Licensed Pulse Rifle pre-order

[DarthDarren]

Considering your utter distaste for this product, I am wondering why you are accepting an exchange. It seems clear from your posts (all except 2 of which have been in this thread) that you have nothing but disdain for HCG's execution of this piece and it almost feels like you are just setting yourself up for another round of disappointment if you think every complaint you have voiced is going to be corrected on the exchange. While I was lucky to get a PR with a straight barrel, some of the other concerns you voice ARE present on my rifle... so why not just save yourself the time and go ahead and accept the refund? Just curious why you want to torture yourself.

Very simply, Art: if the most serious defects (some, by my own admission, are minor) are corrected in a new PR that's FRESH OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE (as opposed to just one that's currently wasting away in HCG's Florida DC), given the negative press they've received so far, I'm hopeful they will tighten their QC and also maybe switch to epoxy instead of hot glue (if that's what indeed caused the droop, which I doubt - looking inside my magazine housing, I see perfect mating between the SPAS cage and the Thompson - there's some crazy shimming and interference on mine in a heroic attempt to make extremely poorly fitted parts somehow come together). Even if baking my PR in the hot sun does solve the droop problem, who knows what hidden or visible damage a loosening of the hot glue or heat-induced warpage of parts will cause elsewhere in the assembly. Sorry - not going to take that chance. This sick PR can be replaced with a much healthier one, if precautions and stricter production standards are enforced. If that happens, I'll be a happy damn camper. If it's just more of the same, that's when I'll demand my refund and get one of Matt's PRs. See? I'm giving HCG a chance - isn't that what you've been advocating?

If your sensitivities are so delicate, and you can't take a little ribbing, I wonder how well you will fair in this community where there is a LOT of ribbing as well as a lot of self-deprecating humor.

First of all, self-deprecating humor is pointed at ones' self, not at others, and I'm fine with that. But you - and a STAFF member to boot (neutral? empathic? paternal? supportive? member advocate?) belittled me and who knows how many others who are angry and feel betrayed. In this economy, raising $1000 for a wall hanger is not easy for most of us, and I sacrificed countless small enjoyments that I normally would spend my ever-dwindeling disposable income on. In prop terms, had I been here a year ago, I would have had to take a pass on at least 8 other smaller replicas I'd love to own so I could save up for this one (one of the reasons I didn't join the RPF sooner - to avoid temptation, lol). I'm sure there are those who've been here longer than me who faced the same choices and missed many great opportunities so they could own this mess.

I actually wouldn't have an issue trading but I have already "ruined" my "collectible" if you will check the other thread on this...

I do appreciate your weathering skills, Art (I've been toying with the idea of sending you my WETA Arc Generator for a re-paint), so I'd be happy to trade my PR for the end result of your modifications.

See? I can be fun too.... sometimes.

D

 

[Hirohawa]

Another pleasant surprise for me is how much steel is on this thing:

-Butt stock
-Barrel
-Barrel shroud

If you haven't built a pulse rifle those are some expensive parts - and not everyone out there offers them in steel - some only offer Aluminum.

 

[Utinni]

Oh, I did notice 1 thing HCG is in VIOLATION of, it's shipping them to California without a red plugged barrel! Technically anyone in CA owning these is breaking the law, I was just a bit surprised when I noticed my friend's PR didn't have any marking. When I wanted to order the MR Rebel blaster directly from MR, they wouldn't even ship it to CA! I had to have it shipped up to Washington and then reshipped to me. A bit interesting that they didn't think about it.

- Jeff

 

[corsasri]

My pluse rifle is a beauty cant find any faults. Number 616 of 1000 well thats the number on the stand. Maybe by this time they got the hang of building the dam things.

 

[Yorkie Fett]

Oh, I did notice 1 thing HCG is in VIOLATION of, it's shipping them to California without a red plugged barrel! Technically anyone in CA owning these is breaking the law, I was just a bit surprised when I noticed my friend's PR didn't have any marking. When I wanted to order the MR Rebel blaster directly from MR, they wouldn't even ship it to CA! I had to have it shipped up to Washington and then reshipped to me. A bit interesting that they didn't think about it.

