THE ARMORER(TM) are on its way from manufacturing to me so it will be available soon and be in people's hands for review/feedback.
BTW - Here is a sneak peak at our version of the M14, M1A, SEI GLFS (Gas Lock Front Sight), and M1 Garand Gas Cylinder Lock Wrench that will compliment BAD-T1 THE ARMORER(TM). The following images are of of the PROTOTYPES:
TOP Double Ended 3/8" Thick Wrench: BOTTOM Double Ended 1/2" Thick Wrench - The holes are threaded and used as Gas Plug Holders (so they don't get lost) and Gas Piston Holder (to keep the gas piston from rotating when using a drill bit to clean out the carbon)
TOP Standard 1/4" Thick Single Function Wrench for comparison : MIDDLE 3/8" Prototype Wrench : BOTTOM 1/2" Prototype Wrench
They will be made out of Aircraft Grade 7075-T6 Aluminum and Hard Coat Anodized. These tools will be "Made In USA" as well.
I know many people have been asking to see a video demo of the BAD-T1.
The VIDEO DEMO is finally here! The video is by one of our customers who go by Different on M-14 Firing Line, Lee Emerson, who authored a two volume book on the M14/M1A Rifle.
Lee was nice enough to help us out on the lack of video demonstration of the BAD-T1 and did a instructional video himself on how to maintain the M14/M1A using THE ARMORER(TM) this weekend. Thank you Lee!
Here are the two video links on YouTube:
PART 1
PART 2
I hope this will help everyone see how to utilize the tool.
BAD-T3: M14/M1A + M1 Garand Gas Cylinder Lock Wrench (The 3 Holes from Left to Right are: M1 Garand Gas Plug Holder, M14 Gas Piston Holder, and M14 Gas Plug Holder)
BAD-T4: M14/M1A Gas Cylinder Lock Wrench + SEI Gas Lock Front Sight Wrench
Nice tool but the price is way too high. I can nearly buy a CMPGarand for that price. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I can't believe no-one has said anything about that price yet.
Nice tool but the price is way too high. I can nearly buy a CMP Garand for that price. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I can't believe no-one has said anything about that price yet.
HKGuns,
I am glad you brought up the price questions as a few others had brought it up before on other forums who do not know the value of the BAD-T1 as compare to the many single function Tools and Ordnance Gauges that it replaces and also the cost of making a quality product in the US.
THE ARMORER(TM) has over 30+ functions/utilities/configurations. Out of which, (3-4) are Ordnance Gage functions. So lets take only the 3 gauge functions as a price comparison, you are looking at $187.50 already vs. the $215 for the BAD-T1. (*You can check pricing from well known M14 and M1 Garand websites such as Fulton Armory,Scott Duff, Brownells, etc.)
M1/M14 TE Gauge = $82.50
.30 CAL MW Gauge = $35
Flash Hider Alignment Gauge = $70
THE ARMORER(TM) is CNC Machined out of single solid piece of 41L40 Steel. It is NOT mass produced like many tools that are CAST, DIE CAST, MIM (Metal Injection Molded), etc. which is considered inferior.
A good example of the cost difference between cast and billet/forged/etc. would be the SA Inc. vs LRB Arms Receivers. The CAST Springfield M1A receiver cost $400-$600....where you pay DOUBLE to TRIPLE that for a FORGEDLRB ARms M14SA receiver at $965-$1285.
Our product is 100% designed, engineered, and manufactured in the U.S.A. Not a single part, process, etc. is done overseas in places such as China, India, etc. where labor is dirt cheap and the quality is usually reflected in the price.
I know the tool is not inexpensive as it is catered towards more of the middle to high-end crowd where quality is of the up most importance and the pride of owning something U.S. Made is important. I didn't set a target price and then made a tool to fit that price. I put the cost aside and designed the best tool that I possibly can with the best quality and materials. After I was done, the price is where it needed to be.
Manufacturing everything here in the USA has its price and I made a conscious decision to still make it here instead of overseas. I think many of us are probably tired of our jobs going overseas while we sit unemployed. I have worked hard trying to get the cost down and have contacted about a dozen different machine shops in the US and so far this is the best option.
I have had machine shops that turned me down cold and wouldn't even bother giving me a competitive quote once they saw the tool and the current pricing. If you know of a quality US Manufacturer that can make the tool for less, I am all ears and would be happy to give you a free BAD-T1 for the referral.
