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Fred`s Really Comes Through!!!

10K views 100 replies 36 participants last post by  M1ANEWBY 
#1 ·
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I have seen a lot of pretty harsh words online about Fred`S M14. I have got to say I found my whole experience to be excellent after a false start by not reading his disclaimer about Minimum orders. I called and was treated with nothing but respect and care. And was sent an Excellent Grade Stock ($35) in TWO WEEKS TIME with a couple repack kits and a new Butt plate for my Synthetic Stock. He told me upfront that it wouldn`t be figured or striped. No Problem but I received the stock and it is far beyond what I was expecting. their are only a couple very small dings no gouges or cracks of any kind. Have to give 2 THUMBS up to Fred`s. PS. Also got the legendary surprise in the box of a very nice GI hand Guard for free.
 
#3 ·
I will be a repeat customer. And have nothing but good things to say. The cartouche is strong is anyone able to direct me to it`s history and meaning? Their is a P in a Circle on the front of the grip and a Eagle holding arrows and three stars over it`s head in a square on the side?? Also a green piece of athletic tape with a 8 on it. I think this might have been a parade gun stock due to it`s condition??? would love to hear any input about the history.
 
#4 ·
The eagle with the three stars in a square is the DOD stamp and the "P" in a circle is the proof stamp. If you clean the stock and plan to do any sanding, leave the stamps as they are, they give the stock real M14 history.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Just a little clarification for the original poster who might not know what DOD and proof is all about.
The stamp on the side is the Department of Defense acceptance stamp showing acceptance of the rifle by the Military. The P stamp is the firing proof mark showing the rifle was fired with a "proof" cartridge with a higher than normal pressure. The stamp shows that it took the high pressure cartridge without fail.

edit: These stamps indicate that your stock was on a rifle at one time. Not just a loose replacement stock.
 
#79 ·
Just a little clarification for the original poster who might not know what DOD and proof is all about.
The stamp on the side is the Department of Defense acceptance stamp showing acceptance of the rifle by the Military.

Too be more clear the DoD stamp was the last and final stamp. When a inspector stamped it, it became US Gov't property and the Gov't was thus obligated too pay the contractor.
 
#6 · (Edited)
A actual road trip to Fred's should be on everyone's bucket list at least once
I will never forget the experience of being able to walk amongst m14 butt stocks stacked floor to ceiling , and not a small warehouse either
There you will meet a old school patriotic American citizen with a true passion for patriotism

I consider Fred a guardian of the abandoned ideals of our once great nation, if this country's fire for GOD blessed greatness can be re-kindled Jack and people like him preserve the embers
That place is a national treasure
 
#7 ·
Wish it was a little closer being from Oregon. Probably won`t make it to Fred`s in Person but would love to given the Chance. Thanks Everyone for the Info for a Newby. I just plan on cleaning and oiling it. and running with it. It just don`t need any sanding. Love his Johnny Appleseed Program.


WHISPERS FROM THE WESTERN FRONT.
 
#8 ·
I would remind Poster new to this Forum several years back Freds was Bashed and Foul mouthed to the hills ....some said he was way slow to deliver, some folks called him and tried to Itch him out ( Bad Move as he's a Old Marine that takes no Excrement off any one) over issues mainly about long waits (2 to 6 weeks) ...VERY FEW complained over quality. His Web site clearly stated it takes time to Pick good stock, and clearly said 4 to 6 weeks. I bought a Big Red from him 4 or 5 years ago...several weeks later I received a MINT Stock ALONG WITH a handbook on hi-power shooting, 10 300 yard targets and a copy of the field strip and assembly manual for the M14. I posted to his defense several times as folks bashed and bashed him here. All I can say I got way more value then I expected, it is refreshing to deal with a guy like him, and, I like his attitude toward impatient meat sacks. Semper Fi Fred.
 
#10 ·
XM25Ren.... Only dealt with Freds on the stock as above, but have taken a drive to Cpt Wolfes shop a few times to have work done and buy a Receiver...both Freds and Jon Wolfe are first class people. Jon Wolfes shop is set up to build the M1a ...but he will take on many other types...ie the Garand BM 59 etc. He is the ONLY master smith I would entrust within a 500 mile Radius of my home. Rifles are taken apart, Gauged, Machined as needed and resembled and tested.
 
#11 ·
i agree with HH. when i went to make my purchases, i read all the bad stuff, and bought from him anyway. since then, i have been a repeat customer. his service has been nothing less than excellent in my case. provided our daughter makes it thru Parris Island in the fall, we will be making a trip to fred's as well, while we are back there.
 
#13 ·
I have bought from 'Fred's' without issue. First time in the early 80's. I also bought stocks from John at US Armory, because he used to have nice pictures and detailed grading with individual pricing. I preferred to see what I was buying. I'm sure John got his stocks from 'Fred's', as he is in North Carolina. I don't think he sells stocks anymore for the M14. Just parts. I got some outstanding Presentation Grade stocks from him. GI1
 
#15 ·
I need to comment on the Internet Fred bashing

To all that bashed, I think they need to walk a mile in Jack's shoes
Caring for , handling ,grading /sorting , packing and shipping gunstocks to the count of well over 100,000 would be a monnumental task for even superman / for ten men it would still be a impossibility
When I was there , it is a one man show , I would be totally overwhelmed
All I can say is ,wow!
 