- Jeff

I'm in the UK and am really glad we're allowed to own these. I thought that with current laws they would only be acceptable if they were painted neon green!!!
I believe in some countries like Australia, they are not so lucky.

 

[Robiwon]

In regards to them being on ebay still, they may have allocated a small number to sell only there.

 

[Yorkie Fett]

Ok, she's arrived- 282/1000, and so far I'm impressed. I do detect some slight droop, but she's a keeper. Only complaint is a very small scratch just above the pump handle. Apart from that, everything is pretty much in the right place (including a working LED).
Taken some quick photos, but it's overcast round here so it's all fairly dark.
I do think the camera has distorted the droop, as in reality, the droop is very hard to see.

 

[Art Andrews]

Very simply, Art: if the most serious defects (some, by my own admission, are minor) are corrected in a new PR that's FRESH OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE (as opposed to just one that's currently wasting away in HCG's Florida DC), given the negative press they've received so far, I'm hopeful they will tighten their QC and also maybe switch to epoxy instead of hot glue (if that's what indeed caused the droop, which I doubt - looking inside my magazine housing, I see perfect mating between the SPAS cage and the Thompson - there's some crazy shimming and interference on mine in a heroic attempt to make extremely poorly fitted parts somehow come together). Even if baking my PR in the hot sun does solve the droop problem, who knows what hidden or visible damage a loosening of the hot glue or heat-induced warpage of parts will cause elsewhere in the assembly. Sorry - not going to take that chance. This sick PR can be replaced with a much healthier one, if precautions and stricter production standards are enforced. If that happens, I'll be a happy damn camper. If it's just more of the same, that's when I'll demand my refund and get one of Matt's PRs. See? I'm giving HCG a chance - isn't that what you've been advocating?

Looking at your earlier list, and knowing 1) how overseas manufacturing works and 2) how mass production works, you really need to take a refund and try to buy one of Matt's old guns, but even then, I am not sure you would be satisfied. While there is no doubt that there is an issue with the barrels, apparently due to heat sensitive adhesive, most of the other issues you pointed out are unlikely to be "fixed" even if HCG corrects the adhesive issue. Do what you will, but given your posts, I just can't see this going anywhere but further down.

First of all, self-deprecating humor is pointed at ones' self, not at others, and I'm fine with that. But you - and a STAFF member to boot (neutral? empathic? paternal? supportive? member advocate?) belittled me and who knows how many others who are angry and feel betrayed. In this economy, raising $1000 for a wall hanger is not easy for most of us, and I sacrificed countless small enjoyments that I normally would spend my ever-dwindeling disposable income on. In prop terms, had I been here a year ago, I would have had to take a pass on at least 8 other smaller replicas I'd love to own so I could save up for this one (one of the reasons I didn't join the RPF sooner - to avoid temptation, lol). I'm sure there are those who've been here longer than me who faced the same choices and missed many great opportunities so they could own this mess.

Sorry, I should have been more clear about the self-deprecating part. My point was, we can make fun of ourselves and we also like to give each other a hard time as well, and it is generally done in good fun. I didn't belittle you, and if you took it that way, you are mistaken. I was poking fun at an issue people were getting ready to crucify HCG over only to find out there appears to be a relatively simple fix. Nothing more meant by it, but as with the 20+ issues you posted about the PR, I think you are making far more of this than is there and taking personal offense at a passing joke.

I do appreciate your weathering skills, Art (I've been toying with the idea of sending you my WETA Arc Generator for a re-paint), so I'd be happy to trade my PR for the end result of your modifications.

See? I can be fun too.... sometimes.

See, there is a step in the right direction. :thumbsup

 

[LDR]

Yay! mines arrived. I am also impressed...with the shrouds anyway!

Very slight droop but nothing too bad, im going to be removing them eventually anyway!

 

[Delmustator]

Oh, I did notice 1 thing HCG is in VIOLATION of, it's shipping them to California without a red plugged barrel! Technically anyone in CA owning these is breaking the law, I was just a bit surprised when I noticed my friend's PR didn't have any marking. When I wanted to order the MR Rebel blaster directly from MR, they wouldn't even ship it to CA! I had to have it shipped up to Washington and then reshipped to me. A bit interesting that they didn't think about it.

