeem the certificate and order the barrel. He was told 10 months. He went off on my office guy about it and demanded the barrel should be done next month. So don't put anyone in front of the firing squad for this. Free or not....we are doing what we can to take care of everyone in a timely fashion.

I don't care what you are buying and from whom....barrels, scopes, ammo etc....guys please do your best to plan ahead and plan for the worst case scenario. If you burn up 4 barrels a year in matches and only have one brand new spare left....get it on order. Regardless of where you get it from. If your planning on building a new rifle right now and already have the stock and action and barrel on order and will need a scope for it.... don't wait...get the scope on order as well.

I don't for see things getting any better anytime soon for any of us. Like I said, "We're all in the same boat!"

Pretty much the whole shop here is working 55 to 60+ hours a week. This next pay period....just between 3 guys in the shop they have a 153 hours of overtime alone! That's in a two week period and that isn't a typo!

I've also been asked and will put it out here as well..."Are we o.k. on steel?" The answer is yes! No steel shortages. We have orders scheduled into 2022 already. Nothing is holding us up from making barrels. Just not enough hours in the week!

Any questions please feel free to call. If you post a question here I'll answer it the best I can and as quick as I can but keep in mind...I don't log in everyday.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
 
With that much overtime and back log another employee or three might help?
 
With that much overtime and back log another employee or three might help?

unfortunately it isn't that easy. I myself have a business in a specialized field, our wait times went from 3-4 weeks to 6+ months over the last year and they are steadily getting worse. Hiring just anybody to make a barrel isn't as simple as posting on Indeed and having a ton of responses from qualified individuals.



Frank, no worries buddy, I placed an order yesterday. The lead times are 3 times longer than a barrel I received a few months ago... I simply told Brad, thanks for letting me place my order and have a great day. Nothing else can be said. I appreciate you making this post as people are getting bored, irritated, or whatever with the current state of our country. I'm just thankful I can still enjoy this hobby while my stock of primers allows me to. :oops:
 
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You guys are great that you put the certificates in line. I might not be so generous. Thanks for all the work you guys put in for your business and supporting the sport.
 
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Back when you ordered it that's about what we we're telling customers. Maybe add a month to that time frame. So we should be good on your order.

December and Jan. and Feb. (yes we just started Feb.) we have just been slammed.
I'm proud to say I have contributed to you being busy. I think it was December or January I placed an order for 4 barrels. So far I've received the 6.5, the .375 and I think I'm still waiting on the two .338's. Looking forward to when they arrive but take your time, I'm drowning in gunsmithing fee's.
 
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Bartlein and LRI, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.


I eagerly open my Junk Mail folder with child like anticipation that today will bring an update of my LRI Tracker.....

When its been awhile since your last and you were spoiled by a few in a row the anticipation really builds.
 
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I would but pretty sure no one would want a barrel I made. LOL
 
Probably need more machines if you're going to get more employees

We have another new lathe on order but it's replacing a old lathe.

We talked about building another rifling machine but.....approx. 4ish months to get it on line....then can we justify $XXXXXX amount of dollars and can we predict where the industry is going to be in a say 2 years time? How much will work will be there....not to mention if we could find someone to hire etc....I'd hate to have us hire the guy and a year later or two we lay the guy off.

Not always as easy as it sounds.

Later, Frank