Client Rents Rifle, Client Damages Rifle or Scope, Who Should Be Responsible for Repair?

It depends on how you were raised.

Interesting question. I dunno, as the operator I feel like I'd file this under "cost of doing business" and wouldn't expect the client to pay for accidental damage. As such, I'd amortize replacement costs into rental fees. I would also elect to put optics with exceptional warranties on top of rental rifles. For example, vortex would replace it no questions asked.

As the client, I'd feel bad about it and offer some sort of resolution.

Ontario Hunter said:

I cannot imagine they would put a Rigby or Jeffery gun in the hands of an unknown person (often novices!).

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I think there is at least one outfitter on the forum that rents rigby.
My PH in Namibia rents Blasers with Swarovski scopes.
Ok Blaser is not Rigby, but is high end factory rifle.

Even after reading the thread I don't know that I have an opinion formed. On one hand, I feel like there's a personal responsibility aspect of paying for what you damage, but on the other hand I feel like anyone renting should both have set a rate that covers damage like a fall that might occur, and probably chosen a brand of gun/optic that has a warranty for such events, or can be repaired reasonably. For instance, Leupold's warranty seems like it'd cover the damage, so if it was just a matter of sending it in, then the renting party would only be out the cost of sending it, and that should be well covered by the rental fee.

Obviously the thoughts above are regarding accidental damage --- it it was intentional then it'd be 100% on the renter. If it was negligence then I'd lean toward it being the renter, but that might be another debate about what constitutes negligence.

I worry about that so I just act old and have one of his guys carry it when just walking. If they damage it isn't on you.

I recently sent in a Leupold VX-6, damaged when a client slipped in rocky terrain and fell on top of the slung rifle The objective bell was badly bent. Leupold repaired free of charge and scope is perfect again. It only cost me the shipping to the agent in Johannesburg. Client offered to pay but I declined. Accidents happen.
I've had rifle stocks scratched but never broken.

All this talk makes me glad that I did not damage the hire rifle on my safari.

The operator offered several rifles available and I chose the 7mmRm as I had not owned one. A .308 was available but I’ve owned a few and wanted something less common but I believe a .308 would have done all I needed

I had the opportunity to use the Sako 7mmRm with a Swarovski Z6 I believe. Higher grade than my own hunting rifles and I appreciate the value and quality.

The PH was surprised when I could account for all of the cases after the last hunt. To me I’m usually looking after my gear and saving the cases, not so critical on .223 and .308 but I try retain most cases.

Just my thoughts..... What kind of "hunter" damages someone else's rifle/scope and doesn't offer to pay for it?

If it's something that can be repaired... sure but still slip the guy a some money, his equipment is still out of use until its repaired or replaced.

What kind of world do we live in where every single interaction requires a fat lawyer’s contrived contract. I’ve never rented a rifle or any equipment on a hunt but have used PHs’ rifles and shotguns and fishing rod/reels on occasion. Agreeing to pay cost for replacing ammo. No contract, just the unspoken agreement that I would repair or replace damage. I borrow a neighbor’s tractor. Unwritten agreement to fix if something breaks. I borrow a hammer. Unwritten agreement…if I loose the hammer, I replace the hammer. Jeez, what’s up with all the litigious attitude toward every interaction?

One time I borrowed a PH’s 375 with nice Swaro scope, no question, no agreement needed discussing… if I broke it, I’d repair or replace. Same for everthing borrowed. Simple

mark-hunter said:

I think there is at least one outfitter on the forum that rents rigby.
My PH in Namibia rents Blasers with Swarovski scopes.
Ok Blaser is not Rigby, but is high end factory rifle.

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That's great - any idea which one?

I would pay for the the damage that I caused without hesitation. Perhaps the outfitter could offer insurance with the rifle rental agreement.

including how you were trained to handle rifles.

skydiver386 said:

It depends on how you were raised.

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Unless the PH happened to have a loaner rifle insurance policy from Lloyd's, the Client should pay. Now that said, there will be some booby-trapped/rigged rifles set up at the end of their long lives, for Client replacement! LOL I baby ALL of my rifles and thus even the one I had at age 11 is in perfect condition. There are a few scratches on some from young ones that didn't quite yet share the same sentiment. A stainless/synthetic rig doesn't require all that much babying as it's nearly "bulletproof." A PH once had a stainless/synth 416 RM and a well-used 375 HH. I liked the 375 so much I picked it up and completely repaired/restored it when he was in the US. Steyr-Mannlicher S/T. Slickest action ever, heavy bbl, spare rotary mag in the stock, a bit unbalanced but shot well and very pleasant to shoot due to its heft (likely why he used it as a loaner.) Is auto insurance required in Africa?? LOL I drove a PHs spare cruiser many hours from Zim to SA for service (but he knew my driving skills from back in TX and entrusted me.) If I messed it up (and it was my fault) I'd have paid for repairs! The truckers in the US began to drive like those under Biden for a time, but the problem seems to be drying up here...Hazardous!!

