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RAW buyers beware!
- Thread starter Imyourhuckleberry
- Start date
, me too, nomo, and I played hooky from school that day. 
Edit: Okay, I just got schooled at this other link in PCP
https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/hm1000x-efficiency/
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I suspected it was a small crew. Seems as though a well oiled small crew like that can produce a better product than big manufacturers. It’s easier for a gun builder’s passion to trickle down into a small crew of six rather than an assembly line of 50+ workers most of whom don’t have a passion for airguns. Not to say a big manufacturer can’t pump out quality rifles, it just seems an easier task to accomplish when you have a small crew of passionate builders.
These big companies look at an airgun from different eyes. They think in terms of “If we sell 1,000 RAWs with plastic mods instead of CF we could save $50,000”
AF may have bought the RAW name and reputation. But the one thing they forgot to buy was Martin and crew
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AF may have bought the RAW name and reputation. But the one thing they forgot to buy was Martin and crew
Unless something has recently changed, the last time I spoke with Martin, he was still assembling all the RAW rifles. The AF arrangement was done more for parts supply. It would be interesting to know how much of the metal machine work, and stock hand work remains with the TN folks. He was operating a full machine shop, starting with raw materials. If he is now opening boxes of parts from Texas, that could result in some serious QC issues. I don't know who owns the RAW trademark and other intellectual property rights. If it's Martin, and things get out of hand with quality, he could pull the plug on the whole thing and just continue his custom work. Or, if sales remain satisfactory, he may ride the wave into retirement. Owners' priorities differ, sometimes it gets down to pride vs. profit. My relationship with him is strictly as a customer, and it has been first class, but I don't know him personally.
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He’s no longer the owner. He probably agreed to stay on with the company for a certain length of time to make the transition smooth.
What a class act. Builds one of the best brands, sells it, continues to work on the rifles he previously sold and builds custom rifles. Who knows he might start another brand soon
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He definitely still builds them and assembles them. And the new mods aren't plastic there Aluminum. While they don't look that good they gotta work better than there previous ones as they were terrible.
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Thanks God I am lucky enough to have two RAW HM1000X made by Martin before takeover by Airforce Airguns.
Both the guns are great shooters.
Umair Bhaur
Both the guns are great shooters.
Umair Bhaur
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He’s no longer the owner. He probably agreed to stay on with the company for a certain length of time to make the transition smooth.
What a class act. Builds one of the best brands, sells it, continues to work on the rifles he previously sold and builds custom rifles. Who knows he might start another brand soon
Probably a non competing disclosure agreement with the sale of RAW to Air Force though. Why wouldn't everyone shift straight to Martin's superior (sound like FiX eh?) custom built guns?
OR! He can be the Ben Taylor of RAW. Been MARTIN-IZED! THE IMPROVED RAW MR500 NO WONDER CURRENT QC DOWNHILL. Wouldn't make sense though to have him tune them to how they SUPPOSED TO BE in the first place. In that case better off having AZ do it. For sure you get a much better than PRE AIR FORCE gun.
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I know for a fact you can order a custom RAW. I just ordered a TM-1000.
I called Rachel @ AF and between Rachel and Brian they talked to Martin for details about what I requested.
Then even talked to Sandra on the phone about the order, who promptly said hold on Martin is back in the shop I’ll ask him...
I called Rachel @ AF and between Rachel and Brian they talked to Martin for details about what I requested.
Then even talked to Sandra on the phone about the order, who promptly said hold on Martin is back in the shop I’ll ask him...
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I think if anything Martin pretty much handed over the HMX line over to AF because of demand for the HP guns. AF has more sophisticated and faster machining capabilities. Plus more employees. But let me clarify, I believe Martin still assembles and tests every gun?
I have total faith my TM will be no less of a gun than any other RAW’s I own.
I have total faith my TM will be no less of a gun than any other RAW’s I own.
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