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Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

rg1911

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 24, 2012
846
339
72
Laramie, Wyoming
My 'smith ordered an AR10(T) upper, bolt carrier assembly and barrel extension long before the current craziness started. Now we've both received a canned response saying that "due to massive orders, etc etc etc" we'll just have to be patient.

I'm getting the idea that they aren't filling orders in the order they were received. If so, this will be the last Armalite project I'll do. Does anyone have any real information? My new rifle project started back around May.

Thanks,
Richard
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

armalite does a ton of buisness with overseas police departments and militaries.they could have received a huge order before yours.i waited 6 months for an ar10 flat top upper a couple of years ago.probably not what you wanted to hear,i know waiting sucks.
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

Ahhhh.... Thank you. I didn't know about the overseas' business.

Oh, well... The Krieger barrel, ordered in May with a delivery schedule of November, isn't in yet, either.

Cheers,
Richard
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

I have been dealing with Armalite for the better part of 2 decades now and they have ALWAYS been painfully slow to fill orders for large parts/components (especially BCGs, uppers...complete or stripped, and similar products) when items are not in stock and ready to ship. I have a good friend who is in the same boat as you with a similar order placed in late summer that has not yet been filled. I have waited up to 9mos for major components in the past in times that were NOT plagued with all the current craziness/stupidity.

While it is pure speculation on my part and in no way founded on any specific facts, if they are NOT filling backorders on parts like yours in the order received, I'd venture a guess that it is because they are putting all such components into full builds/complete rifles right now and they'll get to the backorders when they can. This is currently the case with many places right now, including JP and others, who are holding back on major components that would otherwise be available for individual sale because they need them to meet demands on complete rifles. If it makes you feel any better, I have seen multiple stocking Armalite dealers (like 762SASS and DSG Arms just to name a few) not have ANY of the components you mentioned on your order for quite a long time now (going back to August/Sept timeframe). If dealers aren't getting the parts...you can rest assured that individual orders are going through yet either. All I can say is be patient. Also, you might want to consider posting a message with your concern on their BARFCOM industry forum. They have not been too active there lately with all the craziness with orders, but someone over there may have some addt'l insight for you or at least be able to commiserate with you in your situation because I guarantee you aren't the only one.
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

Just prior to the last "ban" craziness I placed an order with Armalite, 11 months later I was contacted asking if I indeed still wish to make my purchase. I did, my card was charged the next day and 14 days later I received my build (upper.) I recently received an order placed with RRA just under 6 months ago. I had not received any info from RRA, nor was able to contact them (phone, email, etc.) In fact, I went ahead and purchased from Noveske. Low and behold last week my card was charged by RRA, I was e-mailed a UPS tracking number and three days later it showed up at my FFL. What can you say, I'm not sending it back! Good luck!
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'd venture a guess that it is because they are putting all such components into full builds/complete rifles right now and they'll get to the backorders when they can. </div></div>
That was one of my guesses, too. More profit on a complete firearm than a part. (Can't really blame them.)

I shall attempt to exercise patience. My only fear is that, as I'm getting up there in years, the parts will arrive in time to be cremated with me.

Cheers,
Richard
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That was one of my guesses, too. More profit on a complete firearm than a part. </div></div>

I don't know. Anytime we've had to buy parts for a tractor, truck, UTV, etc., I'm always appalled at the cost of replacement parts. Maybe AR parts are different.
 
Re: Armalite: Anyone know what's up with backorders?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Natty Bumpo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That was one of my guesses, too. More profit on a complete firearm than a part. </div></div>

I don't know. Anytime we've had to buy parts for a tractor, truck, UTV, etc., I'm always appalled at the cost of replacement parts. Maybe AR parts are different. </div></div>

+1.

I don't think its an issue of "profit" or "profit margin" but in terms of getting serialized parts or complete rifles to market in these trying times, the priority has to go to those parts. If they filled every single backorder for upper receivers, barrel extensions, BCGs and the like, it would be difficult if not impossible to meet current market demands for complete rifles. Again, I don't know that is what is going on or not. As I said before...I've waited roughly 9mos for similar parts as you have included in your order and you are just now at the roughly 8mo mark with your order from May '12. It may just be an issue of timing and your order may come through any time in the next month or so. Only Armalite can really respond to that and because of the craze right now, they are really communicating too much with their customer base aside from receiving enormous quantities of orders.