Thunder Mountain Tactical
Hey everyone, i'm new to the forum but i've been lurking here and also on ar15.com
I recently had a situation with a company called Thunder Mountain Tactical out of Flourissant, CO (near Colo Spgs).
What happened was, I bought from them a "LMT" upper receiver, that was marked by a tag on the barrel. It was labeled "LMT 14.5in 1/9 twist". Now, being new to the ar scene, I thought LMT was a great brand and it was deal for only $400+/- or something like that.
Well, when i got home, i started putting my rifle together. First weird thing I noticed was that my bolt didn't fit inside, just about 1/8in too long. Turned out, the gas tube wasnt properly installed so the gas key was stopping early in the receiver.
Anyway, didnt think much of it.
Part 2, my KAK issue rails didnt fit either...after some grinding and modifying, they eventually fit in the d-ring.
Part 3, here's the kicker, after i get it all together, i show it to a friend of mine and he says, "Dude, this isnt an LMT. Its not laser engraved, and LMT doesnt make a 1/9 twist barrel"
So i email Thunder Mountain Tactical and confirm that they sell LMT uppers. Of course, I'm reassured that all they sell are LMT.
I also emailed LMT, and they confirm that it IS_NOT an LMT product.
Here are the emails from both companys:
2 From LMT:
If it doesn’t have LMT laser engraved on the left side of the receiver, it isn’t an lmt. We also DO NOT make 1/9 twist barrels. We make stuff for other companies, but we use their prints and material requirements. Therefore it is not an LMT product.
Gene Swanson
Technical Specialist
Lewis Machine & Tool Co.
1305 West 11th Street
Milan, IL 61264
Dear Paul,
Thanks much for the note. Normally I would be in touch with the dealer that sold you the product, but we do not have anyone in our system under the name of Thunder Mountain Tactical. On top of that, we don’t produce and sell 1:9” twist Lewis Machine product. We sell that 1:7”. That’s one of the reasons why the product would not have had the LMT markings on it.
From Thunder Mountain Tactical: (after questioning them on the issue I had with the delta ring)
Hi Paul,
Our uppers are LMT (Lewis Machine & Tool) Milspec. All delta rings are a
standard size, some rails fit tight but there is no difference in rails
between milspec and civilian rails. Some of the cheaper rails systems may
need modifications or the use of a handguard AR wrench. Please give us a
call if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Jason
Great, right?
After all that, I call Thunder Mountain Tactical and ask them for a return. Reminder, I have not shot this yet, just put it together. They flat out tell me, "No, nothing is wrong with it, if its not broken we won't take it back. You paid for it, you have to keep it"
Also, I am still, to this day, inside their 30 day return policy posted on their website. Even after mentioning their policy, they wont take it back.
WTF?
So after arguing with them about how its not a LMT product, (they eventually tell me its M&A, but because its manufactured by LMT, they still consider it to be LMT), they still refuse to take the return.
The thing is, if I put a Honda badge on my Acura, and even though they're made in the same plant, doesn't make the Acura a Honda.
*Also, they did not show up at last weeks gun show.
I had to file a claim with Wells Fargo/Visa who actually refunded my money and now I'm playing the waiting game to see if Wells Fargo/Visa can collect from TMT.
!!Buyer Beware!!
I'd watch out for this company and not buy from them.
Poor customer service and they sell fraudulent upper receivers.
Also, I know, next time do my research.
