Rizzini Rhino Express 470NE Cracked Wood

bohannon

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I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

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Don't fire the rifle until the wood is replaced or repaired be a 'smith! Hound the dealer to death if necessary; if still nothing, contact the rifle manufacturer direct.
 
Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.
 
Which dealer did you buy it from? I would work with the dealer first so the dealer can contact Rizzini to get it replaced for you.
Ordered from battlehawk armory. Don't think they'll be much help, so I'll keep contacting Rizzini USA directly.
 
I recently bought a Rizzini Rhino Express in 470 NE. Rifle was new and initially I was pretty impressed. Nice wood, tight action, ejectors, and negrini case for $9250.

However, I before firing the gun, I noticed a hairline split in the edge of the wood on the handguard. I reached out to Rizzini USA via email a few times over the last couple weeks with no response. It's obviously a manufacturing defect with the handguard being carved too thin on one side, so I'm hoping they'll fix it, but we'll see. The gun is not going to be a collectable or safe queen, but I'd like to at least try to get it fixed by Rizzini. If anyone has an inside contact at Rizzini, let me know.

Worse case scenario, maybe I'll just use the gun as-is if the crack is just cosmetic. We'll see...

View attachment 660761View attachment 660762
Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!
 
Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!
Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.
 
Frustrating to be sure. New rifle in hand and have to wait to shoot it.
If you run out of patience with Rizzini and decide to go ahead and use it, there are options to minimize the possibility of that sliver breaking off. Careful scraping of the interior to remove any finish, followed by careful application of thinned epoxy to seal and secure the sliver. If you can source fine thread fiberglass cloth, lay that in with the thinned epoxy and then overcoat with another layer after the first is cured. Sand carefully after cure to original shape.
As you said, not a collectible, but this would likely prevent the sliver from leaving and would only be visible when the forend is removed. Good luck with it. Hopefully Rizzini will take care of it for you!
Excellent advice if Rizzini won't fix it. Thank you.
 
Also dye the epoxy so it looks like wood and not epoxy.
Thanks. Should have mentioned that. Epoxy dyes come in virtually any color needed. Key in their use is, it only takes a tiny amount of dye. Do a test run for color check first.
 

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