Big Changes Coming at RTI?

[@junkfish2007]

Thanks for the video. I am on that Reddit page. I can’t find the post you referred to. Any chance you could link it? Or a key word to search, thanks.

[@usna98]

It got buried: bit.ly/3G2lGq5

[@junkfish2007]

@@usna98 Thank you! Surprised I missed that.

[@hobofactory]

I’m glad to hear they’re looking to make improvements but I worry that it’s a bit of too little, too late. I completely echo that my biggest gripe has been grading/condition. For example, my Vetterli-Carcano was listed as very good to excellent at the time; it absolutely defies the imagination that what I got comes anywhere near that. The magazine assembly was full of rust, the stock inserts for the magazine separated from the stock, massive dings on the stock, practically no original finish left, etc, etc. It’s why I’ve also largely given up on rolling the dice for the time being.

[@usna98]

Yeah, a lot of people will never buy from RTI no matter what changes are made because of their past history and I don't blame them.

[@danm7298]

The only issue i ever had was when i ordered a gras rifle w/ best rear sight condition. They sent me a cut down gras rifle. They issued a free return and sent me a pretty nice gras rifle with a complete rear sight. But i think ive had pretty good luck and theyve even went out of their way for me tbh.

[@usna98]

Good to hear!

[@tfusilier44]

Good video overall going over some updates on RTI. Only thing I'd like to add is the in stock quantities they list on their website. One thing to consider is that number should only reflect what they have sorted, import marked, and is ready to ship. Adding a disclaimer to that would probably help clear up that confusion. But the idea of them posting they have say 1500 No 4 Enfields when only 20 are actually import marked and ready to ship can cause some nightmare shipping delays. My opinion (for what it's worth) is they should use the NRA grading system as you mentioned and only list in stock by NRA grade what is properly graded, import marked, and within their staffing capacity and shipping material on hand to box up and ship in a reasonable time. Then posting that disclaimer on every listing.

[@usna98]

Good points on the quantities. Hopefully they listen to their customers and make some significant changes.

[@jeffersonsteelflex9616]

Is the practice of wire wheeling these pieces still going on , or has RTI stopped this ?

[@usna98]

We have no way of knowing for sure, but anecdotally speaking, I've received and seen some coming through not wire wheeled. Unfortunately, they probably still have a ton across all types in stock that got wire wheeled before they "told them to stop".

[@noneed4me2n7]

Life’s put my firearm collecting on hold but I’m looking to get an M1 Garand and M1 Carbine. Thanks for the news. I probably watched your older enfield video. I scored a really nice one in the 90s after I got out the army from Big Five sporting goods when they did Milsurps. Got a proper British wooden case, replica scope, bayonet and all kinds of other goodies for it.

[@usna98]

Awesome...thanks for watching!

[@brucewillis6347]

As for me, I actually connot complain about RTI. I purchased a mas 49/56 from them and it was mailed in 3 days. I got it in 4 because the one thing that probably could have been better was choosing someone other than Fedex to deliver(one day delay because of....they didn't say. Just said it would be delayed) The rifle was listed as fair to good and I must say it was good, with just the most enjoyable aspects of a non-repair refurbishment necessary. Good tho understandably dry wood, fantastic rifling under a layer of crud, and everything was there. I say all this as an example of what RTI can be if it's deliberated and not hit or miss. Bruce

[@Pandrnchicken]

Same, everything I got from RTI has been killer! You need to expect the worst from them, seen some serious trash rod rifles ordered from RTI.

[@usna98]

Glad to hear you've had good experiences with them. As I said, I 'mostly' have had good experiences as well, but I do feel for those who've gotten burnt by them. Thanks for watching.

[@lawrencenowinski3210]

Good commentary. I have purchased a couple of rifles from RTI recently and have been satisfied with all aspects of of the transactions. I started collecting milsurp in the early 80s. Back then pretty much everything you bought was unissued in very good condition with a few exceptions. There were also several dealers to do business with. Guns were cheap. I have just gotten back into buying milsurp again after 25 years or so. I think it is safe to say that the market is drying up fast. RTI seems to be about the only game in town for the most part. I see these videos all over KZbin with folks unhappy with the guns they are getting. I really think people's expectations may be a little high. What is coming into the country is basically bottom of the barrel stuff. It will be hit or miss from here on out. I agree there should be a more standard grading system. As far as wire wheeling, that was probably done 50 plus years ago.

[@usna98]

I do agree with the high expectations part to some degree. The wire wheeling was actually done right before they shipped them from Ethiopia to RTI which is unfortunate. Thanks for watching.