As for the price being close to buying a M1 Garand...I haven't seen any M1 Garands (complete and in good serviceable order) for sale for even close to $215. I have been a C&R collector for years and own over a dozen M1's. If you're like me, the M1's you buy can easily be over $1k each.
Even if you can find a M1 Garand for about $215, you are comparing Apples and Oranges. There is no comparison between a newly manufactured tool/gauge vs. a 50-70 year old rifle on the surplus/resale market.
If you look at quality, new manufactured M14/M1A scope mounts, they go for $200-$350 each. It serves a single purpose and doesn't hold to the same precision/tolerance as the gauge sections of the BAD-T1. The mounts also require less machine time have far fewer pieces. Do you think these scope mounts are over priced too?
The bottom is that if you don't already own a lot of the gauges and tools, THE ARMORER(TM) will actually cost you less money.
If QUALITY & MADE IN USA is important to you, the BAD-T1 is for you.
If you already own many ordance gauges and tools for the M14/M1A and M1 Garand, then you're not saving much by buying this tool. However, you will still get the added convenience of portability (as it fits in the butt stock) and to have the right tool at the right time when you need it is priceless.
There is a Group Buy going on for the BAD-T1 on M-14 Firing Line at a deep discount of $199 (including the $29 pouch) but it is almost all spoken for.
BTW - Even our 1,000 denier, Codura Nylon Pouches are 100% made in the USA. It is individually hand made with double stiched seams and custom tailored to fit the tool by Battlecloth in Pennsylvania. The pouch is about $24 adder when you buy the BAD-T1 + Pouch ($215 + $24 = $239). That is essentially our cost that we simply passed on to you. We can probably go and have it made in China for $4 a pouch and pocket the $20, but no, that is not what we're about. I'd rather support another small business in the US and keep the jobs here. We're putting our money where our mouth is.
The BAD-T3 and BAD-T4 wrenches were just listed at a GB price as well. It is priced very competitively and is essentially half the price of the closest comparable product on the market when you consider the number of functions.
Our goal is to bring a quality, innovative product to our fellow firearms collectors and enthusiasts and at the same time give you value for your money.
I hope my long winded response answered your question.
Regards,
George
Last edited by wdigeorge; 09-23-2009 at 11:40 PM.
Reason: fixed spelling
You make some good points George. I would imagine however, most of your market already has one or two of those tools and being a niche market probably doesn't help your price point very much. It isn't like you're building an apple peeler after all.......You've swayed my "opinion".
I was exaggerating the Garand price to make a point, It's less than half the cost of a RG CMP Garand.
It is a great idea and looks very well made. I may just buy one because it is pretty innovative. I support innovation as it is far too uncommon in the US these days. I'm not a member over there so I'll have to pass on the GB opportunity.
You make some good points George. I would imagine however, most of your market already has one or two of those tools and being a niche market probably doesn't help your price point very much. It isn't like you're building an apple peeler after all.......You've swayed my "opinion".
I was exaggerating the Garand price to make a point, It's less than half the cost of a RG CMP Garand.
It is a great idea and looks very well made. I may just buy one because it is pretty innovative. I support innovation as it is far too uncommon in the US these days. I'm not a member over there so I'll have to pass on the GB opportunity.
Thank you for the reply and I am glad I was able to sway your opinion.
We are a very different company than most. I understand that we are in a very niche market but my partner and I believe it in enough to put our own money into this product, without any outside funding. We'll let the free market decide, that's what America is all about.
Most of the major players (manufacturers) will not spend the time or the money into an endeavor such as this. Many people have said to me the M14 and M1 Garand is dead, don't waste your time on it and to focus on the AR15. I disagree. I think there is still some life left in this old gal in modern day military and civilian circles.
Battle Arms Development, Inc. is not our primary source of income/business, it is simply an outlet for our hobby and somewhere for us to apply our imagination and ingenuity. My partner and I both have a full time professional career and own business in other fields.
What does it mean to our customers? It means we are not driven by profit and can afford to sell our products at a very competitive price. We don't make a living from selling the BAD-T1 and our other products.
There are roughly 14,000-16,000 new M1A's being sold each year, by my estimation, and a percentage of that are new M14/M1A owners who could benefit from the tool. I do not know the number for new M1 Garand owners. I am hoping that the M14 (The Last Steel Warrior as one magazine article calls it...) and the M1 will live on and passed on to future generations to come.
Flash hider alignment gage is an excellent idea. With the foreign junk so poorly made and not concentric, it should be very usefull. Good luck with all your items.
" as well.
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Originally Posted by HKGuns
