FCI barrels

[P.Bigham]

Anyone have success getting a Charlie Burton barrel ?   Sent a deposit  1-24-23.  Emails unanswered.  2 calls ,send deposit back or time line on barrel.  Nothing

[Spalding]

Got a year on ya. Put a deposit down on 1-27-22. Nothing since.
At this point either it shows up or I’ll consider it a loss.
Actually have kind of forgot about it.
Bob

[Sidelock]

Sent you PM.

[P.Bigham]

Buyer be aware.

[wattlebuster]

I have several barrels by FCI/Charles Burton. Very good barrels. The first couple were right on time or just a tad late the the estimated time of arrival. The last one I paid the deposit an waited till way past time of completion then like Paul and Spalding sent emails an made call after call with no response or answer. I probably called very close to a hundred times as the time dragged on. I then finally had someone else call from a different state/area code an bingo the call was answered so I knew for sure I was being avoided. I did after that get my barrel an it like the others was top notch but left a very bad taste. There will be no more FCI barrel orders from me. I wish you guys luck getting your barrels or at least your deposits back

[elk killer]

same exact experience as wattlebuster...

[Gaeckle]

Buyer be aware.

This is true

[Eric Kettenburg]

Hmmm.  I had him make a couple of custom barrels for me maybe 3-4 years ago and they were delivered pretty quickly, as well as quick email correspondence.  Great barrels too. 

Maybe he hired Jon Getz? 

[Stoner creek]

Charlie has been fighting rotator cuff problems for some time now. He had surgery on his shoulder 2 days ago.
 

[mountainman]

What's the FCI stand for?

[CooleyS]

Charles has never asked for a deposit when I order barrels and I think that is his standard policy. He’ll email me when he’s ready to start the barrel and then I’ll send him the money. I ordered a trade gun barrel in 2020 and was given an estimate of 6 months…and received it in 8 months, not too bad! This last barrel I ordered in January of 2023 and was given an estimate of 8 months. I sent him a custom hooked breech and was nervous when I couldn’t get a hold of him, but finally received a beautiful custom profiled barrel lithos month…a little over 2 years wait. He is a super nice guy and does first rate work at a reasonable price. He must be going through some issues now and I hope he can get back on track.
-Steve

[smylee grouch]

I had used Jim Goodies barrels many times and when I was looking of a 66 cal I called Jim. He referred me to Charlie . That was a good enough endorsement for me. I got my barrel from Charlie on time and exactly as ordered. Good to deal with and quality work. He never asked for money up front. Only when he started the work.

[alacran]

I have never used one of his barrels. I met him a couple of times at the Interstate Match in Ky.  a nice fellow. I was considering buying a barrel from him.
I got his price list, and it seemed reasonable enough. However, I so no reason for buying a barrel from anyone who required money upfront with a long waiting time. Afterall he could die in the interim. Worse yet, so could I.

[Eric Krewson]

I ordered a pistol barrel from him, after I ordered I found out he had some serious health (covid I think) and equipment problems. I saw him at longrifle show a year and a half later, he could barely walk, his back problems were that bad. I had since found another barrel so I canceled my order while I was there much to his relief. Like has been said, a super nice guy, he just has some issues to face at the present.

[recurve]

If you want a custom barrel you must wait ,they are made to order. 
Barrel making requires massive investment in machinery and Knowlege(that money can't buy, must be earned by doing) and most of our barrel makers are ageing out.
thank goodness we have other companies (Rice, Colerain green mtn)
but if you want that truly custom barrel you need a master gun barrel maker and wait till your turn comes and he is able