anyone bought guns from these folks?? I bought ammo from them twice. It was just as advertised, and I am happy with my purchases. I'd be interested in some of their rifles, but their ideas of condition and mine are very different. Has anyone bought a rifle from them. I'd like to know if you are happy with your purchase, any troubles, any other feedback. Thank you.
Has anyone bought from Royal Tiger Imports??
toolowradiation
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A new thread should be started on this topic titled "Does anybody "regret" buying from RTI"........
I would say no, I don't regret buying from them.
I mentioned the Garand, which I was very pleased with. I've since done a couple antique buys, a B grade Fusil Gras cavalry carbine, a Vetterli 1870/87/15, and a B grade Mannlicher 1888/90.
The Gras is missing the rear sight, the other 2 have been complete. They were dirty as heck, worn finish, and all cleaned up nicely. The stocks were in (relatively) good shape, dings but no big cracks or breaks. I'm impressed with the amount of rifling that the 1888/90 is starting to show, as I slowly keep cleaning it.
I ordered 2 of the clearance no4 mk1 for a total of 377$ w shipping. 1 arrived and the other was delayed but is otw. Filthy beast it is but it is intact with a long crack on the rear handguard that can be repaired. Bolt doesn't match and the head over clocks but I will likely wait until the second arrives and see what I have. Rather than go through trying to sort out the bolt head, headspacing etc I may send one or both to Brian D. so he can check and "optimize" me a shooter as best he can.
On top of that I've cleaned my carcanos and after I receive a new spring for one and sort out a buggered screw for another's front sight I will be thrilled with my purchases.
Keep in mind I enjoy the cleaning aspect as that is a kind of therapy for me.
On top of that I've cleaned my carcanos and after I receive a new spring for one and sort out a buggered screw for another's front sight I will be thrilled with my purchases.
Keep in mind I enjoy the cleaning aspect as that is a kind of therapy for me.
I would have enjoyed the cleaning too if both had not been hit with the wire brush. The 2nd gun purchased long after 'someone' posted they had stopped over cleaning the gun.
The warehouse clearance specials say another large shipment is inbound. I would love to hear the numbers on how many rifles have been purchased, imported etc.
And I agree about the wheeling or any other cleaning being done. We accept the condition is as is, so leave it be for us.
I believe they have listened to a degree, as they do occasionally drop in refurbished garands, 1917s and Mas rifles.
One curious thing I have noticed is that we have only seen French rifles from pre ww1 and WW1 era and post WW2. I haven't seen many (if any) Mas by action rifles. Just an observation.
And I agree about the wheeling or any other cleaning being done. We accept the condition is as is, so leave it be for us.
I believe they have listened to a degree, as they do occasionally drop in refurbished garands, 1917s and Mas rifles.
One curious thing I have noticed is that we have only seen French rifles from pre ww1 and WW1 era and post WW2. I haven't seen many (if any) Mas by action rifles. Just an observation.
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I posted that they at some point had gotten complaints that they had stopped wire wheeling. I got several were not wheeled, and then a few months later I bought an Iraqi SMLE and it came wire wheeled. I called and they said I could exchange it but they all looked to have some degree of wire wheeling. Mine has a great bore and I have yet to clean it up. They agreed to send me an SMLE stock if I so wanted. I declined, I think a lot of this will steam out and it matches the gun. I do appreciate that they offered though. I recently got both a Steyr rifle and carbine M95 that were not wheeled, neither was my 1917.
I received a cracked bolt shroud on a Ethiopian style cut down Vetterli. Kind of a factory looking cut down. Anyway, I talked to a VERY nice lady on the phone. Sent a picture and they gave a replacement part. No charge. I would have paid, and it not about saving $10 on a part. It was the friendly service that I appreciated. And.
Turns out any model RTI imports quickly dries up all the parts suppliers. So; if RTI does not help, you are pretty much over and done. Or, Buy another one for parts.
Another strike on the complaint side is the pricing. They get way more money for a gun than comparable models go for locally. I chose to buy an Ethiopian unique item. Basically I am paying real gun money for a wall hangar. Or take Carcanos from Italy. Not bad condition but, comparable were selling $150 less when the other place was bringing them in.
I can't complain as I am admittedly a bargain hunter more than a high end guy. On that I won't quibble with the 99$ carcano carbines I got as one of the badly cracked stocks turned out to be a tromboncino with the inserts intact. Even after being repaired it won't be a shooter but it's cooler than the prettiest all matching for 250-300 from others.