[@bfgivmfith]

I have purchased four rifles so far and am pleased with all. The last was Refurbished. That worried me but was still in line with what I could hope to get. I was able to up my game on how to clean a rough bore! :) It was all still there!

[@JeepLife92]

Purchased 3 rifles from them. First was an no4 mk1* B grade and it was as described. The only issue was the extractor spring was missing which I found online. The other two buys were M91 Carcanos. One was as advertised. The seconds was a B grade sent as an A grade. The stock had a repair in the grip, trap door was dented, stock was split all the way through on the forend. Called them up and they replaced it with an new A grade. Bores were good on all 3 rifles. It is just a gamble when you can't look at the firearms in person.

[@usna98]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@wonderwulf]

Thanks for putting this vid out for those of us who can't stomach spending much time on that sub. I think you are spot on with most of your opinions you shared here. I thought the bit about needing to invent a new grading system to keep Uli happy was particularly telling. You can tell which marketing pieces and descriptions he has written. The grade titles can be as fantastic as they need to be to make him feel good about his investments as long as the descriptions reasonably match what you get. I know a lot of the bores are hosed but it takes about 2 minutes to pull a snake through and look, which they currently charge 100 bucks to do. Even better would be to gage the muzzle. I too have seen effectively 0 evidence that the wire wheeling stopped. I do think the "marketing technique" of saying that they are almost out of x or that they have no more y to sell after these understates the fact that most of the time when they say stuff like that it's just a straight up lie. Uli has no problem with dishonesty if he makes a buck off it, that is the core issue with the company. It is not his employees. Guy is almost certainly a nightmare boss. Look at how much more comfortable and personable the warehouse manager is in the vids where he isnt sitting with him vs all the vids where he is basically blinking SOS in morse code sitting next to Uli.

[@usna98]

Pretty much agree with everything you said...hopefully things will change, but we'll see. Thanks for watching.

[@milsurpmagazine9515]

I hear ya. I am taking the 49/56 out again today to see if it still keyholes, the first load I worked up for it was not pretty so I have a few different powders and a heavier bullet and see if it will stabilize. Still awaiting a No1 mk4 from Hunters lodge from an order I placed in January.

[@usna98]

Good luck with the HL purchase! That's one company I'm too nervous to buy from.

[@milsurpmagazine9515]

@@usna98 I know but for $188 for a no1 mk4 I took the gamble. It’s been since January so we’ll see what arrives.

[@navyvet7665]

As I've previously mentioned in other of your videos, my experience with RTI was 100% sewer pipes. They misrepresented everything I bought.

[@usna98]

Yeah, it's very unfortunate. Crossing my fingers they make some significant changes, but I'm not holding my breath.

[@11oldpatch]

You do wonderful work making that wood look good I have gotten lots of guns from rti only one was bad it had a squib stuck in it I have tried everything to get it out it was a be grade carcano it’s nice looking but that stuck bullet is a bummer

[@usna98]

Thanks for watching. Hope you're able to get that squib out!

[@11oldpatch]

@@usna98 not yet it is really stuck in still working on it . I have a break from work during Christmas so maybe I can spend a day on that

[@WasatchGarandMan]

Im glad something over there is going to change. I payed a premium for a rare gun from them and I still to this day feel like I got kinda hosed. Dont know what to do with it now. I bought am .30-06 FN49 and it wasnt really what I expected and my review was scrubbed like 3 days after I made it.

[@usna98]

There are definitely many other stories out there like yours...it's unfortunate. Thanks for watching.

[@zacharyschmidt7222]

I purchased a lebel from them when they first came out and I can't even shoot it because the chamber is bad

[@usna98]

@@zacharyschmidt7222 that stinks. The Lebel I got from them is a great shooter. It had a broken spring but I was able to source a replacement.

[@zacharyschmidt7222]

@@usna98 it's truly sad to invest the kinda money into the harder to find guns when you are most likely to get something unusable and sometimes impossible to fix and replace

[@marckcarbonelloifveteran410]

I don’t have complains in regards to RTI. I purchased a 1974 Gras rifle and I was pleased with the purchase. I received in 5 days. A solid rifle with good rifling on the bore, decent stock with no cracks and matching serial numbers. It had a lot of dirt and Cosmoline as expected and I only paid $199.00, $223 after taxes.

[@usna98]

Yeah, it's hard to beat those prices.

[@mkruk2]

While the thread on Reddit was optimistic and somewhat civil, I am not convinced. RTI’s business model seems to be wholly run by Uli, and while Customer Service can bring up all these good recommendations during the next staff meeting, Uli can just laugh it off and shut it down. Regardless of the shoddy business practices and misrepresentation, his offerings still sell out, so why make changes that cost time and effort when the current practices work just fine.