#17 ·
I second this...

Have ordered online successfully and with great satisfaction. And last fall had the opportunity to stop in and 'shop' in person. Jack took time out to answer all my newbie questions, direct me to where I might find this or that, etc...all while filling orders, stuffing stocks and merchandise into boxes, etc. One man show is an understatement, the magnitude of which becomes apparent once you're in the warehouse stacked floor-to-ceiling with rifle stocks. My hat's off to Jack. We all enjoy this rifle, these authentic USGI stocks, etc. All business entails risk; he took it, and I hope that it is paying off for him. I know I left that day with three nice stocks and some other goodies, all at a fair price.

Just my $0.02...
 
#16 ·
I ordered one Fred's M14 walnut "as new" stocks earlier this when he got in a new shipment. I waited patiently for a shipping confirmation and checking the website. During that wait time I checked on our website and found that we had 5 M14 stocks in stock and checked all of them out and grabbed the nicest one for a back-up. Good thing I did as my next check showed Fred was sold out so I cancelled my order since I didn't want to wait for a next shipment and wanted to complete my restoration. And the M14 stock I got from work for $48 turn out to be a "gem"! A nice red walnut stock in like new condition with the P proofing mark. A month later I got a phone call from Jack saying he had more available and to call him if I still wanted one. I give him credit for his "taking care of the customer" attitude as you won't find that in big business anymore, especially when it's the owner making the phone calls to his customers. Here's a couple of pics of my Sportsman's Guide stock.
 
#18 ·
Is any of this Fred bashing recent? Several years ago it was warranted, now no.
It sounds like the criticism finally sunk in and he has changed his ways....
The old shop was a dump that smelled like a litter box because he let his cat go where it wanted. I am not kidding you when I say it was like a scene out of the Indiana Jones movie where they were in the government warehouse with boxes stocked to the ceiling with unknown goodies.
Yes I still do business with him.

SMAWman
 
#19 ·
When I was looking for a M14 walnut stock for my synthetic stocked M1A and I gave Fred's site a look. I'm sorry but I want to see actual pictures of the actual stock that was going to show up on my doorstep. I found that on the PX. Could I have gotten lucky at Fred's? Probably but I know exactly what I was getting it and came exactly as promised. Pictures worth a thousand words and I got it in less then a week of placing order.
 
#22 ·
Ordered one of Fred's shooting jackets last week and got it in 4 days - no problems that I know of.
 
#23 ·
Let me Be the Grump Here

Over the last three years I ordered several stocks (walnut and synthetic) from Fred's. On my last order (September 2015) I ordered a excellent-as-new synthetic stock ($150) and 7 Excellent handguards at $8 each.

Shipping took about 10 days, I opened the box and there was the stock with no handguards. I sent a polite email asking about the handguards and got no response. I sent another email after 2 weeks and got no response.

Two weeks later I called. He said "Oh yeah, the handguards are on my bench". So I thought I was good. After another 2 weeks with no handguards I called again and he said "You'll have to order something else and pay shipping. I'll put the handguards in the package".

Stop. Quit. Done. Totally non-responsive and then wanting me to pay for his mistake? Not here. I can easily afford to lose $56.00, but it was the rudeness that did me in.

I missing shopping at Fred's - they have great stocks at a great price. I even recommend them to friends after I tell them my story. But I can't support a company that has this little regard for it's customers.

Good luck to you - but the bad reviews have some truth behind them.
 
#24 ·
I wonder if the old reports of Fred's being slow to ship were back in the early days of Project Appleseed? Jack is the father of that outstanding patriotic organization and I have to think that was no small task/distraction.

I had a recent order with an issue over a $35 HG and it took a while to get it worked out with him but everything came together in the end.

I can cut a true patriot like Jack a lot of slack. I also hope & believe that history will someday sing his praises for Project Appleseed and a renewed spirit of freedom in America because of what he envisioned.
 
#25 ·
Just for 'The Record' on this New Thread...on 'Fred'.

There is a bit of 'Revisionist History' going on here...

(And We all know how We feel about THAT! GI5 )

It wasn't just that good old Fred(The MAN(Jack)Not His Dog(Now Dead!)
Was S-L-O-W...
It was that Fred just Flat-Out Failed to Fill Orders, or Acknowledge Orders that He had already Confirmed, Some of which He was in fact PAID FOR(and failed and/or refused to Refund!)!

IF a guy really, really wants to Lose (forever!) an Hour or Three here searching back years and years he would absolutely find Documentation of such from actual living, breathing Members of the M14 Forum!

But, WHATEVER! I am in fact HAPPY ( See: GI1 ) that Fred has recently found a 'business model' and certainly appears to be actually Filling Orders! (GI3)
That is absolutely a good thing for current members and posters here!

But Please, Please...Don't Pee On My Boots And Tell Me It's Raining!

GI5

CAVman in WYoming
 
#26 ·
I started reading about and buying from Fred's M14 Stocks at least 15 years ago when he had the surplus stocks in huge quantity. Used to buy half dozen at a time and paint them for the seasons. Plus the Fred's AQT Course was my entrance to shooting for anything with a meaning and who I blame for my addiction to M1A's and precision now. He has a great selection and quality of parts. He can be slow on some stuff but he shows that so everyone knows. Would love to actually go to his shop and see it at some point.
 
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