Blaser R8 issue and Blaser Customer Service

[meigsbucks]

When I first saw the title, I thought: “Oh S**T! This was both for @Backyardsniper and having personally, recently acquired an R8. Glad to hear that everything worked out and Blaser quickly rectified the issue.

 

[Inline6]

It was the bolt housing that caused the issue. The bolt head had to be swapped over into the new housing. When I was speaking with Justin about this, I was surprised he was having the problem. I've owned 6 different R8s and have never had a single issue. But, on my next safari, I will definitely be bringing along an extra bolt housing and bolt head just for peace of mind. Only weighs a pound, and takes up very little space, so why not? It's almost as good as bringing another complete rifle, in my mind. The vast majority of the small moving parts are in the bolt housing and bolt head, so not much to go wrong with the rest of the rifle.

Good catch, now that you said it and I reread it...I understand it. That was my first thought, did not see anything else that would cause that issue. Agree and will do the same, cheap insurance on a trip for sure.

Looking for the next good deal on a R8 stock, just because why have an R8 barrel with scope just sitting in the safe, hahaha

 

[TOBY458]

Good catch, now that you said it and I reread it...I understand it. That was my first thought, did not see anything else that would cause that issue. Agree and will do the same, cheap insurance on a trip for sure.

Looking for the next good deal on a R8 stock, just because why have an R8 barrel with scope just sitting in the safe, hahaha

Check out Blaser Buds website. Stocks usually pop up pretty regularly there

 

[BeeMaa]

Looking for the next good deal on a R8 stock, just because why have an R8 barrel with scope just sitting in the safe, hahaha

@mdwest - If you are looking at a Blaser R8, beware of the above.

It was my plan to have one stock and several barrels and that's how it started. I now have 2 stocks (for 3 barrels) and I'm always looking for another one. Although I will admit that the stock fit is identical between them. A nice wood one for Africa would be nice.

Apologies for the diversion.

 

[Flewis]

I was very much concerned when I called them that-that was exactly the problem. I was thinking these guns are supposed never have issues like that and I was afraid it was some form of operator error, but I couldn't figure out for the life of me what I could be doing wrong. Turns out it was indeed that bolt. I really like the modular style of this rifle. Like an AR 15 you can pretty much swap parts at will.

Glad it’s all good. Frank

 

[Inline6]

@mdwest - If you are looking at a Blaser R8, beware of the above.

It was my plan to have one stock and several barrels and that's how it started. I now have 2 stocks (for 3 barrels) and I'm always looking for another one. Although I will admit that the stock fit is identical between them. A nice wood one for Africa would be nice.

Apologies for the diversion.

Yes sir, I have 2 stocks and 2 barrels with a 3rd barrel on order.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

In all of my reading, mostly limited to this website, this is the first real issue I have heard of with an R8. I feel that is pretty good, considering the way people like to trash blasers.
The system has me interested, but I’m not joining the cult yet.

 

[Daggaboy375]

It's a curse.
2 stocks, 4 barrels, 3 saddle mounts.

Arggghhhhh

 

[Dinsdale]

It was the bolt housing that caused the issue. The bolt head had to be swapped over into the new housing. When I was speaking with Justin about this, I was surprised he was having the problem. I've owned 6 different R8s and have never had a single issue. But, on my next safari, I will definitely be bringing along an extra bolt housing and bolt head just for peace of mind. Only weighs a pound, and takes up very little space, so why not? It's almost as good as bringing another complete rifle, in my mind. The vast majority of the small moving parts are in the bolt housing and bolt head, so not much to go wrong with the rest of the rifle.

Always pack a complete bolt and head since I have them. Like you said its got the fiddly bits.

It's a curse.
2 stocks, 4 barrels, 3 saddle mounts.

Arggghhhhh

LOL, amateur. I been messing with Blaser for near 25 years (R 93)

3 different stocks, 5 bolts including a lefty just because, all the bolt heads including ultramag and a couple duplicates,kickstop, 2 rail mounts, aimpoint h1 mount; another half a dozen saddle mounts 1 fixed; 10 current barrels including a shotgun,with another half dozen owned/sold/traded.

Kinda grows on you before you know it.

 

[meigsbucks]

A Blaser is gun “Crack”: I just purchased the rifle in late November and already have two additional barrels and three saddle mounts.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I got lucky on here right after I purchased the rifle a saddle mount in 30mm low, which is exactly what I needed, and a QD mount with a Leica tempus popped up for sale. For a while I had the rifle and two mounts with no barrel.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

It's a curse.
2 stocks, 4 barrels, 3 saddle mounts.

Arggghhhhh

3 stocks and 5 barrels…you all are a bunch of filthy enablers

HH

 

[R eight]

When I take my R8 overseas I always pack an additional bolt carrier complete with bolt head. A complete trigger/magazine unit with magazine insert. And there is always the scope and an Aimpoint micro, both in Blaser QD mounts. Plus the iron sights.
Over kill? Yeah probably….but why not?

 

[Tra3]

3 stocks and 5 barrels…you all are a bunch of filthy enablers

HH

Kids that hunt get expensive. 3 stocks, 7 barrels, 7 scope mounts with scopes… and I don’t use my other rifles anymore.
Id like to get a left handed bolt just in case. I like the idea of bringing spare parts for redundancy.

 

[Longfin]

I found the service to be shocking here in SA.I purchased the .22 conversion kit,it shoots extremely well and regularly shoot matches with it.The firing pin broke 6 weeks ago and been trying to get a replacement.Blaser SA does not keep spares.Contacted Blaser Germany,no response.Contacted Blaser SA and after several follow up calls managed to get through to their service manager who told me that the next shipment is only mid May and that they would have to replace the entire bolt assembly.I sent them an email last week as I was not confident due to the lack of communication from them.No response.I sent another email today to confirm that it is on the next shipment to which they responded that they need to check availability.They never checked in 6 weeks.They now claim that I was informed telephonically that it would only be in a later shipment if there was no stock available(which they still haven’t checked….) This now puts it past the export permit requirement for the next shipment.I love my Blasers but make sure you have spare parts in Africa!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

I found the service to be shocking here in SA.I purchased the .22 conversion kit,it shoots extremely well and regularly shoot matches with it.The firing pin broke 6 weeks ago and been trying to get a replacement.Blaser SA does not keep spares.Contacted Blaser Germany,no response.Contacted Blaser SA and after several follow up calls managed to get through to their service manager who told me that the next shipment is only mid May and that they would have to replace the entire bolt assembly.I sent them an email last week as I was not confident due to the lack of communication from them.No response.I sent another email today to confirm that it is on the next shipment to which they responded that they need to check availability.They never checked in 6 weeks.They now claim that I was informed telephonically that it would only be in a later shipment if there was no stock available(which they still haven’t checked….) This now puts it past the export permit requirement for the next shipment.I love my Blasers but make sure you have spare parts in Africa!

where did u buy your gun? first place to stop. look up LA arms in pretoria, Leon is licensed gunsmith to work on blasers, sure he could help you. also i have great service from arms for africa in polokwane on blaser related stuff
this is why is hate big chains(safari outdoor etc) and prefer to support the mom and pop stores

send me a whatsapp i can point you in their direction

 

[Longfin]

where did u buy your gun? first place to stop. look up LA arms in pretoria, Leon is licensed gunsmith to work on blasers, sure he could help you. also i have great service from arms for africa in polokwane on blaser related stuff
this is why is hate big chains(safari outdoor etc) and prefer to support the mom and pop stores

send me a whatsapp i can point you in their direction

Thank you Stuart,.I will contact Leon to see if he can repair it.I sent Blaser SA an email complaining about the service,no response..