Lithgow Recall Progress

[Mike Echo]

Hi all,

So - some time back Lithgow recalled their .223s, and said they expected it to take "two weeks" to turn it around.

It has now been a month and a half and I've heard nothing. A few people on Lithgow's facebook page are getting a little annoyed. The "2 week" timeframe has since disappeared from Lithgow's website.

Has anyone had their rifle returned yet? You'd think out of every cartridge, they'd get .223 right...

[MontyShooter]

I returned mine around 30 June.
It sat in the gun store until 20 July when Lithgow delivered shipping boxes.
Lithgow sent me an email on 23 July saying they received it and would be in touch in approximately 15 working days.
It's something like 18 working days now.

[Mike Echo]

Has anyone gotten their .223 back, or at least heard from Lithgow?

[Sergeant Hartman]

Mate lithgow have been updating their facebook page regularly. Last they said that their had assessed half of the rifles recieved and they were in the process of studying the barrel repair on them

[Mike Echo]

In other words it sounds like they haven't sent a single one back. People on that Facebook page are saying guns have sat at shops for weeks because Lithgow insisted their special boxes be used, which Lithgow didn't send.

I spent a fair bit of $$ on this because I wanted to support an Aussie company. If they had said "our mistake, it will take a month or two to fix" that is one thing but the misleading timeframe really annoys me.

Under Australian consumer law customers are entitled to a refund if a product has a major defect that can't be fixed in a reasonable time. If this drags on for too much longer Lithgow may need to be reminded of that.

[JimTom]

I too have paid for a Lithgow, not a .223 but no doubt the recall of the aforementioned has delayed the delivery of new orders.
Was told end of May for delivery, have sent numerous emails with no response. No doubt they are overwhelmed with the correspondence they’ve received.
Going mute and restricting information is not good in my eyes. Would prefer to be given a realistic timeline.

[JimTom]

I too have paid for a Lithgow, not a .223 but no doubt the recall of the aforementioned has delayed the delivery of new orders.
Was told end of May for delivery, have sent numerous emails with no response. No doubt they are overwhelmed with the correspondence they’ve received.
Going mute and restricting information is not good in my eyes. Would prefer to be given a realistic timeline.

[Sergeant Hartman]

Compared to a certain american rifle company who blamed deaths to users error instead of accepting their design was faulty. Lithgow did a lot better better thing.

When I heard the two week timeframe ws thought it was unrealistic. But they have been updating their facebook page... if you are on facebook then like their page so you can get the updates.

Disclaimer. I don't own a lithgow, was considering a 105 but due to the recall I decided I couldn't wait and got another brand gun. But I really like to buy a lithgow

[JimTom]

No Facebook for me. This forum is as close to social media as I get.
I agree with what you’re saying regarding Lithgow putting up their hand and admitting fault. That is why I still decided to buy another one even once the fault was discovered.
Hats off to them for that. Perhaps I am being a little to critical, and haven’t done my due diligence re the Facebook page.

[Pythonkeeper]

My mate just received an email this afternoon from Lithgow informing him the barrel replacement on his 223 has commenced and they will let him know when it’s on it’s way back.

[No1_49er]

In other words it sounds like they haven't sent a single one back. People on that Facebook page are saying guns have sat at shops for weeks because Lithgow insisted their special boxes be used, which Lithgow didn't send.

I spent a fair bit of $$ on this because I wanted to support an Aussie company. If they had said "our mistake, it will take a month or two to fix" that is one thing but the misleading timeframe really annoys me.

Under Australian consumer law customers are entitled to a refund if a product has a major defect that can't be fixed in a reasonable time. If this drags on for too much longer Lithgow may need to be reminded of that.

You're almost right there.
It might seem a bit harsh but the consumer law holds that the vendor is responsible for the warranty. If there is an issue that warrants further action, it is up to the vendor to take that up with their provider, whether that be a manufacturer or some intermediary.

[Member-Deleted]

I don't know what the problem with the Lithgow is but with metal and the craftmanship and engineering as it is today
most mistakes and faults should not happen ( even though it's not a perfect world ) it's just oversight on their part or trying to computerise
machinery too much especially with firearms
They should put more effort and thought into new models before going into production even then some faults take awhile to show their heads
Each time they have a call back or fault it costs bulk money this is why the company tries to distance themselves from it so as to avoid the costs
but as someone on here said the company put their hand up and owned the fault so you have to take your hat off to them
Lets hope they are true to their word and every one gets what they want If not then nobody buy their guns let them know people won't tolerate
the garbage they're trying to pull they'll get the message or go broke Remington learnt the hard way with the faulty trigger in the 700 although they still say it
wasn't the trigger ( who knows )

[tom604]

My mate just received an email this afternoon from Lithgow informing him the barrel replacement on his 223 has commenced and they will let him know when it’s on it’s way back.

how long did they have it ??

[Pythonkeeper]

My mate just received an email this afternoon from Lithgow informing him the barrel replacement on his 223 has commenced and they will let him know when it’s on it’s way back.

how long did they have it ??

Couldn’t tell you the exact date but it was few days either side of the end of June/beginning of July.

[JimTom]

Well at least they are getting some back. That is a good start.

[Mike Echo]

I had a similar email a few weeks back then heard nothing. Unfortunately "starting the process" doesn't mean they've actually done it.