RIGBY said:

That's great - any idea which one?

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Mbizi Game Reserve in Zambia advertises using Rigby rifles. They are a member here.

*As touched upon above, many loaner rifles are ones past Clients had to pay balances with when they "overshot their planned quota" and didn't have funds immediately available on the departure date. That said, many I've seen are nearly beaten to death, but paid for by others and not owned by the renting Clients. In half the cases, you'll be paying the used price for replacement. I far prefer to use my own equipment (and I love the foaming-of-the-mouth bill at the time of settlement, when the PH wants ALL of your DG ammo!) They get sad when I say this isn't 416 Rigby or Rem, it's Chatfield-Taylor (and much time spent handloading it, so i keep it!) but have handed many many pounds of 375s (and batteries) over....Take good care of firearms and they'll take good care of you (and the rightful owner in this case!) As mentioned above, the gun-bearer is your friend in this case (you'll only practice with the gun and then short times closing in/shooting on game.) What if the damage is caused by charging DG that the Client shot once??

RIGBY said:

That's great - any idea which one?

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Shouldnt you be advertising this?



Ehmmm.....

This one perhaps?
Web page, and forum screen shots. @MBIZI SAFARIS

They had some interesting offers past seasons, I hope they will have in the future as well.
By interesting I mean affordable for me, thats how I remembered this detail.

mark-hunter said:

Shouldnt you be advertising this?



Ehmmm.....

This one perhaps?
Web page, and forum screen shots. @MBIZI SAFARIS

They had some interesting offers past seasons, I hope they will have in the future as well.
By interesting I mean affordable for me, thats how I remembered this detail.


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If you hunt with them, take care my friend, you mustn’t drop that Rigby on a rock, it could bankrupt your Safari!

C.W. Richter said:

*As touched upon above, many loaner rifles are ones past Clients had to pay balances with when they "overshot their planned quota" and didn't have funds immediately available on the departure date. That said, many I've seen are nearly beaten to death, but paid for by others and not owned by the renting Clients. In half the cases, you'll be paying the used price for replacement. I far prefer to use my own equipment (and I love the foaming-of-the-mouth bill at the time of settlement, when the PH wants ALL of your DG ammo!) They get sad when I say this isn't 416 Rigby or Rem, it's Chatfield-Taylor (and much time spent handloading it, so i keep it!) but have handed many many pounds of 375s (and batteries) over....Take good care of firearms and they'll take good care of you (and the rightful owner in this case!) As mentioned above, the gun-bearer is your friend in this case (you'll only practice with the gun and then short times closing in/shooting on game.) What if the damage is caused by charging DG that the Client shot once??

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That's interesting. Hard to believe in this age someone who can afford to hunt Africa couldn't find some other way to pay his bill other than give up his gun. You'd think guys like that would almost have an unlimited line of credit. Transfer needed funds from line of credit onto credit card and presto. Just don't expect the funds to go onto the card the same day.

I brought over two permanent export rifles for my lodge owner. I don't know if he discounted anything on my final bill. Don't care. He had purchased the guns from someone else and I was just the mule.

BJH65 said:

If you hunt with them, take care my friend, you mustn’t drop that Rigby on a rock, it could bankrupt your Safari!

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Dont worry, I will take my own "Rigby", then branded as ZKK in 1985. As close as I can get, unless I win Rigby reward on AHG.

I would absolutely pay for damage. I borrowed a rifle in Kansas once and I put a hell of a scratch on the stock, I felt horrible but was told not to worry about it. As soon as I got home I ordered a brand new stock and sent it to him. Return things the way you got them or own up to repair or replacing it. Had I scratched my own rifle, it would probably still be sitting in a safe with a scratch on it.

Only rifle I have seen damaged, the owner handed it to the client and the Uncle Mike's sling swivel IMMEDIATELY gave way, dropping the rifle on the bell of the scope, moving it 25 degrees! (saw this while serving as cook in an elk camp) Whose negligence was that? Both for not inspecting better? I'd say the outfitter since he implied it was right by handing it to the hunter.
Scope was only a Simmons Aetech.....

If you know for a fact that the scope will be warrantied, should you offer more than the cost to mail it in, etc.?