Re: FN-SPR Issues
All,
To lay to rest some speculation:
The misspelled role mark "Fredricksburg" is on all USRAC barrels after about 2004. Prior to that (2001-2004), they were role marked "Made by USRAC, New Haven, CT". When the plant closed in 2006, the role mark tool was supposed to go to Columbia to be part of the new rifle builds along with everything else left over at USRAC (barrels not included). The misspelled role mark tool was there from the very beginning, not sure how that happened or how it slipped by for so many years, but until now only insiders knew of it.
When all the stuff arrived at Columbia, the role mark tool had been broken and FNM had to order a new one. The drawing for the tool made it fine down to Columbia (electronically). When asked to approve the new tool, it was pointed out to them that it was misspelled. A new tool was ordered with the correct spelling "Fredericksburg".
The serial numbers of the action are not very good indicators of where the rifle was finally built. Some actions built in Columbia have lower serial number USRAC receivers (as low as 16K). The role mark of "FNH USA Fredericksburg, VA" does not indicate where it was built. ATF requires that FNH, the FFL that first sells or imports the rifle, stamp their FFL on the firearm, regardless of where it was finally assembled. This stems from today's mode of manufacture where components come from various plants and locations. FNH's manufacturing and importation FFL is in Fredericksburg.
For those that bought SPR Actions though CDNN, you will also find the "Fred(e)ricksburg, VA" marking on their recivers. This is because when the barrels were removed from the actions, the ATF required role mark was no longer on the rifle. The FFL location had to be pantragraphed onto these receivers. The 'smiths who did this work set their pantagraph up based on what they saw on the barrels: "Fredricksburg". Not until quite a few of these receivers were marked was it pointed out that this was misspelled, as well. Smiths in Missouri are likely not to doubt the spelling of a city on the east coast they have never been to, particularly since it is chiseled in steel already.
Long story interesting: If you have a "Fredricksburg" role mark on your BARREL, it was built in USRAC. If it is role marked "Fredericksburg" it was built in Columbia, regardless or serial number. Just because you have a USRAC barrel, don't assume you have a bad barrel. There were some barrels that were suspect in the chrome line area. Most of them are fine and shoot superbly and will continue to do so for many years. If you have a doubt, inspect it with a borescope (well equipped gunsmiths will have one). If you are still in doubt, send it back to FNH. It will be inspected and if the chrome lining is bad from poor application (not from excessive use or abuse) FNH will replace the rifle, regardless of when or where it was made.
If you have a receiver and it is pantographed "Fred(e)ricksburg" on the left rear of the receiver, it is a receiver sold through CDNN. These receivers were not "seconds", they were just in a lot that had suspect barrels, which were removed. They should already be trued and hand lapped, just like all SPRs are. If you have a receiver and the serial number is over 30k, it is a new Columbia receiver.
I hope this sheds some light. I also hope that it does not dissuade any potential FNH customers from considering an SPR or TSR as their next precision rifle. The SPR series is nearly flawless in my opinion. Except for the chrome-line episode FNH had back in 2006, the SPR line has been very successful. If you currently own an FNH bolt rifle and it shoots good for you, that is what FNH wants. Regardless of where it was made, "you can't argue with the bullet" (JB).
Semper fi,