Since the recall now includes .243s I think they have a lot more fires to put out than they expected.

[MontyShooter]

My mate just received an email this afternoon from Lithgow informing him the barrel replacement on his 223 has commenced and they will let him know when it’s on it’s way back.

I got that email on 8 August.
No update since.

[black fox]

Well one would not think money would be a problem to the factory, as australian defence industries were bought out by the french company thales in 2006. The french government owns a large chunk of thales which is the 10th largest defence contractor in the world , and has busineses in 56 countries with 61,000 employees. Some of which work at lithgow. Those rifles are made here , but .

[Chronos]

I don't know what the problem with the Lithgow is but with metal and the craftmanship and engineering as it is today
most mistakes and faults should not happen ( even though it's not a perfect world ) it's just oversight on their part or trying to computerise
machinery too much especially with firearms
They should put more effort and thought into new models before going into production even then some faults take awhile to show their heads
Each time they have a call back or fault it costs bulk money this is why the company tries to distance themselves from it so as to avoid the costs
but as someone on here said the company put their hand up and owned the fault so you have to take your hat off to them
Lets hope they are true to their word and every one gets what they want If not then nobody buy their guns let them know people won't tolerate
the garbage they're trying to pull they'll get the message or go broke Remington learnt the hard way with the faulty trigger in the 700 although they still say it
wasn't the trigger ( who knows )

It’s a materials issue, materials may we’ll have come from a China under the wrong spec or with the wrong labels. There’s almost nothing that can be done and it’s why manufacturers go to the expense of the Quality Assurance programs that make that kind of manufacturing too expensive to undertake in Australia.

Chronos

[Chronos]

In other words it sounds like they haven't sent a single one back. People on that Facebook page are saying guns have sat at shops for weeks because Lithgow insisted their special boxes be used, which Lithgow didn't send.

I spent a fair bit of $$ on this because I wanted to support an Aussie company. If they had said "our mistake, it will take a month or two to fix" that is one thing but the misleading timeframe really annoys me.

Under Australian consumer law customers are entitled to a refund if a product has a major defect that can't be fixed in a reasonable time. If this drags on for too much longer Lithgow may need to be reminded of that.

You're almost right there.
It might seem a bit harsh but the consumer law holds that the vendor is responsible for the warranty. If there is an issue that warrants further action, it is up to the vendor to take that up with their provider, whether that be a manufacturer or some intermediary.

The vendor is helpless to replace an the supplier can’t provide.

Chronos

[Stix]

Surely the vendor is responsible for a refund if the purchaser wants one...

Thats what id be asking for & buy a rifle that i can actually use.

[Mike Echo]

Yeah, it sucks for the seller, but they legally are obliged to give you a refund. They can always get a refund from Lithgow.

The ACCC website explicitly says the seller can't fob you off onto the supplier.

[Chronos]

Yeah, it sucks for the seller, but they legally are obliged to give you a refund. They can always get a refund from Lithgow.

The ACCC website explicitly says the seller can't fob you off onto the supplier.

That may be what the consumer laws say but it’s the supplier that warrants the item. If supplier play the game of not supporting retailers with warranty support the retailers simply won’t sell their stuff.

Chronos

[Stix]

Well im glad i didnt buy one is all i can say...!!!

[Member-Deleted]

So then comes the question if Lithgow doesn't honor the warranty ,'' why bother giving loyalty to Australian made ''?
Surely all the fine print of warranty would or should have been sorted before Lithgow took possession of the parts before resale to buyers
Makes you wonder if Lithgow knew there was a possible fault with these rifles , one wouldn't know
If I had bough a new rifle and then had to fix it then when I got it back I most likely would dispose of it I would never feel comfortable with it ( just me I
suppose ) But then most new rifles have some little thing that needs a little tweek at times
Bad metal ,bad engineering, bad, bad ,bad it doesn't matter its new and you have the right to expect the best of what you have payed for
I know batches of steel can be iffy at times as steel has been a big part of my life but there is also checks and balances so as those batches don't get
into the market place easily then if the company making things have eyes on then there is the quality control part
So I say again with the machinery and technology and the eyes on these days things like faults should be very rare and if they do occur then someone
is responsible and it should be the person selling the goods as they have ok'd the item for resale then if they have a problem with that then they take it up
with the manufacturer it shouldn't be left to the purchaser to do so

[MontyShooter]

The reason for this recall is quite trivial.
Depends who you believe of course, but from what I've heard, it's all a waste of time...but has to be done.

[solarpak]

If the 308 is eventually recalled - i will ask for a refund.
CK

[Gwion]

Sounds like there might be quite a few second hand Lithgow102's up for sale soon... i better start saving...

Actually, anyone doesn't want the headache of the recall process for their 243, I'll give you $300 for your faulty rifle!

So, how many people went running to the various car dealers for a refund when their car was recalled....?

[Chappo]

Haven’t read here how this affects new Lithgow buyers.
Ordered a new .223 2 months ago and have had a pta for 1.5 months.
I know this recall will mean I have to wait longer and my lgs have already applied to have my pta extended but I can’t get any info as to how long.
Has anyone recently received a new one in any caliber and how long did it take?

[Cryptic]

Was at local chatting yesterday and he looked up the lithgow on the system and was nothing available to order and no time frame given for new availability.