Cooper Rifles

Bob D · April 16, 2007, 10:21:58 PM

Anybody got any knowlege about these rifles ? They are pricey but fine looking.
Bob

Brad H · April 17, 2007, 01:38:04 AM

They're basically custom guns, or at least as close as you can come to one, and are very fine pieces of work, and I would have one, but I'm not a big single shot fan.

Brad

HaMeR · April 17, 2007, 06:44:53 AM

I've never talked to an unhappy Cooper owner on the internet or in person. The wait is around 4-6 months tho.

Ladobe · April 17, 2007, 10:47:32 AM

I've been trough several Coopers over the last 16-17 years, and used to be a big fan of them. In the early days when they were completely built in-house they were a very fine semi custom rig capable of awesome precision with exceptional wood standard. Very high quality craftsmanship was the norm in those rigs. Unfortunately that has changed some with the centerfires, and they can be a hit of miss thing now days on getting a good one. I've had several long conversations with Dan and Rob on the phone about how they have lost the rep they once had. Their rimfires models remain top notch though from what I've heard.

Several of my friends have had nightmares with the newer Coopers. They just plain wouldn't shoot as advertised with any load worked up for them - period. In one close hunting pards case, a brand new rifle went back to Cooper several times and was even rebarreled a couple of times. Still wouldn't shoot after Cooper had tried to fix it for nearly a year. So both he and Cooper finally gave up and they rechambered it to a different cartridge. Even that didn't make it shoot stellar, but my friend finally settled for it as is. During all the shop time the stock was badly marred as well, and the last I heard he was after them to restock it as well. No where in there did Cooper offer to just supply him with a new rifle. There has been a lot of tales of woe on all the gun boards the last few years, but since I don't run any of them any more I don't know if Dan finally got a handle on quality control or not of late. Can't put a percentage on it, but while a lot of their rifles shoot as advertised, there is a surprising percentage that don't.

I currently have two Coopers, a wood upgraded 2000 Model 38 Classic in 17 Ackley Hornet, and an early 1995 Model 21 Varmint Extreme in 17 Remington that has just about the most beautiful 100% coverage fiddleback wood on it of any firearm I've ever owned. The 17AH came with the bolt adjusted wrong and blew a primer on the only round I've ever fired in the rifle and put a small nick in the stock. Right after purchased there was a firing pin recall, and Cooper handled the situation very poorly. The bolt came back vise scarred the first time and had to go back to be completely rebuilt and reblued. Soured me on the "new" Coppers. But the VE is of their best produced era and is awesome. Both of mine remain unfired except for factory test targets, and were more an investment than anything the way things turned out. They will both be up for sale when I get around to it.

Bottom line, Copper still produces many fine semi custom rifles. Just be aware that they have their share that are problematic, especially with certain cartridges.

Larry

vvarmitr · April 17, 2007, 11:15:37 AM

Quote from: Ladobe on April 17, 2007, 10:47:32 AMan early 1995 Model 21 Varmint Extreme in 17 Remington that has just about the most beautiful 100% coverage fiddleback wood on it of any firearm I've ever owned.

I don't believe ya!

I need pix!

The only gun to blow a primer for me was 17AIHornet. Fire form load no less. Hmmmmmmm?

RShaw · April 17, 2007, 01:07:47 PM

I have owned Coopers for the past several years and there have been no problems at all. The single shot issue does not bother me and I have a couple of extra rounds strapped around the scope just in case. I use mine to hunt with, so scratches and dings are just part of using them. All of mine are the Phoenix model with the composite stock and accuracy has been outstanding. The stocks just seem to fit me better too. Maybe I just got lucky, but for me they are worth the extra dollars.

That group was shot with the bottom rifle chambered in the Tac 20.

Randy

Ladobe · April 17, 2007, 07:05:05 PM

Quote from: vvarmitr on April 17, 2007, 11:15:37 AM
I don't believe ya! I need pix!

I haven't bothered to take any new pictures of the VE, but here is one of the ones the seller sent me that I bought it from. Followed by a picture of the 17 Ackley Hornet...

Bob D · April 17, 2007, 07:11:13 PM

That wood is just gorgeous. Prettiest I've seen !

vvarmitr · April 18, 2007, 07:34:36 AM

Would you look at that!!!! Thank God for the tree. You're right Ladobe that's the best fiddleback in a gun stock I've ever seen. :shck:

Did ya ask & see iffen they had any scrap left over to make a call er two?

Ladobe · April 18, 2007, 11:36:45 AM

Quote from: vvarmitr on April 18, 2007, 07:34:36 AM
Did ya ask & see iffen they had any scrap left over to make a call er two?

Not from Cooper. But I do still have two 5A and one 4A exhibition grade rifle stock blanks and a few extra smaller blocks of this awesome Tiger Maple that is 100% fiddleback through and through (all sides/ends). This Marlin was stocked from another piece of the same wood. Had hopes of one day restocking one of my sidelock muzzleloaders and a couple of varmint rigs with the blanks, but never got around to it. And yes, I have made a few calls, knife scales and a hawk handle from pieces of the smaller blocks.

vvarmitr · April 18, 2007, 02:41:34 PM

That is pure wood porn. I know cause I just got a woodie. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Ladobe · April 18, 2007, 03:22:06 PM

You sure it wasn't just a wedgie you got, and you're just confused?

:roflmao:

vvarmitr · April 18, 2007, 04:12:29 PM

How'd you know I had Indian underwear?