- Jeff

"AHHHHHHH! PUT A RED CORK IN IT!"

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Seriously, they may have gotten a waiver or something. Or just ignored the law period.

 

[Delmustator]

I was poking fun at an issue people were getting ready to crucify HCG over only to find out there appears to be a relatively simple fix.

I REALLY hope no one sits their new and shiny PR out in the sun and get's distracted and forget's it's cooking outside. Too much heat and the glue will be the least of your worries...

 

[Delmustator]

Just got the "canned" email response from HCG. Yahoo...

 

[Doombringer]

I'm glad the ambient heat+gravity (and a watchful eye) trick is a potential fix, for some. I was pondering on this a few pages back, when it came to shipping the rifles and how they were oriented in their boxes... a shipping container probably gets damn hot on that long trip from China to HCG in Miami, PLUS there's the UPS hike from FL to your door. Lots of time for resin pieces to get a little toasty and for their weight to cause some warping/droopage...

And if it's still Horribly Bad, at least HCG is offering refunds. Their communication seems still a little hit and miss but I think anyone who REALLY doesn't want theirs can get a refund with persistence.

And I thought these were the Armat M41a Pulse Rifle, not Edsel... :lol

 

[Cheeflet]

I emailed HCG about the PRs they are selling on ebay to see if any of them have QC issues like is being reported here and this is the response I got.

Hello,
Thank you for your question. There is actually
only 4 or 5 actual Pulse Rifles with this issue,
the forums have blown the truth out of proportion.

This is actually now Sold Out and the listing is
removed.
Thanks.
HCG


- hollywoodcollectiblesgroup

 

[Delmustator]

Well now. Obviously they think this is trivial.

Time to get a list of drooping barrel PRs together. I'll start the tread.

Here is the thread to track barrel droop.. http://www.therpf.com/f9/hcg-aliens-pr-barrel-droop-list-93974/

 

[SSgt Burton]

Hello,
Thank you for your question. There is actually
only 4 or 5 actual Pulse Rifles with this issue,
the forums have blown the truth out of proportion.

This is actually now Sold Out and the listing is
removed.
Thanks.
HCG


- hollywoodcollectiblesgroup

Wow. Just wow.


Kevin

 

[Trilogy]

I emailed HCG about the PRs they are selling on ebay to see if any of them have QC issues like is being reported here and this is the response I got.

Should that not read "there is actually only 4 or 5 actual Pulse Rifles without this issue"?

 

[GeneralFROSTY]

I'm still thinking they are not sold out. They may have pulled the plug due to the problems caused by the factory. If they continued to sell them they would be digging thier own grave in a way. I'm sure the last thing they want is have to deal with a plethora of refunds/returns which could potentially cost thier company a ton of money.
In any case, I just made an arrangement with a respectable dealer who is getting me a non-droopy clean HCG PR. I have to wait for Christmas though....I love to torture myself with waiting and I figured you guys waited so long for yours.

 

[The_Blues]

Did anyone from germany receive his/her PR already? Me tired of waiting! :cry

 

[Boshek]

I emailed HCG about the PRs they are selling on ebay to see if any of them have QC issues like is being reported here and this is the response I got.

WOW.. I am speachless. :confused

They dont even admit that there is a mass QC isues with these. Just going off these forums, Id say over half have the issue.
And they are not offering refunds unless you put yourself on a waiting list for months! Going on the waiting list for replacement puts yourself in a precarious position, since you could lose your right for a refund.

I think that may be the last straw for me. Their lack of even admitting the problem has infuriated me.:angry Do we know who from HCG actually wrote that? I would love to talk to that person.

My hunch? They are going to wait this out.. See how many actually come back for return (I'm sure they are counting on at least half of the "droopers" will wind up doing nothing).. Refund the ones that do comeback.. And then resell the ones that come back to the people on the waiting list.

If they were legit, they would be offering exchanges for defective guns immediately, like MR used to do..

This is honestly TOTAL BS.
Bascially, HCG is saying.. "Take it or leave it"...