Rizzini Rhino Express 470NE Cracked Wood

[bohannon]

I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

 

[coreydb]

Don't fire the rifle until the wood is replaced or repaired be a 'smith! Hound the dealer to death if necessary; if still nothing, contact the rifle manufacturer direct.

 

[yhc]

Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.

 

[bohannon]

Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.

Ordered from battlehawk armory. Don't think they'll be much help, so I'll keep contacting Rizzini USA directly.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Contact Fierce Firearms. They have the import and distribution license for Rizzini

 

[bohannon]

Contact Fierce Firearms. They have the import and distribution license for Rizzini

Good to know, I'll pursue that route as well

 

[Woodcarver]

I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

View attachment 660761View attachment 660762

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

 

[Red Leg]

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.

 

[Challer]

The Rizzini US dealer is worthless. Rizzini needs to switch

 

[bohannon]

Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!

Excellent advice if Rizzini won't fix it. Thank you.

 

[Woodcarver]

Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.

Thanks. Should have mentioned that. Epoxy dyes come in virtually any color needed. Key in their use is, it only takes a tiny amount of dye. Do a test run for color check first.

 

[Bandera]

Another option is to find a local woodworker. We have a local guy that remade a stock for a SKB shotgun that my wife shoots.

 

[Spearhead]

@bohannon, just break it off and tell everyone it happened as you scurried up a tree due to buffalo charge. If you have any scars you can use them as proof to sell the story as well

Like the other guys have said, dyed epoxy. It would fill in the crack/separation, and the thin fiberglass or maybe get some carbon fiber shreds and reinforce the inside and you are good to go.
Lets us know how you solve it.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Contact the Fierce Firearms CEO, he had practically an info-mmercial on a Elephant hunt on youtube for Rizzini! I laughed as he was talking about how great the company is? See if He puts up or shuts up? My prediction will be absolute crickets from either or simply both companies pointing at the other for the fix, lots of emails and no action!
For your sake I hope I to be very wrong and it gets fixed ASAP. I am very jaded from dealing with Sabatti on a new 500 NE. Worst company ever!!! Hope its not pervasive with Italian companies, although the importer/distributer part is familiar? Keep us posted.