[@usna98]

I hate to say it, but I share in your cynicism. There's enough negativity out there, so was trying to stay hopeful with this vid.

[@Wicked505]

Hey great video I didn’t know about this Reddit post good looking out

[@usna98]

Glad I could help!

[@stuartbracken5089]

Had a generally good experience with them, until I purchased a refinished MAS 49/56 from them. I used their FFL Finder and had the weapon shipped to a local dealer. The dealer received it, and promptly sent it back, saying they didn't "receive" weapons. Called RTI and was blamed for the screwup, I ended up eventually talking with Uli, and that went nowhere. They could have new-in-box German STGs before I would ever deal with them again.

[@MrDurandal25]

I bought a RTI SMLE* last year, and it was complete and matching. B Grade unit with zero bore. Smooth as a baby's bottom, but good wood and all matching.

[@usna98]

So basically you got a great looking musket!

[@MrDurandal25]

@@usna98 lol. Should’ve been a locksmith…. With all the keyhole hunting I got with this sucker

[@aronjones7237]

Great news that they acknowledge the issues and are working to fix them.... in all honesty, I think everyone who sells surplus rifles should all go by the same grading system to keep things simple and easier for customer to understand.... a system such as the CMP's grading system. They strictly check and grade their rifles and state their grades very clear and you know exactly what your getting when you order it. If they all use the same grading system it would make life so much easier. The CMP's grading system should be the standard across the board.

[@usna98]

Agreed...thanks for watching!

[@murraykriner9425]

Ive recently purchased a much bemoaned Italian Carcano Calvary Carbine from them, and am still awaiting its arrival in the coming days. The wars in Ethiopia, once Abyssinia are rarely related, or written of, why not own a piece of their history. If its numbers matching, and has any sort of bore left, I'll be pleased. Its great that they are trying to make an effort to fix some problems.

[@usna98]

Same. Highly recommend the book "Prevail: The Inspiring Story of Ethiopia's Victory over Mussolini's Invasion" if you're into the Ethiopian history. I'd do a review on my channel, but book review vids get zero views.

[@murraykriner9425]

​@@usna98I'm very interested in the whole colonial impact on many of the African Nations. I have researched most of the surrounding countries as well, but find it necessary to learn Amharic to get much firsthand information about the region. Thank you for the suggestion. Prevail is only available from the UK right now, but I'm hoping to borrow a copy from the University locally. Please take care.

[@josephhauad8673]

Sounds good with so few surplus options today.. I remember passing over 79 dollar Mosin at shows The Good Old Days...

[@usna98]

Yeah, a time machine would be nice to stock up on all that cheap surplus.

[@karlhoffman1985]

This is exactly why I stopped buying. I bought a caracno in very good and it was covered in rust including most visible surfaces being covered in rust. I called them 4 times over 3 months and each time told to email and never got a response. Going to reach out and see if I get anywhere this time as I won't order again until this gets resolved.

[@usna98]

Hopefully they will resolve it to your satisfaction. Thanks for watching.

[@tomc6255]

I buy RTI stuff when it is a Black Friday or neat sale coming around like the recent purchases I did with the carcanos even though I was aware of what I could end up with. It is the thought of what the rifles been through/history and doing basic gunsmithing/maintenance is what got me into it. As for gunbroker and Whataboutism, you could get a quality rifle from gunbroker but could also end up being a refurb.

[@usna98]

Concur with everything you said!

[@tomc6255]

@@usna98 RTI have a lot of problems sure but there are some people who get into it for gun maintenance or surplus collection. Not that I would recommend buying a Luger for over 1k though.

[@tomc6255]

@@usna98 I am beating myself up for not buying a m1 carbine like how you got yours.

[@RUSTYSURPLUS]

USNA howdy I been real lucky from RTI out of 7 rifles from them and only one was a dud. It was a carcano Calvary carbine the bolt was really bad.. other than that its all good. Thanks for showing. Wish i would of got a couple of the M1 carbines when ULI had them for $800 on sale.

[@usna98]

Yeah, I really wish I would've got more of the M1's at that price as well. Thanks for watching.

[@timweidman9783]

i have to say that i have had good luck. no duds yet lol. got a great looking m95 for $250 that needed serious cleaning but a decent bore. 2 carcano carbines at $140 and $170 that were equally dirty with decent looking bores but for the price no complaints. and an enfield no1 mk3 for $300 with a worn bore and wrong magazine again needing lots of cleaning but good overall. all that being sid i have yet to fire any of them yet necause it took awhile to find someone to reload the hard to find ammo. we'll see if they go bang soon. moral of the story is if you watch for the sales that roll of the dice wont hurt as much if its a dud.

