Montana Rifle Company DGR 505 Gibbs review

[Velo Dog]

so I finally picked up my Montana Rifle Co. DGR chambered in 505 Gibbs today before work. I was pleased to see they shipped the rifle in a Plano hard case which protected the rifle well in its travels.

at first glance the rifle is very modest but not bad looking with a plain walnut stock and very dark black matte finish on the metal. the inletting is of decent quality and while not perfect, doesn't look bad. the action on the rifle is bedded and has two 19mm rails which use CZ 550 front ring mounts. the rifle has a 13 3/4" LOP with a 3/4" Pachmyr decelerator. the gun weighs roughly 10.5 pounds unloaded and is rather muzzle heavy. I suspect the barrel is thicker at the muzzle then it actually needs to be but the extra weight will help with recoil.

unfortunately when it came time to inspect deeper into the rifle I began to find problems. the first thing I noticed is if you are not gentle when operating the action it will bind up where the "striker guide" meets its channel. if that wasn't bad enough, the rear sight fell out while I was trying to figure out the stuck action. so ignoring the rear sight and the binding action, I proceeded to load 3 cartridges and cycle them threw the rifle a number of times. the rifle seems to have no issue feeding the rounds into battery (Woodleigh 525gr RNSP) and ejection is very positive. however the magazine doesn't like to hold on to the second cartridge. if operated with any real force (opened in a hurry) it will launch my second cartridge out of the gun leaving me with only one remaining cartridge.

so in short, the rifle will be going back to the factory for some work. hopefully they will be able to hammer out the problems and send me a fully functional rifle in time for my buffalo hunt!

thanks for reading
-Matt

Matt85,

I recall that you read some or all of my "power-whine" in other threads and posts, regarding my brand new / non-functional CZ in .500 Jeffery.

So, I am reminding you of same in hopes that you won't feel all alone in having paid good money for a brand new loaf of bread, that was handed to you - still wet in the middle.

A local Gunsmith has repaired the wreck that CZ's so called Custom Shop slammed together (while they were drunk and blind folded?) and unashamedly sold to me for well over $3,000 + some odd hundred dollars, then wanted me to send the rifle AND some ammunition to them for examination/evaluation.

I figured even if I could afford the Haz-Mat fee to send live ammo through Canadian air space with UPS or similar carrier (this is no joke), it gave me the willies to think of anyone calling themselves a "Custom Gunshop" for the purpose of building rifles in a given caliber, yet not having any cartridges for same with which to prove their rifles prior to selling them.

Damn if I will let people who think like that get their hooks on it again so, the local 'Smith fixed it for me and it seems to feed fine now

Point being; I am confident that you will wind up very happy with your bazooka mas grande when it is finally up and running.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[colorado]

A picture of my son's LH M70 in 416. At his request, (it was his present for completing 4 years in the 3rd Ranger Battalion), I had Kevin Weaver (my local gunsmith) cut the barrel to 22" from 24", install new NECG sights on it, a mercury recoil reducer (which improved the balance), a Decelerator recoil pad and CeraKote it even though the gun was stainless. So far he's gotten a 400 lb feral hog, a cow elk and a black bear with it. Elephant is on his list though (mine too!) It's got a Leupold 1.5-5x scope on it with Talley QR rings (also CeraKoted) now, but this picture is pre-scope.

 

[Royal27]

A picture of my son's LH M70 in 416. At his request, (it was his present for completing 4 years in the 3rd Ranger Battalion), I had Kevin Weaver (my local gunsmith) cut the barrel to 22" from 24", install new NECG sights on it, a mercury recoil reducer (which improved the balance), a Decelerator recoil pad and CeraKote it even though the gun was stainless. So far he's gotten a 400 lb feral hog, a cow elk and a black bear with it. Elephant is on his list though (mine too!) It's got a Leupold 1.5-5x scope on it with Talley QR rings (also CeraKoted) now, but this picture is pre-scope.

I just love seeing any rifle with the bolt on the "right" side.

I actually cerakoted my CZ as well and really like it. Both the way it looks and the function. I didn't mind one bit carrying that rifle by the barrel with a sweaty hand.

At any rate, that's a fine rifle!

 

[colorado]

Thanks! My son loves it.

 

[Roseman]

Matt is correct, the DGR is a production rifle. I was about to order a left hand .35 Whelen for a hunt 8 months away. The customer service person would not commit to that time frame so I opted out.
It was the AVR, not the DGR.

 

[Bullthrower338]

A picture of my son's LH M70 in 416. At his request, (it was his present for completing 4 years in the 3rd Ranger Battalion), I had Kevin Weaver (my local gunsmith) cut the barrel to 22" from 24", install new NECG sights on it, a mercury recoil reducer (which improved the balance), a Decelerator recoil pad and CeraKote it even though the gun was stainless. So far he's gotten a 400 lb feral hog, a cow elk and a black bear with it. Elephant is on his list though (mine too!) It's got a Leupold 1.5-5x scope on it with Talley QR rings (also CeraKoted) now, but this picture is pre-scope.

