LS Wild Armory: any interest in Semi Custom Tikkas?

[solarshooter]

Yep, critical thing that would make me buy from you vs source it myself is just having Tikka prefits ready on the shelf. Agree this will mostly work for Rokslide since we are all interested in similar things. Personally, I have the tools to swap barrels and prefer to do it myself, so I would not need that portion of the service, nor the accuracy guarantee. And I think your critical challenge will be to keep low lead times!

 

[cowdisciple]

I'd be interested in a 6 Creed.

I also would be interested in a 6 creed.

 

[The Harbor Master]

If you're able to offer a t3x with 20" or close, threaded, 6mm Creed prefit, and it's still "close"ish to the MSRP of the Tikka itself, or even sub-$1k, I think you'd have a hard time keeping any in stock. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

If you're able to offer a t3x with 20" or close, threaded, 6mm Creed prefit, and it's still "close"ish to the MSRP of the Tikka itself, or even sub-$1k, I think you'd have a hard time keeping any in stock. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.

Same. As long as it's a stainless Tikka. I'd prefer an 18" barrel over a 20".

The new threaded Tikka barrels that are mostly 22" don't do anything for me. I'd still need to cut and thread it. That's why I'm interested in your business model.

 

[The Harbor Master]

100% with you. I'm waiting for them to *hopefully* out a 6CM this year but like you said, if it's 22" I'd still need to get it cut. I'd pay the slight increase for the right size sooner, and support a rokslider/small business.

 

[hereinaz]

I think this could be a nice little niche filler. The accuracy verifying before shipping would be pretty convenient. I would imagine this would add a decent amount of time on your end to mount a scope and shoot it. Are you able to shoot 100 yards at your shop or do you need to travel to shoot?

Depending on how much $$ it was above doing it myself and turn around time, I'd be a potential customer. A few years ago, I bought everything to change Tikka barrels out, to avoid the delays.

I would hit the range with them, 45 minutes away, but right now shooting other peoples rifles will help me get the fix!!!

 

[hereinaz]

OK, this is getting real.

I marked all the in stock Tikka barrels as unavailable on the website for now.

For now, I will hold them for my FFL and will set up a wait list. I am in process of getting the Tikka to build off of. I don’t want to come up short with the number/style.

If you are interested, send me a PM with “Tikka Rifle Waitlist” in the title and then give me the specs you would like to see for your rifle. Barrel length, chamber specs, contour, blued/stainless/cerakoted, etc.

I have 22 creed, 6 creed, .223 prefits right now in various lengths.

I will also order more to keep on the shelf based on he waitlist interest. It’s not a commitment to buy, but helping me gauge likely interest.

If you are on the list, then you get first dibs.

@NSI

 

[WeiserBucks]

I think more people might get on a waitlist if there was a timeframe in mind.

 

[atmat]

So how is this working? Someone orders a Tikka from you, you change out the barrel, and they get their new Tikka + takeoff?

Or are you going to split up barrels and actions at the start and sell them separately (a la J&A Outdoors)?

 

[The Harbor Master]

OK, this is getting real.

I marked all the in stock Tikka barrels as unavailable on the website for now.

For now, I will hold them for my FFL and will set up a wait list. I am in process of getting the Tikka to build off of. I don’t want to come up short with the number/style.

If you are interested, send me a PM with “Tikka Rifle Waitlist” in the title and then give me the specs you would like to see for your rifle. Barrel length, chamber specs, contour, blued/stainless/cerakoted, etc.

I have 22 creed, 6 creed, .223 prefits right now in various lengths.

I will also order more to keep on the shelf based on he waitlist interest. It’s not a commitment to buy, but helping me gauge likely interest.

If you are on the list, then you get first dibs.

@NSI

Congrats and best of luck with the growth. I think you'll do pretty well in this niche. I suppose worst case, you can return to just stocking the pre-fits and your "usual" business if this doesn't pan out.

PM sent and very curious on final pricing for some of these

 

[Nine Banger]

So how is this working? Someone orders a Tikka from you, you change out the barrel, and they get their new Tikka + takeoff?

Or are you going to split up barrels and actions at the start and sell them separately (a la J&A Outdoors)?

Seems like most builders are buying a bunch of 300 win mag or whatever they can get and no one wants the barrels?

 

[atmat]

What would be great is if they could source actions only, then put the prefit on and send that out.

But I don’t think Tikka sells just the action.

 

[cowdisciple]

What kinds of thread spec options would you offer? Happy to take this question to PM but it's probably a general interest question.

 

[hereinaz]

1) Gonna use new/used Tikka rifles for now. We’re no different than others out there.

We will use/sell the extra barrels and such. I looked at prices, and we’ll probably liquidate them at average prices through Rokslide WTS rather than deal with supporting them on our site. Standard stocks really don’t have any value for us to handle or sell.

Will also add more prefit 700 clone barrels, like the 22 Creedmoor Original/Solus barrels we currently have. And, will do the Howa Superlite and Mini since they are unique. We also have barrels for the Howa Mini now.

2) Working with @NSI to create a Tikka based short action by an OEM maker, and work on the whole other parts of the ecosystem, like stocks and bottom metal—long term project.

3) LS will sell barrels and customers can ship their rifle to install the new barrel, for a small fee. If it requires a rare relief cut, then an extra charge or return the rifle. Buy a rifle from Eurooptic and send it to us as FFL for rebarreling you get the rifle, all parts, and the barrel shipped out.

We anticipate offering ceracote and nitride through partners for any action with a barrel.

4) Thread spec options for tenon are anything you want as long as it’s Preferred… Muzzle threads will be 1/2 or 5/8.

We are keeping it simple, orherwise it becomes a custom and we have to charge for the time suck dealing with onesie/twosie items and pay more because it’s less than MOQ for best wholesale pricing.

5) I expect the first LS rifles can ship as soon as 4 weeks. By June 1 will be up and rolling if the barrels we have last that long.

Our ATF agent said everything has cleared and we should have our license in our hands inside 2 weeks. I will have the LS Armory website up and running about that time.

6) Next week I will have finished shipping all barrels and will know what barrels are in stock. I anticipate making another order soon for barrels that will be done mid July.

7) I already have stockpiled a few Tikka and we have an invoice for $20k worth of rifles to buy. Tikka is the Rokslide way.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Standard stocks really don’t have any value for us to handle or sell.

Perhaps keep a couple laying around for folks on a tight budget that something ready to shoot?

 

[hereinaz]

Yeah, we’ll get more bang for the buck helping a brother out than trying to make money.

Perhaps keep a couple laying around for folks on a tight budget that something ready to shoot?

 

[WeiserBucks]

I only mention it due to the lead time on quality stocks. Factory stock at least gets a guy up and running.

 

[hereinaz]

Exactly, it’s not a permanent solution someone wants to spend a ton on, and shipping is plus or minus $30 bucks already. But, it they can get it with a barrel or something, it makes sense.

Our goal is to make money, do cool stuff, and be cool to fellow hunters. All at the same time.

If we keep it simple, we can do it all.

 

[4th_point]

I have no interest in these, but know others that might be.

My suggestion - post a video now, showing exactly what you intend to do for video documentation in terms of assembly, shooting, groups, etc.

That way, people can see the steps taken and the results, even if it's just an example rifle.

 

[4th_point]

PS - I recall some other people trying what you plan, in terms of verification, and it was not cost effective for the seller. IIRC, they sold the rifles direct and on GunBroker.

Final validation will be a crapshoot, but I wish you the best of luck. You might have a better mousetrap!