If you got the proper rear sight and barrel cut, that was good luck. The stock is not so much. It does not help me or anyone else if you got an accidental lucky score. I am absolutely not a gambler. I know that and moderate my buying accordingly. I been very disappointed with my Gun Broker experience as well. It is just awful the low life trash that work that site. The items are typically just a shade below expectation and these sellers darn well know how to play that game. I still use Gun Broker a lot. I found some much needed new brass this week. But mil-surp guns, .. way over my ability to cope.
There was a guy, I think Axis?? He would hold the gun in his hand and tell you straight. There are enough folks like that in this game. For a simple guy like me, I try and play it straight and expect the same back.
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A lot of the Carcano's they are bringing in that are more expensive are not coming from Ethiopia. They recently bought out all the stocks of Carcano's that were in italy and are in far nicer shape.
I know. I got quite a few TS models from the other importer and I know RTI also has been getting them from Italy as well. As soon as the other guy imported the TS from Italy, RTI dropped the price $150. Now they are back up. RTI also runs specials. Which is to say if one does not buy on a special, he got cheated.
I dont follow any of the Caranco carbines with folding bayonet. I hate that design. My deal is TS carbines. I did get a very early long rifle, local. Not a recent import and not at internet pricing. That is the rub. If anyone works the local sources there a are really nice examples. Top it off, pre 1898 without the nut-job tin-foil hat internet buyer pricing. RTI breaks out the antique for a extra premium! And people pay up!
The thing I liked about RTI. Was again service. They ship fast with tracking. Good packing. Good communication. Very easy to order. Real professional operation. That is a big deal to me. These postal money order, no tracking, wont answer email, just all over the map sellers. That is actually worth some money to me. RTI has to pay people to give this service. I have no regrets. In fact I wish I could justify more buys. I just cannot. I stopped the mailing it was just killing me 10 emails a day with nothing new.
Oh, one more opportunity with RTI, If you are real fast they make offers to email subscribers on busted up guns. Bent barrels. broken stocks, etc... I did try twice to score a project. The promising oportunitiy(s) were gone right away and the hopeless turds took a bit longer to go for parts. I just could not keep reading 10 emails day. One every 45 minutes or so just to try and score that once month maybe project. There is little time to decide even if I was first caller. I still need to be honest and put this down as another item on the plus column. Fun item.
I'm having a not great custome4 service experience as they failed to ship 1 of 2 purchased rifles. On Monday I got an email that it should be shipped that day....on Wednesday I called and the young lady personally assured me she handed it to their label guy. Still waiting on shipping info so more than likely I will be calling again tomorrow.
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I would like to have the full spectrum of carcano's just to have them for my collection. It's a great time in firearms history! I have some nice examples to shoot, so I will shoot others way more than some like the folding bayonet ones. Though if I am groundhog hunting or after coyotes I might back an M91 along. The pre 1898 stuff I have been getting here and there. TS carbines are in my radar too but sadly before I gamble more on RTI I was informed that my Bren SA internals were done and the gun will be finished soon and that's gonna take up my fun money for the time being as my Bren gets finished.
I have been looking at the busted up stuff, just nothing I'm willing to buy. I really need a front sight for my 1886 Lebel rifle (1890 date can't complain) but can't find one!
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You should definitely start that thread it’s fun to read the feedback from RTI customers. Also if you are going to buy the Carcano carbines from Italy wait for a sale they are the best deal you will find from RTI.
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I have contacted RTI customer service twice. Email both times.
The first was for a Carcano Cavalry Carbine that was supposed to include a clip, but it was missing. They mailed me two, that I received within a few days.
The second time, I received an M48 Mauser advertised as 100% functional. It had a broken extractor. Within a few days, I had received a new replacement.
I have ordered a dozen or so rifles from RTI, knew what to expect, and have not been disappointed. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
The first was for a Carcano Cavalry Carbine that was supposed to include a clip, but it was missing. They mailed me two, that I received within a few days.
The second time, I received an M48 Mauser advertised as 100% functional. It had a broken extractor. Within a few days, I had received a new replacement.
I have ordered a dozen or so rifles from RTI, knew what to expect, and have not been disappointed. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.
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I'm right there with you. I went into this knowing what I could expect to get.
Ok...so rifle #2 was shipped but I wasn't notified and it arrived today and was delivered according to the young lady with RTI.
Only one problem....my 12yo is home alone....so yeah appears the FedEx guy signed for me. Package is safe according to my son.
Only one problem....my 12yo is home alone....so yeah appears the FedEx guy signed for me. Package is safe according to my son.
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I see that as being so wrong in too many ways, but kind of cool. 😬🤓
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