Hooah Ranger!

 

[massad]

Matt85,

I recall that you read some or all of my "power-whine" in other threads and posts, regarding my brand new / non-functional CZ in .500 Jeffery.

So, I am reminding you of same in hopes that you won't feel all alone in having paid good money for a brand new loaf of bread, that was handed to you - still wet in the middle.

A local Gunsmith has repaired the wreck that CZ's so called Custom Shop slammed together (while they were drunk and blind folded?) and unashamedly sold to me for well over $3,000 + some odd hundred dollars, then wanted me to send the rifle AND some ammunition to them for examination/evaluation.

I figured even if I could afford the Haz-Mat fee to send live ammo through Canadian air space with UPS or similar carrier (this is no joke), it gave me the willies to think of anyone calling themselves a "Custom Gunshop" for the purpose of building rifles in a given caliber, yet not having any cartridges for same with which to prove their rifles prior to selling them.

Damn if I will let people who think like that get their hooks on it again so, the local 'Smith fixed it for me and it seems to feed fine now

Point being; I am confident that you will wind up very happy with your bazooka mas grande when it is finally up and running.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[massad]

I have my MRC .505 Gibbs for 5 months now. First the Bad news: The rifle suffered a cracked stock after 3 rounds which I couldn't believe..Now the good news. I contacted the company and they IMMEDIATELY sent me a shipping slip and postage. 3 weeks later I had a replacement which has been through around 75 rounds since then without ANY problems - feeds well, accurate, holding up nicely. The customer service couldn't have been better. The Price was WAY under $2000.00 but feels better than most CZ's IMO. The rifle in question is the guest of honor in the latest GUNDIGEST article by Philip Massaro, you can see and read about it there. I for one am happy to own it. It is the easiest way to break into a big bore stopping rifle.
Massad

 

[massad]

I have my MRC .505 Gibbs for 5 months now. First the Bad news: The rifle suffered a cracked stock after 3 rounds which I couldn't believe..Now the good news. I contacted the company and they IMMEDIATELY sent me a shipping slip and postage. 3 weeks later I had a replacement which has been through around 75 rounds since then without ANY problems - feeds well, accurate, holding up nicely. The customer service couldn't have been better. The Price was WAY under $2000.00 but feels better than most CZ's IMO. The rifle in question is the guest of honor in the latest GUNDIGEST article by Philip Massaro, you can see and read about it there. I for one am happy to own it. It is the easiest way to break into a big bore stopping rifle.
Massad

 

[matt85]

glad to hear you like your rifle massad. you said the price was way under $2000? where did you buy it? i paid $2225.00 for mine after tax.

as far as the stock breaking... being as ive already sent the gun back once i would be absolutely furious if i have to send it back a second time. most likely i would demand my money back.

-matt

 

[massad]

Matt,
Received mine via a a gentleman with an FFL in Fayetteville, NY. I wish you good luck with yours, let us know how it turns out.
Massad

 

[matt85]

oh I see, that makes since. you probably paid the dealer price for the rifle (lucky).

-matt

 

[massad]

oh I see, that makes since. you probably paid the dealer price for the rifle (lucky).

-matt

 

[massad]

Matt, I got really lucky, have to say, was counting my luck till the stock broke, but they were right on it with a replaced rifle. been really good so far, fingers crossed!
-Massad

 

[colorado]

They look like really nice rifles. I wish the both of you best of luck with your rifles.

 

[massad]

They look like really nice rifles. I wish the both of you best of luck with your rifles.

Thank you Sir

 

[Royal27]

Matt, I got really lucky, have to say, was counting my luck till the stock broke, but they were right on it with a replaced rifle. been really good so far, fingers crossed!
-Massad

I know that stocks break, but this is the second time I've heard of an MRC breaking within a few shots. @Johnny reb had the same thing happen with a Lott.

I wonder if it is a manufacturing issue, or just coincidence?

 

[matt85]

heard back from MRC via email saying theyve recieved my rifle and will begin repairs immediately. they estimated the rifle would be repaired and shipped out by next monday.

if nothing else i can say Montana Rifle Company has excellent customer service!

-matt

 

[James.Grage]

Montana Rifle has the wood stocks built by Boydt stocks. There fore if you ever need a replacement or want to change your stock for something different they make some very good laminated ones or up grade walnut stocks, that you just drop in. May want to do some fiber-glassing of different spots.

 

[Royal27]

heard back from MRC via email saying theyve recieved my rifle and will begin repairs immediately. they estimated the rifle would be repaired and shipped out by next monday.

if nothing else i can say Montana Rifle Company has excellent customer service!

-matt

That's great Matt! Hopefully this will get you set. You deserve a break!