[@usna98]

Yeah, I don't buy anything anymore from them unless it's on sale for just that reason.

[@64KarmannGhia]

Unfortunately nothing has changed. So far I have received nothing worth what I paid. I did purchase a B grade Lebel and don’t get me wrong I am very happy to have it because it’s such a cool and rare firearm but it is not B grade. It is certainly a C grade hands down. My C grade Hakim was my best purchase through them and what I received was a B grade compared to the Lebel. I do get quite annoyed with the emails like mentioned in these specifically because they are false advertisements. Constantly saying they are having sales when NONE of them but a handful are actually on sale. It makes the people that don’t watch the website/are uninformed impulse buy when the deal is not even good. They also will list stuff as if it’s on sale for example the San Cristobal .30 ammo for $15 a box of 50 (which has remained this price forever) but they have it listed as $30 which is crossed out as if it’s on sale for $15 and it’s not on sale. It’s also known that this ammo is very dangerous so again people will impulse by that don’t know this because it seems like very good price. I’m not saying that I won’t buy from RTI ever again but I do not like them as a company

[@usna98]

Agreed that nothing much has changed. I haven't bought anything from them in a while now. Check out @hobofactory's channel for a good mythbusting video on the San Cristobal ammo. Thanks for watching!

[@danheimmermann3497]

Honest assessment. Thanks!

[@usna98]

Thanks for watching!

[@tommystone4563]

I've ordered 4 rifles for RTI and they're beautiful and great shooting guns...

[@usna98]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching.

[@Antonio-j1g]

lucky you

[@bfgivmfith]

As far as implied scarcity goes? They send me e-mails daily. One day, this is our last one, then a week later there is the next batch. :) It is like buying sea horses off the back page of a comic book. It could happen! LOL! What are looking for, and how much are you willing to pay? Either way you get a part of history. I enjoy restoring guns, so I roll the dice a little harder than others. :)

[@bfgivmfith]

I would like to buy one of their $1800 guns but would be pissed if it was not pristine! Have not gotten there yet.

[@larryschmidt3594]

Seems the owner is just flat out dishonest. This is especially apparent when they refuse to use a standard grading system, all of their guns would move down at least one grade. I have bought from them and this has always been my experience.

[@usna98]

Despite all the talk, I haven't seen much in the way of changes except for more individual listings.

[@awm723]

I purchased a dozen rifles from RTI. My M1 carbine and Beaumont Rifle were the best purchases. The Italian Carcano’s are still good buys. Most there stuff is over priced

[@usna98]

I've thought about getting a Beaumont...glad to hear you got a good one!

[@robertjones2811]

I’m out of the market for any military surplus firearm over $200. Prices are not sustainable long term. Too many investors thinking the price will continue to increase. It’s just one giant bubble. It might take 10 or 20 years but it’s a terrible investment long term. Not that guns are ever a good investment to begin with.

[@awm723]

@@robertjones2811 well, year over year they keep going up. With boomers starting to die off there may be more inventory hitting the market and we will see some prices come down. I’m in my thirty’s, so I figure I got 40-50 years before I sell them or pass them on to kids. Either way I can live with that.

[@marckcarbonelloifveteran410]

They just need to lower the prices a bit on some models.

[@usna98]

They've ruined the market for pricing on many models by pricing them so low already, but I agree, some could be lowered.

[@carydagnese5484]

RTI making their own grading system? Ha ha ha ha!!!! 🍋🍋🍋

[@usna98]

Right? It is laughable.

[@thegreatchickenoverlord5976]

I do feel like a few things get missed often. On the one hand, yes they're selling crap. On the other hand, theyre 80 year old guns coming from Africa of all places. Not really sure what else people are really expecting here. Yes they may be no so great, but youre not paying that much either, esp compared to milsurp prices right now. Like does paying 500 for a shot out mauser suck? Yes, but sporters are going for 400 consistently, and originals are going for nearly twice that, so really you need to just pick your poison. I dont think theyre terrible, but i definitely wouldnt pay more than 400 for anything they have

[@usna98]

Agree with everything you said. There's no cheaper place to get some of the stuff they're selling now. If you're willing to put some work into it and you get lucky, it's a good deal.

[@MrDurandal25]

They do not have customer service at all. They will not reply to e-mails and hardly the phone. It's a total crap shoot as to what you'll get.

[@usna98]

It is definitely a crap shoot. Hopefully their new CS person can turn it around. Thanks for watching.

[@MrDurandal25]

@@usna98 no chance. This is an in and out shop. Most of these guns are wall art. They need to sell them as such. Their B grade stuff is terrible, and possibly dangerous

[@navyvet7665]

Implied scarcity =lying.

[@usna98]

Yes!